Makeup Schools in West Virginia

When it comes to finding a good makeup school, West Virginia is a great state to find one. There are a number of makeup schools located throughout West Virginia that can offer you the education and training you need to become a successful makeup artist.

State Requirements for Makeup Artist Licensing in West Virginia

According to the West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists, aspiring makeup professionals within the state must acquire one of the two licenses:

• For estheticians, 600 hours of schooling from a Board-approved program.
• For cosmetologists, 1,800 hours of schooling from a Board-approved program.

Aspiring makeup artists in West Virginia are also required to fulfill the following:

• Submit a completed student registration form
• Pay a $25 fee
• A recent passport-sized ID photo

How Much Do West Virginia Makeup Schools Cost?

Makeup artists seeking an esthetician license can do so relatively inexpensively in West Virginia, as those programs cost around $8,000 on average. Cosmetology programs in the state are a bit more expensive, coming in at about $13,500 for an average program.

Required Skills and Classes

A good solid foundation for any budding professional is to invest in the necessary skills at an esthetician or cosmetologist program in West Virginia. Here are the sorts of courses and skills you’ll experience in each.

• Estheticians – aside from learning how to apply makeup, estheticians must also know the ins and outs of skincare and all the necessary skills and knowledge that goes along with it. Subjects include the following:
  • Professional development and salon management
  • Sanitation and safety
  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Product chemistry
  • Skin histology and physiology
  • Skin disorders and diseases
  • Skin analysis
  • Skin care products
  • Treatment settings
  • Basic facial procedures
  • Facial massage
  • Hair removal
  • Advanced topics and treatments
  • Makeup application
• Cosmetology – besides learning makeup theory and skincare, this program offers additional material not covered in typical esthetician training. For details, please refer to the list below:
  • Professional development and salon management
  • Sanitation and safety
  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Product chemistry
  • Skin histology and physiology
  • Skin disorders and diseases
  • Skin analysis
  • Skin care products
  • Treatment settings
  • Basic facial procedures
  • Facial massage
  • Hair removal
  • Advanced topics and treatments
  • Makeup application

State Licensing Exams

Aside from filling out your exam registration, applicants may also file for a work permit application to start working immediately prior to taking the licensure exams. These permits are temporary, and conditional on you completing the full process.

• Esthetician – once an applicant’s request to take to the exams has been granted; they will receive a letter in the mail that includes the time, date, location, and directions for the said exams.
  • Written Exam – this test has been designed by the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology to last 90 minutes or less. The exam itself will be composed of scientific concepts, techniques, and sanitary practices related to the practice of esthetics. It is advised to study the following prior to taking the exams:
    • Salon Fundamentals Esthetics
    • Milady’s Standard Fundamentals for Estheticians 10th, 9th Ed.
    • Milady’s Standard Cosmetology
    • Modern Esthetics, Gambino
    • NIC Health, and Safety Standards
  • Practical Exam – participants for the hands-on portion of the exams are required to bring their own supplies along with a mannequin and will be given a total of 3 hours to finish the tasks listed below:
    • Set up and client protection
    • Cleansing and steaming the face
    • Massaging the face
    • Manual extraction on the forehead
    • Hair removal of the eyebrows
    • Facial mask
    • Facial makeup
    • Cleanup

The West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists has a FAQ page for clarification.

• Cosmetology – candidates must register online with the DL Roope Administrations or via the school of origin prior to taking the exams.
  • Written Exam – this will be a traditional paper-based test with an allotted time of 90 minutes. Topics will cover the following areas:
    • Scientific concepts of cosmetology
    • Hair care and hair services
    • Skin care and skin services
    • Nail care and nail services
  • Practical Exam – participants of this exam are mandated to bring a mannequin head along with a table clamp which will be utilized in front of an evaluator. These graded procedures, along with the allotted time, are as follows:
    • Set up and client protection – 10 minutes
    • Thermal curling – 10 minutes
    • Hair cutting – 30 minutes
    • Chemical waving – 20 minutes
    • Virgin hair lightening and color retouching – 10 minutes each
    • Virgin hair relaxer and relaxer retouch – 10 minutes each
    • Basic facial – 10 minutes
    • Basic manicure – 20 minutes

How Much Do Makeup Artists Get Paid in West Virginia?

Makeup artists in West Virginia earn about $10 per hour or around $19,814 per year. According to CareerOneStop, the demand for this profession will experience a 15% increase by 2026, meaning there will be a lot of opportunities for people to fill these positions.

Does West Virginia Have Continuing Education Requirements for Makeup Artists?

Whether you’re a makeup artist with a cosmetology or esthetician license in West Virginia you’ll need to complete four hours of state-approved continuing education credits between each two-year license renewal.

Contact Information for Licensing Board

West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists
Address: 1201 Dunbar Avenue, Dunbar, West Virginia, 25064
Website: West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists
Call: 304-558-2924
Fax: 304-558-3450