MAKEUP ARTISTRY HONORS DIPLOMA
Become the ultimate makeup artist with our specialized teaching methods
BECOME THE ULTIMATE MAKEUP ARTIST USING OUR PROVEN TECHNIQUES THAT WORK
We have helped 1000’s of students with no experience, scale from beginner to becoming successful, sought after makeup artists for the film industry in just 20 weeks!
Over the past 20 years, we've developed, and perfected a special set of teaching methods and techniques. Our special formula, ensures that you grasp everything needed to succeed as a professional makeup artist in the film industry. Register and pay just $500 now, to hold your spot.
FIVE COURSES, ONE PROGRAM
We have combined our five must have courses into one bundled course, to ensure you learn all you need to know to succeed!
Artists Within Makeup Academy
Five disciplines.
More ways to create.
Makeup Artistry Honors Diploma
Build a broad creative practice, from beauty makeup and hair to editorial design and special effects. AWMA’s virtual Honors Diploma brings five disciplines together with structured lessons, practical work and instructor guidance.
Explore the DiplomaMakeup · Hair · Advanced · Airbrush · Special FX
Virtual learning with scheduled instructor meetings
Course at a glance
Your training
Five disciplines
A bundled program spanning beauty, hair, editorial and special effects.
Program format
20 weeks
16 instructor weeks + 4 weeks of independent final project work.
Learning experience
Online + guided
Video demonstrations, practical assignments and regular virtual meetings.
Your next step
Confirm your intake
The published Fall 2026 cohort is already underway. Contact our team for your start date.
Five courses. One Honors Diploma.
Build your range.
Explore your direction.
Start with makeup foundations and expand into hair, advanced creative work, airbrush and character effects. Develop a versatile skill set for client, bridal, photographic and production work.
01
Makeup Artistry
Develop your foundation in beauty makeup, bridal, cosmetic retailing, fashion, photography and runway. Explore the business side of the industry alongside your application skills.
02
Hair Session Styling
Learn the design side of styling for clients, bridal parties and photographic work. Build complementary hair skills without cutting or coloring.
03
Advanced Makeup
Explore body painting, brow blocking, 3D illusions, tattoos and creative mediums. Bring your ideas together in an avant-garde high fashion photoshoot.
04
Airbrush Makeup
Develop control with airbrush equipment and products. Practice application techniques that expand the way you create and finish your makeup looks.
05
Special FX Makeup
Explore cuts, scars, bruises, burns and character effects. Work with prosthetics, bald caps, aging, beards and other materials to bring a character brief to life.
Current cohort schedule
Your training,
with a clear structure.
The schedule below belongs to the current Fall 2026 cohort, which began September 2. New applicants should contact our team to confirm their intake and component dates before registering.
Current cohort · Foundation courses
September – October 2026
One-hour virtual instructor meetings at 6 p.m. Calgary local time.
Makeup + Hair
Hair Session Styling: Wednesdays, September 2–October 21.
Makeup Artistry: Thursdays, September 3–October 22.
Makeup final project: November 25, 2026.
Current cohort · Creative courses
October – December 2026
One-hour virtual instructor meetings at 6 p.m. Calgary local time.
Special FX + Advanced & Airbrush
Special FX: Tuesdays, October 27–December 15.
Advanced & Airbrush: Wednesdays, October 28–December 16.
Final project: January 12, 2027.
Current published cohort: September 2, 2026–January 12, 2027. Your enrolment documents and individual course schedules confirm your assessment deadlines.
Virtual learning. Personal guidance.
Learn in your space.
Grow with support.
Detailed demonstrations show you the techniques. Practical assignments give you time to apply them. Instructor feedback helps you see what is working and what to refine.
Study and practice around your week while following the scheduled meetings and submission deadlines.
01
Watch & learn
Work through demonstrations and written lessons. Revisit techniques as you practice.
02
Practice & submit
Complete your practical assignments and upload your work through your course portal for marking.
03
Meet & refine
Join scheduled virtual meetings to ask questions and work through challenges with your instructor.
04
Create & develop
Apply your learning to finished looks and projects, following your course briefs.
Tools for your training
Five disciplines.
Your professional kits included.
Your Honors program includes kits for Makeup Artistry, Hair Session Styling, Advanced Makeup, Airbrush Makeup and Special FX, selected to support your practical course work.
Pro Makeup Kit
A curated selection of makeup, brushes and tools for your foundation and beauty training.
Hair Styling Kit
Hot tools, brushes, combs, accessories and styling products for your session styling practice.
Advanced + Airbrush Kits
Creative mediums, detail tools, paints and airbrush materials for editorial design and application.
Special FX Kit
Paints, adhesives, prosthetics, bloods, dirts, brushes, tools and hair effects for your character work.
Meet the founder
Tara Cowles
Founder & Lead Instructor
Artists Within Makeup Academy
Teaching makeup artistry since 2003.
Tara founded Artists Within Makeup Academy in Calgary in 2003. Today, she brings that teaching experience to the academy’s virtual programs, helping students develop their understanding of makeup and their application skills.
