Every year the screen gives us looks that stay with us, the transformations, the creatures, the period worlds and the quiet, flawless beauty work that you are not meant to notice at all. Behind each one is a makeup and hair team doing highly skilled, often invisible...
What Is Fantasy and Avant-Garde Hair Design?Fantasy and avant-garde hair design is where the craft stops following the rules and starts inventing its own. It is the boundary pushing end of hair and makeup, where artists build creatures, sculptures and impossible looks...
How Do Makeup Artists Handle Wedding Season?For many bridal artists, wedding season is the busiest, most rewarding and most demanding stretch of the year. Bookings stack up, weekends fill months ahead, and the work concentrates into an intense run of early mornings...
How to Become a Bridal Makeup ArtistBridal is one of the most rewarding and reliable corners of professional makeup. The work is personal, the demand is steady all year, and a good bridal artist becomes the name passed between brides, planners and venues for seasons...
Halloween SFX Makeup: How the Pros Create ItEvery October the internet fills with cuts, scars, rotting flesh and full creature transformations, and most of it is special effects makeup. The gap between a fun home attempt and a properly convincing look is technique,...
How Do You Become an SFX Makeup Artist?Special effects makeup is one of the most exciting corners of the craft, turning actors into creatures, building convincing wounds and bringing imagined worlds to life on screen and stage. It is technical, hands on and hugely...
How Do You Become a Celebrity Makeup Artist?Working with well known faces is one of the most sought after corners of the industry, and one of the hardest to reach. There is no direct route and no advert to answer, because celebrity work is built on exceptional skill,...
What Does a Fashion Makeup Artist Do?Fashion makeup is where makeup meets art direction. It runs across editorial shoots, runway shows, advertising campaigns and lookbooks, and it is led by a concept as much as by a face. The work is creative, trend aware and fast,...
What Is a Career in Theatre and Stage Makeup Like?Stage makeup is its own craft, built for distance, strong lighting and an audience that may be a hundred feet away, with no camera to hide behind and no retakes when something slips. It rewards artists who love live...
Why Are Afro-Textured Hair Skills Essential for Makeup Artists?For a long time the makeup and hair industry has under served afro-textured hair, with too many artists trained as if one hair type and one set of skin tones were the default. That gap is finally being...
How Do You Clean and Care for a Makeup Kit?A makeup kit is both an investment and a responsibility. Looked after well it performs better, lasts far longer and keeps the people you work on safe, while a neglected kit costs money, spreads bacteria and quietly undermines...
A Day in the Life of a Makeup ArtistPeople often picture a makeup artist’s day as glamorous, and parts of it are, but the reality is closer to skilled, focused work under time pressure, with a lot of early starts and quiet preparation behind the polished result....
How Is Makeup for Camera Different?Makeup that looks flawless in the mirror can fall apart the moment a camera is pointed at it. High definition picks up every edge, studio lighting changes how colour behaves, and the size of a cinema screen leaves nowhere to hide....
What Is Makeup Continuity in Film and TV?Makeup continuity is one of the most important parts of screen work and one of the least understood. It is the discipline that keeps a character looking exactly the same from shot to shot, even when those shots are filmed...
Are There Makeup Artist Apprenticeships in the UK?Apprenticeships sound like an ideal way into makeup, earning while you learn on the job, and many people ask whether they exist for makeup artists. The honest answer is mixed. Formal apprenticeships specifically for...
How Do You Build a Freelance Makeup Business?Being a brilliant makeup artist is only half of a freelance career. The other half is running a business, and plenty of talented artists struggle not because of their work but because nobody taught them how to find clients,...
How Much Does a Makeup Artist Earn in the UK?Makeup artist pay is one of the most asked about and least straightforward parts of the job. There is no single salary, because the work spans everything from a counter in a department store to a film set, and earnings...
How Do You Build a Makeup Artist Portfolio?A portfolio is the single most important tool a makeup artist owns. It is the thing clients and productions actually judge you on, far more than a certificate or a list of courses, and a strong one quietly wins work while a...
What Makeup Qualifications Do You Actually Need?The world of makeup qualifications is genuinely confusing. ITEC, VTCT, BTEC, NVQ, HNC, diplomas and a hundred private certificates all promise to launch a career, and it is hard to tell which actually matter. This guide...
