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Hair and makeup designer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
Usually, hair and makeup designers don't need a college education. The most common degree for hair and makeup designers is bachelor's degree with 56% graduates, with only 14% hair and makeup designer graduates earning high school diploma. Hair and makeup designers who decided to graduate from college often finish Santa Monica College or Southern Oregon University. Some good skills to have in this position include stage production, wigs and photo shoots.

What education do you need to become a hair and makeup designer?

What degree do you need to be a hair and makeup designer?

The most common degree for hair and makeup designers is bachelor's degree, with 56% of hair and makeup designers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are high school diploma degree at 14% and high school diploma degree at 13%.
  • Bachelor's, 56%
  • High School Diploma, 14%
  • Associate, 13%
  • Master's, 11%
  • Other Degrees, 6%

What should I major in to become a hair and makeup designer?

You should major in cosmetology to become a hair and makeup designer. 38% of hair and makeup designers major in cosmetology. Other common majors for a hair and makeup designer include theatre and graphic design.

Best majors for hair and makeup designers

RankMajorPercentages
1Cosmetology37.7%
2Theatre20.8%
3Graphic Design5.7%
4Photography5.7%
5Fine Arts4.7%

20 best online courses for hair and makeup designers

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1. Engineering and Product Design Processes

coursera

Welcome to “Engineering and Product Design Processes!” In this short course, you will learn how engineering design processes and product design processes are carried out. After the course, you will be familiar with the steps in both design processes. You will also be familiar with the main goal of each design process, as well as their similarities and differences...

2. Professional Hair and Makeup Artistry

udemy
4.6
(271)

Wedding, fashion and everyday hair & makeup styling...

3. Natural Beauty: How to Create DIY Natural Hair Care Products

udemy
4.3
(262)

Make your own easy natural hair care products at home. Step by Step Instructions for Making DIY Natural Hair Care...

4. Special Effects (fx) Makeup Level 1

udemy
4.2
(357)

Special Effects (fx) Makeup Level 1...

5. Makeup Artistry Basic to Masterclass , Online Makeup Course

udemy
4.6
(1,821)

Daily make up and evening makeup on different skin tones, eye shapes & face shape, online makeup courses , Makeup artist...

6. Makeup Masterclass: Professional Everyday & Bridal Makeup

udemy
4.7
(251)

Learn professional makeup techniques for day, evening, bridal and events...

7. Makeup: Effortless Makeup for Real Women

udemy
4.6
(359)

A comprehensive guide on creating flawless looking makeup for every day, occasion, budget and time limits...

8. Mastering Makeup Application Techniques at Home

udemy
4.3
(345)

Mastering Makeup Application Techniques at Home...

9. Laser Hair Removal and IPL rejuvenation for aestheticians

udemy
4.5
(263)

Laser hair removal ( IPL and diode) , and IPL skin rejuvenation(acne, texture, pigmentation, vascular)...

10. Pattern Making for Fashion Design -PART 1- Essential Skills!

udemy
4.7
(1,322)

How to Use Pattern Making Principals and Techniques to Draft and Manipulate Patterns to Create Your Fashion Design Ideas...

11. Mechanical design and Product development process

udemy
4.2
(604)

Learn the basic ideas and concepts behind developing mechanical products related to mechanical engineering...

12. Permanent makeup full LIPS masterclass

udemy
4
(377)

How to enhance lips and change their colour by using permanent makeup (also called micropigmentation)...

13. Cosmetic Entrepreneurship: Create Your Own Skincare Products

udemy
4.7
(251)

A Startup Guide to Develop your Skin Care, Hair Care, Beauty, or Personal Care Idea into a Retail Ready Product...

14. Pattern Making for Fashion Design - PART 2 (Yokes, Stripes,)

udemy
4.8
(257)

Pattern Making, Draping, Design Elements, Together as Techniques to Create New Designs: Yokes, Stripes, Princess Seams...

15. Make-up for Beginners: learn doing make-up like a Pro

udemy
4.6
(621)

Take your make-up skills to a completely new level. In-depth training for all make-up lovers...

16. Master Digital Product Design: UX Research & UI Design

udemy
4.6
(8,540)

A complete design education for product designers: Research the user experience, then design a great user interface...

17. Beginner's Course in Film Making and Video Production

udemy
4.3
(276)

Learn video production and story techniques to make your vision come to life.. Get financing, Get on IMDB fast and easy...

18. Automotive product design using CATIA V5

udemy
4.4
(624)

Automotive domain design using CATIA, interior and exterior trims on CATIA, Plastic product design in Automotive sector...

19. Product Design Management for Agile Practitioners

udemy
4.5
(1,111)

Application of product design management principles, concepts, tools and techniques in agile product management...

20. Ultimate Guide to Product Design: Design Thinking Approach

udemy
4.1
(1,005)

Uncover the Secrets of Successful Products for Outstanding User Experience. Design unique product that your users love!...

Average hair and makeup designer salary by education level

According to our data, hair and makeup designers with a Bachelor's degree earn the highest average salary, at $39,016 annually. Hair and makeup designers with a Associate degree earn an average annual salary of $35,130.
Hair and makeup designer education levelHair and makeup designer salary
High School Diploma or Less$31,853
Bachelor's Degree$39,016
Some College/ Associate Degree$35,130

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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