Our fascinating journey through the stories of Academy Alumni continues, giving us fresh looks at the many courses offered by our school. For the Hall of Fame today we chat with Giulia Magnacavallo, a graduate of the Hair and Make-up Artist Course: read the interview!
We would like to remind you that enrollment for the 2025-26 courses is still open for a very few months: browse the “Courses” menu on this site for every detail.
Giulia, could you tell us about your first approach to the world of make-up and what motivations led you to choose the training path offered by the Academy?
Ever since I was a child, I have always been fascinated by the world of aesthetics in general. I loved watching my mom while she was doing her makeup or fixing her hair, and I would secretly steal her makeup and brushes to try it myself - obviously with... questionable results!
As I grew up, I discovered YouTube tutorials and started experimenting on myself. When it came time to choose a high school, I vividly remember telling my mom, all convinced, “I want to be a makeup artist, I want to study this because one day I want to do makeup for actors in movies.”
And so I did: I enrolled in a professional school of aesthetics. From that first professional, no longer amateur approach, I knew that this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Toward the end of my junior year of high school, I started looking for an academy that taught both makeup and hairstyling and I found the La Scala Academy Open Day.
Evaluating the Hair & Make-Up Artist Course in retrospect, what aspects do you think were key in preparing you for the challenges and specifics of the entertainment industry?
I think the most useful aspect, and one that is still very useful to me to this day, is the fact that the academy teaches not only makeup, but also hairstyling, special effects, hairpieces, how to make wigs, and much more. I think having a general background in more areas gives you a better understanding of what you really like to do and also what you do best. For example, my idea upon entering the academy was to specialize in makeup and special effects. But once I started hairstyling classes, I realized that that was really
my path. In fact, here I am, not even a year later, working in Ireland on the set of a TV series, in the hair department.
Over the course of your academic journey and in general over the past few years, who or what has most influenced your style and artistic vision in make-up? And what are your current sources of inspiration?
I have always been super into movies and TV series in general. In recent years, however, I started to look at them with different eyes: I was observing much more the make-up, the hairstyles, the actors' wigs. I think this passion of mine has always influenced me, and still continues to do so.
Considering the huge impact and performance of the beauty industry on social media, such as TikTok with its 74 billion views for #beauty, how indispensable do you think these platforms have become as a professional showcase for a make-up artist today?
I think that all social media are very useful for our work: both to advertise and to inform and inspire. I am convinced that they are useful, even if they are not essential.
Speaking from experience, all the work I have gotten has come through word of mouth. But of course it depends on the industry: for example, in the fashion world, for those who work in beauty, social is essential. Personally, it was thanks to social media that I discovered the world of make-up: I got hooked by watching the first online tutorials.
Since your graduation from the Academy, how has your path evolved to becoming a freelance make-up artist? And what strategies do you use on a daily basis to promote your work and build new professional opportunities?
After I graduated, I had the good fortune that they were looking for staff at La Scala Theater, so I started working there. However, during my year at the academy, I had already decided that I would like to specialize in wigs, and I dreamed of an experience abroad. So I enrolled in an academy in London, where I stayed for two months. Back in Italy, I returned to work at Teatro alla Scala, and while I was there, I was offered a three-month job in Ireland in the hair department of a TV series.
Now I have just been offered a new project, which will start in August. The best strategy I always use is to make a good impression, especially on a human level. You can always learn how to do something if you are not capable, but you cannot learn how to be a good person. That is what all the teachers and leaders I have had have taught me.
Would you tell us a wish for all those girls and boys who would like to enroll in the new Hair & Make-Up Artist course and who are preparing for the selections for the new academic year?
Girls and boys, this course is the perfect opportunity to learn about, understand and explore new things that you may never have thought you would enjoy. Enjoy this experience, you will discover new parts of yourself and you will also meet wonderful people who, who knows, maybe you can call friends.
It won't be a walk in the park: you will be busy all the time and the days will be long...But it will be worth it, trust me!
Performing arts management
