About the School

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

My name is Alba R. Carpio, and my life has been a roller coaster for the past few years. But right now, I can say I’m happily married and a proud mom. My love for characterization, sci-fi, and horror films started when I was a kid. When I went to University, I got my Bachelor Degree in Architecture.

However, when my father passed away, everything changed. I went through a very hard time; dealing with depression and anxiety. During this time, my passion for makeup revived. At first, I used it as a therapy. But it ending up becoming my safe place.

What made you decide to change career paths and switch from architecture to makeup artistry?

When I graduated, we had plans to move to Europe. But when my father passed away, we had to stay in Mexico and take care of the family business. Then I became pregnant. At that time, my husband and I decided it would be best for me to stay at home.

If I’m being honest, I revived my love for makeup through social media and watching influencers. Over time, though, that wasn’t enough. I wanted to learn everything in a professional way – especially Special FX makeup. So, I investigated all of my options and that’s how I found QC Makeup Academy. This school gave me the possibility of doing this as a career!

Prior to getting any training, you mentioned that you learned makeup primary through social media. When was it you realized that social media makeup is completely different from real-world makeup?

I actually found this out the hard way. One day, I got a phone call from my husband, asking me out on a romantic date. I wanted to surprise him with the makeup techniques I’d just learned from YouTube. When we arrived at the restaurant, he said in a very gentle way, “Babe, I think you have dirt on your face… take this tissue so you can clean up.”

It was embarrassing! But when I looked in the mirror, it was obvious that my contour was completely overdone. As QC Makeup Academy makes clear in their training, social media and real-life makeup are designed for completely different environments. Social media makeup is definitely not meant for everyday life.

Why did you decide to enroll in an online makeup school, rather than an in-person one?

Between being a new mom and dealing with all the tasks of running the family business, I had no time or energy to go to a physical school. But QC Makeup Academy did give me time and space to do my courses at my own pace. Plus, their amazing programs have been designed by industry professionals, and are led by the best of the best, in terms of tutors. This all gave me confidence that I was making a good investment.

So, how did you find out about QC Makeup Academy?

Online research! I knew that with my schedule, the only way I was going to be able to study was with an online school. I investigated very carefully into all my options. Once I found QC Makeup Academy, I quickly say that they offered everything I wanted!

Some of the reasons I chose to enroll are:

You’ve since graduated from QC’s Master Makeup Artistry Course and Special FX Makeup Course. How was your experience with these programs, and how would you say they’ve helped you grow as a makeup artist?

QC changed my life in the best possible way. It’s not just the experience of learning professional makeup techniques; it’s also the personalized feedback you get from your tutors. They take the time to analyze your work and give you constructive criticism. Their goal is to help you grow by offering you advice, tips, tricks, and encouragement to be the best version of yourself as an artist.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or an advanced student. Your previous experience, social medial followers, or job position doesn’t matter either. QC Makeup Academy always make you feel respected and welcome. Personally, my makeup skills are now at a completely different level when compared to where they were at 3 years ago!

You’re also currently enrolled in QC Makeup Academy’s Skincare Course, Pro Makeup Workshop, and Airbrush Makeup Workshop. Why do you feel that these additional skills and qualifications will make your makeup career all the more successful?

I firmly believe that all of QC’s programs properly complement one another. For example, skincare is very important because it helps you understand how to take care of your canvas. With this basic knowledge, it’s easier to personalize the makeup routine for each client, since everyone has different skin types and needs.

The Pro Makeup Workshop goes into more detail about advanced makeup techniques, concepts, and applications. This next-level program is meant to help you perfect your skills and build upon what you learned in the MMA Course. Finally, the Airbrush Workshop adds yet another level of professionalism to your craft, both in beauty makeup and SFX makeup.

I can’t stop learning – this career path is just so fascinating to me!

How useful have the various course materials, assignments, and tutor feedback been? In what ways have they helped you grow stronger as an MUA?

At this moment of my life, I am mainly a social media makeup artist. But I also book the occasional freelance job for film, bridal, or special event makeup on the weekends. The knowledge I’ve gotten from QC Makeup Academy has helped me understand when to use certain makeup techniques, according to the occasion.

Like I said before, social media makeup is designed for a self-controlled, 2D environment. Real-life makeup, on the other hand, is designed for a high-definition, 3d environment. You can’t control the angles in which your artistry will be showcased. So, you need to understand the proper techniques… because there’ll be no place to hide imperfections!

What are the most important lessons you’ve learned so far from QC Makeup Academy’s professional training?

With QC Makeup Academy, you learn:

But to me, the MOST important lessons I’ve learned have been about proper hygiene and etiquette as an MUA. This knowledge alone elevates you to another level! Most aspiring makeup artists nowadays educate themselves strictly with YouTube videos.

