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Makeup Academy article, Aug 19 2021, Feature Image

6 Reasons to Train with QC Makeup Academy This Fall!

By Career Advice, Education, From the Experts, Your Makeup Career No Comments

Thinking of enrolling with QC Makeup Academy? Want to pursue your dream career as a professional makeup artist? QC graduate and industry expert, Gabrielle Rivera, breaks down 6 key reasons why you NEED to start your training this upcoming fall season!

Makeup academy article, Aug 19 2021, in-post image 1, Gabrielle Rivera portfolio

Start The Career of Your Dreams This Upcoming Fall!

Fall is quickly approaching! This means back to school – and for many of us, back to work, instead of working from home. Returning to our normal (but busy) routines can be a big adjustment.

However, with autumn just around the corner, this can also be a great opportunity for you to make some much-needed change in your life, too! Specifically, you can use this new season as an opportunity to practice a bit of self-care and work towards the career of your dreams.

Here’s the good news: QC Makeup Academy can help you achieve this goal, all from the comfort of your own home!

Why should you enroll with QC Makeup Academy over other online makeup schools this fall? I’ve got 6 killer reasons, so let’s take at look at them together!

6 Reasons to Enroll with QC Makeup Academy

Reason #1: Total Flexibility = Less Stress

The great thing about taking a course with QC Makeup Academy – unlike attending other online or in-person schools – is that you really do have the freedom to customize your schedule!

With many of us returning to in-person jobs, having the freedom to learn at your own pace is invaluable. Since QC’s learning environment works around your availability (rather than the other way around), you can find time to study and build your skill-set whenever it’s convenient for you.

The best part? There are NO strict deadlines! Once you enroll, you have 2 full years to complete your course. However, during this time, when and how often you focus on your studies is entirely up to you. As a result, you’re granted a stress-free learning environment, which is proven to get you the most out of your education!

Fun Fact: Many of QC’s graduates have found that by devoting a mere 1-2 hours per week to their studies, they were able to graduate and earn their internationally-recognized certification(s) in as little as 2-6 months!

Makeup academy article, Aug 19 2021, in-post image 2

Reason #2: QC Makeup Academy is Affordable for ANY Budget

You might be wondering, “How much does QC Makeup Academy cost?”

Don’t worry, I’m covering this for you, too!

Course tuition varies, depending on which program you want to enroll in and where you live. That said, QC ensures that every course is fairly priced. While the tuition reflects the high quality of the training provided, they also don’t want their students to go broke in the process.

This is why – on top of their already affordable rates – they offer payment options that best suit your budget. When you enroll with QC, you have the option to either:

  1. Pay the full amount upfront, which will earn you a sweet little “pay in full” discount.
  2. Or pay a small deposit at the time of enrollment, followed by low monthly payments. Thanks to this option in particular, countless QC students on a tight budget have been able to pursue their makeup training without worrying about any financial burden.

Reason #3: Advanced, Thorough Education

I just so happen to be a graduate of QC Makeup Academy myself. For me, one of the most important takeaways was how thorough this school is in delivering a high-quality, advanced education. Something that separates this makeup academy from others is that they supply you with all of the tools you need to excel – and I don’t just mean makeup.

QC goes above and beyond other schools by providing instructional videos for each section of your course. Moreover, you’re given academic booklets (both digital and physical), as well as makeup products and/or tools that would be required for the training.

Additionally, you’re also assigned an instructor who’s a legitimate expert in the makeup and beauty world. This tutor is there to assist you and give comprehensive feedback on your assignments. Speaking from experience, I can assure you that your tutor feedback will be anything but generic!

When I was completing my own course, I found that the responses given to me where always exceptionally thorough, detailed, and mindful. QC Makeup Academy’s instructors truly take the time to review your work with a fine-tooth comb. This way, they can offer constructive feedback to help you grow and perfect your artistry.

Man doing makeup on female client in beauty salon

Reason #4: Special FX and The Halloween Season

Not only does QC Makeup Academy offer beauty makeup certifications – they also offer a Special FX Makeup Course, too! This 4-unit certification program delves into makeup for theater, fantasy, gore, and classic SFX looks. What better time to become a master of special effects makeup than for the upcoming Halloween season?

Obtaining an International Special FX Makeup Professional (ISMP) certification with QC Makeup Academy is a great asset to add to your resume. Firstly, because it’ll help you land more clients for the upcoming fall season. Secondly, because having this training will open up SO many career opportunities and paths for you.

For example, it’ll make you more marketable to work as a makeup artist for haunted houses. Additionally, it’ll help you network with photographers for a variety of autumn-themed shoots. Not to mention, SFX training can get your foot in the door for movies, television shows, and live theater gigs!

Did you know that my SFX makeup knowledge has helped ME land a sweet seasonal job for a haunted house? Read my full story here!

Reason #5: QC Makeup Academy Will Get You Certified in Time for The Wedding Season Craze

For MUAs who specialize in bridal makeup, the 2021 wedding season has been a nonstop whirlwind! Even though we’re all still in the midst of a global pandemic, life is beginning to open up again. As a result, weddings that were once put on pause are now in full effect.

From my own personal experience, I can attest to the wedding craziness. I’m already booking bridal parties well into 2022! So, believe me when I tell you that NOW is the optimal time for you to maximize the upcoming fall season by gaining a professional certification that’ll really impact your business.

Unlike other makeup schools, QC Makeup Academy offers all sorts of certifications that can take your bridal services to the next level. For starters, they offer an entire course devoted to airbrushing (which has become extremely popular in the bridal industry).

Furthermore, QC also offers a Skincare Course, Hair Styling Essentials Course, Global Beauty Workshop, and so much more! Their most popular program, the Master Makeup Artistry Course, also focuses on bridal applications. You can then further this knowledge through the Pro Makeup Workshop, which explores advanced bridal makeup artistry.

In a nutshell: getting certified NOW will mean you’ll be ready to book bridal clients this upcoming Fall. And when it comes to where you should obtain this training, QC Makeup Academy is the way to go. Their in-depth programs will truly help your artistry and career flourish!

Makeup academy article, Aug 19 2021, in-post image 4, bridal makeup application

Reason #6: Professional Benefits

A final benefit of enrolling with QC Makeup Academy this upcoming fall is that you’ll automatically become eligible for SO many discounts from reputable big-named brands! For example, depending on where you live, you’ll be able to save money on products from MAC, Temptu, Urban Decay, Mehron, and many others!

Learn more by checking out QC Makeup Academy’s full list of partner discounts!

So, what are you waiting for? Enroll with QC Makeup Academy today and become a professionally certified MUA in just a couple short months!

Online makeup classes article, July 29 2021, Feature Image

Online Makeup Classes Changed My Life…and Here’s Why!

By About the School, Career Advice, Education, QC Student Ambassador 2 Comments

Dream of being a professional makeup artist? Thinking of enrolling in online makeup classes for your certification training? QC Makeup Academy graduate and Student Ambassador, Erica Cano, is here to share her journey. Join her as she reveals how QC’s courses completely changed her life!

Online makeup classes article, July 29 2021, Erica Cano headshot

A Little About Me

Hello, my beautiful people! If you do not know me, my name is Erica (otherwise known as Erica Starr). I’m a Student Ambassador for QC Makeup Academy, as well as a graduate and current student. I’ve completed the Master Makeup Artistry Course, Skincare Course, and Virtual Makeup Training Course. I’m currently enrolled in the Global Beauty Workshop, as well as the Pro Makeup Workshop.

Having these online makeup classes available really has helped me develop into a professional artist in many aspects. I’ve since opened my own makeup business called Erica Starr MUA. Moreover, I’ve been able to offer skincare services in addition to makeup services. And thanks to all I learned in the Virtual Makeup Training Course, I’ve even expanded into offering makeup lessons over Zoom. Thus, I can assist clients both online and in-person.

In today’s article, I’ll be talking about how I’ve become successful as a makeup artist, especially as this crazy pandemic begins to die down here in Southern California. Furthermore, I’ll reveal exactly how much QC’s online makeup classes have changed my life – and how they’ll change YOURS, too! 💕

Why I Chose to Take Online Makeup Classes

I decided to take online makeup classes and become a professional MUA when the pandemic first started. The online learning environment offered at QC Makeup Academy gave me the opportunity to work at my preferred pace while still being a mom to 3 kids. Not to mention, I was also taking care of my elderly grandpa at the time, too.

I’ve been a caregiver for as long as I can remember. I started working with special needs adults when I was 18 years old. Now, I won’t mention how old I am now, but let’s just say it’s been a lengthy amount of time since then. When you work with special needs individuals, you learn to be a people person. Plus, you need to be able to communicate professionally with others. With that background and customer service background, I’ve been able to use those skills to be personal and professional with my beauty clientele.

With that being said, COVID-19 gave me time to really investigate a different career path. The one thing I knew I loved to do was play with makeup and get creative. I had no real skills going into it, but that didn’t stop me… and it shouldn’t stop you either, if you’re in the same boat! I was at a point in my life where I felt I needed to get a career under my belt. Importantly, it needed to be a career could take me far, so long as I put the effort into it. Ultimately, this is what pushed me even more to get my professional certification while doing online makeup courses.

