ProQual Level 2 Award in Makeup Services - Chelmsford, Essex
The ProQual Level 2 Award in Makeup Services is an Ofqual-regulated qualification that gives you the foundational skills, knowledge and recognised certificate to practise as a professional makeup artist. It is delivered at LBL Academy the training arm of LBL Aesthetics & Laser at our clinic in Chelmsford, Essex.
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This course is designed for people who are completely new to makeup artistry. There are no entry requirements, no prior experience needed, and no beauty background required. If you have a passion for makeup and want to turn that into a legitimate, insurable professional skill this is where you start.​
ProQual Regulated
Ofqual / RQF Listed
£599
Full Course Fee
1 Training Day
+ Portfolio
No Experience Needed
Open to All
Who Is This Course For?
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Complete beginners with no experience - the L2 is designed as the entry point, starting from first principles
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Beauty enthusiasts ready to go professional - turn your passion into a qualification insurers will accept
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Career changers entering the beauty industry - no prior qualifications required
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Salon professionals adding makeup to their service menu - formalise your offering with a regulated certificate
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Anyone wanting to work in the bridal and events market - the course covers occasion makeup specifically
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Practitioners with informal skills but no formal qualification - get the regulated standing your clients and insurers need
This course is for anyone who wants a legitimate, regulated makeup qualification - regardless of where they are starting from. Here is who it suits most:
Entry Requirements for the Award in Makeup Services
The L2 Award has minimal prerequisites - it is deliberately designed as an open-entry qualification:​
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No prior qualifications required, no beauty, academic, or professional background needed
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Minimum age 16 students under 18 need parental consent at enrolment
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No professional experience required this course starts from scratch
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Basic written English needed for portfolio completion (written evidence alongside practical work)
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One requirement only: speak with Laura before confirming your place she personally confirms every enrolment
How Long Does This Course Take?
The course is structured in two parts. First, one practical training day at LBL Academy in Chelmsford covering all theory, practical skills and live model work. After that, you complete a portfolio of evidence in your own time, at your own pace, to satisfy the ProQual assessment requirements.
1 Training Day
At LBL Academy, Chelmsford
Portfolio Assessment
Completed at your own pace
Certificate Awarded
On portfolio completion
Flexible Timeline
Confirm dates with Laura
Once your portfolio is submitted and assessed, your ProQual Level 2 certificate is issued by ProQual AB. Confirm the exact timeline with Laura at enrolment.
What You Will Learn - Theory
The theory side of this course is not passive learning every topic connects directly to the practical skills you will use with clients. By the end of training day, you will understand not just how to apply makeup, but why each decision is made.
Skin Analysis & Preparation
Understanding skin types oily, dry, combination, sensitive, mature and how to read and prepare a client's skin before beginning application. The right prep makes everything that follows easier and longer-lasting.
Colour Theory & Undertones
The colour wheel, warm versus cool undertones, complementary tones, and corrective colour for concealing redness, pigmentation and dark circles. Professionals who understand undertones produce results that look right on camera and in person consistently.
Face Shape Analysis
Identifying face shapes and how they should influence contouring placement, highlight positioning, brow guidance and product application. Every face is different this knowledge is what makes a look feel tailored rather than generic.
Makeup Product Knowledge
Primers, foundations, concealers, setting products, eye products, blushes, bronzers, and lip products formulation types, finishes, and how to select the right product for the right outcome. Clients expect product recommendations from a professional.
What You Will Learn - Practical
On your training day, you will apply every technique under direct supervision from Laura progressing from skin preparation through to a completed professional makeup look on a live model. These are the practical skills you will leave with:
Skin Preparation & Priming
Cleansing, toning and priming for different skin types. Getting this right affects the finish, longevity and overall quality of everything applied on top clients notice immediately when it is done well.
Foundation Matching & Application
Matching foundation to different skin tones and undertones. Applying with brush, sponge and blending to a seamless finish. Foundation matching is consistently cited by clients as the single most important skill get this right and you build instant trust.
Concealing & Colour Correcting
Neutralising redness, dark circles, pigmentation and blemishes. Blending into foundation invisibly. Concealing is one of the most-requested skills especially for bridal and mature clients.
Eye Makeup - Day to Evening
Blending eyeshadow from natural daytime through to smoky evening looks. Eyeliner in pencil, gel and liquid. Mascara for volume, length and lift. The most versatile and widely requested makeup skill set.
Training on Real People - Not Mannequins
One of the most important differences between the ProQual L2 at LBL and an online makeup course is this: you practise on a real person.
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On your training day, you will work with at least one live model under Laura's direct supervision. Every practical skill from skin prep and foundation matching through to the finished look is performed on your model. You will encounter real skin types, real tones, real faces. That is the only way to build the kind of tactile, adaptive skill that professional makeup artistry actually requires.
Laura is present throughout. By the end of your training day, you will have completed a full professional makeup application from start to finish on a real client, and the photos of that work will become part of your portfolio assessment evidence.
