Celebrity makeup artist, Nathan Johnson (@nathanwalnut), is QC Makeup Academy’s Executive Makeup Artist and is based in New York City. This month, he talks about QC’s updated and refreshed Master Makeup Artistry Course!
At QC Makeup Academy, we pride ourselves on being the premier online makeup institution. With over 30 years of proven experience in distance education, QC always put the student and their learning first.
We have helped thousands of makeup artists launch successful makeup careers. With hours of video content, comprehensive course texts, and training assignments that cover both technique and real world application, we’ve streamlined the educational process, making the path to becoming a makeup artist easy and fast.
Makeup Artistry vs. Master Makeup Artistry
The Master Makeup Artistry Course is designed for anyone serious about learning how to do makeup professionally. The course includes seven units that teach makeup theory and application techniques, and allows the student to practice in real-world application scenarios. After you learn the proper makeup application techniques, you’ll apply them to create looks for daytime and evening, runway, bridal, film and TV, editorial, and much more. You’ll also learn how to develop and launch a business with an optional business unit.
The Makeup Artistry Course, on the other hand, is tailored for anyone who wants to master applying their own makeup. This course focuses on developing proper techniques and building appropriate day and evening looks.
Both programs are amazing, but if your goal is to work as a makeup artist, the Master Makeup Artistry course would be the best choice.
Classic Makeup Techniques vs. Trendy Makeup Techniques
Classic techniques are also referred to as fundamentals because they work every time. No matter the era, they are always in style. Additionally, every look, from the most basic and natural applications to the trendy and avant garde, grows out of these fundamental techniques. Once you master them, you will be capable of anything, because these techniques can be combined, shifted, and reshaped to create all the looks you have ever seen— and millions more that have not yet been imagined.
Trend techniques are variations of the classics. They tend to be in style for a limited time, and they don’t work on everyone. If your knowledge base is built on trends rather than classic techniques, you will have a weak foundation for your makeup career. Whereas, if you know the classics techniques, you can figure out how to do any trend.
Social media tends to favor trendy techniques. The more flashy the video, the more likely it will garner views. But more views and millions of followers does not mean that the techniques are correct. In fact, most of the social media gurus have no professional training or experience. They teach “looks” instead of techniques. . Those who choose to take this “self-taught” path are usually copiers more than artists.
An artist shapes and molds the classic techniques to meet the needs of their client’s unique features, while copiers just recycle variations of the looks they memorized. If you have not learned the fundamental techniques, you will likely have to spend your whole working life copying social media stars instead of actually creating.
Makeup Course Outline
Unit A
In the first unit, you will introduce yourself to your tutor, learn what makes an ideal environment for makeup application, and learn how to stock the perfect makeup kit. You’ll be asked to do a makeup application on yourself or a model to show your personal tutor your makeup skills at the start of the course.
This valuable step allows your tutor to see exactly where you are in your makeup journey, and give your tutor key insights on how to best guide you in your learning. If you keep that photo and put in all the hard work, you’ll likely be astounded by the increased clarity, precision, and symmetry of your makeup skills at the end of the course.
This, and every unit, ends with an opportunity for you to ask your tutor any questions you may have.
Unit B
In Unit B, you will practice the individual techniques of corrective makeup application, including blending, basic eye shadow applications, brow shaping variations, and three basic eyeliner variations. You’ll also learn the proper foundation, blush, highlight, contour, and lip application techniques.
Every step and variation of each technique will be photographed for your makeup assignments and reviewed by your tutor to ensure you’re learning it all properly. Your tutor will guide you through the necessary adjustments to ensure you master the fundamental techniques.
Unit C
In this unit, we build on the corrective makeup technique by teaching QC’s exclusive 4 multi-step eye and smoky eye techniques.
After mastering those, all the techniques you have learned so far will be put to the test with practical assignments in daytime and evening applications, false lash application, mature makeup, and makeup for men.
With the core makeup techniques covered, this marks the end of the Makeup Artistry Course.
Unit D
Units D-G are only available in the Master Makeup Artistry course.
In Unit D, you will start practicing your makeup skills based in real-world makeup scenarios. These are the areas of makeup where you can begin to earn money, so mastering the techniques from the prior units is essential.
You will apply two bridal makeup applications, one natural and one of your choosing. Then, you’ll demonstrate the strength of your techniques by duplicating a trend makeup look of your choice. You will also translate a celebrity-inspired makeup look to compliment your client’s features. This is the unit that will show if there are any weak points in your technique. Then, your tutor will guide you on how to turn them into strengths.
Unit E
In this unit, you will continue to practice the classic techniques, while beginning to vary and transform them for your client’s features and desired outcome. The real-world scenarios will have you creating a look for a trendsetting celebrity, designing a runway look for a world-famous designer, executing a skincare ad, and meeting the needs of your creative director for an editorial shoot.
Your tutor will push you to precision and symmetry, while continuing to guide you towards the mastery of your skills.
Unit F
Unit F delves into the basic creative techniques for the film, theater, and television industries. You will master new skills, including creating realistic bruises. You will also be challenged to create looks for a young film actress and an iconic Broadway character.
Unit G
Unit G is an optional business unit. This unit will set you on the path for career success. You’ll learn how to identify your competition, target your clients, and build your brand. For these assignments, you’ll get feedback and advice on all those topics, as well as tips to build your makeup portfolio and create your professional profile.
As I mentioned earlier, every unit ends with a chance for you to ask your tutor for clarification on anything you want. If you’re willing to put in the time and practice, you’ll master the art of makeup in no time.
There is no better time to learn makeup artistry and no better makeup school to learn from. With industry-recognized tutors, a student support team that puts you first, and a history of successful makeup graduates around the globe, QC is ready to help you get a step closer to your dreams.
If you are on Facebook or Instagram, I am @nathanwalnut. Be sure to tag me! I love giving out hearts and comments.
