Online Makeup Academy
Online Makeup Academy is a New York-based e-learning platform delivering professional makeup artist certification through six online programs, combining self-paced video lessons with personalized instructor video feedback. It has trained 50,000+ students globally since 2016 via a direct-to-consumer model with bundled pro kits and flexible payment plans.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Online Makeup Academy does
Online Makeup Academy (OMA) is a New York-headquartered, privately held e-learning platform that delivers professional makeup artist certification through six core programs: Master Makeup Artist Program, Advanced Makeup Course, Elite Career Path, Pro Hairstyling Course, Special FX Makeup Course, and Bridal Makeup and Hair Course. The platform is built on Teachable and combines self-paced online video lessons with one-on-one personalized video feedback from NYC-based working professional makeup artists, alongside lifetime access to materials, unlimited post-graduation mentorship, and a bundled professional makeup kit (featuring Make Up For Ever and Inglot) shipped from the New York headquarters. The company has trained over 50,000 students since 2016 across at least 11 countries on five continents and holds accreditation (AC7456) and an Expertise "#1 Makeup School in the United States" ranking.
OMA monetizes through one-time course tuition or installment-based payment plans starting at $49/month via Klarna, Afterpay, and Affirm, with a 21-day money-back guarantee and a self-serve direct-to-consumer enrollment funnel accessed via its own website. Marketing relies on organic content (blog, SEO, alumni stories, video tours), Instagram organic social, and earned media in Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, L'Officiel, and Brides.com. The customer base is entirely individual aspiring makeup artists — no enterprise B2B contracts are disclosed — and the company operates with a lean 1-10 person team, indicating a capital-efficient, bootstrapped operating model. Strategic priorities evident in the data include product refreshes (2026 Hybrid Learning Model update), pricing accessibility (BNPL payment plans), geographic expansion (international enrollment), vertical extension (SFX, bridal, hairstyling), and post-graduation ecosystem buildout through PRO Card partnerships with Frends Beauty and Nigel's Beauty Emporium plus representation via MUA Agency.
Online Makeup Academy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Online Makeup Academy
- Legal name
- Online Makeup Academy
- Website
- https://onlinemakeupacademy.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Online Makeup Academy is a New York-based e-learning platform delivering professional makeup artist certification through six online programs, combining self-paced video lessons with personalized instructor video feedback. It has trained 50,000+ students globally since 2016 via a direct-to-consumer model with bundled pro kits and flexible payment plans.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Online Makeup Academy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Beauty Education
- NAICS
- Cosmetology and Barber Schools (611511), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Fine Arts Schools (61161)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Makeup Artistry Training Programs (HSALANAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Makeup Lessons & Coaching (HSALAHAH), Makeup Artistry (EDAOALAF)
Keywords
Where Online Makeup Academy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Online Makeup Academy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Course Tuition: One-time payment or installment plans for professional makeup certification programs. Programs include Master Makeup, Advanced Makeup, Elite Career Path, Pro Hairstyling, Special FX Makeup, and Bridal Makeup & Hair courses. Each program includes a professional makeup kit.
- Payment Plan Subscriptions: Monthly payment plans starting at $49/month through Klarna, Afterpay, or Affirm's Buy Now Pay Later program. Students can begin education immediately with low monthly payments rather than paying full tuition upfront.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Entry-level payment plan starting at $49/month |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Full upfront payment option |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Online Makeup Academy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Online Makeup Academy delivers self-paced professional makeup artistry certification programs through a video-based learning platform, with each enrollment including a curated professional makeup kit, lifetime access to course materials, and personalized one-on-one video feedback from NYC-based instructors. Programs cover master/advanced makeup, the Elite Career Path with business training, professional hairstyling, special effects (SFX) makeup for film/TV, and bridal makeup and hair.
Product overview
Online Makeup Academy is an online professional makeup education platform offering six specialized programs: the Master Makeup Artist Program (foundational), Advanced Makeup Course (editorial techniques), Elite Career Path (comprehensive with business training), Pro Hairstyling Course, Special Effects (SFX) Makeup Course, and Bridal Makeup and Hair Course. All programs include a professional makeup kit (featuring Make Up For Ever and Inglot products) and are delivered through a hybrid learning platform combining self-paced video lessons with personalized instructor video feedback. Additional offerings include flexible payment plans (starting at $49/month via Klarna/Afterpay) and post-graduation pro card guidance for industry discounts.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Master Makeup Artist Program Foundational makeup artistry program covering high fashion, editorial, period makeup, portfolio building, business branding and marketing, and creative techniques for launching a makeup business; designed for aspiring professional makeup artists with no prior experience required.
- Advanced Makeup Course Advanced makeup training program building on core skills with editorial and creative techniques for professional makeup artistry; targeted at students seeking to deepen their editorial portfolio.
- Elite Career Path Most comprehensive OMA program covering all essential makeup artistry knowledge, skills, tools, and business modules including dedicated business and marketing training to launch a professional makeup career.
- Pro Hairstyling Course Professional hairstyling program with a hair kit including a mannequin head, training in bridal hairstyles, braids, and up-dos, with focus on safety and hygiene; aimed at aspiring stylists entering the bridal and event market.
