The Makeup Academy NYC — Local services in New York

I made friends at the Makeup Academy and had fun getting practice doing makeup everyday, but in all honesty the money would be better spent investing in your kit on your own and paying photographers to help with a portfolio. I think they are more beauty focused than creative makeup focused and they don’t teach you thaaat much that you can’t learn from YouTube. I didn’t like how they ran the photoshoots and didn’t really end up letting us do what we wanted for our own portfolios. They realllly push that you need to be able to do bridal to be an MUA. They also said they would help with job placement and I reached out to the director a month after I graduated asking if there was anyone I could talk to to discuss my problems with starting out and she never got back to me but of course made sure to send emails about joining them for more classes and fashion shows. Also, the fashion shows that the team works on are not very legitimate or good and they are sort of obviously just trying to get as many students as possible so they can work for free on their fashion shows. I didn’t like how I was treated/ spoken to at the Swim Week fashion show by the creative director who never bothered to learn my name even though we met countless times. It’s not as much of a family or network community as they say it will be. They don’t have that many connections to help you. I debated on saying something for awhile because I did have fun and I liked some of the teachers and my classmates and getting to do makeup everyday, but as a whole I cannot say this program is totally worth it. It should either be waaaay less expensive or more helpful. The makeup kit that they give you is also not as good as promised, and a lot of the products you will have to immediately replace. They give you some dollar store contour kits and even tell you that you cannot work with cheap makeup in your kit because you won’t get clients so I’m not sure why they do that. I obviously understand it would cost a lot of money to give every high quality products, but I think they were a little deceptive about how good the kits are. The photoshoots are definitely professional and it’s nice to build a portfolio but as I said I feel they try to box you in on what looks to do wand they stifle your creativity a bit.

Edit: I also think they have so many positive reviews from models on here that create a very high overall rating. The models are being paid to get their photos taken there, and obviously have a very different experience with the school than someone paying for and taking classes.

I think I honestly was too nice in my original review. When I went to tour the school, I was told that MUD (another school) was closing and their last classes were in session. Which totally isn’t true because MUD is still open. I couldn’t have afforded MUD anyways but I still don’t like that.

Anyways, I have met other people who have enjoyed the school, but ultimately it was mostly just a fun time to me. If I could go back in time I would just learn on YouTube.

Also, the creative director told us he was on Cardi B’s official makeup team which I don’t think was even true, I never saw any proof of that. I think everyone at the school in general was a little misleading about how many connections they had.

Also, the hairstyling class...

ONE OF THE BEST DECISIONS I HAVE MADE ATTENDING TO THIS SCHOOL TO PURSUE MY PASSION!!! I was in search of the best school for the best price and the best program for what I was looking for. There were so many options, but when I spoke to the representative for the other schools, it didn't feel right for me and I was about to give up my search. That is when I found this school. I thought it was odd and too good to be true with the perfect rating. But when I spoke to Jena on the phone, I felt instantly connected to her. We booked a tour of the school. I was so ecstatic when I got there that I didn't think twice about signing up for the Master program. I attended the weekend master program which was 10 weekends. I met, learned and worked with so many talented people. This school really prepares you for the real-life experience, especially during photoshoot days!! Those days are fun and intense and the instructors are so amazing and are with you each student step by step! I love the small classes because it takes more time and attention to perfect your craft!! However, the course goes by so fast that you may not feel like you're ready, but you would be amazed what you can do with the skills you learn. I GRADUATED IN NOVEMBER 2022, I ALREADY WORKED IN FASHION SHOWS, MUSIC VIDEO, MULTIPLE PHOTOSHOOTS AND THE BEST AND COOLEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME IS MY WORK WAS PUBLISHED IN FRENCH MAGAZINE!!! I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD BE THIS SUCCESSFUL BUT THE PROGRAM AND INSTRUCTORS PREPARE YOU FOR SUCCESS AND THEY ACTUALLY CARE FOR THE STUDENTS!!

*ALSO DID I SAY THAT THIS WAS THE BEST SCHOOL!! THEY WON THE BEST SCHOOL AWARD 2023!!!"

SHOUT OUT TO: ADRIAN, ALY, LINDA, MAYA, AND MEEZA!!! YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!

Sherry...

the absolute worst thing you can spend your money on. As professional makeup artist that's been working in the industry for years now, I can tell you from personal experience that this is just a money grab and you get close to nothing in return. From a cheap, and honestly offensive, kit they give you. For the 8k you pay for 20 days of "teaching you" how to do makeup, you can buy 3 fully stock kits of luxury makeup and teach yourself how to do makeuo by practicing on friends and family and just finding models yourself which you have to do anyway because the school doesnt provide you with any (except for the low quality photoshoots). They will tell you there are gonna be so many opportunities after you "graduate" but ALL the opportunities are collaborative which means not paid or the pay is miserable and not worth your time. They will scam you by straight up making you believe you will do makeup for New York Fashion Week, but in reality, you're doing random people attending the show and have nothing to do with the original deal you made with them. This type of deception should be acceptable in any situation. As a fully established company, you cannot promise artists they will do fashion week shows, let them take days off work, LOSE MONEY by booking hotels and coming from upstate and other states and then say "oh it was a misunderstanding". That's not a misunderstanding that is called a scam. I feel very naive because I didn't do my research and actually had to experience all of this, but that is why, you dont have to. Dont...