Make-up school..what's that all about?

I thought I would write a post aimed at anyone who is interested in becoming a Make-up artist or anyone who is interested on what goes on in a Make-up school.
I trained at The school of Make-up which is a privately run school in Stockport near Manchester UK,the prices here vary on which course/s you would like to take you can view the courses here and students come from all over the world to train, everyone is welcome . My experience was one that I will never forget,I had the time of my life and made some amazing friends that I will never lose touch with.


So what happens?
This is based on my experience in 2008, certain areas may have changed,but generally I think its still pretty similar.
(I will quickly mention that your kit is on your work station on your first day and its full of MAC!!! ;) 


The Full Course ran 16 week intensively,with The Make-up and Hair taking up the majority with lessons on working in the industry in between and prosthetics taking I think 4 weeks. We learned everything  from the very basic application of Make Up,to airbrushing,stage make-up, fashion styling and special effects. 


At the end of 7 weeks we were prepared and had a portfolio week (which everyone was a nervous wreck about!) where each day we would get a model or 2 each to do a certain look that we had created on ie.natural,creative and a themed shoot (our theme was Vivienne Westwood) which we also got to style and source props for.16 girls running around Manchester trying to find props and outfits was mad haha!!

My first attemps on portfolio week

The hair course covers basic hair styling,creative hair,cutting,layering putting in a fringe etc also period hair and wigs,the cutting and basic styling is something that a make-up artist is required to be able to do,this was probably the part that stressed me out the most as I am not the best at doing my own hair! I found a great respect for hairdresser's after doing this part of the course! 


The last part of the course was prosthetics,where we made things like severed fingers and vampire masks.Although I don't think the school don't offer this at the moment I will mention it as we had the best tutor ever! Davy Jones is an Emmy award winning prosthetic designer he worked on pirates of the Carribean and Blade and had some amazing stories to tell! He is such a skilled man and so down to earth that I would recommend anyone who is interested in prosthetics to go train with Davy for definate! If anyone would like more info leave a comment or email and I will get his new course details for you .

SFX make-up and my prosthetic finger which has a better manicure than my real finger!

Anyway I hope that has been somewhat informative and not just a boring ramble! I just thought it would be nice to give a little bit of an insight into what goes on at a make-up training school,as I would have really loved to have read a personal experience before I went as I was a nervous wreck! I had the best time ever here,it was like being at girly school where applying your gloss in class would certainly not get you a detention! 

My class on 80's day 2008.Check out my wonky eyes!!

If you have any questions or ive missed something  please email me or leave a comment.

Have you ever thought about doing a Make-up course ?