Erica Cano portfolio image, Erica working on client's makeup

Choosing QC Makeup Academy’s Online Classes

I’ve always enjoyed learning online. Brick-and-mortar institutions were hard for me, as I found it difficult to concentrate in class. After all, people were often messing around and laughing, or clicking and clacking their pens on the desks. I was just too easily distracted by others, so it made it hard to keep focus.

As a result, it started to affect my grades and, ultimately, made me quit school. I was close to finishing my Bachelor’s degree at the time. However, I just felt like getting a BA degree was not what I truly wanted.

Important Criteria

When I was researching online makeup classes, a few things were essential to me. Firstly, we were in a pandemic, so cost was particularly important. (We were all in the same boat at that time with regards to money, am I right?) Secondly, there needed to be a real tutor to guide me, as well as real people working for the school who’d be able to help me if I ever needed assistance.

With QC Makeup Academy, they and their online makeup courses offered exactly that! I was able to pace my time and work on units that took longer for as long as I needed to. Since you’re given 2 whole years to complete each class, I highly suggest taking your time. This will help you nail techniques down while you have access to your tutor. If you rush, you’ll see the outcome with lower grades.

Trust me: the payoff of hard work is worth the effort you put into it!

QC Makeup Academy Has Changed My Life!

QC Makeup Academy’s online makeup classes have totally changed my life. With the help of my tutor, Nathan Johnson, I was able to push myself further. I was able to really expand my thought process, in terms of how makeup should be applied – versus what we see on YouTube and other social media platforms.

Once I discovered the value of proper makeup training, I quickly grew to dislike what I was seeing on a lot of social media posts. Over-filled brows, super light undereye masks, etc. I wanted to be able to apply makeup in a way where, say, a bride didn’t look overdone. Mainly, I never wanted to make people look like a completely different person.

I owe this fundamental, game-changing perspective to QC’s online classes and tutors. I’m grateful I found QC Makeup Academy on Google. Of course, I did research other schools in the beginning. My husband even did research on QC for me, to make sure the school was real and well-known. Ultimately, I obviously chose to enroll and I’ve never looked back since!

To be honest, I didn’t expect my makeup business to start taking off so quickly. But once I got a professional website, and began marketing and promoting my services on social media, things took off pretty fast! This is why, speaking from personal experience, it’s imperative to understand the business side of being a makeup artist, too.

Once you sit down and get the business side done, I assure you that your business will take off. Moreover, with the right portfolio images, your work will speak for itself – especially if you take your training seriously!

What’s On The Horizon…

As a I mentioned at the beginning of this article, I still have a few online makeup classes to finish with QC Makeup Academy.

I’m especially excited for the Global Beauty and Pro Makeup workshops! In my opinion, these courses are just as beneficial as the Master Makeup Artistry Course. I live in a very Metropolitan area. As such, global beauty knowledge will help me expand my understanding of all skin types, tones, and undertones. I’m about halfway done with this course and I highly recommend it to EVERYONE!

Then there’s the Pro Makeup Workshop. This class is meant to push you further and refine the skills already acquired in the MMA course. The Pro Makeup Workshop will help me to think even more outside the box, as well as build on looks and techniques I’ve already honed.

Final Thoughts

As I close my time here with you today, I just want to say that QC Makeup Academy truly is worth every single penny. I came in knowing very little about makeup artistry. Now, I’m a certified expert with an exceptional understanding on everything from how to prep skin, to the full makeup application. My skill-set is more advanced than I ever thought possible! I’m so grateful to be a graduate, Ambassador, and current student of QC Makeup Academy.

NOW is the time to sign up and get your dream career going. I promise that you will not regret it! Thank you so much for reading. I hope this helps you decide to join us in this wonderful makeup industry. Please comment below and let me know your thoughts – and don’t forget to connect with me directly in QC’s Virtual Classroom on Facebook! 😊

How I’ve Been Building My Makeup Business

By Career Advice, QC Student Ambassador 2 Comments

Want to start your very own makeup business, but not sure where (or how) to begin? QC Makeup Academy Student Ambassador, Paula Alleyne, is here to share her journey! Join her today as she reveals how she’s been finding clients and successfully building her business!

Paula is a graduate of QC’s Master Makeup Artistry Course. Her business, PAULA MONIQUE, specializes in bridal, editorial, and special occasions makeup. Connect with Paula directly in the QC Virtual Classroom on Facebook! 

Makeup business article, July 28 2021, Paula Alleyne headshot

A Little About Me

Hi, everyone, my name is Paula Alleyne. I’m a Student Ambassador with QC Makeup Academy and I’m here to tell you about my journey so far as a certified makeup artist. The first question you may have is, “How will I know when I’m ready to start my own makeup business?” I’ll be honest, this answer varies for everyone. But for me, it started when I knew I wanted to earn an income from what was, at the time, just a hobby.

4 Things I Needed to Do BEFORE Starting a Makeup Business

In an industry such as this one, it’s extremely important to go into things fully prepared. Before I decided to start my own makeup business, for example, there were a few things I wanted to achieve first:

1. Gain a professional makeup education.

From the time I realized I liked makeup artistry, I practiced on friends and family members. I believed, however, that if I started charging a fee for my service, I shouldn’t be taking any chances. I wanted to be truly knowledgeable about what I was doing. The only way I knew I’d get to that level was through proper training. That’s when I began my search for different makeup schools and enrolled at QC Makeup Academy!

2. Purchase a camera.

These days, so many mobile phones are capable of taking beautiful, high-quality images. For this reason, it’s not uncommon to use them to snap a picture of our work. However, I quickly realized that my mobile phone (at the time) was not capturing – and thus, accurately reflecting – the quality of work I was doing on my friends and family.

It became frustrating that after all my efforts, the photos didn’t nearly do justice to what I was seeing in real life. Fortunately for me, my husband decided to take his photography skills more seriously and purchased a professional camera. I soon used his photography skills to capture the work I did on others, and the difference was like night and day!

Want to learn more about how to take amazing photos for your makeup business’s portfolio? Here are 5 more tips!

Portrait of fashionable young photographer with vintage film camera.

3. Develop a strong portfolio, to be used for my makeup business.

In my recent blog article, Breaking Down My Makeup Portfolio, I provided tips in developing your very own portfolio. With my husband developing his photography, and my decision to start a campaign of bridal shoots and network with service providers, I was able to start my portfolio development. How were potential clients to know what I was offering, if I didn’t SHOW them some of my work? As I continued to share my work, I got more queries, referrals, and clients!

4. Set myself a timeframe.

Personally, I set a particular year that I wanted to start my makeup business and begin earning an income by. Thus, my focus was to achieve these goals by that given timeframe. Now, I’ll be honest: my first paid job didn’t happen in the same year I’d set my deadline by. It did, however, quickly come in the following year.

My point is, it’s very important to remember that life isn’t set in stone. You may set goals for yourself and your makeup business that don’t necessarily come to fruition right away. However, creating milestones for yourself is still beneficial. It’ll help you stay on track with all of the sways and demands on life. Just try to be realistic with your goals – and don’t become overly frustrated when it doesn’t exactly happen as you plan. As long as you at least have a plan, you’re on then right track!

4 Tips for Building Your Makeup Business

Once I started earning an income, there were additional steps which I created for myself in order to increase my makeup business’s chances for success. If you keep these steps in mind as you pursue your own journey, I guarantee you’ll set yourself up for a lucrative, long-term career!

Makeup artist working on happy client, both women smiling

1. Develop your brand.

Developing the brand for your makeup business is such an important part of your journey. Starting off in professional makeup artistry can be intimidating. Initially, you might feel the sway to follow what everyone else is doing. However, I chose to remain true to my style, which was clean, classic, and natural.

In time, people will recognize the consistency of your style and begin to identify you as an artist within that specific type of artistry. Just keep in mind that branding does not only incorporate style alone. Rather, it represents the entire package, as well as how potential clients will identify you.

2. Develop your makeup business logo.

The creation of my logo was another part of my branding. When people saw the image, it was to represent me as an artiste and my services. I wanted the image to portray cleanness and elegance, while also having a hint of modernity. I ran through some ideas I had with a graphic designer, and the final image was one I was pleased with.

3. Always maintain professionalism.

Once I started the process of brand development for my makeup business, everything had to be in alignment with it. As such, this included the standard of service I was offering to my clients. I wanted to ensure that I always maintained professionalism. Importantly, this applied even if the clients were my friends, as well as if my services were complimentary.

From the beginning, I knew the service they received from me was their only real experience. The impression I made was what would determine whether or not they’d ever want to recommend me to others. And, of course, this is vital, since word-of-mouth is huge in the beauty community!

