Is it really worth it?

Nov 15, 2013

Jessica K.

I've been wanting to go to a beauty school for a very long time. I asked many people who went to a beauty school how it was like and how did it help in their makeup industry. Some people say it was the best time of their life going to beauty school and some say that they would have rather went to college or university. So is it really worth all the money and effort trying to e
get in a beauty school to get into a makeup industry?

Nov 15, 2013

Antonia S.

It's really up to you and how you see your future.
I decided a long time ago that college was not for me. I absolutely hate high school (as far as classes, not really the social scene) and I don't see myself actually paying to practically do the same thing over again.
One thing I constantly hear is that a lot of college students leave school unequipped to get a job. Yes they have a degree in what the want to do, but they have no skills and jobs do not want to pay to have someone trained as opposed to someone who could easily jump into the job. That's why a lot of people are opting into things such as trade schools (mechanics, massage therapy, cosmetology etc.)
A big con of cosmetology is that it takes a while to build up a clientele. Your clientele is essentially everything, and it can take years to build a decent sized one up. You can speed up this process through networking and other means.
Cosmetology is a job that can never be outsourced. A robot or computer can file someones taxes, generate documents and manufacture things but it can't cut and color somebody's hair or apply their makeup. I do not believe cosmetology is a recession proof industry though. When the going gets tough a lot of women will skip getting their hair or nails done in order to pay bills, but they can't skip getting their car fixed if it breaks or going to the doctor.
I hope this puts a few things in perspective for you.

Nov 15, 2013

Kimberly S.

Beauty school doesn't teach you much except for how to pass the state board test! It's up to you to learn! Go to Mac, pay 50 dollars to buy products and they'll do your makeup you can hold one of their mirrors and watch plus you can ask questions...I learned a lot that way!! Also there are tons of YouTube videos out there. If you are just interested in makeup don't waste your money on beauty school, you don't have to be licensed to do makeup, only hair.

Nov 15, 2013

Carolyn H.

It depends on where you live, here in NY you don't need a license to do makeup. I went to school to be backed by a name and to network.

My instructors, who are now friends of mine, are actively working MUAs and I have them as reference on my resume and have gotten jobs just from that.
I really went to school because it looks good on paper not so much for what I was learning even though I did get some helpful tips. The opportunities that came from the school and from people. Knowing the school were more valuable.

If you live somewhere where you need to work with a license then you have no choice but to go to beauty school or else you risk lawsuit and fines for practicing without one.

Also there's a difference between cosmetology and makeup artistry. In my experience cosmetology courses focus more on hair and glaze over makeup, this certification is helpful if you want to work in a salon. As far as freelancing for companies or working fashion/shows it's not really so important.

Like I said inNY you don't need these licenses and things, so most freelancers I know are self taught in makeup and hair and it doesn't make much difference over who gets a job, talent does.

Nov 15, 2013

Carolyn H.

** you need a license to cut hair or wax, anything that removes anything from the body needs to be licensed by the state

Nov 15, 2013

Jennifer S.

I would say its definitely worth it. If you want to create, express yourself in art I would totally do it. And when you can take advanced classes, I would take those too. I'm learning new techniques all the time and use them not only on my clients, but myself. I like to think of this as the perfect job for me, because I get to not only create, I get to do something  love.

Nov 23, 2013

Jessica K.

thank you :)

Dec 9, 2013

Danielle B.

Going to beauty school will not necessarily help you one jot. I've been working for 20 years in this industry, earn my living working as a freelance artist and as the head of makeup/hair/wigs for a ballet company, and didn't go to school. You would be far better served by getting a degree in business while taking art classes, practicing, building a kit, networking, and working your butt off.