The Team

Our tutors are highly experienced professionals with a wealth of industry experience spanning many, many years. We offer our students a unique insight into the wonderful world of makeup artistry, taught by those who have and continue to excel in their area of expertise.

Emma Woods

Principle, Make Up Artist – Tutor,

Emma Woods is the proprietor & director at Avant Garde Make-Up Academy & Studio, a Drogheda based elite training academy for aspiring make-up artists. Emma has been a well-known face in the high end arena of the makeup industry for over 10 years now, working extensively in not only Dublin but also London, America, Canada, Barcelona & on-board Royal Caribbean Exclusive Cruise liners. A favourite amongst celebrities Emma has worked with celebrities such as The Script, Pamela Anderson, Rihanna, Sienna Miller, Christina Aguilera, Boyzone, Paolo Nutini, Snow Patrol, Florence Welch, Bette Ditto, Sugababes, NDUBZ, Rupert Everitt, Danielle Lloyd, Ryan Tubridy, Miriam O’Callaghan, Leigh Arnold, Lucy Kennedy, Pippa O’Connor. Sarah Morrissey, Brian Dowling, Tommy Tiernan, Cillian Murphy, Lisa Murphy, Jodie Kidd, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Denise Van-Outen, Amanda Byram, Victoria Smurfit, Enya, Yvonne Keating, Ronan Keating, Andrea Corr, Catherine Lynch, Patrick Kielty, Mary Black, Pauline McLynn, Eddie Hobbs, Brian McFadden, Linda Martin, Pat Kenny, Jean Butler, Twink, Lorraine Keane, Glanda Gilson, Karen Koster, Lisa Cannon, Aisling O’ Loughlin, Pamela Flood, Caroline Morahan, Celia Holman Lee, Virgina Macari, Ray D’Arcy and Alison Doody.Emma has had extensive training in High Fashion, Bridal, Media, Theatrical, TV/Film & SFX make-up and cut her teeth early in her career working as a Make-up Artist for MAC Cosmetics in Brown Thomas. She has also assisted some of the world’s leading make-up artists including Kym Menzies Foster, Leslie Keane, James Molloy, Diane Kendal, Terry Barber & Lucia Pieroni. With such extensive experience Emma has also been writing beauty features for many of the Irish magazines, newspapers, and locally, the ever popular “Essential” magazine and is continually in demand to share her expertise in private consultations, public events and for TV.Emma has helped produce features for RTE & TV3, shows such as Off The Rails, Ireland AM & Xpose, not forgetting her stint as Head Make-up Artist for the production of Les Miserables in the Helix, DCU, and Head Artist again at Dublin Fashion Festival 2010. On top of all of this she has styled photoshoots for many publications including Tatler, Sunday Independent, Hot Press, Stellar, Image and Social & Personal. Emma’s background and experience means she is highly regarded by her colleagues and peers for her attention to detail and dedication to her profession. She continues to offer a unique style accredited only to her and her artistic talent. She has the innate ability to bring out the natural beauty of her subject, no matter the gender, ethnicity or character portrayal.Her training and education in Business Management along with her wealth of industry and teaching experience made her the ideal candidate to launch one of Irish up and coming makeup training academies, now representing some of Irelands best, highly skilled and creative make-up artists.