Detailed video demonstrations, practical assignments and instructor feedback give you a structured way to learn, practice and develop your artistry.
Student experiences
Their words.
Their experience.
“The video demos and content were extremely detailed.”
“They have also helped with any questions after graduating”
“The detail of each course really helped me prepare for what I needed as an on-set makeup artist.”
Short excerpts from Artists Within student testimonials.
Dates & enrolment
Your next chapter
starts here.
Talk through your goals, your availability and the program structure with our team. We’ll help you confirm the right intake for your training.
Plan your intake
Let’s plan your start.
Contact our team to confirm the next intake and your course sequence before paying your deposit.
Once your intake is confirmed, pay your $500 registration deposit and complete your enrolment forms.
Book a course callMakeup Artistry Honors bundle
Five disciplines + professional kits
Total program cost
$19,904 CAD
Register with a $500 deposit
Register with a $500 depositOnce your intake is confirmed, pay your $500 registration deposit and complete your enrolment forms.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions,
answered.
Explore the format, what is included and how to take your next step.
What is included in the Honors Diploma?
The program combines Makeup Artistry, Hair Session Styling, Advanced Makeup, Airbrush Makeup and Special FX. Professional kits for all five disciplines are included.
Where does my training begin?
The program includes Makeup Artistry foundations before advanced creative and Special FX work. Contact our team to discuss your experience and confirm your course sequence before registering.
How does virtual learning work?
Study detailed online lessons and demonstrations, complete practical assignments and upload your work for marking. Scheduled virtual instructor meetings provide regular guidance and feedback as you work through the program.
When can I start?
The published Fall 2026 cohort began September 2, 2026 and runs through the final project deadline on January 12, 2027. Contact our team to confirm the next available intake and its course dates before paying your deposit.
What do I need for the course?
Your program includes the professional kits for all five disciplines. You will need a device and reliable internet connection for lessons, meetings and assignment uploads. Follow each course brief for models and project preparation.
When do I gain access to the course?
You will receive access to the student platform as soon as you pay your fees, and set up a password to access your course platform. You will gain access to your course on your chosen start date. You will be able to access 24/7 during your enrolment period via your student dashboard.
Can I discuss payment options?
Book a course call with our team to discuss payment and funding options for the Honors Diploma and your circumstances.
Artists Within · Makeup Artistry Honors Diploma
Make space for your artistry.
Explore the diploma or talk through your goals with our team. Your next creative step starts with a conversation.
Makeup · Hair · Advanced · Airbrush · Special FX
Virtual learning with scheduled instructor meetings
BECOME THE ULTIMATE MAKEUP ARTIST
Our Makeup Artistry Honors Program combines our must-have courses into one bundled course, giving you everything you need to become the best.
MAKEUP ARTISTRY |
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Our longest running, most in demand course is curated to take you from the basics of makeup to specialized skills in the world of bridal, cosmetic retailing, fashion, photography, runway, and the business side of the industry. |
HAIR SESSION STYLING |
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Master the design aspects of hair session styling to double your job opportunities - no cutting or coloring involved. We aim to make you a confident hair session stylist, ready to tackle anything from a large wedding party, magazine photoshoot, or film production! |
ADVANCED & AIRBRUSH MAKEUP |
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Push your imagination and creativity to think outside the box while working with different mediums, body painting, airbrushing, brow blocking, 3D illusions, tattoos and more! Finish the program with an avant-garde high fashion photoshoot to illustrate your fashion makeup skills |
SPECIAL FX MAKEUP |
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Take the lead to transform talent into captivating characters. Learn to create realistic cuts, scars, zombies, illnesses, bruises, burns, frost bite and much more! Your characters will come to life with dirts, tears, beards, various prosthetics, bald caps, and aging effects |
WHY SIGNING UP FOR RANDOM MAKEUP COURSES YOU FIND ON SOCIAL MEDIA DOESN’T WORK!
There are so many courses out there, how do you know what’s legitimate, whether someone knows how to teach, whether their certification is real, or if AI created it for them?
REGISTER TODAY
PAY YOUR DEPOSIT, AND THEN FILL OUT OUR ENROLMENT FORMS
Pay just $500 now, to hold your spot.
ONCE YOU SIGN UP FOR OUR MAKEUP ARTISTRY HONORS DIPLOMA COURSE
You are on the path to success with the most respected course in the industry. Earn 5 accreditations with one just program, that gives you the skills you need to enter any area of the industry.
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Create your own client or bridal business, working your own hours, on your terms.
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Work for your favorite makeup line, or become their national artist, traveling the world.
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Build your own celebrity clientele, working behind the scenes of red carpet events.
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Work on photoshoots & runway shows with the worlds top fashion photographers, and the ‘IT' models of the season.
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Work on television sets and commercials working with celebrity's and t.v. personalities.
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Work on major film productions, behind the scenes of Hollywood blockbuster movies.
