AMA Artist Makeup Academy — Local services in Rahway

It's very rare for me to write reviews, but I really wanted to share my experience with AMA as a recent beauty express course student! I've had a life long passion for makeup since I was a little girl, yet I never believed in myself enough to pursue it as a career. It wasn't until I came across AMA and spoke with Xios, the director of the school, that really inspired me to believe in myself, my goals and my dreams. I was so excited, thrilled and nervous all at the same time because I really didn't have much of a clue of what I was getting myself into. I told her that I always loved makeup and loved doing it on myself and even others, but just for fun. So, with so much going on in my life and all these changes, I decided that I was finally going to do something for myself for once that I was truly passionate about and I didn't know how I was going to pay for my schooling but I knew I would figure it out somehow. I visited their open house around Halloween 2015, as they were also having a Halloween bash with everyone fully dressed in costumes including full face makeup! I was nervous but so impressed all at once. I was introduced to some of the instructors and I also spoke to a few other students and everyone, and I mean every single one of them said the same thing - "you're never going to want to leave!!!" That was when I told myself this is it, I have to do this now and I'll do what it takes. A few months go by, and my first weekend class finallllly arrived! The first day was very intimidating for me because it was all new to me and I knew I didn't have any experience except really just on myself and family and friends doing makeup. When the pro team instructor spoke, Elle, this pint size beautiful girl, I couldn't believe the enthusiasm and passion she had as soon as she got in front of the class! Her knowledge with makeup, makeup and skincare products were out of this world and her techniques and skills were so amazing to me. Xios, the director spoke next and she was so positive and enlightening and everything about her, from style to looks to her drive and motivation and belief in the potential we all have to succeed was extremely inspiring. When the owner of the school, Jules, also a celebrity makeup artist for over 10 years, came to our class and spoke to us, her voice, her presence, her story and her positivity were SO contagious it gave me the chills. I cannot express all of the emotions and love I have for the AMA family because there's so many good things to say about them all that it would take me so long to type it all down! Lol. But seriously, although it was such a short period of time (5 weekends), I grew so attached to the students I had class with and Elle, Xios, Jules, Lauren and Andrea and everyone I came across at that school. The words that were spoken, "you're never going to want to leave" was far beyond the truth. Everytime 3pm hit, I was so sad to leave. They're such a welcoming group of people, and so talented, yet they make you feel like you can take over the world-- the makeup world or really anything in life you put your mind to. I want to continue my career as a makeup artist and I will certainly be back to take more courses, and YES, they will be at AMA|Hoboken!! I just want to express my gratitude and how blessed I feel to have had such an amazing experience and for making me feel like I can do it, I can live my dreams and when that thought in your mind tells you you cannot do it, you have to quickly change that negative thinking to yes you can do it, and you will figure it out and you have to just keep on going. What's so important that I learned from the school aside from the makeup skills, theory & techniques, is that you have to surround yourself with people who believe in you, who inspire you and who support you and your dreams, and even more importantly, that you have to believe in YOURSELF. I'm tearing up just writing this all but it's so true, and I really do look forward to being back in that room and be with the...

Edited: I can never thank Artist Makeup Academy enough for all of their love and support. Over the years they have become such a family to me They have showed me the importance of what consistency and dedication truly means in order to chase after your passion. This makeup academy is something that every makeup artist dreams about, you instantly click with everyone and to be around such positivity is very encouraging and helps you believe that anything is absolutely possible. I started out by attending AMA for 2 weeks to get a feel of what it would be like to then enrolling in their freelance program, to then going back AGAIN to get more of a refresher. So when they say "you'll never wanna leave" they MEAN it. Artist Makeup Academy is truly the best of the best, and I can not even begin to imagine what my life would be like if it wasn't for them. They have helped me grow not only into a strong independent makeup artist but also as a confident individual.

