ADVANCED CERTIFICATE IN MAKE-UP AND HAIR ARTISTRY

This full-time course has been designed to deliver the most comprehensive training to fit the needs of today’s media make-up and hair industry. Our course covers all the skills required to reach the high levels of proficiency that are needed in all aspects of make-up, hair, and prosthetics.

You will learn how to create accomplished looks for TV light entertainment and drama, film, theatre, fashion, e-commerce and events. These will include period make-up, catwalk and editorial, gruesome prosthetics and special effects skills, and also the leading airbrushing techniques. Throughout this 30 week course, you will be assessed on all skills, from application techniques to creativity and timings.

Our course tutors are extremely passionate about their industry, and you will learn from their endless knowledge. They have many years’ experience working on some of the best-known films, TV and theatre productions in recent years. They will introduce you to the latest products and techniques that are relevant to today’s industry, so you can be sure you will be learning from the best.

At the end of the 30-week course you will possess the professional skills required to start your career in the media make-up industry. You will know how to work from a brief, break down a script, follow continuity and organise crowd calls. You will have professional pictures to show to potential employers when applying for positions and will have gained confidence working on a film set.

Holidays of two to four weeks will be scheduled during your course at appropriate times and, therefore, the duration of your time with us will last from 32 to 34 weeks.

Entry requirements: Must be aged 18+ and pass an interview. You don’t need to have any previous make-up experience as the course starts with the basics and builds from these skills. All we ask is that you can prove a certain level of artistic ability and have a passion and dedication to learn. 

Course Payment: A 20% deposit is required to secure a place on this make-up course with the full balance due 6 weeks prior to the course start date. We have several options to help fund your make-up course including interest-free payment plans, bursaries and loans.

Please note that we regrettably have limited places for this course, so it is advisable to apply for your course early to avoid disappointment. 

 

This course is industry recognised by ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for the UK's screen-based industries, and carries the ScreenSkills quality mark which indicates courses best suited to prepare students for a career in the screen industries.

 

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Our Advanced Make-up and Hair Artistry course Modules

• TV and film make-up & hair

  The first 3 weeks of this course will focus on learning the core techniques used for TV presenters and light entertainment. On your arrival to The Iver Make-up Academy you will have the chance to meet the tutors and other students and check through the included kit before having an introduction to media make-up and familiarising yourself with the products to be used.

  You’ll gain an understanding of facial anatomy and basic make-up artistry for the full face. This includes foundation, highlighting, concealing, correcting, blush, eyes, eyebrows and false lash application and lips. You’ll also discover how to analyse the colour and age of skin to effectively work with a range of skin tones. All your work will be assessed on HD camera under a variety of lighting set ups.

  Finally, you will learn a range of hair styling techniques for all hair types including the use of different products and equipment.

  For more information see our media make-up and hair course.

• Facial hair application

  This week-long introduction course will teach you the basic techniques and skills required to create a range of facial hair styles. You will find out how to safely remove and clean hair pieces along with the latest  techniques and practices used in the industry. Facial hair application and dressing will be learnt through hands-on practice sessions with side burn, full beard and moustache pieces. Ways of applying stubble and laying on hair are also taught in this module, giving you the skills to successfully create authentic facial hair looks.

  For more information see our facial hair course.

• Character, SFX and prosthetic application

  This 2-week module focuses on the best industry techniques for character work such as ageing and casualty effects. As well as application methods, you will also be taught the leading industry health and safety practices for prosthetics and special effects, which is vital information to have if you decide to work in the industry.

  You will have the opportunity to create wounds, scars, bruising, burns and the formation of skin diseases, eye swelling and black eye bruising using a variety of industry materials. As well as this, you will gain practical experience working with pro-bondo, silicone guns and sculpt gel and learn techniques for the application of silicone and gelatine wounds.

  For more information see our Character, SFX and Prosthetic Application course.

• Period make-up, hair and wig work

  Mid-course assessments will take place at this point in the course to track your individual progress so far.

