How much to charge as a makeup artist
Updated 26 September 2026
Most makeup artists charge a set price per face, with the bride or main client priced higher than everyone else. Trials, hair styling, lashes, early starts and travel are added on top. Bridal bookings take the most time and planning, so they usually carry the highest price.
Example makeup artist prices
| Job | US | UK | Australia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Event makeup for one client in your studio | $120 | £95 | A$180 | CA$160 |
| Photo shoot makeup for 3 models, on location | $400 | £320 | A$600 | CA$540 |
| Bride with trial, hair and lashes, plus 4 bridesmaids, 6am start at the venue | $985 | £785 | A$1,475 | CA$1,345 |
Priced with the starting rates in our makeup artist template, in each country's currency. They're a starting point, not a survey of local rates, so set your own from what your jobs take and what others charge near you.
How makeup artists set their prices
Per face
A price for each person you make up, with a higher rate for the bride or main client. Bridal parties can split it between them, and each extra face adds a set amount.
Bridal packages
One price for the bride's trial and wedding-day makeup, with bridesmaids and family priced per person. The couple gets one clear number, and the trial is paid for up front.
Hourly or day rates
A rate for your time on photo shoots, film sets and events where you stay for touch-ups. It suits jobs where the hours matter more than the number of faces.
Sample makeup artist price list
The prices in our template, as a list you can adapt. Percentages change the price of the job; fixed-price extras are added on top.
| Item | US | UK | Australia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Occasion: Wedding (bride) | $250 | £200 | A$380 | CA$340 |
| Occasion: Event or party | $120 | £95 | A$180 | CA$160 |
| Occasion: Photo shoot | $150 | £120 | A$230 | CA$200 |
| Extra people, per person | $95 | £75 | A$140 | CA$130 |
| Trial session | +$125 | +£100 | +A$190 | +CA$170 |
| Hair styling for the main client | +$100 | +£80 | +A$150 | +CA$140 |
| False lashes | +$20 | +£16 | +A$30 | +CA$25 |
| Start before 7am | +$50 | +£40 | +A$75 | +CA$70 |
| Come to me | +$60 | +£50 | +A$90 | +CA$80 |
| Minimum job price | $100 | £80 | A$150 | CA$140 |
Put this price list on your website
Customers answer a few questions about the job, see the price and send you their details. This is our makeup artist quote form with the prices above. Try it as a customer would, then start from these prices and change any of them.
Glow Makeup Studio
Makeup price
Pricing mistakes to avoid
- Pricing the bride like a guest. Bridal makeup means a consultation, a trial, long-wear products and no room for error on the day. Our template charges $250 for the bride and $95 for each extra person in the US.
- Giving trials away. Free trials attract people who are still shopping around, and they fill a slot you could have sold. Our template charges $125 for a trial session in the US.
- Doing location work at your studio price. Driving, parking and carrying your kit in take time you could spend on another client. Our template adds $60 in the US when you go to the client.
- Forgetting product costs. Lashes and long-wear products run out faster than you expect. Charge for lashes as an extra, and review your rates when your kit costs go up.
- Taking on a big bridal party alone. If you can't finish every face before the photographer arrives, bring an assistant and build their time into your per-person rate.
Not sure what your time is worth? Work out your hourly rate with the pricing calculator, then check your job prices cover it.
Questions
- How much should I charge for a bridal trial?
- Charge enough to cover your time and products, since a trial can take as long as the wedding-day makeup. Some artists take part of the trial fee off the wedding price if the bride books.
- Should I take a booking fee for bridal work?
- Yes. It holds the date and covers you if the wedding is cancelled or moved late. A short written agreement should set out the fee, when the balance is due and what happens if the date changes.
- Should I charge more for early starts?
- Yes. Big bridal parties often need you there very early, which costs you sleep and the evening before. Our template adds $50 for starts before 7am in the US.
- How should I charge for travel to the client?
- A flat call-out fee keeps local jobs simple. For long trips, charge for the extra distance, and ask the client to cover a room nearby when the start is too early to drive there that morning.
- How do I put my makeup prices on my website?
- Put a quote form on your website, and add its link to your Instagram bio so people can price a booking from your profile. A bride can add her bridesmaids, a trial and an early start, and see the total before she gets in touch.