For me, professionalism also included:

  • Communication. This involved early discussions regarding clients’ thoughts and ideas of the makeup look for the event. It needed to be inclusive of attire and jewelry, in order to ensure the makeup application was cohesive with the entire image.
  • Scheduling. Knowing where your makeup application fits within the overall plan of the event is important. It allows the client to realistically think of the time needed to arrive at a venue, or be prepared for the service. Based on the time, the client can determine if he or she will dress before the makeup service or afterwards. It also allows you as the artiste to plan your day accordingly.
  • Punctuality. Discussing the tentative schedule allows you to be on time for your client. Should unexpected instances occur and you foresee a delay in your arrival, inform the client as soon as possible.
Makeup business article, July 28 2021, in-post image

4. Maintain a pleasant personality.

Depending on the event, the client may be flustered or anxious. You, however, are the professional. As such, you should always stay calm and pleasant. There was a time when one of my clients arrived late. As a result, our plans of shooting at one of the locations needed to be changed. The client was flustered and apologetic. On top of that, their hair was yet to be done.

But I remained calm and coordinated with the photographer on the new plans. Moreover, I ensure that my client remained the center of attention for her special occasion and reassured her that she was going to look great. And she did!

How did YOU grow your makeup business? Let us know in the comments below and share your top tips! And don’t forget to connect with me in QC Makeup Academy’s free Virtual Classroom on Facebook. I hope to see you there!

Thanks for reading!

Start YOUR professional makeup business in as little as 2-6 months by getting professionally trained and certified with QC Makeup Academy. Begin your dream career today!

How to Showcase Your Makeup Portfolio On Your Website!

By Career Advice, QC Student Ambassador, Your Makeup Career 3 Comments

In this day and age, having a physical makeup portfolio won’t be enough – no matter how gorgeous it is! Since we all live online now, it’s critical to showcase your work on digital platforms as well. One prime example is on your business website!

Not sure how to do this? QC Makeup Academy Student Ambassador, Katie Stegeman, has 4 tips to get you started in the right direction!

Katie is a certified Master International Makeup Professional and International Skincare Consulting, Professional. Moreover, she’s a graduate of QC’s Virtual Makeup Training and is currently enrolled in 5 other courses!

Makeup portfolio article, July 23 2021, Katie Stegeman headshot

A Little About Me

Hi, everyone! My name is Katie Stegeman. I’m a graduate and Student Ambassador of QC Makeup Academy. I’ve graduated from QC’s Master Makeup Artistry, Skincare Course, and Virtual Makeup Training Course. Additionally, I am also enrolled in the:

  • Pro Makeup Workshop
  • Airbrush Makeup Workshop
  • Global Beauty Course
  • Hair Styling Essentials Course
  • Portfolio Development Workshop

Today, I want to discuss the importance of a makeup portfolio. My goal is to teach YOU a few handy ways to showcase it properly, so that you can help transform your business and brand. So, let’s jump right into it!

Marketing Your Makeup Portfolio Online: Where to Focus

Sharing your work across a wide variety of online platforms is sort of like a big funnel. The more places you showcase your photos, the more people will be looking at your work. This, in turn, will raise awareness of your business and get it seen by prospective, target clients. As a result, you’ll be able to drastically increase your bookings!

If you don’t market your makeup portfolio online, however, then there are no two ways about it: you’re going to be limiting your brand’s potential. You’ll shrink the circle of prospective clients that see your work, which will negatively impact your booking ability.

Firstly, you need to make sure that you have a makeup portfolio that demonstrates your very best work. From there, one of the BEST ways to promote it online is by sharing it on your business website. By doing this, you’ll help potentials clients find you more easily and conveniently!

In a nutshell: the more your makeup portfolio is shared, the more prospective clients will see you. So, ensure you have a professional website and share your work there! This will dramatically increase your chances for a massive presence, following, and public interest.

Asian model with bold eye makeup

4 Tips for Showcasing Your Portfolio on Your Website

Tip #1: Make sure your makeup portfolio is easily accessible on your website!

When including your makeup portfolio on your business website, the first thing to keep in mind is its accessibility. Is it simple and straightforward to find? Or will people need to jump through hoops just to figure out where it is?

If potential clients are struggling to find your photos (or struggling to navigate your site in general), they’ll quickly lose interest and move on. We definitely don’t want that! As such, it’s extremely important to look at all of your options. Which photos from your portfolio do you want to use on your site? Where do you want to display them? What can you do to make sure viewers know exactly where your portfolio is within the first few seconds of landing on your site?

Do some research! Look up other MUAs in your area and check out their websites. How have they showcased their portfolios? How long did it take you to find them? Can you see all of their photos? Are they easy to scroll through? Can you access everything without trouble?

The easier the process is, the more likely people will continue to look at your work. This can make a HUGE difference on whether potential clients want to book with you or not!

Tip #2: Make sure your makeup portfolio is cohesive and visually appealing!

This next tip goes hand-in-hand with tip #1. You want a makeup portfolio that’s visually appealing. Moreover, its flow needs to make sense. Personally, when I’m looking at someone else’s portfolio, aesthetics plays a big role in my first impression of that business. If I can’t find the photos easily on the site, or the photos are not laid out nicely, I’m probably not going to stay on that website for much longer.

There are so many programs nowadays that can help you format images so that they all look similar and are all the same size. By simply making them all the same size and/or keeping a theme or color going throughout, you can easily create visual similarities in your portfolio. This will please the eye of potential clients and create a natural flow from one photo to the next. Typically, once I get photos back from a professional photographer, I try to lay out my photos in an order that looks best and is truly eye-catching.

Blonde model makeup fashion photoshoot

Tip #3: Only showcase your BEST work!

There are plenty of photos I’ve taken of the work that I have pulled out of my makeup portfolio. Why? Because I have BETTER quality photos, or my skills have improved since a certain photo was taken. The better I get as an artist, the higher-quality photos I have to put out there as my best work.

Plus, the longer I’m working in the industry, the more diversity of projects I’ve worked on. Therefore, I can add these to my portfolio and showcase more of my skills. For my photos, I always make sure that I have:

  • Good lighting
  • No filters
  • Cropped dimensions to better show makeup techniques
  • Clear resolution (rather than a fuzzy or grainy photo)

If you keep the above in mind, this will all lead to you having the best portfolio possible!

Want to learn more about what NOT to do in your makeup portfolio? Here are 4 rookie mistakes to avoid!

Tip #4: Show a wide range of diversity!

No two clients will be the same. After all, people have different skin tones, types, concerns, style preferences, and visions. If your makeup portfolio only showcases your skills on one skin tone or type, you could be alienating a lot of potential clients who don’t necessarily fall into that category. Furthermore, if you only demonstrate a tiny handful of styles, it could inadvertently tell people that that’s all you know how to do.

In order to be the best of the best, and attract as many interested parties as possible, make sure that your portfolio is diverse. Ideally, you should showcase models that:

  • Have different skin tones
  • Have different skin types
  • Are of varying ages
  • Are of different genders
  • Wear varying makeup styles and/or techniques

Speaking from experience, I’ve been able to work on all sorts of models, thanks to my comprehensive certification training with QC Makeup Academy. For example, I’ve done makeup for senior portraits, maternity shoots, Renaissance-styled shoots, and bridal editorial. Because my makeup portfolio shows a wide range of makeup styles, prospective clients have a clear understanding of what I’m capable of!

Makeup portfolio male model shoot

The Benefits of Professional Makeup Training

What professional makeup training has given me has been truly invaluable. QC Makeup Academy’s Master Makeup Artistry Course was the foundation of my education. It taught me everything I needed to know about makeup artistry in order to work at an expert level. Since then, adding more QC courses to my repertoire has been the best decision I could’ve possibly made for my career!

QC Makeup Academy’s Portfolio Development Workshop

In particular, QC’s Portfolio Development Workshop has really helped me. This 2-unit program will teach you everything you need to know about:

  • The importance of makeup portfolios for professional makeup artists;
  • Researching industry standards;
  • Planning and conducting your very own photoshoot;
  • The presentation of your makeup portfolio;
  • Basic photo editing;
  • How to market your portfolio;
  • Distributing and submitting your images for publishing;
  • Marketing your business services;
  • And more!

How This Workshop Has Helped Me

Putting my best foot forward and showcasing the skills I have to offer clients are huge! This is especially important when considering the competition of other makeup artists in the area. Most of the artists in my are only using social media as a means of sharing their portfolio. However, relying on social media alone can make things tricky to navigate, depending on how the platform is laid out.

Understanding the importance of having my makeup portfolio on my website, as well as how to display it there, are all things that QC’s Portfolio Development Workshop helped me, master. Furthermore, this course also taught me how to plan a shoot on my own, and choose how I wanted to showcase that work. I enrolled in this program to have a better understanding of how I needed to develop my portfolio… and I can DEFINITELY say this course delivered on that in spades!

Final Thoughts

And don’t forget: if you want to connect with me directly, or have questions about QC Makeup Academy, you can always find me in the free Virtual Classroom on Facebook. Thank you so much for taking the time to read.

If you’re debating on becoming a professional makeup artist, or you just want to expand the knowledge you already have, you need QC Makeup Academy! Leave a comment down below to let me know what you think. Do you have any other tips on how to showcase your makeup portfolio on a website? I’d love to hear them!

