The Center of Makeup Artistry & Design- CMAD

Where to shape the next generation of makeup artists in Midtown Manhattan? CMAD sits above the sidewalk traffic on 35th Street, just a few blocks from Herald Square. The school occupies suite 904 inside 213 West 35th, a building that’s as practical to reach as it is purpose-built for artistry.

Future professionals come here for hands-on experience in airbrush makeup, bridal styling, editorial makeup, and prosthetic application. Special effects courses dive into latex prosthetics and wound simulation, while the business program covers pricing strategies and client consultations. Sessions are designed to mirror studio demands, giving novices an early sense of pace and precision.

Classes blend technical drills with live models, so the transition from classroom to chair feels immediate. The curriculum adapts to trends without straying from core technique, keeping portfolios sharp even as beauty standards shift. Students also learn sanitation protocols that exceed industry benchmarks, a detail that matters long after graduation.

Find the entrance between 34th and 36th on the south side of 35th Street. Call ahead to confirm the studio’s current setup—(917) 294-3094—and pull up the directions before heading over on a weekday morning.