  In the 3 weeks allocated for this module, you’ll learn the basis of period work and effective methods of research. You will get the chance to work on several projects including putting together complete hair and make-up looks from the 1920s, 40s, 60s and Edwardian era along with mastering the no make-up look. A Victorian hair and make-up project includes hair styling with hot rods, dowelling and the construction of Apollo knots.

  Throughout these projects, you will focus on the best techniques for applying switches, clusters, wefts, wigs and toupees along with ways to care for the hair pieces by blocking and washing.

  For more information see our Period Make-up, Hair and Wig Work course.

• Airbrushing and Body make-up

  This module takes place over a 1-week period and offers an introduction to airbrushing and body make-up. During this section of the course you will learn and practice the application of make-up using an airbrush, stencilling and tanning as well as designing body art. With practical sessions will give you a chance to try out the techniques you have learnt.

  For more information see our Body Make-up course.

• Theatre and performing arts

  This 1-week module looks at the essential and up-to-date techniques used in the theatre and performing arts.You will have an intro auction into working with and caring for wigs. Techniques for blocking out eyebrows and ageing characters are included to help you put together the best theatrical looks. You’ll study hair and make-up looks for theatrical productions showing you the flexibility demanded in the industry. The module ends with a performance art workshop giving you the chance to experience these projects first-hand and put your new skills into practice.

  For more information see our Theatre and Performing Arts course.

• Putting it all together and timed work

  Module 7 of this makeup course takes place over 1 week and focuses on the skills needed to work as a makeup artist in the industry. You’ll be taught how to breakdown scripts, how to establish the roles of characters and the scenes they will appear in. This is important when it comes to creating the most appropriate looks for characters and the bald cap project will help to expand this knowledge. A professional photographer will be on hand to capture the specific projects, so you can have new images to add to your personal portfolio of work.

  You’ll be able to experience the pressure you may face as a professional makeup artist by completing timed projects in facial hair, character, special effect, injuries, script break down and character looks. This will give you experience of working etiquette and the knowledge to cope with industry demands.

  For more information see our Timed Projects course.

• Hairdressing and barbering

  In this 2-week module, you’ll learn important health and safety training plus an introduction to hair products. You’ll be taught basic haircutting and barbering techniques using a variety of different practice heads. You’ll also learn techniques for trimming long hair, cutting a bob and adding long and short layers in a style.

  In terms of men’s hairstyling, you’ll learn about beard trimming, texture cuts and short back and sides. All these creations can be added to your portfolio to showcase your new skills.

  For more information see our Hairdressing and Barbering course.

• Further prosthetics

  Our Prosthetic Module  runs over 3 weeks and builds on the skills learned in the earlier Character SFX and Prosthetics Application module. You’ll get a chance to learn advanced techniques for casting, moulding and sculpting using silicone and gelatine. You can also practice life casting the full head and face using alginate and silicone materials and how to mould casts.

  This intense 3-week module is bought to you by industry professionals and guides you through the fundamentals of life casting, sculpting, mould making and application needed to create bespoke facial prosthetics.

   

  For more information see our Further Prosthetics course.

• Bald Caps and Plastic Partings

  Learn to create the perfect bald head using vinyl bald caps along with creating a natural head of hair using wigs with plastic partings.

  You will learn how to apply a vinyl bald cap and colour it to match the models skin tone. Techniques in how to wrap  hair to create a perfectly smooth base ,methods of glueing,matching skin tones and textures and troubleshooting.

  Students will master the application film quality wigs. Wrap hair under wigs to keep a perfect head shape,make and apply cap plastic partings and apply the wig to create a natural head of hair. This method will ensure you are equipped for the high standards required to work in the televison and film industry.

