Class Instruction is 100% ONLINE
Take your makeup skills to the next level with the Special
FX Makeup Diploma Program at Cosmopolitan Makeup Artistry College—a
specialized course designed for certified makeup artists ready to dive into the
world of fantasy, horror, and character transformation.
This 12-week advanced diploma program is delivered 100%
online for the first 8 weeks, followed by a 4-week in-person Practicum
Placement in a professional setting such as a film set, special effects
studio, or theatrical production environment.
Built exclusively for students who already hold a Makeup
Artistry Diploma, this program equips artists with professional-level
special effects techniques and industry-specific knowledge. Through video
demonstrations, guided projects, and interactive lessons, students will explore
and build their skills.
After completing the online component, students transition
into a 4-week Practicum Placement, gaining real-world experience in the
fast-paced environments where special effects makeup is in high demand—such as
film, television, theatre, or commercial shoots.
Upon successful completion, graduates receive a Special FX Makeup Diploma, qualifying them for specialized roles in media production, entertainment, and freelance SFX work.
Week 1: Foundations of Special FX Makeup | Week 2: Aging Techniques & Texture Application | Week 3: Character Creation & Fantasy Makeup | Week 4: Period & Historical Transformations |
Introduction to the Special FX Industry | Aging with Highlighting & Shadowing | Designing Original Characters (Sketch to Skin) | Researching Historical Looks for Film/TV |
Tools, Materials & Kit Essentials | Stippling and Wrinkle Simulation | Color Theory for Creature & Fantasy FX | Makeup for Different Eras (Victorian, 1920s, 1960s, etc.) |
Health & Safety: Working with Prosthetics and FX Materials | Texture Layering with Latex and Gelatin | Building Facial Features with Wax and Prosthetics | Aging Across Time Periods |
Overview of Set Etiquette and On-Set Expectations | Creating Realistic Aged Skin for Stage and Screen | Blending Realism with Imagination | Accurate Character Styling with Facial Hair and Wigs |
Product Familiarity: Latex, Gelatin, Silicone, Plastics |
Week 5: Prosthetics & Bald Cap Application | Week 6: Injury Simulation Techniques | Week 7: Texture Building & Skin FX | Week 8: Set-Ready Makeup & Final Project |
Latex and Gelatin Prosthetic Creation | Creating Realistic Cuts, Bruises, and Scars | Creating Skin Diseases, Rashes, and Decay | Continuity in Special FX Makeup (Photos, Notes, Touch-Ups) |
Application Techniques for Pre-Made Prosthetics | Burns (1st–3rd Degree Effects) | Peeling and Swelling Skin Techniques | Long-Wear & Durable FX Techniques for Long Shoots |
Bald Cap Fitting, Seaming, and Blending | Bullet Wounds and Entry/Exit Simulation | Use of Cotton, Tissue, Latex, and Gelatin for Texture | On-Set Readiness and Fast Fixes |
Intro to Silicone Prosthetics | Combining Prosthetics with Paint for Trauma Effects | Multi-Layer Effects for Complex Trauma Scenes | Final Creative Project: Full Character or Injury Transformation (Photo Submission Required) |
Set-Ready Makeup: Continuity, Durability, and On-Set Protocols |
This is a 12 Week Program
Weeks 1-8 are in class theoretical instruction and guided practice.
Weeks 9-12 are practicum placement in the field.
Application Fee: $100 - non-refundable application processing fee.
Tuition: $8000 - Special FX Diploma Program
Course Textbooks: $440 - The required books and correct publications may be purchased from any source.
MUA Smock: $60 - Dress Code.
Kit: $600 - Kit includes a professional MUA case & materials needed to practice each unit.