MAKEUP ARTISTRY HONORS DIPLOMA
Earn 5 Accreditations from One Course
FALL SEMESTER |
September 2 - January 12, 2027 |
1 Hour Online Instructor Meet |
| Course | Meet Day | Meet Time | Date |
| Hair SS | Wed | 6pm | Sept 2 - Oct 21 |
| MUP | Thurs | 6pm | Sept 3 - Oct 22 |
| Final Project | No Meet | n/a | Due Nov 25 |
| SFX | Tues | 6pm | Oct 27 - Dec 15 |
| ADV & AB | Wed | 6pm | Oct 28 - Dec 16 |
| Final Project | No Meet | n/a | Due Jan 12 |
REGISTER TODAY
PAY YOUR DEPOSIT, AND THEN YOU WILL BE DIRECTED TO FILL OUT OUR ENROLMENT FORMS
Pay just $500 now, to hold your spot.
YOUR MAKEUP ARTISTRY HONORS KIT
NOT ONE, BUT 5 KITS ARE INCLUDED!
| PRO MAKEUP KIT |
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We've taken the guess work out for you and curated a pro kit with everything you need to succeed in the program and start your business after graduation. Created by artists, for artists -AW03 performs to meet your demands. Makeup that lasts while giving the pigmentation and coverage you require as a professional makeup artist. |
| HAIR DESIGN |
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Our pro hair design kit was made with the working makeup artist in mind. It is packed with all necessary items you need on set, for shoots, clients or bridal jobs. Our session styling kit is stocked with hot tools, brushes, combs, accessories, and products required for your success in the class and after graduation. |
| ADVANCED & AIRBRUSHING KIT |
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This high fashion makeup kit includes the editorial essentials for creating avant-garde looks and editorial creative designs. Stocked with stencilling & texture tools, detail brushes, primary & neon cream, water, & airbrush paints, metallic pigments, mixing liquids, waterproof sealers, adhesives, fashion mediums & more! |
| SPECIAL FX MAKEUP KIT |
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The FX industry is constantly updating, many technical products are required to create realistic & imaginative character designs. We've worked with our SFX instructors to curate a kit with the necessary paints, adhesives, prosthetics, bloods, dirts, brushes, tools, and hair effects required in the industry. |
SUCCESS STORY
Meet Rachel
Life Changing
“After having a horrific accident, I knew I needed a life change and had always dreamed of becoming a makeup artist.
I loved that the owner of the academy was involved day to day, and how knowledgable she was about the industry. It felt like a it would positive and encouraging experience which is what I needed.
The video demos and content were extremely detailed. I didn’t once second guess my online decision once I started.
I have been focusing primarily on movie productions for the last three years. I love that I have the knowledge to also take advantage of making large amounts of money doing weddings when the film work isn’t as demanding.
These courses really prepared me for every aspect of the industry, I felt very confident when I finished, and have really exceeded my own expectations of myself. I am so thankful I took this path!"
MAKEUP ARTISTRY HONORS DIPLOMA
We have helped 1000’s of students with no experience, scale from beginner to becoming successful, sought after makeup artists in the film industry in as little as 20 weeks. This could be you!
THE ARTISTS WITHIN IMPACT
Barbara Bannon
“Since graduating last year I have done everything from client makeup applications, weddings, magazine shoots, a commercial, and have assisted on a movie production...all in one year!
I cannot tell you how grateful I am to the AW team for helping me get to the point where I truly am living the life I have always wanted. They have also helped with any questions after graduating"
Kelsey Clark
"My dream has always been to work on movie productions. I'm actually doing it thanks to the training I received from Artists Within’s online courses. The detail of each course really helped me prepare for what I needed as an on-set makeup artist. It was very easy to transition from school work to actually doing it. I don't even feel like I'm working because I love what I do so much!”
FAQ
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Are you an accredited school?
We are an accredited government licensed school with Alberta Private Career Colleges, and also accredited with the international school board ITEC, providing internationally recognized training. When you choose an accredited school it means that a board governs their courses, which protects your interests as a student.
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Do I need any prior makeup knowledge?
Th majority of the course is based on special FX treatments. Basic makeup knowledge, color theory and airbrush makeup is necessary. If you don’t have these and want to delve deeper we can help! We have courses that you can combine with Special FX or we can create a plan to start with the Makeup Diploma, then Airbrush Makeup, followed by Special FX Makeup. Book a call if you need more information and we can walk you through the options.
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Do you have funding options?
We do! We are an accredited Post Secondary School so you can apply for government student funding if you are a Canadian resident. The first step is to register for the program and then contact student aid to apply for funding.
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What do I need to complete the course?
The 'Special FX Pro Makeup Kit' is gives you everything you need to work through the course. You can purchase it once you register for the program via the link in the registration course. Other than the products to create all the effects, you don’t need anything other than a device (mobile, tablet, desktop) and internet connection to access your course platform. The only other requirement is a passion for SFX makeup, of course!
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When do I gain access to the course?
You will receive access to the student platform as soon as you pay your fees, and set up a password to access your course platform. You will gain access to your course on your chosen start date. You will be able to access 24/7 during your enrolment period via your student dashboard.