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Ministry-approved title: Cosmetic Techniques
Do you have a passion for the beauty industry and possess a creative, artistic spirit? Are you eager to turn your love for cosmetics and personal care into a thriving career? The Cosmetic Techniques and Management program will prepare you to be a leader in the cosmetics, personal care and fragrance industries, giving you the competitive edge you need to launch a successful career. By combining hands-on training in makeup artistry with business and marketing expertise, this program sets the stage for you to excel in diverse roles, from makeup artist to beauty brand manager.
Whether your goal is to work backstage at fashion shows, manage retail environments, or start your own beauty business, this program provides the tools and knowledge required to stand out in this dynamic and evolving industry. With a focus on creativity, professionalism, and technical skills, you will graduate ready to make an impact in the world of beauty.
| Date | Domestic Availability | International Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 2025 | Open | Open | Apply now |
Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or math. Domestic applicants that are 19 years of age or older as of the start date of their program, and who do not have the required program credit(s) i.e., Grade 12 English and/or Grade 12 math are eligible to take an admissions assessment test.
Learn more about how to book Pre-Admission Assessment Testing here.
DC also offers Academic Upgrading. Courses are FREE and designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program. Available to individuals 18+, these courses are offered on-campus at DC. Boost your qualifications with:
Learn more about Academic Upgrading and connect with our team to get started.
To help students succeed in programs with remote learning requirements, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified minimum technology recommendations. While these are not program requirements, these suggestions will help ensure students have the right tools to support a quality remote learning experience.
A diploma in cosmetic techniques and management opens doors to many exciting career opportunities in the cosmetics and personal care industry. Graduates are prepared to pursue roles such as makeup artist, beauty consultant or retail manager. With makeup application, marketing, and customer service skills, you’ll be equipped to work for leading beauty brands, manage retail environments, or even launch your own business.
Fill out the form to get more information on your program of interest, upcoming events, and how to become a Durham College student. By submitting your information below, you consent to Durham College contacting you via email and/or SMS with a minimum of 4 messages per month. You may withdraw consent at any time.
Please contact the international office.
The Cosmetic Techniques and Management program prepares you for an exciting career in the fast-paced, growing cosmetics and personal care industry. With opportunities in beauty retail, brand management management, makeup artistry, and product development, this program equips students with the comprehensive skills needed to thrive in this competitive field.
The Cosmetic Techniques and Management program uses a holistic approach and covers a variety of disciplines that students require to enjoy success in the beauty industry. Hands-on makeup artist courses cover fundamental and advanced cosmetic application techniques, including make-up for a variety of media and events, creative, period and special effects applications, as well as brow and lash enhancement techniques. These experiential learning opportunities in state-of-the-art labs ensure students are confident in applying their skills across diverse settings, from bridal makeup to theatrical productions. Fundamental core cosmetology courses in areas such as colour theory, skincare analysis and product knowledge help students develop further as professionals to meet industry standards. This foundation allows graduates to make informed product recommendations and address client needs with expertise.
Within the Cosmetic Techniques and Mangement program, a strong emphasis is placed on cosmetic selling and customer service protocols, retail management, marketing for make-up artists, event planning, business communications and the development of entrepreneurial skills. These elements prepare students to excel as makeup artists and manage teams, run their own businesses, or support marketing initiatives for major beauty brands.
You will complete a three-week field placement and have the opportunity to network with employers and industry insiders to complement your in-class learning, as well as hands-on experience gained while working onsite in the fully operational Durham College Spa. Students also consolidate their skills, collaborating with a professional photographer in their final semester to develop a portfolio of work that assists in obtaining future job opportunities and commanding professional rates.
In order to participate in the lab component of the program uniforms must be worn at all times. Students must meet the pre-lab requirements in order to receive their uniform and student kit.
To be eligible for the lab/placement component of this program you must (at your expense) provide:
In order to maintain confidentiality and security, the program utilizes an independent provider, Verified by Synergy Gateway for DC Spa Lab for field placement documentation collection and validation. This process is the Electronic Requirements Verification (ERV). There is a cost associated with this external agency of $52.00. Please refer to the Cosmetic Techniques and Management Program ERV Information Package for details.
Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or math. Domestic applicants that are 19 years of age or older as of the start date of their program, and who do not have the required program credit(s) i.e., Grade 12 English and/or Grade 12 math are eligible to take an admissions assessment test.
Learn more about how to book Pre-Admission Assessment Testing here.