- Special FX Makeup Course Complete SFX makeup training specializing in airbrush techniques for film and TV, including prosthetics, for creating realistic wounds, creature effects, and character makeup; aimed at makeup artists targeting film, TV, theater, and theme park work.
- Bridal Makeup and Hair Course Specialized bridal-focused program covering makeup artistry and hair styling for brides and wedding parties, including long-wear techniques and client consultation; designed for artists entering the bridal industry.
- OMA Pro Makeup Kit Professional-grade makeup kit included with every program, featuring Make Up For Ever and Inglot products, OMA Pro-Line palettes, a 22-piece professional brush set, false eyelashes, a color wheel, and a professional carrying bag; curated by NYC-based instructors and shipped directly to students.
- Flexible Payment Plans Flexible monthly financing options for OMA programs starting at $49/month, facilitated via Klarna, Afterpay, and Affirm's Buy Now, Pay Later program, enabling students to begin their education with low upfront costs.
Quantifiable outcome
- Most students complete certification in 8-12 weeks with self-paced study schedule
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Online Makeup Academy
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Online Makeup Academy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Online Makeup Academy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Frends BeautycoreOMA graduates receive guidance to obtain PRO Card memberships with Frends Beauty upon certification. Through this partnership, graduates access up to 40% off professional makeup brands including Make Up For Ever, L'Oreal, Stila, Beauty Blender, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Morphe, NYX, Smashbox, Too Faced, and Temptu.
- Nigel's Beauty EmporiumcoreOMA graduates receive guidance to obtain PRO Card memberships with Nigel's Beauty Emporium upon certification. This retailer provides up to 40% off across professional makeup brands as a benefit for certified OMA graduates.
- MUA AgencyminorGraduates represented by MUA Agency for industry opportunities. Instructors and graduates published in top magazines and involved in Fashion Week events across LA, NY, and Miami.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Online Makeup Academy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- MasterClass: Premium online video education platform with celebrity instructors across creative disciplines; an adjacent category leader showcasing the broader appetite for paid online creator-led instruction.
- Aveda Institute: Established beauty school portfolio owned by Estée Lauder, training students across cosmetology and makeup with institutional brand backing and career placement at beauty retailers.
- Empire Beauty School: Large multi-state cosmetology and makeup school network with broader curriculum (hair, skin, nails) but overlapping certification MUA graduates serving similar brands.
Direct peers
- Make-Up Designory (MUD): Long-established professional makeup school with campus and online programs producing working MUAs; same MUA certification curriculum and faculty pedigree (OMA's lead instructor trained there).
- QC Makeup Academy: Online-only makeup artistry school offering certification programs with master-class kits, mirroring OMA's direct-to-consumer, self-paced model and payment-plan pricing.
- LA Makeup Academy: Specialist online makeup school offering professional certification with kits; directly comparable US-headquartered D2C MUA training business.
- School of Makeup: Boutique makeup school offering online and in-person certification programs, serving aspiring MUAs with comparable kit-inclusive pricing model.
- London College of Make-Up: Professional makeup artistry college delivering certificate programs with fashion, SFX, and bridal tracks; comparable curriculum and global student base in the prestige MUA education category.
Emerging players
- Cinema Makeup School: Specialist school focused on film, TV, and SFX makeup artistry with overlapping curriculum for the SFX/student segment OMA also serves.
Others
- Frends Beauty: Professional beauty supply distributor and OMA pro-card partner; comparable ecosystem player supplying graduates with pro discounts rather than competing in education.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Online Makeup Academy social profiles
Digital presenceOnline Makeup Academy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Online Makeup Academy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Online Makeup Academy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Online Makeup Academy M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Online Makeup Academy
What does Online Makeup Academy do?
Online Makeup Academy delivers self-paced professional makeup artistry certification programs through a video-based learning platform, with each enrollment including a curated professional makeup kit, lifetime access to course materials, and personalized one-on-one video feedback from NYC-based instructors. Programs cover master/advanced makeup, the Elite Career Path with business training, professional hairstyling, special effects (SFX) makeup for film/TV, and bridal makeup and hair.
Is Online Makeup Academy a public or private company?
Online Makeup Academy is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Online Makeup Academy founded?
Online Makeup Academy was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Online Makeup Academy based?
Online Makeup Academy is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Online Makeup Academy make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Course Tuition is the primary driver. The others are payment Plan Subscriptions.
Who are Online Makeup Academy's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are MasterClass, Aveda Institute and Empire Beauty School. Direct peers are Make-Up Designory (MUD), QC Makeup Academy, LA Makeup Academy, School of Makeup and London College of Make-Up. Cinema Makeup School is listed as an emerging player. Frends Beauty is listed as an others.
Does Online Makeup Academy have an API?
No public API is recorded for Online Makeup Academy.
What industry is Online Makeup Academy in?
Online Makeup Academy's product category is Professional Beauty Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSALANAE, Makeup Artistry Training Programs, with a secondary code of HSALAHAH, Makeup Lessons & Coaching. Its NAICS code is 611511 and its SIC code is 8200.