   

• Advanced beauty and fashion make-up and hair

  This module takes place over 3 weeks. ​

  • Working within the fashion industry ​
  • Make-up for all skin tones ​
  • Correcting, concealing and base techniques ​
  • Perfecting complexions ​
  • Into to Afro-Caribbean hair ​
  • Natural make-up ​
  • Eye make-up including natural and heavy eyes, smoky and winged eye looks ​
  • Shimmer, cream blushers and lip mix ​
  • Editorial looks ​
  • Male model make-up and hair ​
  • Modern vintage make-up and hair ​
  • Front cover looks ​
  • Catwalk high ponytail – various styles with quiffs and rolls ​
  • Application of hairpieces ​
  • Session hair styling for fashion shows and e-commerce​
  • Culminating in 2 days of professional photography with models.​

  For more information see our Fashion & Beauty Make-up & Hair Artistry course.

• Advanced Hair Artistry

  Module 12 is an intensive advanced hair artistry course completed over 4 weeks. In this part of the course you will research techniques for period hairstyles throughout history. You’ll also learn techniques for working with both natural hair, wigs and hair pieces to achieve looks that are suitable for Television, Film and Theatre and how to understand hair continuity when filming.

  Techniques for postiche, historical hair styling, modern architectural styles  are also demonstrated.

  For wigs, you will master the application of doubles wigs on stunt performers and lace wigs on actors, as practised on major film sets. Techniques for making hair pieces,facial hair and dressing period wigs is also covered as part of this module. Crowd room techniques are large part of this module and you’ll gain great practical experience of the techniques required to work at speed and accuracy including setting and dressing all types of wigs and hair pieces. There is also a further 2 weeks of intensive barbering skills available which will strengthen your skill base and reinforce your confidence. 

   

  For more information see our Advanced Hair Artistry course.

• Media Industry Ready

  Becoming industry ready is essential this 3-week short course that includes live briefs on set, talks from industry professionals, script breakdowns and continuity, CV writing workshops, understanding TAX and PAYE and soft skills workshops.  Designed to future proof and prepare you for working in the media industry, this course will help you to develop Bridges to industry.

  This course will give you the opportunity to understand the organisational skills required as well as putting together hair and make-up looks for filming and will take part in a live brief filming project to solidify your skills. For this project, you will experience the process of getting from script to screen. Students will do a final script and continuity breakdown, design character looks and prepare the wigs, facial hair and prosthetics and then work in real-time to fully understand how to work on set.

  At the end of the 3-week short course, you will have learnt the industry techniques to successfully work across a range of media including HDTV, fashion and films. You will also have received valuable feedback from your tutors and had Q and A sessions with a professional film crew.

  For more information see our Media Industry Ready course.

   

  Please note we may occasionally change advertised tutors or vary the content of the course to suit the demands of the industry.

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Our Course Tutors

Our fantastic course tutors have a huge passion for their job, and they have amassed years of experience working with the latest products and techniques used in today’s industry. Our tutors regularly work in the TV, film and fashion industry, and you will be learning from them in the friendly, informal atmosphere of our practical, hands-on training workshops. As we’re based at Pinewood Studios, our studios are right in the heart of the UK’s film industry, so there really is no better place to immerse yourself in the craft.

Our class demonstrations are projected onto an HD screen, allowing every student to have a close-up view of the action. Students are encouraged to practice all the new techniques they learn with our tutors, who will then view & assess their finished work on an HD screen under studio lighting conditions. Our tutors will then provide constructive feedback on each completed task to help students learn and improve their skills.

View our award-winning teaching team

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What’s included in our Advanced Course

A professional make-up and hair kit is included within the price of the course, for students to keep once they have graduated. This is worth over £2,000 and includes products and tools from MAC, Bobbi Brown, Bluebird, Kryolan and Airbase. We have a large selection of wigs, facial hair and SFX materials that will be made available to you for use in our studios.

 

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Advanced Make-up and Hair Artistry Course progression

Starting your professional career as a qualified make-up and hair artist

 At The Iver Make-up Academy, you don’t just benefit from the best tutors in the industry; our placement agency helps students find real industry work experience and placements once they have finished their chosen course. Your placements will be relevant to the skills you have learned. This is a free service that is available to all graduates of our courses.

Visit our aftercare page for more information on the ways we can help students find vital hands-on industry experience.