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Journey 2: Beauty + Hair + Airbrush + Body Painting + Special Effects Makeup Classes

Regardless of your initial skill level, the master beauty, hairstyling, airbrush, body painting and special effects makeup classes included in the Journey 2 special effects program offers an in-depth exploration of both fundamental and advanced techniques. These are essential for becoming a well-rounded, highly skilled, certified makeup artist prepared to work in the many beauty and special effects industries upon graduating.

Whether you desire to do makeup for the runways in Milan, hair and makeup for a bridal party, create hair raising Zombie’s for a movie set, or airbrush art on a human body there are no limits on what you can create.

Our Curriculum

Students embark on a journey that begins with mastering beauty makeup fundamentals and progressively builds towards advanced makeup techniques. Enter on-set hairstyling, which plays a vital role in any makeup program, allowing artists to become more valuable in the industry. From live productions, bridal events, and runway shows, makeup artists often handle both makeup and hairstyling for their talent, making quick changes and touch-ups more manageable. These foundational makeup and hair courses are just the beginning.

Following hairstyling, the program delves into airbrush, body painting makeup and special effects makeup classes which are integral part of a comprehensive makeup artistry and special effects makeup program. Venturing beyond mere airbrushing, the course unfolds into cosplay and character conceptualization, advanced airbrush skills that are essential for flawless beauty applications and vibrant body art, and captivating lifelike special effects creations. Students’ journey ends in their special effects makeup classes, where students combine all learned techniques throughout the Journey 2 special effects makeup program to create captivating, lifelike special effects creations.

The program also places a strong focus on career development, offering students advice on starting and managing their careers including business training that covers best practices and pricing strategies. It includes practical experience in applying makeup to models for photo shoots that mimic real-world environments, with the results captured digitally for portfolio use.

Mastering the Art of Beauty Course

Special Effects Makeup Course Beauty

Course Length

520 Clock Hours / 16 weeks

Course Description

Mastering beauty makeup is an essential skill for any makeup artist, including those artists who want to specialize in special effects makeup. This comprehensive beauty makeup course embarks on a detailed journey through the art of makeup, starting from fundamental concepts such as product and kit knowledge, sanitation, and infection control to a broad spectrum of advanced techniques encompassing color theory, face anatomy, and skincare. It meticulously covers mastering both beauty and photography makeup, including essential skills like color matching, understanding skin undertones, color correction, and application techniques for eyes, lips, and cheeks. Students will learn a range of techniques from basic beauty methods to more complex procedures, facial contouring, eyeshadow placement, working with various pigments and false eyelashes, and specialized makeup applications for bridal, mature skin, women of color, HD, and film makeup.

The curriculum also dives into teen makeup, the historical evolution of makeup styles, and innovative looks in editorial, avant-garde, and fantasy makeup. Adding to the practical skills are segments on airbrushing, professional development, and navigating the industry, including portfolio creation, marketing, and career opportunities. With a strong emphasis on hands-on practice, including working behind the camera in a studio setting, the course equips participants with the knowledge and confidence to apply a wide range of makeup techniques, from the fundamental to the advanced, preparing them for success in the dynamic field of beauty makeup.

Hair Styling for the Makeup Artist Course

Course Length

130 Clock Hours / 4 weeks

Course Description

Hairstyling for the makeup artist is not just an add-on skill; it’s an essential facet necessary to complement and elevate the work of beauty and special makeup effects artists across film, photo shoots, runway, stage, and print. Starting with the essentials, the course covers kit overview, client consultation, and etiquette while introducing various hair products and tools tailored for diverse hairstyling needs. Students will delve into practical skills for managing different hair textures, mastering blow-drying, creating volume with hot tools, and executing various curling and waving techniques, including specialized approaches for male grooming. The course further expands into intricate styles such as up-dos, pin curls, braiding, buns, ponytails, French twists, blowouts, modern bridal styling, and the art of crafting a perfect chignon. Additionally, it explores the transformative use of clip-in hair additions, teaching how to style, curl, and treat hairpieces to achieve the desired volume and accommodate various hair lengths.