What Goes in a Professional Makeup Artist’s Kit?A professional kit is not just a bigger version of the makeup bag at home. It is a working toolset, built for every skin tone, every lighting setup and a long day at the chair, and it is assembled with intent...
What is Special Effects (SFX) Makeup? The Complete GuideSpecial effects makeup is one of the most exciting and creative branches of the makeup artistry profession. From terrifying movie monsters to intricate fantasy creatures, SFX makeup artists bring the impossible...
Introduction: Why TV and Film Makeup Is One of the Most Exciting Careers in the Creative Industry The world of television and film makeup is a vibrant and ever-evolving field that combines artistic creativity with technical precision. From the subtle beauty looks that...
Why Not to Pick University for Makeup Training? Are you considering a career in makeup artistry but unsure whether to enrol in a university program or a specialised makeup school? Many aspiring makeup artists face this dilemma, only to discover that university courses...
Is It Worth Taking Makeup Classes? Aspiring makeup artists are increasingly turning to formal education to build their careers, seeking courses that offer not only aid skill enhancement but also a provide a competitive edge in the employment market. This rise in...
What is Life Casting? Lifecasting, in the context of makeup and special effects (SFX), refers to the process of creating a three-dimensional replica of a living human body or body part. This is typically done using molding and casting techniques. This comprehensive...
Which Course is Best for Aspiring Makeup Artists? Choosing the right one becomes an essential step towards a successful career. In this article, we provide a comprehensive guide on the variety of courses offered at Brushstroke Makeup School. Each course is designed to...
What are Professional Makeup Courses? Professional makeup courses are educational programs that aim to train individuals in the art and science of makeup application, skin care, colour theory, and often, business skills specific to the beauty industry. Embarking on a...
Prosthetic Makeup Artists: The Unseen Heroes Behind the Movie Magic The Role of Prosthetic Makeup Artists in Film and Television Prosthetic makeup artists are the unsung heroes of the film and television industry. These skilled professionals are responsible for...
Reflections from Brushstroke’s principal on the BBC’s 100 years of broadcasting! With the BBC turning 100, it is fitting to look back at the career of my father who’s part in the BBC’s history was instrumental. I only wish I could explain to my...
How to Become a Makeup Artist in 2026 – The Definitive Guide Is your ambition to become a makeup artist? 2026 is a great year to start. Many professional make-up artists today are true celebrities, earning high status as they travel the globe, launch their own...
5 Make-up Artist Training Tips If you’re thinking starting a career as a makeup artist you might want to know the opportunities available. See Our Courses Being A Trainee Make-up Artist Brushstroke offers students the right sort of training so that when they...
5 Creative Makeup Artist Tips for 2025 What does it mean to be a creative makeup artist? Here are 10 creative makeup artist tips for 2025. Being A Creative Make-up and Hair Artist Alongside the world of glamour and gore make-up, lies another full of fantasy and...
Makeup Artist Training We’ve put together a comprehensive guide for students leaving school and looking to start training in the makeup industry. This makeup artist training guide provides some handy tips and suggestions for your venture into the world of makeup...
Crowd Scene Makeup Crowd scenes in films are legendary and they can involve hundreds of people! There are war and battle scenes (Ben Hur, Lawrence of Arabia,Gladiator, Dunkirk and Hunger Games), crowds of spectators (Chariots of Fire), general gatherings in musicals...
So you’re got the very best make-up and hair training at Brushstroke and you’re flying solo. Now, how do you go about getting work as a make-up artist? We’ve got 5 top tips to help you get established in whichever field you choose to work – be...
Unhappy in your job? Chosen the wrong career path? It doesn’t have to be like that. Every day people decide to take charge of their lives and work towards a job that makes them happier and more fulfilled while earning a good living. Retraining as a make-up...
What Makes A Great Makeup Artist in 2026? We’ve been training people to be make-up artists for nearly 30 years. In that time we’ve learnt a lot about the job, the people and the industry. Essentially, we know what makes a great make-up artist. View Our...
Prosthetics Makeup Courses prosthetic makeup courses offer an exciting launchpad for makeup careers – whether in film, TV or stage. In this post we look at what prosthetic makeup means. We also look at how it differs from SFX makeup. We also look at how life...
