So, You Want to Be a Makeup Artist…
Let Us Help You Jump Start Your Career!
Starting something new can be difficult, but with the right help, the journey becomes much easier. That’s why we’re here. At Make Up First®, we provide professional makeup artistry education, and guide our students through the field, step-by-step.
Our Certificate Program, approved by the Illinois Board of Higher Education, is a comprehensive, in-depth makeup artistry-training program taught by industry professionals. By offering instruction in all areas of makeup artistry, we prepare the students so they can accept work in all avenues of the industry: editorial, bridal, theatrical, media, clinical and more. Our Certificate Program is specifically designed to allow our students to enter the field quickly and launch their career.
Ready to see the school in person? Book a tour here!
STUDENT SUCCESS
Your path towards success starts on your very first day here. When you begin the program, you will be added to our exclusive “students only” group where we post paying job opportunities every week. This growing community of past and present makeup artists is a great way to find and post job opportunities, ask important questions about products, techniques, or just seek advice. Our staff is dedicated to helping you with whatever you need, both while you’re here and after you graduate!
While some of our former students have moved on to work in Los Angeles, New York, and even out of the country, most of our students find themselves gainfully employed in the Chicago area. Our former students work in film, television, theater, spas, and also freelance as bridal and commercial makeup artists. Here are some of the places our students have been employed:
SCHOLARSHIPS & GRANTS
There are hundreds of scholarships and grants available for prospective students in Chicago and throughout the Midwest. Some you can apply for in less than 15 minutes! There are also benefits for US veterans, employer education stipends, and much more! With a little digging, you may find that you’re eligible for multiple options to help pay for education.
Below we’ve compiled a list of some of the scholarships and grants used by previous students of Make Up First to help you jumpstart the process!
Note: Some scholarships require Cosmetology and or Aesthetics licenses in order to be an eligible applicant. Be sure to research requirements carefully prior to submitting an application.
• The Professional Beauty Association provides scholarship information for organizations such as Minerva, Hans Neumaier, Sally Beauty Supply, and America’s Beauty Show!
• The Presidents Scholarship from America’s Beauty Show and Cosmetologists Chicago can help you take your career to the next level. Regular members of Cosmetologists Chicago® (CC), Cosmetologos Latinos® (CL), American Assiociation for Esthetics® (AAE), and International Nail Technicians Association® (INTA) can apply for up to $2,500 a year ($7,500 lifetime maximum) for Advanced Classes and Seminars.
• American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS) partners with industry sponsors to offer scholarships and grants to deserving cosmetology students. Beauty Changes Lives (BCL) currently offers seven scholarships in all categories representing the beauty and wellness industry. They also offer two advanced education scholarships, one in cosmetology and one in makeup. Since 2013, BCL has given away more than $1,000,000 in scholarships to students attending cosmetology, esthetics, nail, massage, makeup and advanced courses.
• Beauty Schools Directory is donating a $2500 Scholarship to help pay for education at the beauty school of your dreams! Deadline is October 31st!
• Blessons Scholarships for Women are funded by donations and are unique and may often function as the only source of support for women where no other granting and scholarship organizations may exist or are accessible in it’s nature where grade point average is NOT a deciding factor. They give women the resources to realize their educational goals to use the funds in whatever way that helps them most such as: books, tuition, on-campus health insurance, cafeteria, computer labs and transportation.
• The Chade Foundation Scholarships Program is offering financial aid to incoming and current college or graduate school students. In order to show our gratitude and support to the Chicagoland community, the company established Chade Foundation in 2007. We invite all eligible students to apply for our 10th Annual Scholarship Awards.
OTHER INFO:
Breaking down scholarship opportunities, and where to find them
Database of Vocational Scholarships
CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS
FOR COSMETOLOGISTS & ESTHETICIANS
Every two years, cosmetologists and estheticians must fulfill between 10 to 14 hours of Continuing Education to keep their license active under the Illinois Barber Act. While half of the required hours can be completed online, the other half must be earned in the classroom. At Make Up First, most of our courses and workshops are approved for Continuing Education Hours, and are suitable for all skill levels— from two hour, demo-only workshops to immersive, hands-on master courses.
Check out some of our upcoming workshops below!
“If you do something you love, you’ll never work a day in your life” -Anonymous