What Certificate Will You Receive?
On successful completion of the ProQual Level 2 Award in Makeup Services, you will be awarded the ProQual Level 2 Award in Makeup Services certificate issued directly by ProQual AB, an Ofqual-recognised awarding organisation.
Awarding Body :
Qualification Name :
Qualification Level :
Ofqual Listed :
Credit Value :
Assessment Method :
Certificate Issued By :
CPD Hours :
ProQual AB an Ofqual-recognised awarding organisation
ProQual Level 2 Award in Makeup Services
Level 2 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF)
Level 2 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF)
Confirm exact credit value with Laura. ProQual Level 2 qualifications typically carry 3–6 credits on the RQF
Portfolio of evidence (photos of practical work + completed client consultation records) + practical observation during training day
ProQual AB not LBL Academy. The certificate carries ProQual's name and Ofqual registration, not a privately issued training certificate
Confirm CPD hours value with Laura relevant for practitioners adding this to an existing CPD portfolio
Insurance Eligibility - Can You Practise Professionally After Qualifying?
Yes. The ProQual Level 2 Award is recognised by major UK beauty insurance providers as the qualification required to obtain professional indemnity and public liability insurance for makeup services, including Towergate, Salon Gold, and ABT.
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This matters more than most students initially realise. Working without insurance puts you at financial and legal risk. Clients at professional events, venues and agencies expect to see evidence of insurance before booking. With your ProQual Level 2, you are insurable from the day you qualify.
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Professional beauty insurance for a Level 2 makeup artist typically costs £50–£120 per year. Always confirm with your chosen insurer that the Level 2 Award satisfies their specific policy requirements before purchasing.
What Can You Do After Qualifying?
The L2 Award opens real, commercial career routes not just a hobby upgrade. Here is what is possible:
Freelance Makeup Artist
Work independently: home visits, studio bookings, on-location. Set your own rates and build your own client base. Many freelancers reach 10–20 bookings per month within their first year. Typical rates: £50–£150+ per booking.
Bridal & Events Specialist
Wedding, prom, graduation, and occasion makeup. Bridal is the highest-paying segment of the makeup market; lead bridal rates typically range from £80 to £250+ per bride, with full party packages reaching £300–£700+. Peak season (April–September) can fill every weekend.
Photoshoot & Editorial Work
Working with photographers, agencies and brands on shoots, lookbooks and commercial content. Day rates typically £150–£400+. Builds your portfolio and professional network rapidly.
Salon & Spa Employment
Employed or contracted positions in a salon, spa, department store or studio. Typical employed salaries range from £18,000–£28,000 depending on location and employer.
Progression to Aesthetics
The L2 is also the entry point to the ProQual pathway. From here, many students progress to the Level 3 Aesthetics Pathway Award, moving from makeup into regulated aesthetic treatments and a significantly larger commercial market.
Starter Kit - What Do You Need?
All consumables for your training day are provided at LBL Academy you do not need to arrive with a professional kit on day one.
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After qualifying, you will need to build your own kit for professional practice. Here is a practical guide to what you will need and what to budget:​​​
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​Brushes: foundation, powder, contour, fan, blending (x3), liner, lip, brow, concealer. Budget: £40-£120. Brands like Real Techniques, Morphe, and Zoeva offer strong professional quality at accessible price points.
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Face products: primer (hydrating + mattifying), foundation in a 3-4 shade range, concealer, setting powder, setting spray. Budget: £80-£200. Start with 3 hero foundation shades that cover most skin tones.
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Eyes: neutral palette (12+ shades), pencil liner, gel liner, mascara, false lashes, and adhesive. Budget: £60–£120.
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Cheeks & lips - blush (2–3 shades), bronzer, highlight, lip liner (nude, pink, berry), lip colours (5-6 versatile shades). Budget: £50-£100.
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Hygiene essentials - brush cleaner (daily spray + deep clean), disposable wands, disposable lip applicators, disposable sponges, sanitiser, palette knife. Budget: £30-£50. Non-negotiable for insurance compliance.
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Kit bag - professional makeup case or roll-bag with dividers. Budget: £40-£150. A good bag is a long-term investment.
Business Skills - Starting to Earn From Your Qualification
Getting qualified is the first step. Knowing how to build a business around it is what turns a certificate into an income. The business skills covered in this course give you a practical commercial foundation from day one:
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Pricing your services: how to calculate sustainable rates that factor in kit, travel, time, and insurance. Not underpricing out of a lack of confidence.
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Client records and GDPR: how to document consultations correctly, what you are legally required to record, and how this protects you in a claim situation.
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Building your portfolio: model call approach, what shots to capture, how to present your work across different platforms to attract paying clients.
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Social media for makeup artists: Instagram and TikTok content that converts followers into bookings, local hashtag strategy, and how to photograph your work well on a phone.
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Professional conduct: managing expectations, cancellation policies, payment handling, and how to handle difficult situations with confidence and grace.