Enroll in QC’s Portfolio Development Workshop today and learn everything you need to create the best makeup portfolio possible!

Makeup artist salary article, July 16 2021, Feature Image

6 Niches That’ll Increase Your Makeup Artist Salary

By Career Advice, From the Experts, Your Makeup Career One Comment

Want to increase your makeup artist salary? You’ve come to the right place! Today, QC Makeup Academy alumnus, Gabrielle Rivera, is here to reveal 6 awesome niches that can help you book more clients and boost your income!

How Education Will Impact Your Makeup Artist Salary

The professional makeup industry is one that is highly saturated. As a makeup artist, you may question which steps you can take to increase your salary, keep a consistent cash flow, and maintain steady client bookings.

For starters, it’s important to understand that proper education is a key niche that’ll help you to increase your rates! When clients or companies are looking to book a makeup artist, the fact that you have a reputable certification will put you far ahead of your competition. Similarly, having the right credentials to your name will help you build client to trust a whole lot easier. After all, they’ll be able to feel confident that you truly are the best of the best! Furthermore, they’ll be able to see this through the time and work you’ve put into becoming a legitimate subject-matter expert.

The Value of a Niche

Another excellent way you can increase your makeup artist’s salary is by honing one or more niches. A niche is a specialized area of the market that’s considered rare. Niches are often things that are in high demand but are not as regularly offered. Furthermore, it’s also that special something that can make you unique from the other MUAs in your area!

Below are some Advanced and Specialty Courses offered by QC Makeup Academy. I guarantee that any of these niches will help you boost your makeup artist salary. So, continue reading to see what each of these training programs have to offer!

Makeup artist salary article, July 16 2021, airbrush makeup

Niches That’ll Increase Your Makeup Artist Salary

1. Airbrush Makeup

Aside from knowing how to apply traditional makeup, airbrush makeup is a popular technique in both the bridal and Special FX worlds. The benefits of airbrush makeup are that it can be long-lasting and quickly applied. Moreover, this type of makeup creates a natural, seamless finish. Adding airbrush makeup to your skills is a fantastic way to gain more clientele, increase your bookings, and boost your makeup artist salary!

Helpful Resources

Here are some resources/articles on airbrush makeup that will provide you with even more information, guidance, and tips:

2. Hair Styling

Hairstyling is another skill set that easily goes hand-in-hand with makeup artistry. When clients are looking to book an MUA, more often than not they’re also looking for a hairstylist. What better way to increase your makeup artist salary and build your clientele than by providing both of these services under one roof?

QC Makeup Academy’s Hair Styling Essentials Course teaches you how to create studio hairstyles that you can use to work in the bridal, studio or editorial settings. Knowing how to create hairstyles alongside makeup applications will allow you to create a full, finished product!

Helpful Resources

Here are some resources/articles on hair styling that will provide you with even more information, guidance, and tips:

Hair stylist curling client's hair at salon

3 More Niches To Boost Your Makeup Artist Salary!

3. Global Beauty

Beauty makeup truly goes beyond knowing the latest social media trends – especially those only popular in your area of the world. Something that can help you stand out, work with a larger range of clients, and increase your makeup artist salary is to know how to apply global beauty makeup!

QC’s Global Beauty Workshop will teach you how to create applications that are international. You can refine your skills in order to address a range of cultures and religions. Furthermore, you’ll discover how to properly apply makeup on all skin tones and types!

Helpful Resources

Here are some resources/articles on global beauty makeup that will provide you with even more information, guidance, and tips:

4. Special FX Makeup

When you think of special effects makeup, you might only think of Halloween-style makeup. However, SFX makeup goes FAR beyond that! This area of makeup can be created for movie sets, TV shows, theater, and so much more. In terms of bumping up your makeup artist salary, learning special effects makeup is a solid strategy!

QC Makeup Academy’s Special FX Makeup Course will teach you the basics of color theory, bruising, applying bald caps, working with prosthetics, and much more. Through this program, you’ll learn how to apply crepe hair, develop unique characters, create cuts and fantasy makeup – just to name a few things! Knowing this range of skills is guaranteed to make you a more valuable asset to agencies, as well as clients.

Helpful Resources

Here are some resources/articles on special effects makeup that will provide you with even more information, guidance, and tips:

Beautiful tender girl in the ornaments of feathers. Tender girl in the form of a bird. Girl bird Very beautiful young girl. Fairy makeup. Fantasy makeup.

5. Fashion Styling

As a professional makeup artist, you need to be able to see your client in the entire picture: hair, makeup, and fashion. When working on-set for a photoshoot, film, or television, it’s important to understand how the fashion aspect will fit into your makeup and hair applications.

Think of makeup, hair, and fashion as the ultimate holy trinity. Together, they create the most rounded-out, completed look – and this is exactly why QC Makeup Academy offers a Fashion Styling Course! This way – alongside your makeup and hair training – you truly learn how to master all three fields.

Once enrolled in this program, you’ll discover how to conduct fashion consultations with clients, work with textures and tones, and determine what works best for each individual’s body type. This skill-set pairs great with makeup and hairstyling to help you create the perfect look, from head to toe!

Helpful Resources

Here are some resources/articles on fashion styling that will provide you with even more information, guidance, and tips:

Bonus Niche: Virtual Makeup Services

Lastly, another option that can help increase your makeup artist salary is to consider signing up for QC’s Virtual Makeup Training mini-course. By offering clients virtual makeup and/or skin care services, you’d be able to consult and work with clients from all over the world!

These days, it’s easy for individuals to turn to social media for answers or advice regarding makeup or skincare. But imagine the benefits of having YOU as a consultant to provide factual, professional expertise instead! This course will allow you to work from home, make additional money for your business, and connect you with more clientele than you could ever imagine.

Here are some resources/articles on virtual makeup and skincare that will provide you with even more information, guidance, and tips:

Now that we’ve reached the end, my only question to you is: What are you waiting for? You have the power to increase your makeup artist salary by investing in yourself and your skill-set. So, don’t wait a second longer to make the future happen for you, today!

Earn your internationally recognized certification in as little as 2-6 months and start on the path towards a higher makeup artist salary! Enroll with QC Makeup Academy today!

Makeup artist jobs article, July 15 2021, Feature Image

The Ultimate List of DOS and DON’TS for Makeup Artist Jobs!

By Career Advice, From the Experts, Your Makeup Career 2 Comments

Want to rock your makeup artist jobs each and every time? Then this list of DOs and DON’Ts was made especially for YOU!

Charlotte Ravet is the proud owner of her very own hair and makeup business, A Date with Charlotte. Her extensive resume includes working for Prada, L’Oreal, and even the cast of the hit show, Glee! A developer of educational programs, Charlotte has even been awarded Best Makeup Educator of the Year by the Australian Industry Makeup Awards.

From Makeup Training to Makeup Artist Jobs

After completing your makeup certification training with QC Makeup Academy, you’ll have learned all the skills and techniques needed to succeed in your dream career! From there, it’ll be time to find clients and start booking professional makeup artist jobs!

As much as you might feel confident in your makeup skills, you’re going to feel quite a bit of pressure when you go to your very first job. Don’t worry, this kind of anxiety is totally normal and to be expected. For instance, you might be wondering:

  • What should I wear?
  • Who should I talk to?
  • How should I speak with my clients?
  • What can I do to ensure a great first impression?

Professionalism is a universal concept. But when it comes to a creative industry like makeup, the rules can be slightly different. It can be tricky to understand what the right etiquette is when you’re on a job.

Luckily, I’ve got you covered! Here are 3 things you should never do during makeup artist jobs – and the 3 things you need to do instead!

Makeup artist jobs article, July 15 2021, in-post image

3 DOs and DON’Ts for Makeup Artist Jobs

DON’T: Be late, wearing inappropriate clothing, and/or have a lousy attitude!

Let’s be real… Do I really need to explain why doing ANY of these things can majorly hurt your reputation?

DO: Arrive on time and make the best possible first impression at your makeup artist jobs!

Start with the basics! Arrive on time, with clean clothes and a clean makeup kit. Ensure that your breath is fresh, your nails are clean, and that there’s a smile on your face! It sounds simple, but these things alone make up a LOT of what people will expect from you right off the bat. First impressions always matter!

Firstly (and I can never stress this enough): always make hygiene your top priority! Looking professionally groomed and having a clean makeup artist kit is mandatory to ensure a successful start to your career. For example, imagine that you made an appointment at a hair salon, only to show up and discover that the place is filthy. Chances are, you’ll have a bad opinion of their services!

In the same way, both your kit and your appearance are the windows of your business. Since you’re working in an artistic industry, tattoos and colored hair are tolerated (sometimes, even common). However, personal hygiene is still a must!

Next, arriving on time is also extremely important. This is because the makeup artist is always the first one to kick off the day’s events, whatever they may be. Arriving late can delay a whole production or put the bride under pressure on her most important day. Moreover, showing up late will definitely make you appear unprofessional. In turn, this can negatively impact your ability to book future makeup artist jobs.

