Hey Everyone!
For me, becoming a professional make-up artist was one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve ever made in my life. I still cannot believe that everyday I get to do what I love.
In Singapore, becoming a make-up artist is a possibility for everyone if you really focus, put your mind to it and do the hard work. For my own career, I built my reputation as an artist from ground zero and it is surely possible for you if you decide to choose or switch to this career.
Important Factors to Choosing Hair & Make-up Academy in Singapore
No matter how much work you put into it, I really do believe setting the right foundation is absolutely necessary. You have to find a school that suits your style of learning and that you feel comfortable in that covers all the material that you need to know. For example, it’s no use entering a school that you find extremely difficult to finish the course in if they don’t make the material easy to understand no matter how much content they try and cram into the class or extreme amount of homework vs. one that is more beginner friendly, covers everything that you need to know and done at an easy to understand and good and even pace.
You’ll end up loving your course more, having time to practice everything well, and become a stronger MUA over all. However, if the latter is more your style, there is nothing wrong with that too! I think it’s important to schedule a viewing at the school or studio before signing up for a course and get to meet your instructor to see if it’s a good fit for you.
I did my Make-up & Hair Diploma in London, UK at the London School of Beauty and Make-up, but I do know of a few make-up and hair academies here that do a great job. I’ll be comparing the top 3 professional make-up and hair academies in Singapore that offer professional hair and make-up courses to help make your transition to becoming a make-up artist a smoother one.
For me, I always believe that small classes are essential to learning. That’s my biggest regret going to a large school – they didn’t pay much attention to me and I didn’t even know how to curl hair after graduating. I had to do a lot of extra classes after. Your skills and portfolio is more important than the name of the school you graduated from or your certificate. I really do believe that you need to find a school that has your skills and your best interests at heart, that can invest in your future and care about even the smallest details. If you have a great foundation, I believe you will have a solid career.
Other than price, you need to consider…
Most students decide based on course fee or price, but there are other factors to consider. What to look out for when when choosing a hair and make-up school in Singapore?
1.Are there live models? And is it provided?
Many schools do not provide live models for you to practice on, except Bloom Pro Academy. Some schools normally require you to bring a friend each and every class or do the make-up on your classmate. Factor if this is a possibility for you – if you can imagine finishing work and having to schedule for a friend to come every single time you have class or if you’re okay with being a model for your classmate every time you have class and having to use up valuable learning time for that. Honestly, it is better if the school provides the live model ready and waiting for you.
2. Is the schedule flexible and what is the reschedule policy?
Most schools have a fixed schedule for learning. For example they may open class on Tuesdays and Thursdays after working hours, or only once a week on weekends. You need to see if you can commit to the schedule otherwise you should ask them for a reschedule policy in the event that you cannot commit to the schedule. A flexible schedule would be the best.
3. Do I have to bring my own tools and make-up to learn?
Some schools do not provide the make-up and hair products and tools for you to use and make it a condition to purchase a set of tools and products from them or source your own from outside to take their classes and courses. Some schools can provide all the materials and tools for your use. This is something to consider because it may result in extra costs. In my opinion, getting the same tools that the teacher is instructing with is helpful.
4. How many pax is there in the class?
As I said before, a large class can make things really difficult for you to absorb and learn everything because you really do need attention from your instructor with make-up. Make-up steps are progressive sometimes and making a mistake from the beginning can make it hard to fix. Find smaller classes or One to One if possible, it will really make the world of difference.
5. What is the aftercare after graduation? Are there opportunities?
This is kind of tricky because I really do believe that it is totally up to you what you’d like to do and what you will achieve with your certification after you graduate. However, if the instructor sees potential in you, they are likely to give you opportunities such as realistically unpaid shoots to build your portfolio and experience level. That being said, do they provide this and are they open to this? A word of caution is to not depend on this as a make-up artist however. A large part of the road to success is to be able to carve it yourself.
3 Top Professional Make-up & Hair School & Academy in Singapore
1.) Bloom Pro Academy @ 450 North Bridge Rd
Bloom Pro Academy offers small 2 pax or One to One professional hair and make-up courses, provide all live models for their students, entertain flexible schedules with easy to reschedule policies and provide all material and make-up for the use of your course. Their location has the most central location out of all the schools mentioned as it is across the street from Bugis Junction and 5 mins walk from City Hall/Raffles Place.
Their signature professional course is the Artist Course which is a 64 Hours Professional Make-up & Hair Course that covers all the foundational groundwork for learning professional bridal hairstyling and bridal make-up for both Korean and Western styles (unlike other schools) and it’s inclusive of learning 10-12 most popular bridal make-up and hair looks. At the end of the course you will receive a certificate and get a chance to do a photoshoot to add to your portfolio with.
It is known in Singapore for being easy to understand, beginner friendly and comprehensive – all done at a good and even pace. It is also the most flexible course of the lot, being able to schedule your own classes at your convenience. It is also the only course that provides live models for your practice every single class so you do not have to worry about sourcing a friend every time.
Bloom Pro is the sister school of Bloom By Roseanne, Singapore’s top personal make-up school so the instructor has a lot of experience with different skin tones and skin textures that she deals with daily.
For more information:
W: http://www.bloomproacademy.com
IG: @bloomproacademy
Approx Price Range: $3.5K (inclusive of models, materials)
2.) Autelier Pro @ 93 Soo Chow Walk
Autelier Pro is a studio that provides hands on learning opportunities for make-up artists in Singapore – not only at a beginner level but also on a more advanced recurring level as well. They are known typically for Asian or Korean bridal make-up styles that are beautiful and effortless.
Talking to some students from Autelier Pro, they are detailed and great instructors and classes are typically done twice a week at their Upper Thomson location. They however do not provide any live models, so you will have to source for a friend for each class and will require you to purchase your own set of tools and make-up products as well as hair doll for the class as well. The classes are done in small groups and batches, more than 2pax groups.
For more information:
W: http://www.autelierpro.com
IG: @autelier_pro
Approx Price Range: $3.5k ++ (excluding additional price of materials and tools needed to take the class as well)
3.) Cosmoprof Academy @ 8 Wilkie Rd.
Cosmoprof has probably been the longest standing make-up academy to date in Singapore. They are the only school that provides overseas accreditation once you take their course, however you have to consider if this is relevant for you if you desire to do freelance artistry.
In addition to bridal, they also provide special effects, costume and photographic make-up learning so if studio or costume make-up for movies is up your alley or if you’re training for a cosmetics trainer job under a cosmetic company that need the license or accreditation, this is for you.
They do not provide live models for your classes and you will be having to do make-up on each other or bring a friend. You will also have to purchase your own set of tools and make-up products for your use as well. However, they do provide discounted make-up items under the traditional brand, Kryolan if needed.
For more information:
W: https://www.cosmoprof.com.sg/
IG: @cosmoprofacademy
Approx price range: $5k ++
Other schools in Singapore include The School of Make-up @ 19 Keppel Rd and One Academy @ 36 Newton Rd.
I really hope you enjoyed reading this and I wish you the best for your new make-up career. If you have any questions, feel free to connect with me over instagram DM’s @roseannetangrs :)
Love,
Roseanne