However, beyond the popular trends and/or makeup tutorials available on social media, it’s very uncommon to find educational videos discussing topics such as taking care of your makeup kit, sanitizing your tools, etc. Being a makeup artist is so much more than simply applying makeup to another person’s face. This type of education is essential for success.

You’ve recently joined QC’s team of Student Ambassadors. As an Ambassador, what’s the #1 thing you want aspiring makeup artists to know about QC Makeup Academy?

QC Makeup Academy will give you the basic tools you need to pursue a successful career as a makeup artist. It doesn’t matter which area you want to grow in professionally – they cover it all!

Once you have these tools, it’ll then be up to YOU to become the artist you want to be. For that, you will need to dedicate time and practice. My personal experience has been amazing. I couldn’t be more grateful for what QC has done for me. As a Student Ambassador, I want to help others follow their own dreams.

You have over 266k followers on TikTok and over 17k on YouTube. What advice would you give to new MUAs for growing their online presence and increasing their following?

My social media channels were never about having a big following or becoming popular. They started as a personal space where I could express myself and what I love. They’ve helped me heal and make it through a very difficult time in my life.

What I can tell makeup artists who want to grow their social media is to NEVER let the numbers control you. Don’t let the views discourage you, or the likes make you feel as if you are not talented enough. Just do what you love and the numbers will come eventually.

What are your top career goals as a makeup artist?

I believe there is no small job. Everything can give you experience and knowledge to grow as an artist!

To start, I want to retire from our job at the family business and dedicate myself full-time to makeup artistry. I’m currently working towards this now. I also want to travel to congresses, take makeup master classes around the world, and eventually, teach them myself. Additionally, I’d like to dedicate more time to my social media and explore different makeup techniques I haven’t tried yet. I’d also love to learn even more about Special FX makeup.

I guess, when I think about it, I just want to try it ALL!

What is the #1 piece of advice that you’d like to give to aspiring makeup artists who are thinking of pursuing a professional career in 2021?

I want to inspire others to never give up on themselves. It’s is never too late to pursue your dream career! There’s honestly no better feeling than dedicating your life to something that makes you happy and that you have passion for. You’ll never get tired of it.

If this is what you want to do for the rest of your life, just go with it! QC Makeup Academy will give you all the tools you need, but it’ll be up to you to figure out how you want to use them.

Inspired by Alba’s story? Write your own today by enrolling with QC Makeup Academy!

Nadia Calabro is a graduate of QC’s Master Makeup Artistry Course, Pro Makeup Workshop, and Skincare Course. Today, she reveals what it’s like to be a Student Ambassador for QC Makeup Academy!

What is a Student Ambassador?

In a nutshell, a Student Ambassador is a student or alumnus that has been chosen to represent their school. They will often act as the ‘middle person’; bridging any gaps between current/prospective students and the institution itself. A Student Ambassador will also be there to help answer questions, share their own experience, and help promote the school to others.

Being chosen as a Student Ambassador for QC Makeup Academy is both a privilege and a rewarding job. When you’re selected for this role, you are being entrusted with the responsibility of upholding the school’s reputation, its brand, and its message. You become the face behind the name, thereby bringing the school come to life and making it all the more relatable to other people.

Why I Wanted to Become a Student Ambassador

When I saw that QC Makeup Academy had launched its very own Student Ambassador program, I knew right away that I wanted in! It’s no secret that I’m completely in love with QC’s makeup certification courses. I’m even more in love with the amazing community that has been built around this school.

Personally, I’ve learned so much through my studies at QC. My experience with the staff, students, and the training itself was all incredible. I wanted to use this platform as a way to share my experience with everyone! As a Student Ambassador, I knew I’d be able to connect with my fellow students (as well as potential students) in a meaningful way. I’d be part of a safe place where students – and even staff – could go for advice, support, and encouragement.

Perks of Being a QC Makeup Academy Student Ambassador

Joining the Affiliate Program

Once QC Makeup Academy selects you to become a Student Ambassador, you will automatically be approved for their Affiliate Program. Perhaps you’ve heard this term before, but never quite understood what it really meant. Basically, though, it means this:

The Affiliate Program gives you the opportunity to earn money through your own website and social media platforms. You sign up for the program through QC’s website. Once approved, you’re provided with your very own Affiliate link. From there, all you need to do is choose a banner and then add it to your website and/or social media pages.

Once this done, QC does the rest of the work for you! If someone follows your Affiliate link and then chooses to enroll with QC sometime within 90 days after that, you’ll earn a $50 commission! QC monitors the referrals themselves and pays you for them – so you can quite literally set it and forget it.

