I'd like to start this review by listing some positives I've gained from my experience at MUD…read more
I learned a lot about sanitation, cleanliness, and etiquette practices of makeup artistry, which is important for setting yourself apart as a professional makeup artist. I also learned plenty of helpful beauty makeup techniques, which confirmed my belief that a professional education is superior to YouTube and TikTok tutorials. Nothing can beat a hands-on education from people who have actually worked in the industry. I'm also grateful to have learned about taxes as a freelancer and union requirements for makeup artists. But unfortunately, this is where my praise ends.
I was incredibly hopeful that I'd have a positive and fun time at this school, but sadly, it was the complete opposite. Most of the girls went out of their way to ostracize, bully, and withhold support from me. There was someone in particular who hated me from Day 1, despite knowing nothing about me and having never spoken to me before. At first, I tried to ignore it and act like it didn't bother me. I was optimistic that things would get better, so I chose not to advocate for myself. But everything only got worse over time. I was gossiped and made fun of when I wasn't around, and there were lies and an entire smear campaign spread about me. It got so bad that students in other classes and graduates working at the MUD Shop, who were once kind to me, changed their entire attitude towards me out of nowhere, all at once. To this day, I still don't know what I said or did to deserve this treatment.
Most forms of diversity were welcomed at school, but neurodiversity wasn't one of them. Other students could sense that I was different, and these differences were met with repulsion and fear. When there weren't any teachers around, everyone would fall silent whenever I entered the room. I was fully aware of the way girls would look at each other and laugh when I said something, or the awkward silence that followed when I tried joining in a group conversation. I noticed how most of the girls complimented everyone's makeup looks but withheld any sort of praise from mine. By the time I tried telling the staff about my concerns, the damage was irreparable, and it was already too late. I mean no disrespect towards any of the teachers, and I truly believe they had good intentions and tried the best they could. Even so, I couldn't help but feel like my concerns weren't taken as seriously as they should, especially since the teachers had nothing but positive experiences with the girls bullying me.
Sadly, it takes a lot more than skill to succeed in this industry. Being well-liked by others in school plays a huge role in what career and portfolio-building opportunities are available to you as a makeup artist. My experiences have negatively impacted my ability to do both. Not only that, but the way I view makeup has drastically changed since before I attended MUD. I don't have the same passion, love, and motivation for makeup artistry like I once did. I started school with the expectation that I was going to make friends and have a lot of fun. Instead, I relived the worst parts of my high school days.
Looking back, I wish I had dropped out at the first sign of bullying and gotten a refund for my tuition, especially since it's so expensive. I'm currently attending another school in a different field. My positive experience there contrasts heavily with the one at MUD, and this realization is very painful for me. I'm not writing this review to garner sympathy, but to spread awareness about my experience at school because it matters. I want to save aspiring makeup artists the trouble, money, and heartache of going through anything similar to what I did. If you are autistic or a neurodivergent person, I highly suggest going to another makeup school. It isn't worth wasting your money and losing your love for makeup.
