Makeup courses in Montreal: how to choose the right school

Looking for makeup courses in Montreal? The best course for you is the one that gets you making up real faces, teaches you to work on every skin tone and gives you professional materials to work with. Price matters, but it is only one part of the picture. Here is what to look at before you book, and the questions worth asking any makeup school.

Start with your goal

Makeup courses fall into two broad groups:

• Personal makeup lessons teach you to do your own makeup better. They are short and fun, but they do not prepare you to work on clients.
• Professional makeup training teaches you to make up other people for weddings, parties, photo shoots and events, with the hygiene, speed and long-wear techniques that clients expect.

If you want to earn money as a makeup artist, even part-time, choose professional training.

Six things to check before you choose a makeup school

1. Hands-on practice on real models

Watching a demo is not the same as doing it. Ask how many full looks you will complete yourself, and on whom. Practising on real models teaches you to adapt to different face shapes, skin types and eye shapes.

2. Every skin tone, including deep skin

Montreal clients come in every shade. A good course teaches you to read undertones, match foundation without a grey cast and colour-correct dark circles and spots. Makeup for Black and mixed-race skin should be part of the core program, not an afterthought.

3. A clear program

Look for a course outline that covers skin prep, complexion and contouring, eyes (smoky eye, cut crease, liner, false lashes), brows, lips, long-wear setting and hygiene, plus the business basics: pricing, portfolio and social media.

4. Professional materials

Check that all the materials you need are provided during the course, and ask whether the school offers a kit to keep practising at home, and at what price.

5. A schedule that fits your life

Evening and weekend groups make it possible to train while you work or study. In a bilingual city, being able to learn in English or French is a real plus.

6. The real cost

Compare prices with taxes, the deposit needed to book, and whether you can pay the balance in instalments.

Questions to ask the school

Our makeup program in Montreal

Our professional makeup training in Montreal is open to complete beginners and to anyone who wants to level up. It follows five modules: skin basics and prep, foundation and contouring, eye makeup, lips and finishing, and career building.

• Two formats: 1 day (4 to 5 hours, $1,000) to get started, or 4 days (20 hours, $2,000) for the full program, plus taxes (GST and QST);
• all materials provided on site and a certificate issued by the school at the end of the course;
• specialised training in makeup for Black and mixed-race skin;
• new groups start on the first Monday of every month: see the 2026 start dates.

You reserve your spot with a $500 deposit, and the balance can be paid in instalments. All prices are listed on our tuition page.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need any experience?

No. The course starts with the basics: skin prep, choosing shades and building the complexion. No prior experience is required.

Can I take the course in English?

Yes. Every program can be taken in English or French, in weekday, evening or weekend groups.

Is one day enough to become a makeup artist?

One day is a good introduction to see if you enjoy the work. To start taking clients with confidence, the 4-day program gives you the practice you need.