Last, but definitely not least, always remember to put a smile on! No one will want to work with a Negative Nelly. If, however, you’re known for your infectious smile, your friendly demeanor, and your positive outlook, everyone will want to collaborate and benefit from your expertise.

Makeup artist and hair stylist working on client at the same time in salon

DON’T: Show up to makeup artist jobs unprepared!

Because you put the time and effort into your professional certification training, you’ll have learned everything you need to know about being properly prepared for makeup artist jobs. After all, if you arrive at a booking and don’t know what you’re doing, it’s going to be obvious to everyone around you. In turn, this is bound to make you seem unprofessional.

An unprofessional makeup artist isn’t a makeup artist that others will want to work with again. So, if you’re goal is to book as many clients as possible and sustain a thriving career, always ensure that you do everything you can to be as in the know as possible!

DO: Be as prepared as possible!

As part of your makeup training, you created face charts, conducted research, and explored the depths of your own creativity. The exact same goes when working on makeup artist jobs! Knowing who you should talk with, as well as who you will be applying makeup on, is very important.

Studio Makeup Artist Jobs

If you’ll be working in a studio, you’ll receive a call sheet with all the names of the talents and crew. Don’t simply take the call sheet and put it aside. Rather, go over it thoroughly and familiarize yourself as much as you can with everyone’s names! And if you haven’t been provided with that information? Research the previous work of the director and/or photographer! This will help you better understand the lighting, who the talents are, etc.

No, you won’t be expected to know everyone – but making a bit of conversation with the talents is always appreciated. Having a bit of history about them always makes it easier. Plus, by doing some research, you can also see previous examples of their makeup looks. Knowing the previous work from the photographer or the director will also help you to better understand the artistic direction of the project.

Private Makeup Artist Jobs

If you’re doing makeup for a private client, try setting up a client consultation before the appointment. This consultation will allow you to thoroughly know and prepare for the exact types of look your client is after. Do not hesitate to ask all the necessary questions prior to the makeup job! The more prepared you are, the smoother the day will be.

Moreover, always confirm with the team or the client that there are lighting and power sockets accessible in your workspace. Also, check the weather if you are doing hair in addition to makeup. Rain or humidity can ruin a hairstyle or makeup application all too easily! So, take it into consideration when creating the looks.

Makeup artist working from contour palette

DON’T: Rely on a verbal agreement when deciding the budget for your services!

We are sometimes shy when it comes to talking about money. However, this is an absolute must! Of course, as a freelancer, the fear of losing a client because of the quote is very common. It’s always hard to know what your client is expecting to pay. Furthermore, if you’re bookings have been a little quiet, the pressure of not having upcoming work coming can make the temptation of working for less money that much stronger.

But that being said, it’s important to know your value and stick to your guns. Sure, some flexibility can be granted on a client-by-client basis – so long as you’re still getting fairly compensated for the work expected of you. Ultimately, though, your rates are set as they are for a reason: because they reflect your advanced skill-set, professional brand, and time spent getting trained to that high standard. The right clients will understand your value and be willing to pay for what you’re worth.

Lastly, never make the mistake of assuming all parties agree to your rates and rely solely on a verbal agreement.  Otherwise, things can potentially get messy and/or complicated later on in the process.

DO: Get your budget approved in writing!

Once it has been determined what amount your client should be paying you for your work, ALWAYS get it in writing. Moreover, have the client read it over and sign it. That way, there’s a paper trail of the terms all parties have agreed upon. This will give you security in the unfortunate event that the client ever tries to pay you less when the time comes.

How to Negotiate the Budget During Makeup Artist Jobs

The truth is, negotiating is part of the job. If you don’t believe in yourself and set your prices with confidence, no one else is going to do it for you! So, here are a few tips to negotiate smoothly with your clients and secure your prices:

  • Always look busy. It doesn’t matter whether you’re totally booked, or you have no makeup jobs planned for the next 3 weeks. Always say, “Let me have a look at my calendar,” when someone calls you! Being busy tells others that you’re in high demand. As a result, people will want to work with you! From there, then you can negotiate…
  • Set your prices. Stop asking yourself what your client is willing to pay! Set your prices based on your experience, area, and the quality of the products you use. Then it’s just a matter of sticking with it! Whether you wish to list your service rates on your business website or not is up to you. But you should have a half-day and a full-day rate, along with individual prices for private clients. That’s it! If your client has a set price for the job which he/she communicates to you directly, it’ll then be up to you to take it, negotiate a higher rate, or decline the makeup artist job.
  • Again, confirm all agreements in writing. Once you’ve agreed on the makeup job requirements and fees, confirm everything by email. When the job is completed, send the invoice right away. What’s more – don’t forget to include terms and conditions for late payments in your contract. Unfortunately, the odd client will try to swindle you from time to time. Protecting yourself and being organized will avoid disappointments.
Professional female makeup artist applying cosmetics on model face use brush working at beauty salon. Woman visagist make up master dyeing facial visage to client appearance makeover

When you work as a freelance makeup artist, you are your own boss! While that is fantastic, it admittedly requires organization and professionalism at all times. Of course, we all learn from our mistakes – but setting up the correct rules from the start will help to start your dream job safely, navigate makeup artist jobs with success, and enjoy the experience to its fullest extent!

Prepare yourself to rock any and all makeup artist jobs by first getting professionally trained and certified! Enroll with QC Makeup Academy today and graduate in as little as 2-6 months!

Makeup courses article, July 08 2021, Feature Image

5 Reasons to Take Makeup Courses This Summer!

By Career Advice, Education, From the Experts, QC Student Ambassador, Your Makeup Career One Comment

Dream of launching an exciting, successful career as a makeup artist? Here’s your sign to take professional makeup courses this upcoming summer!

Multi-certified MUA, Veronika Kelle, is a Student Ambassador and graduate of QC Makeup Academy. Connect with her on Instagram, as well as in the Virtual Classroom on Facebook!

A Little About Me

Hi, my name is Veronika and I’m a Student Ambassador for QC Makeup Academy. I’ve graduated from QC’s Master Makeup Artistry Course, Pro Makeup Workshop, and Special FX Makeup Course.

I ran my own modeling agency for 15 years. During this time, I organized beauty contests and fashion shows. In addition, I worked alongside models, photographers, and makeup artists. I also organized photoshoots, castings, and modeling courses. Throughout all of this, makeup was always a key factor. As such, it was during this time that I fell in love with makeup artistry! Ultimately, this is what made me decide to learn it professionally.

I’ve talked many times before about why it’s important to acquire professional makeup knowledge. Moreover, I’ve delved into why it’s critical to master your techniques, complete professional makeup courses, and obtain a recognized certification. Now today, I’m going to discuss why this upcoming summer is the perfect time to get professional makeup training!

Makeup courses article, July 08 2021, Veronika Kelle portfolio image 1

5 Reasons to Take Makeup Courses This Summer

1. You May Have More Free Time

Do you have a bustling life? Do you work or already study full-time? Are you a full-time parent?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then you’re probably quite the busy bee! But when summer rolls around, the kids are finally on holiday. If you’re also a student, then you might be, too. Moreover, maybe you use the summer season as a chance to take an annual leave, vacation time, etc. Either way, there’s a good chance that you might not be quite as busy in the summer as you are the rest of the year.

If you’re going to have more free time this summer, why not maximize it by enrolling in makeup courses, and using this time to buckle down and focus on your training?

Still have a pretty hectic schedule, even during the summer months? No problem! Thanks to QC Makeup Academy’s distanced, self-paced learning environment, you have the freedom to work on your makeup courses whenever it suits your availability! That’s right – absolutely no deadlines!

2. The COVID Pandemic is Almost Over

With the end of the COVID pandemic finally on the horizon, the summer of 2021 is the perfect time to get professionally trained and earn a reputable certification! After all, businesses everywhere are beginning to open back up. By the fall, the makeup and beauty industry could very well be back to normal.

If you enroll in makeup courses now, you could easily graduate by the end of the summer. In doing so, you’ll be ready to hit the ground running and launch your makeup business at full-speed as soon as it’s safe to book clients again.

3. A LOT of Makeup Courses Will Offer Summer Discounts

Many makeup schools will offer awesome deals during the summer holidays. For example, you could find “summer discounts”, “Back-To-School specials”, “summer giveaways”, etc. As a result of these super hot deals, makeup courses even more affordable. Given that online makeup schools are already cheaper than their brick-and-mortar alternatives to begin with, this is a perk that’s too important to overlook!

Did you know that QC Makeup Academy holds regular, monthly discounts? It’s true! Plus, once you enroll in one program, all other QC makeup courses will be offered to you at 50% off!

Veronika Kelle portfolio image 2

4. Easier Access to Models for Your Assignments

Throughout the rest of the year, you won’t be the only one who’s busy. Your friends and family will also be, too. This can sometimes mean you’ll need to put in a bit more work into getting models for your makeup course assignments.

During the summer, however, they’re more likely to have a freer schedule, same as you. As a result, it’ll be a lot more convenient (and easier) to have them donate their time to being your model. Plus, this can also give you an even bigger group of people – meaning more diversity – to choose from.