I don’t even know where to start. Back in 2020 when I attended college at MSU, I enrolled myself in their makeup program as well. Unfortunately, that is when covid had started and working on models was prohibited. For that being my last semester, I felt so uncomfortable showcasing my work as I am a hands on learner and felt as if I learned nothing there due to covid. I knew within my heart that I always wanted to go back to school to perfect my craft. One day, after following AMA’s page for years due to a past graduate, I came across their Instagram story of an Open House back in 2022. I decided to take that leap to just get a feel of what they had to offer, how they can teach me professional makeup, and how they can make me grow as an artist. Ever since then, I never left. And they will tell you that too, “once you start, you are never gonna wanna leave.” Let me tell you, I tried it out by completing their Express Course of 2 weeks first; I cried having to leave. Immediately afterwards did I then sign up to do their Master Program that next semester. AMA is just so different compared to others due to them teaching you not just how to professionally do makeup but AMA does not gate-keep anything amongst the business side of it AT ALL. AMA also give you such amazing opportunities which sold me right then and there because it’s expected to go to a makeup school and then afterwards find your way and feel lost, but not AMA. They tell you how to continue on after school, what you can do to grow your business, how to get your name out there, who to connect with, and how past graduates were able to move to CA and work with all these celebrities, etc. If you are looking for a makeup school, this is 1000% any makeup artists’ dream school. AMA helped gain my confidence up within my artistry. If you are struggling to perfect a certain step, they do not whatsoever brush it off and continue on, absolutely not. Ms. Dre will stop what she’s doing and guide you on how to perfect it until you do so. They helped me find a career that makes me happy and excited for my future. On day one, the first thing they told everyone is that they are going to change our lives (if you let them), and they 100% did for me. I can never thank Jules, Xio, and Ms. Dre enough for all that they have done for me. They made AMA feel like such a home for me. When they were in Hoboken, I did not mind waking up at 5am Monday-Friday just to sit in an hour and half worth of traffic because I knew I was going to do something that I love (and that says a lot because I love my sleep, LOL). Attending Artist Makeup Academy was the best decision I could have ever done for myself. I found who I am as a person and what I’m meant to be by doing so.

If you are considering AMA, just do it. Don’t second guess yourself, just do it and believe me you will NOT regret it. I am so proud to be apart of AMA’s family and believe me, you will be too. Take that leap like I did, and shoot for the stars. You will be grateful that you did.

With...

Where to start? I’ve taken not one, but TWO private lessons with Juliette, and Xio was present for both lessons, and served as our model, and both experiences were FIRE from start to finish. My first one-on-one was in Hoboken, and the second I arrived, I was made to feel welcome and comfortable. Immediately, Juliette and Xio sat me down and gauged where I was at within my career and artistry, and asked me what I wanted to get out of the day. We spent a couple hours talking all things business-related and their advice and insight was, and still remains, invaluable. I felt so blessed to have both of them weighing in on how I could be a better business owner. After that, we moved onto the makeup portion of the lesson, when Juliette did Xio’s makeup, and, as expected, I was blown away. Juliette’s techniques are second to none and she truly teaches you how to layer, build and create a transformational look that’s going to last bride’s and client’s all day. Juliette also reviewed her entire kit with me, giving her reason and rationale behind every product she keeps in her kit. Her kit will also blow you away because I can assure you, it’s a lot smaller, and way more condensed, than you’ll ever think! She truly has a method to her madness! After my first lesson with Juliette and Xio, I remained in contact with both of them, and, let me tell you: they are the nicest, most supportive, most humble, down-to-earth women you’re ever going to meet. These two are wildly successful, and deservedly so, but, you would never know minus their insane style and knack for all things amazing skincare and perfect hair (they’re goals!)! Still, they keep it as real as real can be and truly strive to support everyone and anyone who crosses their paths. I’ve only ever met these two women twice, and I mean it when I tell you I love and adore them and get so excited anytime they reach out, or like one of my posts, etc. For my second lesson, Juliette and I got right to work, and I shadowed and mimicked everything she did using Xio as our model. As an artist, Juliette is constantly evolving, growing and bettering herself, and she’ll take you along for the ride, willingly sharing every trick and technique she finds worthy. Bottom line, AMA is worth it. Xio’s worth it. Juliette is worth it. The experience you’ll gain and the insight you’ll glean will be second to none and you’ll walk out of there feeling eternally grateful to have learned from one, or both, of these women, or any of their other pro artists. They’ve built an empire and once you meet them, it’ll be clear to see just how and why. Thank you girls for everything you have done for me and given to me in the way of inspiring me as an artist and business owner, encouraging me to want more and be more. I am blessed to...