Top Makeup School in London
Longcross Film Studios
Elstree Studios
Celebrating 30 Years of Professional Makeup Artist Training for Careers In Film, Theatre and Stage.
We're down to our last remaining spaces for courses starting in autumn 2020. Book your visit today.
Train At London’s No 1. Makeup School
Voted by The Stage as one of “best training routes for getting into hair and makeup for stage and screen”, Brushstroke Makeup School has been providing students with top quality accredited makeup courses for over 30 years. Our courses range from makeup diplomas with BTEC and ITEC makeup qualifications to short makeup courses that give in-depth training on skills like special effects makeup and prosthetics. Our students leave Brushstroke with excellent preparation for a successful career in makeup artistry.
Having been at the first-ever makeup school to run from a film studio, we have now moved from Shepperton Studios to Longcross Film Studios and Elstree Television and Film Studios with an additional administrative office in Pinewood Studios. Longcross offers students much larger facilities than our original home in Shepperton, in a self-contained building of 5’000 sq ft, and with 65’000 wig stock split between our two studios. Longcross is a quick trip on the Reading to Waterloo line, with direct access to the studios from the Longcross platform. Our Elstree studio facilities are a quick 10-minute walk from Elstree and Borehamwood Station.
Choose From A Range of Accredited Makeup Courses
2 Year Makeup and Hair Course (BTEC & ITEC Level 3 Diploma)
This 2 Year (Full Time) Makeup & Hair Course will start your career as a properly trained artist in film, TV, stage, and fashion.
Next Start at Longcross Studios: 30 November 2020
Next Start at Elstree Studios: 27 September 2021
Times: Mon-Thurs (10:30 – 16:00)
1 Year Hairdressing, Barbering (ITEC Level 2 Diploma)
Our 1 Year (Full Time) Hairdressing and Barbering Course taught by Toni & Guy trained tutors – giving you the skills to start work as stylists.
Next Start: 28th September 2020
Times: Mon-Thurs (10:30 – 16:00)
7-Month Makeup and Hair Course (ITEC Level 3 Diploma)
This shorter 7-Month makeup course is ideal for international students looking to study in London or change their career.
Next Start at Longcross Studios: 28 September 2020
Next Start at Elstree Studios: 18th January 2021
Times: Mon-Thurs (10:30 – 16:00)
Short Makeup and Hair Courses
A selection of 7 hair and makeup artist short courses that comprise the 7-month course. These short makeup courses are ideal for international students, or people looking to change career by gaining the necessary skills and techniques to work in the industry.
Next Start: See Course Dates For Longcross and Elstree Studios
Times: Mon-Thurs (10:30 – 16:00)
Students’ Success
Make Training At Our Two World Famous Film Studios
Brushstroke is the first makeup training academy to offer students training and aftercare in two national film studios. Situated in South London and North London we cover the whole of the city of London with very easy direct access from surrounding counties.
Longcross Film Studios
Our South London Makeup Academy
Longcross Film Studios is one of the UK’s largest film studios. With huge stage buildings ranging from 2,000 to 13,000 square feet, and over 200 acres of backlot space, it is a truly phenomenal setting for epic feature films and TV shows. Productions filmed here include Aladdin, Alice in Wonderland, Fast & Furious 6, Captain Phillips, Thor 2, John Carter and numerous others including Call The Midwife, Warhorse, Death on the Nile and Killing Eve 3. Longcross Studios is also now the new home for our makeup courses. Longcross is a quick train journey from London Waterloo taking you right into the studios.
Elstree Film & TV Studios
Our North London Makeup Academy
Widely regarded as London’s No. 1 film studio, the birthplace of Star Wars and some of the most famous films worldwide. Elstree Studios, our new home for our makeup courses, is opening a wide set of opportunities for Brushstroke makeup artists. Some of the productions shot at Elstree studios include Big Brother, Love Island, The Voice, Dancing on Ice, Eastenders, Suffragette, The King’s Speech, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, World War Z, The World’s End and Paddington. Getting here is easy – it’s just 20 minutes from central London with a 10-minute walk to the studios.
Training for Makeup Careers in Film, Fashion, TV and Stage
Brushstroke is a natural choice for aspiring makeup artists. We specialise in providing longer courses that train students with the necessary skills to launch successful careers as a professionally trained makeup artist in the film, TV and fashion industry. In fact, many of the students on our certified makeup courses have gone on to successful careers makeup assistants to designers. Our graduates are currently working within these studios (as well as around the globe) on productions like Eastenders, The Crown, Dancing on Ice, The Voice, and many other productions.
Our flagship course – the 2 Year Makeup and Hair (BTEC Level 3 Diploma) – is eligible for a BAFTA scholarship. If you’re interested in applying you can find out more by contacting us or visiting the BAFTA website.
Hallmarks of Brushstroke Makeup School
Shepperton Film Studios
Brushstroke was the first makeup school to be based at a film studio. In our 30 years at Shepperton film studios, our former home, it offered our students access to the starlight and glamour of some the worlds most-loved films and media talent.
Working With Celebrities
One of the great things about studying at Brushstroke is that you are bound to brush paths with celebrities. Our students have worked around the globe with celebrities for red carpet, magazines, music video and cat walks including fashion week.
Pinewood Film Studios
Pinewood is one of our administrative offices. The career options for makeup artists graduating from Brushstroke are endless; from films and TV to west end stage shows, to your favourite soap. Brushstroke provides you with the platform to build your skills for a successful career.
Our Makeup Courses (BTEC & ITEC)
Brushstroke offers a top range of professional makeup courses for all age groups, including further education in BTEC and ITEC diploma qualifications where we take on students from the age of 16. Brushstroke leads the way with the largest makeup training facilities in Europe based at Longcross and Elstree Studios. Our industry-ready tuition is also structured around the needs of our individual students, including time off for other studies.
Professional Makeup Training
Brushstroke makeup school has a reputation for insightful and in-depth makeup artist training that turns our students into sharp and versatile professionals. Brushstroke professional makeup training is of the very highest standard delivered by our tutors who are themselves professional makeup artists working in different parts of the entertainment world. Our students receive the amount of relevant practical, hands-on teaching that only a specialist training provider such as Brushstroke can provide.
Student Work
Brushstroke makeup artist training will give you every opportunity to get on the credits of some of the biggest films and most-loved TV programmes – just like many of our tutors and students. This includes international students who benefit from Brushstroke training through our diploma courses and short makeup courses. Our purpose-built makeup training facilities are the largest in the UK and Europe and located within the dynamic film complex of Longcross Studios and Elstree Studios. So you’ll be immersed in the world of entertainment right from the start.
A varied career and a good living awaits you as a school leaver or career changer. All you need is enthusiasm, a willingness to succeed. And of course Brushstroke makeup artist training.
Get In Touch
Please complete the inquiry form and we’ll be in touch. We can give you more information over the phone and send you a prospectus. We would also love to show you around our facilities and discuss more about the course options available to you.