Remember: the more practice you get under your belt, and the more you get to work on different ages, skin tones, skin types, etc., the better your skill-set will become!

5. Summer is The Optimal Time to Embark on a New Career Path

For many, the summer season often embodies a time of renewal, change, and opportunity. What better chance to start a new journey and pursue the career you’ve always dreamt of?

Not to mention, as in-person gathering limitations are loosening up, more events and activities will be getting organized in your local area. This means you can expect a MASSIVE amount of bookings, clients, and career opportunities! Indeed, now is the best time for you to hone your craft (or refine it), improve your makeup techniques, expand your services, and/or launch a brand-new business by completing professional makeup courses.

5 Reasons to Enroll in Online Makeup Courses

1. Cheaper Tuition

As I mentioned earlier, the cost of online makeup courses is typically cheaper than in-person ones. QC Makeup Academy offers awesome payment options, so you can select the payment plan that best suits your budget! You can pay in full (and get a discount for doing so) or pay monthly.

Plus, once you’ve enrolled with QC, all future courses are half off. QC Makeup Academy currently offers 11 different courses in the makeup and beauty industry – and they’re always expanding and looking for new courses to add to their roster! Moreover, every single on of their programs will give you either a certification/designation or a certificate once you graduate. These certifications and certificates are all internationally-recognized.

This is an awesome way to master your makeup skills without breaking the bank!

2. A Personalized, One-On-One Learning Experience

In a physical classroom, the instructor is responsible for teaching you and dozens of other students at the same time. Moreover, you may not always get to sit front and center during the lesson either. It can become all too easy for little details to get missed. As a result, your training might not always be 100% personalized to you, your learning style, and your needs.

Through online makeup courses, however, you’re GUARANTEED a more personalized, one-on-one environment with your industry-leading tutor. All of QC Makeup Academy’s tutors are legitimate beauty experts; there specifically to help you accelerate your career with success.

My tutor was QC executive instructor and celebrity makeup artist, Nathan Johnson. Speaking from personal experience, the guidance Nathan gave me was unparalleled! He guided me through my course, and taught me everything I needed to know about makeup theory and professional techniques. In addition, he gave me countless helpful critiques after every single unit I submitted.

Believe me: you’ll be impressed and will love every moment of QC’s learning process!

Veronika Kelle portfolio image 3

3. You Get The Same High-Quality Education As You Would in a Physical Setting

There’s a common misconception that the quality of online makeup courses can never measure up to the quality of in-person ones. But this notion is 100% false!

In reality, the learning experience you’ll have in an online makeup school will be exactly the same as it would be in a physical class. I’d even argue that the quality of education is actually better through an online school! For starters, you’re given more flexibility due to the self-paced learning method. Not to mention, you have the freedom to train wherever you please.

Furthermore, QC Makeup Academy offers amazing Student Support services, an online student center, and even a Virtual Classroom on Facebook!

4. You Get More Bang for Your Buck

Many online makeup courses – such as the ones offered by QC Makeup Academy – include and deliver all of the course materials (and makeup kits) as part of your course tuition! At QC, each program comes with full-color texts, video tutorials, and countless hands-on assignments. All of your physical materials will be mailed directly to your door at NO extra cost! And since the course is done online, you’re also given a digital copy of your texts and instructional videos, too.

For example, QC’s most popular and comprehensive program is the Master Makeup Artistry Course. As a student of this course, you’ll not only be sent the physical copy of your course materials – you’ll also get their Master Makeup Starter Kit at no additional cost! This professional makeup kit offers the widest selection of shades and colors to complete a large variety of looks on any skin tone. Plus, it provides you with the tools needed to successfully complete your training!

5. More Promotional Discounts Than You Could Ever Imagine

Seriously, who doesn’t love a chance to save even more money?

As I touched on earlier, online schools tend to offer more frequent and better promotions/discounts for their makeup courses. For instance, there’s always a killer, exclusive promo you can take advantage of at QC Makeup Academy! Every time I turn around, they’re offering something new.

Here are just some of the current discounts QC is running:

  • The ‘Elite Makeup Kit Upgrade’ promotion allows you to get QC’s Elite Makeup Kit 100% free! This kit includes a highlight palette, contour palette, eyebrow palette, 4-pack of false lashes, a makeup travel bag, and a stainless steel palette with a spatula. Simply use the promo code ELITE at the checkout when enrolling in your makeup course!
  • Again, when you enroll in one of QC’s online makeup courses, you’ll get 50% off all other courses of equal or lesser value!
  • There’s even a group discount! Id you’d like to enroll with a friend, groups of two or more are eligible to receive a 25% discount per person when you enroll!
  • QC frequently offers 2 courses for the price of 1 – so make sure to keep an eye out for that offer!
  • As a QC student or graduate, you’re automatically eligible for amazing makeup discounts with huge, big-name brands! Check out the full list of brand partners here.
Makeup courses article, July 08 2021, Veronika Kelle portfolio image 4

Take Your Makeup Courses with QC Makeup Academy!

Have I piqued your interest in learning professional makeup? Do you dream of becoming a makeup artist and launching your very own business? Then you need to get trained and internationally-certified with QC Makeup Academy!

With QC, you’ll be able to access all the benefits mentioned above in this blog! Their self-paced, online makeup courses will teach you everything you need to know to start your own makeup business and launch an amazing career. You’ll be armed with all the industry knowledge and makeup techniques needed to thrive for the long-run.

Moreover, you don’t need ANY special qualifications to enroll. QC’s wide variety of online courses are suitable for any and all skill level. In just 2-6 months, you’ll be ready to fill up your client-book – even if you never even touched a makeup brush prior to your training.

Sounds great, doesn’t it? And what better time to do it than this summer!

Final Thoughts

Can you think of any other reasons why summer is the PERFECT time to enroll in makeup courses? I would love to know your thoughts, so let’s discuss it in the comments below!

As always, thank you for reading. If you have any questions, feel free to connect with me in QC Makeup Academy’s Virtual Classroom on Facebook. I’m always happy to help and answer your questions. I look forward to seeing you there!

Enroll in QC’s online makeup courses today and earn your internationally-recognized certification in as little as 2-3 months!

Mistakes to avoid in makeup classes article, Feature Image

3 Mistakes to AVOID in Your Makeup Classes if You Want to Be Successful in the Industry

By Career Advice, Education, From the Experts, QC Student Ambassador, Your Makeup Career 2 Comments

Professional makeup classes will teach you a LOT more than just how to do makeup. Rather, they’re also meant to prepare you for the real, professional industry. This means helping you develop the right business etiquette and frame of mind. After all, you can be the most talented MUA in the world… but if you have a lousy attitude, that’s what you’ll quickly be known for.

If you’re reading this article, it’s because you’re seriously passionate about your craft. So, we know that this isn’t the outcome you want for your career!

This is why today, we’re here to take a look at 3 critical mistakes to AVOID as you complete your certification training. So long as you heed these tips, you’ll be sure to set yourself and your business up for long-term success!

Mistakes to avoid in makeup classes article, in-post image

Amanda Ramey’s 3 Sins to Avoid in Your Makeup Classes

Amanda Ramey is a multi-graduate and Student Ambassador of QC Makeup Academy. Through her hard work and dedication, she’s successfully obtained the following internationally-recognized qualifications:

  • Master International Makeup Professional (MIMP) certification/designation
  • International Special FX Makeup Professional (ISMP) certification/designation
  • Pro Makeup Workshop certificate
  • Airbrush Makeup Workshop certificate

Amanda is here to break down 3 important mistakes that one should never make while working through their makeup classes. The reason? Such errors will create a toxic mindset that you’ll carry with you into your professional career. As such, you’ll be more likely to alienate potential clients, collaborators, and employers. Thus, your brand may be perceived negatively and others in the industry will be less inclined to work with you.

So, what are these 3 mistakes to avoid? Watch the video below to find out!

Want to connect with Amanda directly? Join QC Makeup Academy’s free Virtual Classroom on Facebook today!

The 3 Mistakes You Should Never Make in Your Makeup Classes:

Mistake #1: Rejecting Constructive Criticism

In general, constructive feedback is never a bad thing. So long as it’s provided in a positive, beneficial way, it serves only to help you grow. In the world of professional makeup, however, constructive criticism is ESSENTIAL!

After all, we’re all guilty of subjectivity. When you look at your own work through just your own lens, you can often miss a lot of fixable errors. Getting a second (or third, or fourth, or fifth) opinion from someone who’s able to view your work objectively is often the only way to truly know where improvements can be made.

Now look, I get it: it’s never easy to have someone point out the flaws you’ve made. But the beauty industry can be extremely cutthroat at times, so you need a thick skin if you really want to prosper. Once you’re working professionally, you’re going to get told a lot, by all sorts of different people, if you’ve done something incorrectly.

In the real world, combating constructive feedback with defensiveness, anger, or negativity is guaranteed to stunt your chances of success. If you aren’t prepared or able to accept this kind of feedback in a calm and professional way, your career will probably end before it’s even had a chance to begin.

Learn This Skill in Your Makeup Classes!

