Advanced Certificate In Makeup And Hair Artistry

The first 3 weeks of this course will focus on learning the core techniques used for TV presenters and light entertainment. On your arrival to The Iver Makeup Academy you will have the chance to meet the tutors and other students and check through the included kit before having an introduction to media makeup and familiarising yourself with the products to be used.

You’ll gain an understanding of facial anatomy and basic makeup artistry for the full face. This includes foundation, highlighting, concealing, correcting, blush, eyes, eyebrows and false lash application and lips. You’ll also discover how to analyse the colour and age of skin to effectively work with a range of skin tones. All your work will be assessed on HD camera under a variety of lighting set ups.

Finally, you will learn a range of hair styling techniques for all hair types including the use of different products and equipment.

For more information see our media makeup and hair course.

This week-long introduction course will teach you the basic techniques and skills required to create a range of facial hair styles. You will find out how to safely remove and clean hair pieces along with the latest  techniques and practices used in the industry. Facial hair application and dressing will be learnt through hands-on practice sessions with side burn, full beard and moustache pieces. Ways of applying stubble and laying on hair are also taught in this module, giving you the skills to successfully create authentic facial hair looks.

For more information see our facial hair course.

This 2-week module focuses on the best industry techniques for character work such as ageing and casualty effects. As well as application methods, you will also be taught the leading industry health and safety practices for prosthetics and special effects, which is vital information to have if you decide to work in the industry.

You will have the opportunity to create wounds, scars, bruising, burns and the formation of skin diseases, eye swelling and black eye bruising using a variety of industry materials. As well as this, you will gain practical experience working with pro-bondo, silicone guns and sculpt gel and learn techniques for the application of silicone and gelatine wounds.

For more information see our Character, SFX and Prosthetic Application course.

Mid-course assessments will take place at this point in the course to track your individual progress so far.

In the 3 weeks allocated for this module, you’ll learn the basis of period work and effective methods of research. You will get the chance to work on several projects including putting together complete hair and makeup looks from the 1920s, 40s, 60s and Edwardian era along with mastering the no makeup look. A Victorian hair and makeup project includes hair styling with hot rods, dowelling and the construction of Apollo knots.

Throughout these projects, you will focus on the best techniques for applying switches, clusters, wefts, wigs and toupees along with ways to care for the hair pieces by blocking and washing.

For more information see our Period Makeup, Hair and Wig Work course.

This module takes place over a 1-week period and offers an introduction to airbrushing and body makeup. During this section of the course you will learn and practice the application of makeup using an airbrush, stencilling and tanning as well as designing body art. With practical sessions will give you a chance to try out the techniques you have learnt.

For more information see our Body Makeup course.

This 1-week module looks at the essential and up-to-date techniques used in the theatre and performing arts.You will have an intro auction into working with and caring for wigs. Techniques for blocking out eyebrows and ageing characters are included to help you put together the best theatrical looks. You’ll study hair and makeup looks for theatrical productions showing you the flexibility demanded in the industry. The module ends with a performance art workshop giving you the chance to experience these projects first-hand and put your new skills into practice.

For more information see our Theatre and Performing Arts course.

Module 7 of this makeup course takes place over 1 week and focuses on the skills needed to work as a makeup artist in the industry. You’ll be taught how to breakdown scripts, how to establish the roles of characters and the scenes they will appear in. This is important when it comes to creating the most appropriate looks for characters and the bald cap project will help to expand this knowledge. A professional photographer will be on hand to capture the specific projects, so you can have new images to add to your personal portfolio of work.

You’ll be able to experience the pressure you may face as a professional makeup artist by completing timed projects in facial hair, character, special effect, injuries, script break down and character looks. This will give you experience of working etiquette and the knowledge to cope with industry demands.

For more information see our Timed Projects course.

In this 2-week module, you’ll learn important health and safety training plus an introduction to hair products. You’ll be taught basic haircutting and barbering techniques using a variety of different practice heads. You’ll also learn techniques for trimming long hair, cutting a bob and adding long and short layers in a style.

In terms of men’s hairstyling, you’ll learn about beard trimming, texture cuts and short back and sides. All these creations can be added to your portfolio to showcase your new skills.

For more information see our Hairdressing and Barbering course.

Our Prosthetic Module  runs over 3 weeks and builds on the skills learned in the earlier Character SFX and Prosthetics Application module. You’ll get a chance to learn advanced techniques for casting, moulding and sculpting using silicone and gelatine. You can also practice life casting the full head and face using alginate and silicone materials and how to mould casts.

This intense 3-week module is bought to you by industry professionals and guides you through the fundamentals of life casting, sculpting, mould making and application needed to create bespoke facial prosthetics.

Learn to create the perfect bald head using vinyl bald caps along with creating a natural head of hair using wigs with plastic partings.

You will learn how to apply a vinyl bald cap and colour it to match the models skin tone. Techniques in how to wrap  hair to create a perfectly smooth base ,methods of glueing,matching skin tones and textures and troubleshooting.

Students will master the application film quality wigs. Wrap hair under wigs to keep a perfect head shape,make and apply cap plastic partings and apply the wig to create a natural head of hair. This method will ensure you are equipped for the high standards required to work in the televison and film industry.

