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Tributes
The Make-up Space

Careers Advice

Wig Making Course

"Thank you so much for what you have taught me.

I really enjoyed the course...you were so lovely and patient.

I'd recommend you to anyone!"

Cheryl
Yorkshire TV

When I'm looking for someone to work at the Royal Exchange, I need to see a flair for hair and an ability to work with hair on people's heads rather than training blocks. Try doing work experience in a salon to gain confidence with hair. You also need to interpret a picture and translate it in to a realistic style on an actor.
Rowena Dean - Head of Wigs and Make-up, Royal Exchange, Manchester

Build up your own historical research file, so when you are asked to do a period style eg Edwardian, you'll have agood idea what it looks like. We still use the file we created at college.

Liz Armstrong - Wigs Up North!

"I personally find it frustrating when a CV is vague - be detailed: worked as an assistant, or a daily make-up artist - maybe only dealing with crowd scenes, or on an unpaid work experience basis?
Also as important is how long you've worked on that particular job, don't just quote a film, further investigation will show you just did one day! It soon becomes evident that you are not as experienced or confident. I firmly believe honesty is the best policy, as its a small world!!"
Helen Black - Lime Pictures
"We sometimes advertise in The Stage but it can also work by word of mouth and recommendations. Some
'Contacts' is a good starting point for CVs - it has a Theatre Producers section. Also, 'Stage Jobs pro' is quite useful and def worth having a profile on - they also advertise positions."
Louise Beere - David Ian Productions
"If your're on tour with a theatre, as soon as you get your schedule call all the theatre stage doors and ask for a 'digs list' to be sent to you, then call and book straight away as good digs are hard to find and can be expensive. Houses on the digs list will explain where they are to the theatre also (£80 p.wk about average)."
Vicky Holmes - Wigs Up North!
"Ask the head of department to be a referee - it's such a small world we pretty much all know each other so
that can be a benefit.
Some shows require hair cutting so this is also a definite plus.
When invited for interview it's always helpful for them to have a good portfolio with them."
Louise Beere - David Ian Productions
"Gain as much work experience as possible - make-up artists always need an extra set of hands on jobs and it's a great way to meet people and learn from them. Someone making you a cuppa or cleaning your brushes on a 12hr day may not seem a huge job but we'll love you for it and it really does help."
Jackie Sweeney - Wigs Up North!

“When I take on staff, I look for good experience in hairdressing and someone with an artistic eye.
Competiton work is also useful as it teaches you to work under pressure and to a deadline”.
Sandra Smith – Head of Wigs and Make-up Royal Shakespeare Company

“I believe that working in the theatre is a great place to start.  It builds up your confidence and speed and it’s fantastic hearing the audience cheer and clap.  You don’t get that when you are on location!"
Jackie Sweeney – Wigs Up North!
"Do your research - ALWAYS address job enquiry letters and C.V.s to the person you want to read it, never 'Dear sirs' as we get - we're 3 women? Any letters asking for work experience etc that don't have our names on are recycled as I'm sure other companies do too."
Vicky Holmes - Wigs Up North!

Evolving our individual careers and Wigs Up North! has involved many long hours and late nights, perseverance and patience but there’s no doubt about it, we enjoy our work!  

When we left our respective colleges, all wide-eyed and bushy-tailed, we were lucky to find people who gave us a chance and set us on our career paths.  Now we are in the position to try and repay the favour by helping others, but before we get inundated with requests, read on!

On this page you will find “stars of wisdom” from many of our clients and friends who work in the industry.  We have asked them what skills they think are important and what you can do to improve your chances of employment.  

This is a highly competitive industry where jobs are rarely advertised and many are through word of mouth and recommendation.  If you are interested in theatre work, The 'Stage Newspaper' is the main place for advertising.

There are a growing number of places who offer media make-up courses such as local colleges or private make-up schools and we are frequently asked if we run them too.   We feel that there are many people undergoing training to become make-up artists and it can be very difficult to get your foot in the door.  Therefore, our ethos is to run courses aimed at improving and expanding skills of those who have already done some training.

Our courses are listed below. Make-up experience is not vital for the wig-making course but heaps of patience and good eyesight are!

We receive many requests for work experience and help out where we can but even for this you have to stand out from the crowd.  We have put together a work experience pack that tells you what we expect from you and you can expect from us in return.
Good luck!

Training Courses