So, maximize the time spent in your makeup classes by adjusting how you receive the constructive feedback provided by your tutors and/or fellow peers. If you find that you take it personally and become emotionally upset, I urge you to pause, take a step back, and ask yourself why it’s making you feel this way. Sometimes, it just takes time and honesty with one’s self to be able to comfortably accept constructive feedback from others.

But one way or another, you’ll NEED to learn this imperative skill… and the optimal place to start honing it is in your makeup classes!

Image of a displeased young pretty blonde cute woman in dress posing isolated over pink wall background covering ears because of loud.

Mistake #2: Relying on Others to Say When Work is Up to Standard

If you’re brand-new to makeup artistry, it’s to be expected that you haven’t developed your eye yet. At first, you won’t always be able to look at the applications you’re doing for your assignments and automatically know what can be done better. This is totally okay!

The only way to truly learn how to train your eye is to take full responsibility for your progress. This means not relying on others to tell you when your work is ready to submit to your tutor. If you shoulder this responsibility onto other people, you’ll never be able to properly identify correct vs. incorrect techniques or applications.

Remember: in the real world, everyone’s going to expect you to know what you’re doing. Other professionals won’t want to hold your hand through the process. If anything, they’ll probably be put off if they feel like that’s what you’re expecting of them.

Learn This Skill in Your Makeup Classes!

Use your makeup classes as a way to strengthen your eye. While it’s okay to ask others for their advice on your work, refrain from asking them if your assignment is “ready to submit”. Similarly, don’t ask this question when posting your work in QC’s Virtual Classroom! Yes, your peers can help guide you in the right direction. However, it’s not up to them to give you the answers.

Only YOU can truly know if you feel your work is ready for submission. And if it turns out that there were errors that you didn’t notice? Well, that’s exactly why your tutor is there to help you grow and get better! Take their feedback to heart (see Mistake #1), absorb it, and use it to train your eye. When you wind up working on your next assignment, you’ll already be a lot more critical and on the look-out for specific things to improve upon!

Mistake #3: A Negative, Argumentative, and Unprofessional Attitude

In many ways, this final mistake ties back in with the first one. As a professional makeup artist, your job will constantly involve you working closely with people. Thus, you need to have the right attitude at all times. Moreover, you need to know how to be flexible, accommodating, and work well with others. No one wants to be involved with someone who’s always in a bad mood or gets confrontational at the drop of a hat!

There will be days – as it is in life – when it feels impossible to keep your cool. However, it’ll only affect your career if you let it! No matter how a client, vendor, etc. is behaving, you must always be the bigger person. No, we’re not saying to let others mistreat you or take advantage of you. But there’s always a way to handle a negative situation that doesn’t involve it dragging you down to its level.

Learn This Skill in Your Makeup Classes!

QC’s Virtual Classroom is a great resource for connecting with other QC students grads, tutors, and industry professionals. By leveraging this platform, you can also start honing your professional mindset and self-reflect on your attitude. For example, do you get defensive easily if someone critiques your work? If you make an incorrect or inappropriate comment and someone calls you out on it, do you take responsibility and try to become better? Or do you become argumentative and try to make excuses?

These are all moments that can either help you shape yourself into a professional makeup artist of the highest standard… or they can be moments that further cement inappropriate behaviors, sure to damage your reputation once you pursue your career.

The choice, ultimately, is up to you.

Close up isolated portrait of young annoyed angry woman holding hands in furious gesture. Young female with red hair in white T-shirt and cap. Negative human emotions, face expressions.

Can you think of any other mistakes that one should never make in their makeup classes? Share them in the comments below! 💕

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How to Become a Professional Makeup Artist While Holding a Full-Time Job

By Career Advice, Education, From the Experts, Your Makeup Career 9 Comments

So, you want to pursue your dream and become a professional makeup artist. There’s just one problem: you already have a full-time job – and you can’t exactly quit. After all, you’ve got bills to pay! So, how can you do both?

Luckily, this goal is a LOT more achievable than you think!

Join QC Makeup Academy graduate, Gabrielle Rivera, as she breaks down how to become a makeup artist while holding a full-time job!

Debunking a Common Makeup Artist Misconception

When it comes to professional makeup artistry, there are a lot of misleading misconceptions. For example, many people incorrectly believe that being an MUA is just a “hobby”. But the fact is, becoming a pro makeup artist is a full-time job in and of itself!

Now, if you’re just dipping your toes into this industry, you might be thinking: “How am I supposed to do this professionally and commit this much time if I already have a full-time job?”

Don’t worry, you can still become a professional makeup artist! Yes, some beauty experts have decided to commit to their business full-time. However, just as many others choose to maintain their regular jobs and either do makeup on the side, or as a second (part-time) career. I’m here to give you some tips on how to manage becoming a professional makeup artist while holding a full-time job!

How to Become a Professional Makeup Artist While Working Full-Time

Drawing from personal experience, I’ve put together a list of 5 key tips to help you pursue your dreams of becoming a professional makeup artist. (Yes, even if you’re currently holding full-time employment.) If you give these 5 tips the proper focus and dedication, I guarantee you’ll be able to achieve your goal!

Tip #1: Planning, Scheduling, and Organization

I’m both a professional makeup artist and a full-time teacher. To me, the key to successfully balancing both priorities is all about organization! If you’re like me, you probably love writing in a physical planner. That being said, you may prefer a digital one instead. Either way, all I have to say is trust me – a planner is an important greatest asset to helping you manage both careers. It’ll quickly become your best friend!

When I plan my work weeks, I take into consideration both careers, as well as the workload each one requires per week. By doing this, I can stop and take a step back. As a result, I can ensure that I’m not overworking myself or overbooking my makeup artist business.

For example: I know that between April to August, my professional makeup artist business will be extremely busy. Mainly, because it’s prom and wedding season. So, I plan accordingly and pay extra attention to how many clients I can book realistically.

Pro Tip: Remember to Be Flexible!

Being flexible – while also setting realistic expectations – is going to be an important part of having a successful professional makeup artist career. You need to keep in mind the kind of workload you can actually manage. If you feel you’re biting off more than you can chew, don’t simply try to power through it. You won’t be benefiting anyone by spreading yourself too thin.

Remember that what matters most should always be the quality of your work, rather than the quantity of clients you schedule. Your clients will respect you for providing them with your best work – without having to rush their appointment or hurt their results in order to meet your next customer.

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Tip #2: Become a Professional Makeup Artist By Networking

Holding a full-time job and becoming a professional makeup artist takes balance. Moreover, it requires a strong ability to network with others. When I first started out, I didn’t really value the power of networking… That is, until I saw what networking can really do!

When you learn to network with other professionals in the beauty industry, you’re opening the door to invaluable opportunities. Such opportunities could include gaining new clientele and securing more bookings – all through word of mouth! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve booked clients because my networked recommended me. I’ve also gained clients because fellow artists within my network needed extra help working large bridal parties, proms, and/or photoshoots!

Tip #3: Maintain Clear and Consistent Communication

Everyone says that communication is key. But from my experience, this is especially the case in our profession. If you want to know how to become a professional makeup artist, one of the first things to understand is that clear and consistent communication is critical!

If you have a full-time job but dream of working as an MUA, you really need to make sure that it’s easy for clients to contact you. Furthermore, you must always keep those lines of communication clear and consistent (to the best of your ability). You never want to lose out on a potential client because they weren’t sure how to contact you. Similarly, it’d be a shame to miss out on a golden opportunity because you missed their inquiry.

A way to combat this is to have a system in place that works the best for you. Many professional makeup artists will provide a business email for contact. Additionally, you can also have a contact link set up on your website that’ll directly send visits any customer inquiries. Regardless of the method that works best for you, ensure that it’s easily accessible to clients.

Happy woman relaxing at home on couch, practicing self-care

Tip #4: Remember to Practice Self-Care

Speaking from experience, trying to juggle a full-time job and a professional makeup artist career can be overwhelming at times. Your goal is to be able to maintain your full-time employment. However, you’re also driven to grow your own makeup business. As a result, your personal and/or mental health can unintentionally wind up taking a back seat.

Oftentimes, people believe that in order to be successful, you must wake up at the crack of dawn, work yourself to the bone, and even limit sleep in order to be more productive. Well, I’m here to tell you that those beliefs couldn’t be further from the truth!

A phrase I often tell my students is, “Work smarter, not harder.” Being successful is not contingent on working long hours, depriving yourself of sleep, or a lack of proper nutrition. In fact, it’s actually quite the opposite! When you feel your best, you’ll work and produce your best.

So, make sure to give yourself days off to relax, unwind, and recharge. Remember to practice self-care regularly and you’ll notice how it benefits yourself and your business!

Tip #5: Become a Professional Makeup Artist By Getting Properly Educated

Ultimately, it all boils down to this: if you want to know how to become a professional makeup artist, the #1 answer I can give you is to get reputable training. This is especially true if you’re holding a full-time job. After all, you’re already busy as it is. As such, it can become all too easy to fall behind on the latest beauty trends.

When you enroll in a professional certification course, however, you’ll not only stay current on these game-changing trends – you’ll learn how to combine them with core techniques, so you can apply them correctly.

