By Victoria Browne 

With the MelVicMakeup professional training academy set to open for students in September, we caught up with founder and award winning makeup artist Melanie Doyle.

One of Melanie’s book cover images – Photographer: Iain Hamilton, Model: Sarah Reed

One of Melanie’s book cover images – Photographer: Iain Hamilton, Model: Sarah Reed

With over 18 years' experience in the spa, fashion and television industry, Melanie's professional journey from salons to television work is an inspiring example of how beauty professionals can develop their careers on an international scale.

Please tell us all about MVMAcademy and what you do.

If you are looking for a new and exciting career as a makeup artist then look no further!

At MelVicMakeup Academy we want to help turn those dreams of fashion shoots, catwalk shows, film, television and freelance work into a reality. Our educational programmes are focused on both learning the theory behind makeup artistry and practical training.

With a team of award-winning makeup artists teaching our students, we aim to offer training which actually mirrors industry standards. As all of our tutors work within the makeup industry, our students benefit from expert teaching which you can't often find in larger-scale colleges.

Courses start in September and they range from short courses to longer intensive programmes and full-time courses in Level 2 and 3 Media makeup.

• Basic makeup

• Fashion & photographic

• Bridal makeup

• Skincare

• Semi-permanent lashes

• Defined brows

• Media makeup including special effects

• Tanning

• Other beauty therapy, teenage workshops and freelance business courses coming soon

How did you start and grow your career as a makeup artist?

I started working in the beauty and spa industry 18 years ago. My first job involved working with Dermalogica skincare and Aveda Makeup in a salon called 'The Beauty Rooms' in St.Helens.

I progressed onto a 5 star spa where I focused on makeup and skincare using the Clarins brand. My love of makeup artistry allowed me to build a versatile portfolio which has since led to me working for highly established brands and television. Notable examples are television promos for Dancing Mums and Miss World and cast makeup for the highly acclaimed drama 'Downton Abbey'.

I also specialise in creative fashion shoots, catwalk, body art and red carpet events. I've been lucky enough to work with the cast of Emmerdale, Coronation Street and Hollyoaks along with footballers from Everton, Manchester City and the England ladies' football team.

I also work freelance as an ADCreativ team member and Beauty Editor for an independent journal 'Lash Inc'. I've also had my work published in many magazines such as Inside Soap, TV Choice, Vitality, Best and Heat magazine. At the moment, I'm especially excited to unveil my first makeup artistry book 'MelVicMakeup Artistry' (coming soon!).

Working with Coronation Street star Brooke Vincent.

Who are your courses designed for?

The courses are designed for anyone from age 14 to 16 years (with parental consent) and anyone else aged over 16 who wants a career in makeup artistry for the TV, theatre or fashion industry,

We also equip students for a career in beauty therapy, offering specialist courses in lashes and defined brows. Finally, we offer courses for the beauty hobbyist and anyone who wants to learn how to apply their own makeup and achieve professional results. Both men and women are welcome onto the courses.

All classes are kept small to ensure that all students that come to the MelVicMakeup Academy get a personal service with intensive training in a comfortable and professional environment. We aim to replicate an environment which looks and performs like a professional studio.

One of our exclusive features is our specialist mirrors that can dim for incandescent lighting or brighten for natural day light lighting. They are LED also which prevents them from getting too hot - perfect for applying makeup! Illuminated Mirrors provided the mirrors for us and we have set up a studio which provides individual work stations for our students.

The studio gets underway. Hollywood Mirrors provided by Illuminated Mirrors (http://www.illuminated-mirrors.uk.com/)

Have you been able to get suitable advice and funding whilst establishing the business?

I have been offered free advice from a company called 'Blue Orchid' who get funding from the EU to help new business. There is no grant money available but they will support me with the paperwork and the setting up of the business plan and marketing etc. I really wanted to gain government funding like big colleges do, however it is really difficult as the big colleges have the hold over this funding and not the smaller academies.

I have struggled to get any type of funding which is a shame. I have worked in Further Education Colleges for 14 years, the reason for me leaving to set up my own academy was the fact that many teachers who were teaching alongside myself had little or no industry experience. So many classes was taking place where students would be copying from images or watching YouTube videos instead of receiving demonstrations.

The reason for me setting up the MelVicMakeup Academy was to ensure that students get inspirational demonstrations and offers of real work experience. I am passionate about students leaving my academy with accredited certificates from a teacher who knows their skill well.

What tips would you give to hair and beauty professionals looking to start their own business or work on a freelance basis?

The most important piece of advice I could give is to ensure that you only go to a school that offers accredited training certificates as many only offer their own certificates and these certificates are not insurable. This means you cannot work in other countries such as America as they require you to have the formal qualifications that are accredited so that you can apply for a license to work.

You may not want to work abroad now, but you never know what the future holds. I would also say gain as much work experience as possible, some of this will be working for free, but if you consider the lessons that you will learn on the set of a TV show or the studio of a magazine editorial, this type of experience is really valuable.

How can we find out more?

Please email Melanie - [email protected] or call 07816224009.

You can follow me on Twitter @MelVicMakeup and follow the Academy @MVMacademy. Please search 'Melvicmakeup Academy' on Facebook to keep up to date with our latest offers.