Ben Hardy – The make-up artist helps me get in character Actor Ben Hardy says “the makeup artist helps me get in character” but not just because they make him look the part he’s about to play. The makeup team also helps him prepare and get in...
Make-up Artist Training – The First Day Imagine it’s your first day as a trainee make-up artist. What a fabulous opportunity. You’ve been dreaming of this day and now it’s finally arrived. Naturally, you’re going to be nervous as well as...
Tina Earnshaw delivered an inspiring film make-up demonstration to our 2 Year BTEC and 9 Month ITEC course students recently, as part of our new Masterstroke series. A renowned film make-up designer (and great friend of Brushstroke), Tina recreated her look for the...
What kind of work opportunities did Brushstroke offer you? On my first term, I was offered work experience on The Football League Show and a promotional video for Visit Britain. For the Football League Show, I had to make-up two male presenters and a guest, followed...
We’ve got our very own Royal Wedding Make-Up stories. Brushstroke tutor, Anita Perrett, was on Sky TV presenter duty with past student Philippa Miles for the event of the year – the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Saturday 19 May 2018....
Ella Rolph Brushstroke 2nd year student (2 Year Make-Up & Hair BTEC) Instagram Hello, I’m Ella Rolph, 2nd year student on the Brushstroke 2 Year Make-Up & Hair BTEC course. Towards the end of last year, I worked on a fantasy hair project for one...
ITV’s Vanity Fair is wonderful viewing and enough to make anyone want to be part of the team that creates such compelling TV drama. It’s also got us thinking about how important our period make-up training is for the professional artist. It all rather...
Hannah Lonergan says that making a career change from science technician to the make-up artist was one of the best decisions she ever made. She trained on the Brushstroke 9 Month Make-Up and Hair course in 2011 and loved it so much that she never wanted to leave....
Working as a makeup artist on a top TV drama is a dream job for many and we’re delighted when our students achieve their ambitions. Take, for example, Alanna Sadler, the junior make-up artist on BBC2’s MotherFatherSon, starring Richard Gere. Alanna trained...
Hannah Knight Brushstroke 2nd year student (2 Year Make-Up & Hair BTEC) Hello – I’m Hannah Knight a 2nd year student at Brushstroke Make-Up School. Recently, I got some valuable make-up work experience as part of the team that tutor, James Anda, took...
Back to school, and for our students starting at Brushstroke after the summer break, it’s definitely something they’re looking forward to. That’s because they know it’s more than a make-up school. It’s the best specialist training for...
What’s it like doing the make-up on a TV soap, such as Eastenders? Brushstroke tutor, Paula Cahill, is a regular member of the make-up team for this much-loved BBC1 drama. Having also been a series make-up designer, she is well-placed to share some valuable...
Today’s make-up artist has to be really versatile, especially to work in film, TV, stage and fashion. It’s not just being able to switch into sfx and different looks and authentic period make-up. Make-up artists are expected to be skilled with hair too....
Danielle Shepherd Brushstroke 2nd year student (2 Year Make-Up & Hair BTEC) Instagram Hi there, I’m Danielle, a student at Brushstroke make-up school. I’m in my 2nd year now and, together with my class, I’m working on a series of projects for my...
Broaden Your Skills as a Make-up Artist To stay competitive and relevant, make-up artists must continuously learn and adapt. Jo Chang emphasises the benefits of enrolling at Brushstroke, which offers up-to-date training from industry professionals who work as make-up...
Make-up artist Elizabeth Rita is famed for her work across music, TV, editorial and advertising. Since graduating from Brushstroke, she’s worked hard putting her skills and talents to good use. She’s now built a really good career as a make-up (and hair)...
Are you interested in beauty as a career option? Maybe you’re already working in a salon or doing some freelance work with your own clients. Perhaps you just want to change career and are exploring training opportunities. Great thinking. Beauty is a serious...
“I was turned down for a make-up job the other day because I can’t do men’s hair or trim a beard!” This is a statement made by a freelance make-up artist to our barbering tutor, Richard Jones, while they were working at a London TV studio...
Applying a bald cap is an important skill. It’s one our students learn as part of their special effects makeup training at Brushstroke. Harrie Sheppey is one of our 7 month ITEC students. This was her first time working with a bald cap and it turned out really...
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