This module takes place over 3 weeks. ​

• Working within the fashion industry ​
• Makeup for all skin tones ​
• Correcting, concealing and base techniques ​
• Perfecting complexions ​
• Into to Afro-Caribbean hair ​
• Natural makeup ​
• Eye makeup including natural and heavy eyes, smoky and winged eye looks ​
• Shimmer, cream blushers and lip mix ​
• Editorial looks ​
• Male model makeup and hair ​
• Modern vintage makeup and hair ​
• Front cover looks ​
• Catwalk high ponytail – various styles with quiffs and rolls ​
• Application of hairpieces ​
• Session hair styling for fashion shows and e-commerce​
• Culminating in 2 days of professional photography with models.​

For more information see our Fashion & Beauty Makeup & Hair Artistry course.

Module 12 is an intensive advanced hair artistry course completed over 4 weeks. In this part of the course you will research techniques for period hairstyles throughout history. You’ll also learn techniques for working with both natural hair, wigs and hair pieces to achieve looks that are suitable for Television, Film and Theatre and how to understand hair continuity when filming.

Techniques for postiche, historical hair styling, modern architectural styles  are also demonstrated.

For wigs, you will master the application of doubles wigs on stunt performers and lace wigs on actors, as practised on major film sets. Techniques for making hair pieces,facial hair and dressing period wigs is also covered as part of this module. Crowd room techniques are large part of this module and you’ll gain great practical experience of the techniques required to work at speed and accuracy including setting and dressing all types of wigs and hair pieces. There is also a further 2 weeks of intensive barbering skills available which will strengthen your skill base and reinforce your confidence.

For more information see our Advanced Hair Artistry course.

Becoming industry ready is essential this 3-week short course that includes live briefs on set, talks from industry professionals, script breakdowns and continuity, CV writing workshops, understanding TAX and PAYE and soft skills workshops.  Designed to future proof and prepare you for working in the media industry, this course will help you to develop Bridges to industry.

This course will give you the opportunity to understand the organisational skills required as well as putting together hair and makeup looks for filming and will take part in a live brief filming project to solidify your skills. For this project, you will experience the process of getting from script to screen. Students will do a final script and continuity breakdown, design character looks and prepare the wigs, facial hair and prosthetics and then work in real-time to fully understand how to work on set.

At the end of the 3-week short course, you will have learnt the industry techniques to successfully work across a range of media including HDTV, fashion and films. You will also have received valuable feedback from your tutors and had Q and A sessions with a professional film crew.

For more information see our Media Industry Ready course.

Please note we may occasionally change advertised tutors or vary the content of the course to suit the demands of the industry.

You must be 18 or over to apply for any of our courses, except our SFX summer school which is for 14-17 year olds. You must also meet any entry requirements specified (please visit the individual course pages for more details on these requirements).

To start the enrolment process, we first ask that you get in touch to arrange a visit to our studios, where we can carry out a brief interview. Telephone interviews can also be arranged if you are located too far away. After the interview stage you will need to complete an enrolment form and will be required to pay a deposit to secure your place on your chosen course. Please note that this deposit is unfortunately non-refundable.

Your fees include everything that is needed to successfully complete our courses. This includes materials, makeup, brushes and tools and cleaning equipment. All we ask is that you bring your own pen and notepad to each lesson for note taking.

Our full time Certificate, Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced Hair and Makeup courses all include a full makeup and hair kit in the cost. This provides you with industry-quality makeup from brands including Bobbi Brown, MAC and Kryolan, as well as professional palettes, makeup brushes and hair tools. The value of each kit on the Intermediate and Advanced course is over £2000 and this is yours to keep once the course has ended.

Specialist equipment is supplied for our shorter courses and further prosthetics courses to allow you to complete the training.

The Iver Academy is registered with UK Government’s Skills Funding Agency. Currently there are no Government funded student loans available for our courses but please take a go look at our Funding page as there are a number of Bursary’s and Scholarship programmes available.

For more information please see our How to Fund your Training page

We encourage anyone considering a course with us to first come and visit our academy. You can call us to make an appointment, where one of our team will happily show you around the premises and facilities, or you can attend one of our open days.

All of our courses are taught in small tutor groups. Our tutor / student ratio will vary depending on our individual courses, but on average this will be a ratio between 1:7 and 1:14 This helps us ensure that all our students receive the best care and attention to further their development.

Our regular classroom times are between 10am and 4pm and 9.30 am till 4.30 pm for Prosthetics and SFX modules.However, our academy opening hours are from 9am – 5pm to give students ample time to practise their skills and prepare for any tasks.

To enrol in this course, you must be aged 18 or older and pass an interview. No prior makeup experience is required as the course begins with foundational skills. We do ask that you demonstrate a certain level of artistic ability and a strong passion for learning.

This comprehensive course includes advanced training in makeup application, hair styling, and prosthetics for various media, including HDTV, film, theatre, and fashion. You will also learn period makeup, special effects, and airbrushing techniques. The course emphasises practical skills and includes live briefs to prepare you for a professional career.

The course lasts 30 weeks, with a total of over 900 teaching hours. During this time, you will also have scheduled holidays of two to four weeks, making the total duration approximately 32 to 34 weeks.

We offer several funding options, including interest-free payment plans, bursaries, and loans. Additionally, there are specific financial aids such as BAFTA Scholarships, ScreenSkills Bursaries, and support for adult learners from Northern Ireland. For more information on funding, please refer to our Funding Options section or contact us for personalised advice.

Yes, upon successful completion of the course, you will receive an Advanced Certificate in Makeup and Hair Artistry. This certification is highly regarded in the industry and will help you stand out to potential employers.