DC also offers Academic Upgrading. Courses are FREE and designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program. Available to individuals 18+, these courses are offered on-campus at DC. Boost your qualifications with:
Learn more about Academic Upgrading and connect with our team to get started.
Durham College is a member of Cosmetics Alliance Canada.
Students entering their first year of studies in a Faculty of Business and Information Technology program will receive a membership to all of Durham Region’s Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade for the duration of their studies, plus an additional year following graduation. As one of the only colleges in Ontario with this offering, DC is proud to provide students with access to local businesses at a regional level.
The Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade include:
Membership benefits:
The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC. Students are responsible to ensure they are not duplicating their GNED or FNMI selections as per their diploma requirements. For a successful program completion, students must have successfully completed three unique elective courses as per their program of study.
Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
In person
Students will come to campus to complete in-person learning requirements. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
Program fees listed include charges for student kit learning materials and uniform retained by the student. These items are non-refundable once received and will remain the property of the student.
The fees below are estimates only based on information available at the time of publication, and do not include the cost of textbooks. There may be additional costs; however, not all courses require textbooks.
| Semester 1 | |
|---|---|
| Tuition: | $1,361.03 |
| Program Fee: | $1,762 |
| Ancillary Fee: | $480.71 |
| DCSA Ancillary Fee: | $386.89 |
| Total: | $3,990.63 |
| Semester 2 | |
|---|---|
| Tuition: | $1,361.02 |
| Program Fee: | $0 |
| Ancillary Fee: | $480.71 |
| DCSA Ancillary Fee: | $102.75 |
| Total: | $1,944.48 |
| Semester 3 | |
|---|---|
| Tuition: | $1,361.03 |
| Program Fee: | $2,056 |
| Ancillary Fee: | $461.5 |
| DCSA Ancillary Fee: | $386.89 |
| Total: | $4,265.42 |
| Semester 4 | |
|---|---|
| Tuition: | $1,361.02 |
| Program Fee: | $0 |
| Ancillary Fee: | $461.5 |
| DCSA Ancillary Fee: | $102.75 |
| Total: | $1,925.27 |
The Cosmetic Techniques and Management program prepares graduates to excel in a variety of rewarding roles within the cosmetics industry. With hands-on training in advanced makeup application techniques, skincare preparation, and lash and brow enhancements, combined with expertise in marketing, customer service, and retail management, graduates are well-equipped to thrive in diverse professional settings. Whether working behind the scenes at photoshoots, managing beauty counters for global brands, or building a personal client base as an independent entrepreneur, this program provides the tools to succeed in this fast-paced and ever-evolving industry.
Over a three-week period, you will network with employers, industry insiders and have the ability to experience the cosmetics industry first-hand. You will get an inside view of the day-to-day operations and have the opportunity to work alongside professionals in the cosmetics, personal care and fragrance industries to gain real-world experience and open doors for future career advancement.
Rachael is a Professor and Program Coordinator at Durham College, and Make-up Artist with 20 years of diverse industry experience. Her expertise in special effects character work has been prominently featured at Halloween Haunt at Canada's Wonderland since 2006. As well as her passion for creativity, Rachael holds two degrees and a master’s and dedicated to academic excellence.
Natasha Facchini, a Makeup Artist with extensive expertise in the Cosmetics Retail Industry, has held multifaceted roles including Beauty Manager, Senior Beauty Operations Specialist, Freelance and Key Makeup Artist. Notably, Natasha’s commitment to exceptional service earned her the prestigious Beauty’s Best Award for Best Customer Service in a Drug Store.
Marisa, a Professor at Durham College since 2018, brings over 30 years of Esthetics and Cosmetics experience to her teaching. She is also a Cidesco member and former entrepreneur. Marisa has coached students to gold and silver medals at the Skills Ontario and Skills Canada competitions, showcasing her commitment to excellence and student success.
Jennifer Van Assche has over 25 years in the cosmetics industry, including 5 years specializing in lashes. She's worked with high-end salons and prestigious brands. For the past three years, she's been an instructor at Durham College, sharing her expertise in creativity, precision, and client care with her students.
With 36 years dedicated to luxury cosmetics, Nancy Vlahos is a seasoned professional with a flair for excellence. With a further 12 years enriching minds at post-secondary level, their expertise spans sales, business development, event coordination, fragrance, makeup artistry, and esthetics. A maestro of luxury, they blend knowledge and passion seamlessly.
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