Permanent Makeup Schools in California

Browse our directory of permanent makeup schools in California, or skip ahead to learn about the state's permanent makeup licensing requirements and job outlook.

How to Become a Permanent Makeup Artist in California

If you're interested in having a powerful impact on your clients' beauty while making their lives more convenient, permanent make-up application may be a great career choice for you. California is home to a huge variety of styles and trends, so you may be able to develop a wide range of techniques and skills.

If you want to pursue a career in permanent makeup, you should contact schools in your area to learn more. By comparing multiple programs you can make sure you choose the right one for you.

State License Requirements

In California, permanent makeup application follows under the jurisdiction of the California Department of Public Health. They require that permanent makeup artists provide proof of hepatitis B vaccination, complete a Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Training program, and get six months of training. Each county sets specific fees and additional training requirements.

Education Details

Becoming a permanent make-up artist in California involves completing a comprehensive training program and learning how to apply different types of make-up to various skin types. Permanent make-up schools in California cover several different topics. You might start with the basics of customer service since people are entrusting you with their long-term appearance, you must be able to make them feel comfortable and secure in their decision. Early in your program, you may take courses on client consultation, informed consent, and the theory of permanent make-up application. Client consultation and informed consent are two hugely important parts of your business. You must be able to get a full sense of what the client wants and what they expect from the procedure. It's also crucial to provide them with informed consent in regards to what permanent make-up application is like, liability issues, and possible side effects. When you move into the make-up application part of your training, you can learn about the different tools used in permanent make-up application and what technology is available for this procedure. You may tackle color and pigment theory, which allows you to tailor each client's make-up to their preferences and coloring.

License Renewal

Permanent makeup artists will have to renew their licenses with the state to remain in good standing. The application for licensure and renewal is the same form that you will submit on an annual basis. The fee for practitioners is currently $47. If you own a shop with 1-3 practitioners you will pay a $368 fee, 4+ practitioners will pay a $443 annual fee.

California Permanent Makeup Careers

The job outlook for skin care specialists, including permanent make-up artists, is fairly positive in California. Between 2016 and 2026, CareerOneStop expects the demand for skin care specialists to increase by 17%. Permanent make-up application is a growing phenomenon, especially in a beauty-conscious state like California, so the demand for permanent make-up artists may increase in coming years. Salaries in this field tend to be determined by how many clients you can secure, how much experience you have, and what kind of reputation you and your skills have in the surrounding community. The average salary for a California skin care specialist is $49,613 per year, according to ZipRecruiter. Permanent make-up application is not overseen or licensed by the California Board of Cosmetology. It's considered an invasive procedure, so it's governed by each county's local health department. Before you can register to offer this service, you must provide proof of training. Your training must include blood-borne pathogens and their transmission, personal protective equipment like gloves, and the importance of hygiene.

Once you get out into the field and start working as a permanent make-up artist, you may find that you spend most of your time interacting with customers. Carefully applying pigments and dyes is important, of course, but it's just as essential to build a strong bond with your clients and help them realize what they want from their make-up procedure. Michael Katz, permanent make-up artist and owner of his own make-up business, notes that many people go for this procedure when their natural features begin showing signs of aging. In his 14 years of experience, he says that he loves working with different types of people and making sure they get what they want out of their make-up application. Working in this field may allow you to enjoy quite a bit of flexibility in your career. The Sacramento Bee reports on make-up artist Heather Richardson, who has become well-known for her make-up work throughout the country. She's enjoyed developing a clientele base and getting to know her clients on a deeper level. As you see clients multiple times to touch up and reapply their permanent make-up, you may be able to develop meaningful relationships with them.