Attending Blanche Macdonald was always a dream of mine; the realization that it was the only place to go to become a great make-up artist ran through my mind for years. After reviewing the glamorous website and getting sent numerous packages filled with pretty pamphlets, I decided it was the right choice for me. I never spoke with any previous students or advisors because it was a known fact that if you wanted to get into make-up you went to BMC. Prior to all of this, I had attended a Hair Design program at my high school, so my knowledge of the “beauty industry” had already been started.
I would have never imagined that a professional class would have you packed into a tiny room like sardines.
Utter Disappointment
You hear about oversized classes in high school and elementary schools all the time, but I would have never imagined that a professional class would have you packed into a tiny room like sardines. My class started out with approximately 23 people. Now imagine that room on test days with 23 make-up artists, 23 models, one teacher and a whole LOT of make-up; let’s just say it was incredibly uncomfortable.
When I filled out my paperwork to apply for the school, there were numerous questions about why I wanted to take the course and the reasons I’d be a good fit for the program. I was told that this was to filter out students with poor reasons for wanting to attend the program with unrealistic expectations. Yet on the first day of class, when we went around the room talking about why we were there, more than HALF of the girls in my class said that they were taking this course just as a hobby or because they wanted to be able to do their girlfriend’s make-up.
A few students (myself included) felt as though they were there to waste our time. There were several international students in my class who were here in Vancouver and felt as though they were getting ripped off by having so many people in their class who did not have any real ambition to be a make-up artist at all. It made being there at times seem like just a big game, but to those of us who were there to improve and make a career for ourselves, it was NO game!
What they don’t tell you is that it is just like a puppy mill popping out hundreds of “qualified” make-up artists every year.
Communication Breakdown
Blanche is a world renowned make-up school and is known for creating great make-up artists; what they don’t tell you is that it is just like a puppy mill popping out hundreds of “qualified” make-up artists every year. I expected going into this program that the expectations of myself and my work would be very high and after seeing that a pass required only 75 percent, I was even more sure of this.
I was looking for a challenge to improve my skills; unfortunately when your teacher walks around telling EVERYONE that their work is “good”, it’s hard to judge what “good” really is. No criticism was ever given; no real critique or opinions were ever relayed to students. Your teachers at Blanche spend plenty of time boasting about their own careers and all of the great things they’ve done; yet they do not use their impeccable skills to create impeccable make-up artists.
You Want Me To Spend How Much?
If you have ever looked into the cost of a school like Blanche your eyes might feel like they are going to pop out of your head! The freelance program that I attended was approximately $4,800 plus the cost of the kit which was about a grand. This might not seem like a lot for an education – but do keep in mind this was only a 6 month course!
On your first day of classes you receive your kit – at first it is all very exciting and makes you feel like a real professional carrying your shiny silver Blanche Macdonald case around. However, as the course progresses, you start to realize that the generic products that come inside are worth nowhere NEAR the money you’ve spent. In several of the modules including hair design, bridal, and airbrush you are REQUIRED to spend more money on additional products. In the end, spending the extra money was necessary because the product given on the first day was not even close to being adequate.
We never understood why we had to pay additional costs for photographers and photo shoots; these expenses should have been covered by the tuition.
In addition to the tuition and make-up kit, I probably spent around $2500 on make-up and false lashes to make my photo shoots and tests models look presentable. For the photo shoots that we did at the end of each of our modules, the price went up $5 every time, starting at $25 and moving upwards. You received only about 10 minutes of shooting time with a “professional photographer” on a stark white or black backdrop, and a burnable CD with your photos on it. We never understood why we had to pay additional costs for photographers and photo shoots; these expenses should have been covered by the tuition. The majority of the photos that I received from the school photo shoots were not usable for my portfolio as the lighting and the background never had any variety or depth to create professional looking images. It seemed to me like a large portion of our tuition went to the extravagant flower arrangement in the lobby which changed every week!
But if you’re looking for a true learning experience, I suggest you find another school!
The Verdict
To attend, or not to attend; that is the question! If you’re looking for a school to take your money and hand you a piece of paper at the end saying you are qualified, I would recommend Blanche Macdonald. But if you’re looking for a true learning experience, I suggest you find another school!
The majority of women in North America have a basic knowledge of how to apply make-up. This school is not intended to teach you how to do make-up. Their whole goal is to prompt you on how make-up “should look” or “has always been done”. The majority of girls in my class found that their creativity and natural talent were being stripped away by their teachers, directing you to put X color here and Y color there and then blend them accordingly. I did not learn anything in my 6 months at Blanche that I did not already know about the application of make-up.
Because so many students are passing through those iron doors every year it makes it practically impossible to find work in any specific type of make-up. If you’re interested in working a counter at The Bay or Holt Renfrew you will do great – but this course does not set you in the right direction to do “big” things with your career. I personally had a very hard time breaking into the industry post my Blanche schooling because they neglected to send me my diploma right away (which is a prerequisite for most make-up positions). Finally 6 months after graduating, I received my diploma (after several arguments with the program director) and am working in the industry. I can honestly say I did not come out of that school with anything more then I went in with – except for a big bill and some new lifelong friends.
(4 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5)
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LMN
Brutally_Honest
Anne
Asia
nikkol
mags
Jordana
Alexandra Stroh
dont do it
lina
sanda
Josée
Jessica Smith
cynpro
jennifer
The best advice you will get
Other schools
Loved it!
BMC???
Jevack
ANONYMOUS
Marta
anonymous
Arron Dawson
NLD
im totally agree with u! BMC is not a place for those who already know how to apply make-up! it cost too much than u can imagine… spending those money are worthless. They just want ur money..im serious..im a international student and so my friends. The head director treats us very impatiently! She shows very kind to native people and when she’s talking to us (when we had appointment with her) her attitude toward us is totally different!!! I really want to discuss this matter with other teachers but she’s a head director…don’t know who else I can consult this problem with.