GOTHIC
MAKE-UP

Transform Shadows Into Statements - Learn the Language of Gothic Makeup!

Building on that creative vision, Cinema Makeup School, backed by the Cinema Art College Corporation, offers a hands-on journey for those passionate about special effects makeup. Students learn to design everything from hyper-realistic wounds to expressive Gothic creations.

Under the mentorship of industry professionals, students explore innovative techniques, experiment with textures and develop bold character designs.

Join the Course!

What is Gothic Makeup?

Gothic makeup is a bold, expressive style that blends dark aesthetics with dramatic detail. Characterized by pale skin tones, intense contrasts, deep hues and striking features, it draws inspiration from gothic subcultures, fantasy, horror and historical influences. Whether elegant, eerie, or edgy, gothic makeup is all about telling visual stories that captivate and provoke.

A Variety of Striking Gothic Makeup Looks You'll Learn to Create

Gothic Vampire Makeup: Pale skin, dark eyes and blood-red accents create a dramatic and striking vampire look.
Gothic Witch Makeup: Mysterious and magical, with dark tones and intricate detailing for an enchanting look.
Victorian Gothic Makeup: Elegant yet haunting, inspired by the dark beauty of the Victorian era, perfect for a timeless gothic makeup look.
Halloween Gothic Makeup: Spooky and dramatic styles that bring out the eerie vibes of the Halloween season.
Cute Gothic Makeup: A playful fusion of dark aesthetics and charm, giving a unique twist to traditional gothic styles.
Gothic Emo Makeup: Intense eye makeup, sharp contrasts and emotional expression, capturing the essence of emo culture with a gothic edge.
Gothic Fairy Makeup: Ethereal and glowing, with dark, mystical touches that define a gothic fairy look.
Gothic Punk Makeup: Bold and rebellious, combining punk elements with gothic aesthetics for an edgy, original look.
Gothic Clown Makeup: Creepy and exaggerated, with dark contrasts to create a terrifying gothic clown look.

Check out reviews of our courses and programs, straight from our talented graduates!

Joy of graduating from Cinema Makeup School

A year ago I had the joy of graduating from Cinema Makeup School with my lovely silicone severed head, inspired by the incredible Dusty Ray. Thank you to Andy Schoneberg, Mike Spatola, Podly James, Vaida Mikelenaite and the...

Thanks to Cinema Makeup School!

I am extremely grateful for my life, which gives me the opportunity to communicate with people who influenced me since childhood through the famous movies they worked on! Thanks to Cinema Makeup School which gives students and graduates...

Dzhuliia Melnik

Dreams do come true.

I never thought that I would know what I would want to do at only 14 years old and that 6 years later I would be here, next to my fake head that I sculpted, molded, cast, painted,...

I graduated from my dream school

I graduated from my dream school on Friday Cinema Makeup School! This has been one of the greatest opportunities and best experiences of my life. Being surrounded and taught by such creative and influential artists in the industry...

The first time I ever enjoyed attending school.

The first time I ever enjoyed attending school. I looked forward to this moment for so long, and my time here flew by like nothing. A school full of talented individuals that I learned from and created many...

Elia Barrera Salinas

Just graduated from my dream school.

Just graduated from my dream school and I just couldn’t be happier and so grateful for the amazing experience, all the knowledge I got and the wonderful and talented people I met. Thank you to everyone who has...

Shantalle Hungria

I have no words to thank everyone.

I graduated from Cinema Makeup School! I have no words to thank everyone who was with me this year! It was the best choice of my life and I learned from the best teachers in the film and...

Got my diploma from Cinema Makeup School!

Yesterday I did a thing! I’ve officially graduated and got my diploma from Cinema Makeup School! I am super grateful for all of the instructors that gave me a foundation so I can pursue my dreams. The classes...

I’ve officially graduated!

“I’ve officially graduated! Thank you so much to all the staff, instructors, interns, and classmates that helped me and encouraged me along the way! I’m so grateful for my time there, and I’m excited to use what I’ve...

This has been such an amazing journey

“This has been such an amazing journey that I will remember for the rest of my life. Surrounded by amazing art, talent, teachers and my friends that I consider family. Thank you Cinema Makeup School for this amazing...

WE DID IT!I can’t believe my time at CMS is (almost) over.

“WE DID IT!I can’t believe my time at CMS is (almost) over. I’ve had the time of my life and made friends I’ll have forever at this school. I’m so grateful for every person I’ve met, teacher I’ve...

I’m going to miss you…

“6.5 months later I graduated from Cinema Makeup School’s complete track! I want to thank all of the teachers and interns at Cinema Makeup School who have taught me so much, not just about makeup and SFX but...

I have been following her work for years

“Oh yeah, next to me is a master of airbrush Nelly Recchia, whom I admire not only as an artist but also as a person and a teacher. I have been following her work for years and I...

I have had the most amazing time as a student.

“GRADUATED! I have had the most amazing time as a student at Cinema Makeup School, but as of last Friday I am a graduate! My final project was a severed head of myself, but as a vampire right...

I succeeded.

“After 10 months of joy, laughter, wonder but also stress, tears and doubts, I succeeded. I had the chance to meet wonderful people who will remain forever etched in my memory. And it is thanks to the people...

Finally graduated from Cinema Makeup School

“Finally graduated from Cinema Makeup School - my final project was to make a realistic severed head of myself and it was so much fun!! Thank you so much Andy Schoneberg for an amazing class. I will miss...

