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Makeup Schools in Utah

If you’re looking for a career in makeup, Utah is a great place to be. The state has several top-notch makeup schools, which can provide you with the training and skills you need to start your career. In addition, the job market for makeup artists is strong in Utah, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to find work once you graduate. So, if you’re interested in pursuing a career in makeup, be sure to check out the schools listed below. You’ll find that each one offers a unique curriculum that can help you become a successful makeup artist. The best way to find success in any career is to start with a good education.

State Requirements for Makeup Artist Licensing in Utah

While it’s possible to work in some locations as an unlicensed makeup artist in Utah, it will limit the number of places you can work. If you want to work in a salon, you’ll need an esthetician license or a cosmetology license. According to the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, these are the requirements for those two licenses:

  • Esthetician License – to be eligible, license holders must train for 600 hours or have completed an apprenticeship for 800 hours. Besides offering makeup services, an esthetician can also perform the following:
    • Cosmetic procedures on the neck, arms, hands, legs, and feet
    • Cleansing, stimulating, manipulating, and exercising on any of the aforementioned areas of the body
    • Limited chemical exfoliation
  • Cosmetologist License – to be eligible, license holders must train for 1,600 hours or have completed an apprenticeship for 2,500 hours. Besides offering makeup services, an esthetician can also perform the following:
    • All services that an esthetician can offer
    • All services that a nail technician can offer
    • Services associated with hair styling and haircutting

How Much Do Utah Makeup Schools Cost?

Regardless if you want to perform basic makeup services or other beauty-related procedures, Utah offers a good selection of institutes to kickstart your career. On average, an esthetician program will cost you about $12,300 in Utah while a cosmetology program will be closer to $17,000 according to data from collegetuitioncompare.com.

Required Skills and Classes

While both esthetics and cosmetology programs will have overlapping subjects, there are also differences as illustrated below.

  • Esthetics – a basic program will be composed of 600 hours of schooling in areas such as:
    • Facials
    • Makeup artistry
    • Skin care trends
    • Color theory
  • Cosmetology – an accredited program by the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (NACCAS) will consist of 1,600 hours of learning in the following subjects:
    • Safety of personnel, salon, and clients
    • Sanitary procedures and aseptic techniques
    • Business and salon management
    • Professional ethics
    • Public relations and advertising
    • Human immune system and bacteriology
    • Hairdresser training
    • Sculptured nails and nail art
    • Physiology of skin and nails
    • Wet and thermal styling
    • Permanent waves
    • Clipper variations
    • Wigs and artificial hair
    • Makeup training

State Licensing Exams

To qualify for the chosen license, applicants must pass the licensure exam for their chosen program.

  • Esthetics – the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology has developed the licensure exams while PSI will be the administering body in Utah. To pass, examinees must attain a score of 75% on both tests.
    • Written Test – the theoretical aspect of the licensure exams will need to be completed in 90 minutes or less and will be mainly devoted to scientific concepts such as:
      • Sanitation and infection control
      • Human physiology and anatomy
      • Integumentary system and skin histology
      • Skin conditions, disorders, and diseases
      • Disorders of the sebaceous and sudoriferous glands
      • Basic chemistry
      • Hair, follicles, and their growth cycle
      • Skincare Products
      • Factors that affect the skin
    • Practical Exam – examinees are mandated to bring a mannequin head to perform the graded activities on along with the required supplies. Some of the graded exercises are as follows:
      • Setup and client protection
      • Facial makeup
      • Facial mask
      • Hair removal of the eyebrows
      • Manual extraction on the forehead
      • Cleansing and steaming the face
      • Massaging the face
  • Cosmetology – the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology has developed the licensure exams while PSI will be the administering body in Utah.
    • Theory Exam – this test will be entirely computer-based. Test takers will choose from four possible answers and will be based on the following topics:
      • Hair care and services – 40%
      • Scientific concepts – 30%
      • Skincare and services – 15%
      • Nail care and services – 15%
    • Practical Exam – test takers will need to bring a mannequin to perform the following job-related activities on:
      • Client protection during a proper set-up
      • Thermal hair curling
      • Hair cutting
      • Chemical waving
      • Hair color retouch and virgin lightening
      • Virgin relaxer application and relaxer retouch
      • Nail sculpturing

How Much Do Makeup Artists Get Paid in Utah?

The average annual salary for makeup artists in Utah is currently $21,188 according to salary.com. The top 10% of earners in the state will make $27,468 or more.

Does Utah Have Continuing Education Requirements for Makeup Artists?

Licensed estheticians and cosmetologists working as makeup artists in Utah will need to renew those licenses every two years and pay the state’s renewal fee. Unlike some states, however, Utah does not require these license holders to complete continuing education credits with each renewal.

Contact Information for Licensing Board

Utah Department of Commerce Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
Address: 160 E 300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84114
Website: Utah Department of Commerce Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
Email: [email protected]
Call: 801-530-6628