It’s one of the easiest ways to make a bit of extra money. Plus, becoming an Affiliate member also designates you as being a partner of one of the world’s largest online makeup schools! Being a part of this program helps both you and QC Makeup Academy by generating more traffic to your website, while also promoting and advertising the school.

It’s a win-win for everyone!

Creating Original Content

As a Student Ambassador, there will be another way for you to make money. Every month, QC will assign you your very own content creation project! These projects typically require you to write a blog article or film a YouTube video.

Once QC has received your final product and approves it for publishing, you’re then compensated for your work. While most of your projects will be created for the purpose of being published on one of QC’s platforms, this isn’t always the case.

One specific perk of being an Ambassador is that QC Makeup Academy is dedicated to helping you grow your own original business content, too. For instance, if you want to add a blog to your website, they’ll specifically give you projects here and there that are meant to be published on YOUR platform. The same goes with YouTube videos, IGTV videos, etc.

No Experience? No Problem!

The idea of writing blogs and/or filming videos might seem intimidating – especially if you have no prior experience.

But don’t let this deter you! For starters, you have the freedom to choose if you’d prefer one type of project over another. If you love writing and have no interest in making videos, for instance, simply let QC know this and they’ll only assign you writing projects.

Furthermore, prior experience is NOT mandatory. Some of QC’s current Student Ambassadors were completely new to blog writing and video making, too. QC’s team makes sure to provide you with ample resources to guide you onto the right path, strengthen your writing and video skills, etc. Plus, whenever you’re assigned a project, you’re given a thorough PDF breakdown containing everything you need to know, abide by, and keep in mind for that particular project.

These content creation projects are an amazing opportunity to gain free knowledge, and refine your writing and vlogging skills. You can easily use these skills in your own business – or any job you’re applying to, for that matter!

Building Your Skill-Set

When you create the content creation projects mentioned above, there are many other skills you’ll develop along the way. These skills will not only be directly applicable throughout your career – they’ll set you up for even more success in the long run!

Firstly, your content creation projects will make you more organized and better capable of planning out strategies. As a Student Ambassador, your ideas and work must be properly thought-out, from Point A to Point Z. This is the only way to guarantee the success of your project.

Putting in minimal effort simply won’t cut it. So, you push yourself to always do the best you possibly can. By adopting this mentality early on, you’re setting the standard within yourself for your future career as a makeup artist. You’ll have high expectations for yourself and work diligently to meet them.

Being an Ambassador will also strengthen your professionalism and people skills. When working as a Student Ambassador, you’ll regularly deal with QC Makeup Academy employees, current student, potential students, and alumni.  You’ll need to conduct yourself in a professional manner in order to maintain your position and represent the QC name effectively.

All of this will make you better equipped for the real world – as well as achieving your own business endeavors – once you start working in the field!

Networking

As a Student Ambassador for QC Makeup Academy, you’ll get to meet countless new people within your industry. You’ll build friendships and professional networking opportunities. Ultimately, this will allow you to expand your business in ways you might not have been able to before.

There are also Focus Groups, which I think is particularly awesome. In these Focus Groups, you get to chat in real time with your fellow Ambassadors, share your input and ideas, give feedback on current courses, and even provide suggestions for courses you’d like to see in the future!

This is your opportunity to start shedding YOUR light on the industry while getting professional, meaningful feedback!

My Personal Experience as a QC Makeup Academy Student Ambassador

Being a Student Ambassador has been such a great experience for me! I’ve learned so much that I’m confident will help me in my career as a makeup artist and beauty expert. For instance, I’d always wanted to start my own blog, but I didn’t know where or how to do this.

Then I became an Ambassador for QC. Their support and guidance, combined with the experience I’ve been gaining, has given me the confidence to finally build my own business blog!

I also never used to feel comfortable or confident enough to show the person behind the screen. But as an Ambassador, I’ve pushed myself to film videos for my own business, just as a way to practice for the videos I’d be tasked to do for QC Makeup Academy.

Well, guess what? These videos I created for my business have since attracted a LOT more network connections and clientele to me!

Being an ambassador has given me a different voice in QC’s Virtual Classroom on Facebook as well. People now come to me and listen to my advice and experiences, because they can trust that I will be totally open and honest with them. The lessons I have been taught through QC will always be my favorite. I know they will take me to many great places, both personally and professionally.

How to Become a Student Ambassador

Now that I have spiked your curiosity, here’s how to actually become a QC Student Ambassador…

If you’re now ready to submit your Student Ambassador application, I wish you the best of luck. Maybe we’ll get to work together someday! 💕

Not yet a QC Makeup Academy student? Check out our wide variety of hair and beauty courses and enroll today!