Where to start (beauty & make-up training)

Hi everyone, I’m looking at doing a Certificate II in Retail Makeup and Skincare from the Academy of Makeup here in Brisbane. They recommend the Gorgeous Cosmetics brush roll which runs for $220, and I can get Sigma or Furless and a number of other brands for much less (and I trust their quality). Can anyone please recommend me a good brush set for this particular certificate or a makeup-related course in general? Thanks!

I just wanted to revive this topic as I didn’t want to start a new thread for this…

Now that I am working in the cosmetics and fragrance departments at work, I was wanting to broaden my knowledge by looking up courses I can complete (preferably online as I work full time) to help me assist customers and just be better at my job in general.

In particular, I want to complete a fragrance training course and what ever other short courses there are available in cosmetics and perhaps hair?

Are there any of you beauties that have completed a fragrance training course online that can recommend any?

The two links I have had a look at from Google are “The Fragrance Foundation Fragrance Academy” which quotes $175 for their course and a couple of courses available from the “Michael Edwards Fragrance Training Program”.

I’m not sure if these courses will be valid in Australia though, which is why I’m seeking some advice here.

T.I.A! 🙂

Long story short I cannot afford in any way to invest in beauty school, cosmetology, or even just building a make-up artist portfolio. I am already in student debt from getting my uni degree in history, and I only just arrived in Australia and to be honest employers aren’t very eager to hire people with no local experience. So I just can’t consider getting professional training in this field. Can’t afford it.

However I do love make-up and was wondering if there is any “middle way” – working at a make-up counter or in a make-up store? I have only ever heard of MAC (just an example though) hiring people with either professional training or an impressive portfolio if self-taught. But is there any way that I can sort of get into that industry without either, and learn on the job? I will honestly be happy just to be a cashier in a make-up store but I get the feeling they tend to prefer hiring artists. Is this true?

Hi Jitchiwah, I am interesting in a Diploma in this school (Media Makeup), but still hesitating. Could you tell me more about it? Was it hard? Did you feel some pressure over there? Did you do a Certificate or a Diploma? I guess you are now done, so it would be great to have some feedback from you! 🙂 Thanks!

I have just started a Makeup course at Media Makeup in Adelaide. LOVE it. I discovered makeup properly about 8 years ago now, when a friend introduced me to a MAC counter.. and ever since I’ve always thought I’d love to work in the industry.

Finally took the plunge and I’m on my way! I am studying part time, 2 nights a week so that I can still work. The course is quite expensive so it was the only way I would be able to manage it. I ummed and ahhhhd over doing this for a good year or so before I enrolled, but I am now so glad I did. At the very least it’s giving me something to do that I really enjoy.

I would suggest though, making sure you research and find a course that is well regarded. I spoke to a few MUA’s on various top brand counters around Adelaide before the course and most of them trained where I am now and all said it was great, so I knew I was on the right track. There was at least one smaller “academy” that I looked at briefly which was cheaper, but no where near as good.

Also, be aware that it’s a pretty competitive and tough industry. There aren’t many counter positions so you probably won’t just walk into a position at the end of the course. You will need to get out there and pursue it.

I’d really suggest going and chatting to a few girls on counters.. I did before hand and I found they were really lovely, answered a few questions I had about getting into the industry and how their companies recruited, etc. Also contact the academies or courses you are looking into and see if you can go along for a visit/interview/tour, that will give you a feel of the “vibe” of the place.

At the end of the day, life is there for living. So if there is something you want to do, you got to at least TRY! If you don’t you’ll always wonder “what if”.

KIT cosmetics have posted on their facebook page that they are looking for beauty-lovers to join their team:
http://www.kitcosmetics.com/jobsatkit

Good luck PrettyPrincess, I hope you find what you’re looking for. It’s really refreshing when you leave what you know behind and take a gamble on something new. And can you imagine being one of those people who LOVE their jobs.

An opportunity has come up for me to be trained in IPL, and continue education.
Going to meet with them on Monday to discus this further.

Hi Pretty Princess.

Just looked at the PAINT site, it wasn’t them. I hadn’t even seen them! It was a Cert 2 course through a smaller hairdressing academy, so i was a little wary that it wouldn’t be the same standard as a specialised makeup school. Their site wasn’t very professional, etc. Just a few little things that made me wary.

PAINT looks good.. but doesnt look like it’s an accredited Training Organisation which Media Makeup is so I am not sure it would be as widely accepted for employment? You’d have to research that a bit more as I’m not sure on the exact details.

But as you’re looking for personal rather than a career, that is probably not a huge issue. Honestly, I’d give both PAINT and Media Makeup a call and look into going in for appointments to look around, check out the resources and facilities, learn more, ask questions etc.

You can get a good feel for a place by doing that so you can see which one will be right for you.

I know I’m absolutely loving my course and so glad I ended up doing it. I’d been unsure and almost convincing myself NOT to do it for so long but now I am doing it I wish I had started sooner!

I really think you should go for it. I am do my Deploma in make-up now and it is great. Most of the girls did their BT first though as it was easier that way.

Thanks Guys!
Ironically Jitchiwah, I’m in Adelaide to!
I think the smaller one you looked at was PAINT??
That one is quite appealing as it does include brushes and a kit, and is around (2k cheaper!)
You are right though everyone seems to go through Media Make-Up.

As I said I’m not overly fussed about employment, It is more a personal thing for me, and see what happens.