Hair Model for Special Effects Makeup Class

Airbrush & Body Painting Course

Airbrush SFX model

Course Length

195 Clock Hours / 6 weeks

Course Description

Building on the airbrush skills developed in the beauty makeup course, this body painting and advanced airbrush course delves deeper into the artistry and techniques required to bring imaginative concepts to life. The course begins with a thorough kit and product overview, emphasizing the importance of consultation, etiquette, and sanitation. Students will enhance their proficiency through fundamental airbrush techniques, including equipment operation, mastering distance exercises, drop shadow, freehand strokes, and brush techniques, as well as utilizing stencils for highlighting, shading, and contouring. The curriculum then advances to more complex airbrush techniques, exploring anatomy, freehand skills, masking on mannequins, creating realistic clothing effects, extended color theory, and the nuances of advanced base coat application, design, and execution.

The course further expands into character creation techniques, where students learn to create textures, scales, and detailed hand and face paintings, incorporating elements like shields, logos, brands, cosplay, and abstract concepts to conceptualize and bring characters to life. Additionally, it includes job education, costume creation—from sketching and styling models to creating hairpieces and applying bald caps—and textured hair applications. This comprehensive approach not only refines students’ airbrush and body painting skills but also prepares them for professional success in the dynamic fields of film, television, and creative entertainment.

Special Makeup Effects Makeup Classes

Course Length

227.5 Clock Hours / 7 weeks

Course Description

LMI’s special effects makeup classes are meticulously designed to cover the range and dept of SFX makeup artistry and character creation, from the foundational theories, the use of SFX kits and tools, to the intricate processes of character design. The curriculum starts with essential safety information and moves through detailed techniques for creating bald caps using latex, including the application process and customization. It introduces students to PAX painting techniques, teeth sculpting and casting, and practical applications of hair including using a hair hackle, steaming, and applying hair and beards for character realism. Further exploration into the art of makeup includes old-age makeup techniques, wound simulation using silicon for cuts, bruises, and burns, and the comprehensive process of life casting with alginate to create lifelike prosthetics.

The course advances with teaching students about pros aide transfers, latex mask painting, creating flat molds with silicone, and the art of sculpting with various tools for character features. Students will engage in making molds out of Ultra Cal, mastering prosthetic application from edge work to proper placement and removal, and painting techniques for a realistic finish. In the L Makeup Institute’s special effects makeup classes a special focus is placed on zombie makeup, utilizing silicone to bring a zombie character to life with astonishing realism. Culminating in a character creation project, students are tasked with designing and bringing to fruition their own custom character by integrating the multitude of techniques learned throughout the program. Additionally, the course includes job education to prepare students for professional opportunities in the field of special effects makeup artistry, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to create compelling, realistic characters for film, television, stage, and beyond.

See What Our Students Have To Say

A great place to learn more techniques and build bonds for life in and out of the industry. Even if you stumble and fall a few times the instructors always pick you back up

Tamera M.

This school is awesome! Everyone who works here is here for the students. The instructors are awesome and very nice especially Tom. If you want to learn Makeup FX the right way, then this is the place to come. Tom is awesome!!”

Robert R.

Special Effects is what made this whole journey for me! I loved my instructor Tom, he was very knowledgeable and helped me achieve my goals. I am so excited to put my knowledge to the test!!!

Rebecca H.

I started at L Makeup Institute at the end of September. I am taking the Journey 2 course and I absolutely love it so far. I have learned more about makeup in the last month than I have from the years of watching YouTube videos. I have been following this school for 6 years and when I saw they opened they’re campus in Southlake Texas I decided to take a break from college and make the move 500 miles away from home. I was scared and nervous at first but I don’t have a single regret. I‘be made so many new friends in my class and we’re practically like family now. The staff is amazing and don’t treat you like you’re just putting money in their pocket. At this school everyone is on the same team and treat you like family. They also help set you up for after you graduate by helping you built your portfolio and help you get jobs afterwards.

Morgan R.

Highly recommended going to this school if you would want to pursue a career in the makeup industry the instructors are amazing as a student here I’ve learned so much in the beauty,hair airbrush and sfx program I love how this school is helping me pursue my makeup career and I love coming here and enjoy working with my wonderful classmates

Lady L.