Luzaan de Bruyn is a graduate and Student Ambassador of QC Makeup Academy. She is also the proud founder of Beauty by Luzaan and specializes in traditional, SFX, and airbrush makeup. Today, Luzaan reveals why she originally believed she could never learn how to do makeup online – and how QC Makeup Academy completely changed her mind!
There I was, sitting on Facebook like I did every day. On this fateful day, however, I happened to scroll across an advertisement from QC Makeup Academy. Their ad said that they could help me become a trained, certified makeup artist – all from the comfort of my own home.
I’m not even going to lie: I initially thought that QC was totally full of it.
“How is it even possible to learn how to do makeup online?” I thought to myself. “Not a chance. That’s completely silly. The only way to properly learn makeup would be in a real classroom.”
Maybe it was morbid curiosity. Maybe the notion of a school so confident in its ability to turn you into a professional MUA via distanced learning had me amused. Either way, I wound up saving the advertisement and sharing it with my husband later that night.
Here’s the thing: I knew absolutely nothing about makeup. I mean, I was still piling on foundation with my hands. If I was going to get on an expert’s level, the training I needed would have to be legit. After all, I’d be started from ground zero. The idea that an online school would be able to teach me everything I need to know?
It just seemed fishy to me.
But I kept returning to that ad over the next few days. I just couldn’t seem to forget about it and move on. So, I decided to do some research. I started looking into QC Makeup Academy and their online makeup courses. The more research I did, the more convinced I became that maybe – just maybe – it actually was possible to learn how to do makeup online.
Eventually, I found myself taking a few deep breaths and suddenly pressing the enroll button. The ironic part is that I wasn’t even all that interested in makeup artistry when I did this. Weird, right? But something inside me told me to try it anyways.
Was it boredom? Was it fate? I’ll let you decide!
Why I Was Skeptical About Learning How to Do Makeup Online
Like I said, before I enrolled in QC’s Master Makeup Artistry Course, I had absolutely no background in makeup. I used foundation that 2 shades darker than my skin tone, I didn’t even know blending was a thing, and I had one shade of eyeshadow that I pretty much worked into every look. Needless to say, I was a complete newbie and a total disaster.
A lot of my skepticism actually stemmed from my experiences with social media makeup. I follow a LOT of Instagram influencers. Many of them have posted tutorials and hacks in the past. Of course, I would try them. But each time I did, I’d look horrible. And I’m not even exaggerating – I absolutely do mean HORRIBLE.
Thus planted the seed in my head; the one that told me, “It’s impossible to truly learn how to do makeup online!” The issue – I assumed – was that without being able to learn in a real classroom, with a real tutor, it couldn’t be done. After all, if a famous makeup influencer’s tutorials couldn’t teach me correctly, how could an online makeup school?
My Journey into Makeup Artistry
Okay, I know what you’re probably thinking: If you were so skeptical about online learning, why did you enroll with QC Makeup Academy in the first place? Why take such a risk?
Here’s the honest truth: I enrolled because despite my skepticism, the idea of learning makeup online – if it was indeed possible – was attractive to me. I’m a mom of four and a private wildlife rehabilitator. I knew I’d never have a free hour to go to a brick-and-mortar class.
Initially, my goal in becoming an MUA was simply to be able to earn an extra income that I could put towards the rescue, since I run and fund it entirely on my own. (Also, if I’m being honest, being able to make some side money to fund my shopping addiction was also a definite incentive.)
In the beginning, that was enough to push me to take that leap of faith and try out online makeup school. However, I never would have guessed that this decision would lead me to my true passion: beauty.
How QC Proved Me Wrong
Within 1-2 days after enrolling, I received my login details for QC Makeup Academy’s Online Student Center. I’ll be honest: I didn’t even wait for my physical makeup kit or books to arrive by mail. I didn’t have to – all of my books were available directly to me online! So, I figured I’d jump right in.
Right away, I was surprised to see all of the tutor videos, all of the booklets and handouts, and all of the hands-on assignments! My tutor was celebrity makeup artist, Nathan Johnson. I watched all his videos within that first week of enrolling.
He was so informative, interesting, and fun! He truly is the sunshine after the rain. It was impossible not to feel inspired by him; like I actually could learn how to do makeup this way so long as I was willing to work hard, put in the time, and give it my full effort.
My course delved into the fundamentals of makeup artistry. Whenever it came time to learn an application, the videos would break it down for me step-by-step. There was so much detail and explanation! QC’s courses are so layered and gripping that it didn’t take long before I found myself developing a fiery passion for makeup!
I woke up thinking about makeup and went to bed thinking about makeup. I was excited to practice each and every single day.
After I submitted my first assignment, I got AMAZING creative criticism and advice from Nathan. He pushed me to go where I never thought I’d find myself! In fact, his guidance – combined with how much I was enjoying the course itself – was so fantastic that it wasn’t long before I wanted more.
I was still working through my Master Makeup Artistry Course, but I knew I’d want to continue my training once that was completed. So, I also enrolled in the Airbrush Makeup Workshop and the Special FX Makeup Course. QC Makeup Academy truly proved that you can easily learn how to do makeup from an online course – if you put in the hands-on work they expect from you and are willing to challenge yourself.
Honestly, after experiencing life as a QC Makeup Academy student, I can confidently say that I’ll never study through a brick-and-mortar school. QC Makeup Academy’s flexible, online learning environment provides for all my needs.
So, Can You Actually Learn How to Do Makeup Online?
Yes, yes, 1000% yes!
Through QC, I’ve gotten the expand my knowledge both through theory-based learning and real-world makeup experience. I’ve had the privilege of a one-on-0ne environment where it’s just my tutor and me. (Something I could’ve never found in a physical classroom!) To me, this kind of environment allowed me to establish a personal connection with my mentor. I always knew that Nathan focused entirely on my work, my results, and my journey.
At the same time, just because it’s an online school doesn’t mean that you’re isolated or forced to go through your journey alone. On the contrary, I could communicate and connect with other QC students and graduates in the Virtual Classroom on Facebook. I’ve lost count of how many friends I’ve made. We’re all like family to one another; providing support, constructive feedback, love, and motivation.
Now that I’ve done my professional makeup training online, I couldn’t imagine doing it any other way. It’s almost like the industry’s best-kept secret – but it deserves to be out in the open now, for all to know!
Your quality of learning will be just as good – if not better – than it would be in a brick-and-mortar school, but for a fraction of the cost. You’ll get to earn your certification on your own time, at your own pace, and in your very own home. This means that you’ll be able to push towards the career of your dreams, even during a global pandemic. Like me!
I guess my question to you is: will YOU follow your dreams, like I did? Will YOU find your passion in makeup, like I did?
If the answer is yes… then what are you waiting for? 😜
Feel free to come join our Virtual Classroom and connect with me directly. I’d be happy to chat more about my experience and answer any questions you might have. I love to meet and help future students!
Thank you for reading my blog. I’ll be waiting for you to come say hello! Lot of love to you. xx
Awesome post. Well done!
Thanks so much for taking the time to read this, Jessica! We’re very proud of Luzaan for this article. We love having a Student Ambassador who can bring in this kind of perspective, since we know that – understandably – many people have the same misconceptions about online makeup training. We’re hopeful that this article and Luzaan’s awesome insights will help aspiring MUAs see that there are many other valid ways to get certified, beyond the traditional brick-and-mortar setting. 🙂
All the best,
The QC Team