Knowing trends is one simple step that can help bring you a LOT of new clientele. For instance, if you’re an artist in the world of bridal makeup, you’ll quickly see the trends in wedding makeup. The more you educate and practice both the classic and current trends, the more clientele you can attract and book for your business.

Furthermore, it’s imperative that you continuously educate yourself and better your craft. I suggest taking seminars, online classes, one-on-one lessons, business webinars… Basically, any learning opportunity you can get your hands on!

The more knowledgeable you become about skincare, makeup products, applications, and styles, the easier it’ll be for you to secure more clients, network, and collaborate with others. This will also allow you the opportunity to increase your prices as your knowledge base and experience grows!

A great way to support your professional makeup career while holding a full-time job is to sign up for one of QC Makeup Academy’s self-paced, online certification courses. As a QC graduate myself, I cannot recommend them highly enough!

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How to Find the Best Online Makeup Course for YOU!

By Career Advice, Education, QC Student Ambassador, Your Makeup Career No Comments

Dream of becoming a certified makeup artist, but not sure which online makeup course is the best fit for you? Today, QC Makeup Academy‘s Student Ambassador, Paula Alleyne, is here to help guide you on the right path!

Paula is a graduate of QC’s Master Makeup Artistry Course. Her business, PAULA MONIQUE, specializes in bridal, editorial, and special occasions makeup. Connect with Paula directly in the QC Virtual Classroom on Facebook! 

Best online makeup course article, June 25 2021, Paula Alleyne headshot

A Little About Me

Hi, everyone! My name is Paula Alleyne. Some of you may be aware who I am from previous blog articles. But for those of you who are new to the QC family, I am a Student Ambassador for the school. I completed my training in the Master Makeup Artistry Course and enjoyed every minute of it!  I’m also from the lovely Caribbean island of Barbados.

In this article, I’ll be providing insight as to how you can go about finding the best online makeup course for YOU. Together, we’ll compare online vs. in-person training, as well as review 3 red flags to watch out for when searching for an online institution. Lastly, I’ll also highlight some of the reasons why QC Makeup Academy worked for me – and why their online training will be the right fit for you, too!

In-Person vs. Online Makeup Courses

If you’re brand-new to online training, I totally understand the initial reservations you might have about enrolling in an online makeup course. I’ll be honest: at first, I wasn’t 100% sold on the idea of learning professional makeup artistry online either. It actually took me quite some time to finally take the step and register in the Master Makeup Artistry Course with QC Makeup Academy.

To me, truly learning makeup had to be a hands-on experience! It couldn’t just be about reading tips, seeing makeup looks, and then mimicking them. At the end of the day, that sort of training would make me feel as though I didn’t get my money’s worth.

Before I decided to register for an online makeup course, I looked around for a brick-and-mortar school. But honestly, I found it challenging to find consistent evening classes. Furthermore, I couldn’t find a local, in-person program that offered in-depth information on makeup artistry.

(And yes, I said evening classes, because I also have a full-time job. Chances are, many of you looking for a makeup course are in the exact same boat.)

As such, I knew from the very beginning that whatever course I signed up for had to be flexible. It needed to be at a pace I could actually manage. After looking for in-person training, I started looking online to see what was available instead.

Makeup products for woman and laptop on table

Finding the Best Online Makeup Course: 3 Red Flags to Watch Out For

Sometimes, the easiest way to know what to look for in an online makeup course is to know what you need to be avoiding. With that in mind, I found quite a number of 3 shady red flags while doing my own research. If you encounter any of the following 3 scenarios, my biggest piece of advice is: RUN AWAY!

This will not be the best online makeup course for you if…

1. The online makeup school has mostly negative reviews – or no reviews at all.

This is a big one! Because you haven’t yet experienced what it’s like to be a student of the given institution, reviews of other people’s experiences can tell you all you need to know. When I was researching online makeup schools, I specifically made sure to look for each school’s reviews.

As I searched, I discovered that there were some course reviews from organizations where students were disappointed with the lack of depth of information. They’d paid hundreds – sometimes thousands – of dollars to only get basic knowledge. As a result, this left them feeling cheated.

So, if you’re looking into an online makeup course and find that the majority of its reviews are negative, it’s probably something you should consider before enrolling in it. Similarly, if you find an online school and can’t seem to find authentic, real reviews anywhere, this is also a sign that their makeup courses aren’t very legit.

Want to hear why people are raving about QC Makeup Academy’s online makeup courses? Click here to read over 200 5-star reviews on Facebook!

Best online makeup course article, June 25 2021, in-post article

2. The school has little to no online presence.

Ask yourself: does the organization appear legit? Does this online makeup school have a solid website? Moreover, does this website clearly provide their tuition fees, payment plans, course curriculum, contact info, etc.? Do they proudly showcase a strong student presence and offer a reliable Support Team?

Or do you have to go all “detective” in order to track all of this information down?

If a school’s website seems vague and lacks information on course content, this is a bad sign. If the information they DO provide is vague, don’t be surprised if the content you receive once you pay is also vague and unprofessional. Additionally, do a bit of digging to see if this school is active on social media. The more active they are, the more legit the institution is!

3. The online makeup school isn’t properly accredited or recognized.

Does the institution appear to be well known? This recognition can come either from its courses being accredited, other organizations and brands acknowledging the institution, or reviewing the staff/tutors associated with the institution.

Fun Fact: QC Makeup Academy holds a solid A+ ranking with the Better Business Bureau. Additionally, all of their online courses and certifications are internationally-recognized!

Happy woman holding up makeup brushes and giving thumbs up

Finding The Best Online Makeup Course: Why You Should Enroll with QC Makeup Academy

Speaking from experience, QC Makeup Academy passes ALL of these areas of concern! It was easy for me to see student reviews of the institution. These reviews covered everything from course experiences, to student and graduate success stories, to positive feedback on social media. I even found unboxing videos where students proudly showed off the makeup kits they received as part of their training!

On top of this, QC’s website is solid; providing great information on course content, tutors, payment options, and user support. I spent time reviewing video extracts of their course content and topics offered within the course manuals. Furthermore, I was comforted to see the school networking with established makeup brands. As a QC student, you’re actually entitled to a LOT of different makeup discounts!

Another awesome perk is that once you enroll in one course, all of QC’s other courses are available to you at 50% off. Add on top of that the fact that this school offers monthly promotional discounts, competitive pricing, and low monthly payments plans, and it’s clear that this is a school who cares about giving students the best education at the most affordable price.

In addition to all the above, all of QC’s tutors are highly recognized and established in their fields. If you’d like to read more about them (and I highly recommend doing so), you can read all of the tutor profiles here!

Knowing Your Career Goals

The single most effective way to find the best online makeup course for YOU is to first understand what your career goals are. What kind of makeup artist do you want to be? Which areas of the beauty industry do you want to focus on and/or specialize in? Do you want this to be a full-time career, a part-time job, a passion project, etc.?

Only once you know the answers to all of these questions can you then find the training that can best help you achieve your goals!

As you embark upon the online makeup courses offered by QC Makeup Academy, you’re inspired to think about these future goals. You’re encouraged to start the process of turning them from mere dreams to an actual plan of action. Furthermore, QC’s training makes you ponder the type(s) of makeup application you gravitate to most – whether it be special effects, bridal, theatrical, etc.

I found that the Master Makeup Artistry Course offered foundational education in bridal, television, and editorial makeup. At the same time, it also included areas such as SFX and theater makeup. So, if you’re relatively new to this journey and want to get trained in all of these fields, the MMA Course is the best way to go! Personally, being exposed to these various specialties provided a great platform on which I could build upon and specialize my skill-set on a long-term basis.

The Journey of Self-Discovery

As you complete your assignments, you’ll begin to know which areas come naturally to you. You’ll discover which you enjoy most, and which ones are a bit trickier for you to master. In addition to learning your natural style, you may also find interest in unexpected areas, too.

For example, I love to do more clean, classic looks. This type of makeup works well within the bridal and editorial areas of the industry. However, I also thoroughly enjoyed creating fake bruises and fantasy characters. These were areas I would not have typically engaged in – but I’m certainly glad I did!

Makeup artist applying eyeshadow on model's eyelids

How to Find the Best Online Makeup Course: My Final Thoughts

To sum it up, taking the leap to pursue an online education with QC Makeup Academy was great for me. Having completed my training, I can say with confidence that QC offered the best online makeup course to align with my career goals… and it’ll offer the same for you, too!

To those of you out there who are looking for online makeup education, take your time. There’s no rush! In fact, it’s better to be patience and certain, then impatient and disappointed. Remember to find as much information as you can, from student/graduate reviews to social media investigating. Whichever school you decide to enroll in, make sure it’s as legitimate and professional as QC Makeup Academy is.

Ultimately, only YOU can truly know which online makeup course is the best one for you. So long as you follow your heart and trust your instincts, everything will be just fine! 💕

Countless students and grads have claimed that QC Makeup Academy offers the BEST online makeup courses around. Want to see what all the fuss is about? Click here to enroll today!