I graduated! Memories that will last a lifetime.

“I graduated! Memories that will last a lifetime. …My last final piece I created at Cinema Makeup School: a silicone decapitated head of myself. I couldn't have done it without the support of my amazing family and friends,...

The first time I ever enjoyed attending school

“The first time I ever enjoyed attending school. I looked forward to this moment for so long, and my time there flew by like nothing. A school full of talented individuals that I learned from and created many...

Elia Barrera Salinas

Achieve my most important short term goal.

“After 3 years of working 3 jobs and freelancing as a MUA I have finally been able to achieve my most important short term goal I had which was to attend the prestigious Cinema Makeup School in Hollywood...

Angie Natasha Ulquiango Esparza

I have no words to thank everyone

“I graduated from Cinema Makeup School! I have no words to thank everyone who was with me this year! Was the best choice of my life and I learned from the best teachers in the film and beauty...

Thank you

“Thank you Cinema Makeup School for everything!”

I graduated from Cinema Makeup School!!

“I graduated from Cinema Makeup School!! Super blessed for this experience and the many people I got to meet along the journey.”

Hannah Milligan

Thank you to everyone.

“After 7 months I finally graduated from Cinema Makeup School! Thank you to everyone, especially our amazing instructors here who made my time here a great experience!”

I did it. I graduated from Cinema Makeup School!

“I did it. I graduated from Cinema Makeup School! Abou a year ago I made the choice to change my life around. I was working in mental healthcare and was using makeup as a coping mechanism to get...

I found something I’m so passionate for.

“I finally graduated from my dream school! Never in my life have I found something I’m so passionate for. I am so beyond grateful that I was able to attend this school and meet the most amazing teachers...

Finally be a graduate of Cinema Makeup School.

“I am beyond happy to finally be a graduate of Cinema Makeup School. This experience has been absolutely amazing. I’m so grateful to have met so many insanely talented artists and be taught by legends in the industry....

One of my absolute favorite shots From…

“One of my absolute favorite shots from a blood paint demo on my severed head by Andy Schoneberg! Such an honor to work with this guy and he was an incredible inspiration & help to me throughout my...

My artist diploma from Cinema Makeup School!

“Yesterday I did a thing - I’ve officially graduated / got my artist diploma from Cinema Makeup School! I am super grateful for all of the instructors that gave me a foundation so I can pursue my dreams....

“Just graduated from my dream school“

“Just graduated from my dream school and I just couldn’t be happier and so grateful for the amazing experience, all the knowledge I got and the wonderful and talented people I met. Thank you to everyone who has...

Shantalle Hungria

My favorite subjects at Cinema Makeup School

“So, last year I had the opportunity to study one of my favorite subjects at Cinema Makeup School, Los Angeles. It was an experience of a lifetime #blessed.”

Yakuta Rampurwala

I had so much fun in our maquette class last week

“I had so much fun in our maquette class last week, it was my first time sculpting as well! Here’s to my lovely little capricorn minotaur dedicated to all my earth signs out there! Shoutout to Andy Schoneberg...

Thank you to everyone.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported me and who I have met. These past few months at Cinema Makeup School have been some of the best times of my life. I couldn’t have asked for more.”

I had a great time learning..

“I had a great time learning at Cinema Makeup School. Thanks to the teachers for all their help and knowledge.”

My life at the school of my dreams.

“My first day of college at Cinema Makeup School in Los Angeles, California - March 2020. 1 Year & 1 month ago, I didn’t know that I was in for one hell of a ride! The best month...

“…Thank you to my fantastic teachers“

“…Thank you to my fantastic teachers for giving me soooooo much support in order to finish this elaborate piece! And an even bigger thanks to the interns for staying late after school to help me make SOOOOOO many...

Jordan Giannini

This journey has been amazing!!

“This journey has been amazing!! I can’t believe this character is finished! I’m so happy with how it turned out! My first ever SFX character I created all the way back in Sketch and Paint to now in...

I’m so proud of myself.

“Here is my Botox from Hell Dominatrix Alien! I’m so proud of myself for being able to execute this idea that I’ve had for months! The drawings at the end are what I created for another class and...

I can’t believe I made this silicone head…

“I can’t believe I made this silicone head from scratch! From life casting, to clay pouring, to sculpting, to molding, to painting, to hairpunching, to eye making - this girl did it all by hand, I’m so proud...

GRADUATED FAM! INDO REPRESENT!…

“GRADUATED FAM! INDO REPRESENT!… After 6 months of hard work, dedication, frustration, tears, sweat, blood of learning more, leveling up my skill, knowledge and craft - I’m flying back home to Indonesia next week. The end of 2019...

Querramellca (Raa)

Loved every day of it.

I attended Cinema Makeup School this past year and loved every day of it. I took the complete track which included all of the classes they offer, and I am coming away with a ton of knowledge and...

Annabelle G.
Tennessee, TN

Why Cinema Makeup School Stands Out in the Special Effects Makeup Industry?

Learn from industry professionals with real-world experience.
Gain hands-on practice with special effects makeup.
Build skills that prepare you for real-world opportunities.
Experiment with bold, creative makeup styles in a supportive environment.
Train with top-quality, professional tools and materials.

Enroll Today!

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Gothic Makeup