Starting a new career can seem daunting, especially one as non-traditional as makeup artistry! There are many factors to consider. If you’re serious about a career in the beauty industry, then getting a proper education can be one of the biggest decisions you make.
It can be hard to know whether you are making the right choice when it comes to online makeup schools. In this video featuring celebrity makeup artist Nathan Johnson, discover some things to look for when choosing an online makeup school.
Here are some factors to consider:
- Accreditation 00:40
- Your Instructor and Tutors’ Experience 01:35
- Student Experience & Individual Feedback 2:10
- Student Support & Guidance 3:30
- Tuition & Value of Education 4:47
- Educational Materials & Lifetime Access 5:35
- Your Professional Makeup Kit 6:50
- Refund Policy 8:00
- Affordable Payment Options 9:30
Let’s Recap
Choosing an online makeup school can be a scary thing. I’m going to give you some thoughts, knowledge, and tips to make sure that the school you choose will give you maximum learning. Make sure that you’re spending your money in the right place, so that your education can help you step directly into the career that you dream about!
Accreditation 0:40
One of the first and most important things you need to look at when choosing a school for you is credentials! Does this school have a rating with the Better Business Bureau? Look into it because you can learn a lot about who is really going to guarantee an education for their students.
Second, find out whether the school has a true presence with their students on social media. If you can find actual feedback from real students, then you know that you’re definitely going in the right direction!
Professional & Experienced Instructor & Tutors 1:35
Basing your entire decision on price is a mistake. One of the most important things you can do is look at who’s teaching you! Who is going to be giving you direct feedback? Learning from someone with a lot of experience and a long list of notable clients can also help you build a very rich career.
Also, look both at the instructor and the tutor. Having a great instructor is one thing, but you should also make sure your personal tutor has professional experience. Your tutor will be giving you direct feedback, and will have a huge impact on your learning. Without professional experience, they won’t be able to push you to the next level.
Student Experience & Individual Feedback 2:10
How much feedback are you going to get? Look for a school that gives you in-depth and direct feedback on each unit, opposed to those that only provide occasional and limited feedback. Make sure that the people who are going to be educating and helping you have the proper credentials.
Student Support & Guidance 3:30
One of the most important things to look for when choosing an online school is student support. Who’s going to be there for you to lean on and help you through the course? How can you contact the school?
At some schools, you’ll be lucky if you’re able to reach out to anybody. But at QC, you will have the opportunity to reach out to your Student Support Team on weekdays from 7 am to 9pm (EST). There is also support on the weekends, so that people around the world can be helped 7 days a week, and by a real person! QC aims to respond to your emails within one hour of your inquiry. You can also reach out to us by phone, live chat, or social media!
Makeup is a journey. It’s a community, and you should have educational support every step of the way!
Tuition & Value of Education 4:47
I could not be completely honest unless I mentioned price. Price can be a factor for everybody. However, although some thing may costs less, it does not mean it is the same value as the other options. When it comes to education, don’t necessarily let the lowest price be your guide.
This doesn’t mean you need to get the most expensive option, but often times you get what you pay for. Sometimes when you buy from the dollar bin, that’s exactly what you get. When looking at a program, you want to consider a lot of things.
Educational Materials & Lifetime Access 5:35
Look for a school that offers more than just online materials. Physical written materials allow you to constantly look back, take written notes, and continue to use them as you grow in your career.
At QC, not only do you get physical written materials, but you also get lifetime access to your online materials. You don’t just get the course as it was sent to you, instead you get a course that is constantly updated! This means that you can revisit your educational resources few years down the road, and find that they are updated with new material.
In addition, a school that really cares about their students will offer free additional content in their Online Student Center. This includes articles from industry professionals as well as other tips and tricks.
Your Professional Makeup Kit 6:50
Let’s talk about free swag. A lot of schools will give you stuff to join, but discover what it is that you’re actually paying for. Is your tuition going towards the makeup kit they’ve assemble, or the education that you’re going to get? With a great school, you’re paying for both!
At some schools you may get name brand makeup, however the variety and range of products will likely be much more limited. Receiving only two shades of a particular product puts limits to who you can apply makeup on, regardless of how luxurious the brand. A makeup kit as limited as this will likely not provide you with the shades necessary to mix, and meet the needs of all your clients.
Look for a well-rounded kit, opposed to one that has been pre-assembled by the makeup school. A more well-rounded kit allows you to learn and educated yourself on a wider variety of products, and then chose the products that are appropriate for you and your individual career.
Refund Policy 8:00
A lot of schools offer a money-back guarantee if you are not completely satisfied. However, look at the fine print! Sometimes there is a clause that excludes the “value” of your kit. This is where things can get sinister. The school buys the products offered in their kit at a professional discount and in bulk so that they receive a wholesale discount. However, even if purchased for $6, the school will advertise a $24 value on their website. Often in situations like these, the makeup is not refundable, even if unopened. When you return your materials to a school like this, you will likely only receive a quarter of your money back, regardless of the guarantee!
Make sure that you enroll in a school that is so committed to your education, that you will receive everything back if you’re unsatisfied!
Affordable Payment Options 9:30
Last, but certainly not least – payment plans! You want to work with a school that wants to work with you. Let’s be honest, we don’t always have money to plunk down immediately on a course.
The right school will let you pay weekly, monthly, or all at once – something that truly works for you. You should be able to choose the day that you’re billed. That means that they truly care about you. A school that cares not only about your education, but also about how you are financing it, is community environment you want to be in. You want to work with people that understand you and your needs.
Those are my tips for choosing an online makeup school that really cares about you. One that wants to put your education first, and make sure that you’re super successful! I can say on behalf of QC Makeup Academy, that after you do your research, we will be thrilled to welcome you to our program!
