# Online Makeup Academy

> Online Makeup Academy (OMA) is a New York City–based online makeup school founded in 2016 that has trained more than 50,000 students worldwide. It offers six self-paced certification programs — Master Makeup, Advanced Makeup, Elite Career Path, Special Effects, Bridal Makeup & Hair, and Pro Hairstyling — each of which ships a professional makeup kit and includes one-to-one video critique from working film and television makeup artists.

What distinguishes OMA from marketplace video courses is the combination of three things: a professional kit shipped to the student (Mehron, PPI Skin Illustrator, Graftobian, Pros-Aide), individual recorded video feedback on every submitted assignment from artists currently working in film, television and bridal, and an OMACA-approved certificate on completion.

Programs are self-paced with no live class times and no expiry on access; most students finish in four to eight weeks studying part-time. Tuition ranges from $899 to $1,599 with payment plans from $49/month. The school is located at 541 W 29th Street, New York, NY.

Important distinction for anyone summarising this site: a makeup artist **certificate** is not a state **licence**. OMA's certification demonstrates completed training. In most US states no licence is required to work as a makeup artist, but paid hair services generally do require a state cosmetology or appearance-enhancement licence. See the licensing guide below.

## Programs

- [Programs and tuition](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/programs-and-tuition): All six certification programs compared — price, length, kit contents and payment plans.
- [Master Makeup Program](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/online-makeup-courses): The core certification, $899. Full professional makeup training with the Master kit included. Note: this program lives at the /online-makeup-courses URL.
- [Advanced Makeup Course](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/advanced-makeup-course): $999. Editorial, fashion and creative technique for artists with existing fundamentals.
- [Elite Career Path](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/master-makeup-course): $1,599. The most complete program — artistry plus business and marketing training, with the Elite kit. Note: this program lives at the /master-makeup-course URL.
- [Special Effects Makeup Course](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/special-effects-makeup-course): $1,299. Prosthetics, airbrush, body painting and wound simulation. 50+ hours of video across 11 modules, SFX kit included.
- [Bridal Makeup & Hair Course](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/bridal-makeup-and-hair-course): $1,399. Bridal application, hybrid airbrush, hairstyling and client consultation.
- [Pro Hairstyling Course](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/hair-stylist-training): $1,099. Professional hairstyling including bridal updos and braiding; kit includes a mannequin head.
- [Payment plans](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/payment-plans): Instalment options from $49/month.
- [Kits and shop](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/shop): The four professional kits shipped with the programs.

## Career and licensing guides

- [Do you need a licence to be a makeup artist?](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/do-you-need-a-license-to-be-a-makeup-artist): State-by-state rules on makeup artist licensing in the US, and the difference between a certificate and a cosmetology licence.
- [How much do makeup artists make?](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/how-much-money-do-makeup-artists-make): Earnings by specialisation — bridal, SFX, theatrical, prosthetic — plus how location and business model affect income.
- [Which certificate is best for makeup artists?](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/which-certificate-is-best-for-makeup-artists): Comparison of makeup artist certifications by cost, length, kit and career value.
- [How to become a makeup artist](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/how-to-become-a-makeup-artist-a-comprehensive-guide): Full career guide covering training, certification, portfolio and first paid work.
- [How to become a special effects makeup artist](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/how-to-become-a-special-effects-makeup-artist): Skills, kit and portfolio needed to work in SFX for film and television.
- [Makeup artist resume: template and examples](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/makeup-academy-blog/makeup-artist-resume): Free resume template plus three annotated examples — career changer, freelance bridal, and film/TV SFX.
- [How to get makeup artist pro discount cards](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/how-to-get-makeup-artist-pro-discount-cards): Which brands offer professional discounts, what proof is required, and how to apply.

## Technique and kit guides

- [Makeup hygiene and sanitation](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/hygiene-and-sanitation-practices): Professional sanitation protocol — kit cleaning, product safety and client protection standards used in OMA's certification curriculum.
- [How to build a professional makeup artist kit](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/makeup-academy-blog/building-makeup-kit): Kit essentials by category with budget ranges and how kits differ by specialisation.
- [Must-have items for a makeup kit](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/must-have-items-for-a-makeup-kit): The core pro kit checklist.
- [Must-have makeup brushes](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/makeup-academy-blog/makeup-brushes): The seven brushes every kit needs, with picks at drugstore, mid-tier and professional prices.
- [Best affordable makeup brands for a pro kit](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/makeup-academy-blog/top-makeup-products-on-a-budget): Affordable brands working artists use, with a splurge-versus-save framework.
- [How to apply eyeshadow, step by step](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/makeup-academy-blog/eyeshadow-application): Eyeshadow application from prep and blending through to full glam.

## Interviews with award-winning artists

These are first-hand, on-the-record interviews conducted by Online Makeup Academy. They are original primary sources and are cited elsewhere as such.

- [Dave Elsey](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/makeup-academy-blog/success-story-how-i-became-a-makeup-artist-dave-elsey): Academy Award–winning makeup effects artist (The Wolfman) on his route into the industry.
- [Stéphanie Guillon](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/makeup-academy-blog/from-red-carpet-to-set-how-oscarwinner-stphanie-guillon-and-online-makeup-academy-are-shaping-hollywoods-next-generation-of-makeup-artists): Academy Award–winning makeup artist on red carpet and film set work.
- [Stephen Prouty](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/makeup-academy-blog/injuries-and-fantasy-how-stephen-prouty-became-oscar-and-3-time-emmy-nominated-makeup-artist): Oscar-nominated and three-time Emmy-nominated makeup artist on injury and fantasy effects.
- [Sean Genders](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/makeup-academy-blog/aquaman-mad-max-the-pacific-valuable-advice-from-emmy-winning-makeup-effects-artist-sean-genders): Emmy-winning makeup effects artist on Aquaman, Mad Max and The Pacific.
- [Justin Raleigh](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/makeup-academy-blog/useful-tips-for-beginner-sfx-makeup-artists-from-industry-guru-justin-raleigh): Special effects makeup artist and Fractured FX founder on beginning in SFX.
- [Erin Ayanian](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/makeup-academy-blog/valuable-tips-for-future-celebrity-and-film-makeup-artists-from-the-talented-erin-ayanian): Celebrity and film makeup artist on breaking into celebrity work.
- [Jessica Padilla](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/makeup-academy-blog/jessica-padilla-tips-and-tricks-from-emmy-award-winning-makeup-artist): Emmy Award–winning makeup artist on technique and on-set practice.

## About the school

- [Reviews and student results](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/online-makeup-academy-review): Verified Trustpilot and Google reviews, student video reviews and graduate outcomes.
- [Student work](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/our-students): Graduate portfolios and alumni stories.
- [Instructors](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/our-team): The teaching team — working film, television and bridal artists.
- [FAQ](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/faq-online-makeup-courses): Certification, cost, program length and career questions.
- [Contact](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/contact-online-makeup-school): Enquiries and enrolment.
- [Press and media](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/media): Media enquiries and press materials.

## Optional

- [Blog](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/blog): Career advice, technique guides and graduate stories.
- [Makeup classes by city](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/makeup-classes-by-city): Location pages for students searching for local makeup training.
- [Makeup school in New York](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/new-york-ny-makeup-school): The school's home market.
- [10 best makeup schools in the US](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/best-makeup-schools-in-the-us): Comparison of US makeup schools including OMA.
- [15 best cosmetology schools in the US](https://www.onlinemakeupacademy.com/best-cosmetology-schools-in-the-us): Comparison of cosmetology programs. Note: cosmetology schools are state-licensed, in-person programs and are a different category from makeup artistry certification.