A: Many schools use certificates as marketing tools to imply credibility, but the truth is that no certificate grants you more rights or professional access than another artist without one. Your skill, artistry, and professionalism are what truly matter in this industry.

A: CIDESCO, ITEC, and SETA are respected international and national accreditation bodies — but their qualifications apply mainly to beauty therapy, aesthetics, and cosmetology, not freelance makeup artistry. These programmes are valuable for those who want to work in salons, spas, cruise ships and mainly in skincare. However, no accreditation is required to become a professional makeup artist who freelances, works on set, or serves private and celebrity clients. Many of South Africa’s top makeup artists — including Makeup by Ryno — built their careers entirely through skill, reputation, and experience rather than formal accreditation. What ultimately gets you booked is the quality of your work, not your paperwork.

A: Correct. You do not need a certificate to work as a make-up artist in South Africa — or anywhere in the world, unless you plan to pursue a full-time career in a regulated beauty therapy field. In fact, very few of South Africa’s top celebrity makeup artists have any formal education in makeup. Their success comes from passion, practice, and consistent work, not qualifications.

A: Yes. Students who complete all lessons will receive a certificate stating that they have studied makeup under the professional tutelage of Makeup by Ryno. However, if obtaining a certificate is your only reason for enrolling in a course, this might not be the right fit — Ryno’s course is designed for those who want genuine industry knowledge, skill mastery, and artistry development.

A: Because of Makeup by Ryno’s real-world expertise. Ryno is a multi-award-winning full-time makeup artist who has worked with celebrities, publications, and production teams. The course reflects the reality of working as a modern professional artist — combining artistry, business, and client service in ways that traditional schools and those led by social media influencers masquerading as makeup artists often overlook.

A: Practice — and then practice again. Every creative field, from painting to filmmaking, demands repetition and discipline. The more you practise, the more instinctive and confident your artistry becomes. Makeup by Ryno will guide you on what to practise and how to develop your technical and creative skills, but excellence ultimately comes from hands-on experience and persistence.

A: No. Makeup by Ryno is self-taught — built on years of professional experience, retail training, magazine work, television, editorial artistry, and working with everyday clients like brides. That journey informs every lesson in this course. Ryno has attended courses with some of the world’s top celebrity makeup artists like Mario Dedivanovic, Sir John and Rae Morris.

A: You don’t have to study — but studying under the right mentor accelerates your progress dramatically. If you already feel confident and experienced, you may not need a course. However, if you want structured professional guidance, insider industry knowledge, and feedback from one of South Africa’s most respected working artists, this course will give you that edge.

A: Yes, but students will be required to bring a short list of their own basic hygiene and tool supplies.

A: No. The course fee covers Makeup by Ryno’s tuition and mentorship only. We sell a professional kit, which you have to purchase before starting your course, should you not have a complete professional kit.

A: All professional makeup used in class will be provided for training purposes. Students will only need to bring their personal tools and a small selection of sanitary items.

A: No. Instead of a traditional textbook, you’ll receive exclusive Makeup by Ryno face charts that include detailed notes on technique, colour theory, and product application. Ryno will also provide a list of essential reading — highly regarded makeup textbooks — to deepen your understanding if you’d like to continue learning beyond the course.

A: The course is typically completed over the span of a week, scheduled according to both Ryno’s and the student’s availability.