The Best Makeup Artists
We graded 30 companies on seven things customers actually report: satisfaction, reliability, workmanship, value, momentum, track record and how owners handle complaints.
From 3,198 Google reviews of 30 top-rated makeup artists nationwide. Updated October 25, 2026.
Find the right company for your job
Pick the job — we re-rank companies by how customers rated that exact job.
Best makeup artists for special occasion makeup
Clear ✕
Beauty By K2882
Pink Mantis Beauty863
One10 Beauty House864
Berry Hill Beauty835
Indigo Beauty Collective776
Leanna Marie Artistry77Job match = this company’s ★ on reviews Google tagged “Special occasion makeup” (shrunk toward the category average when there are few), how many such jobs it has done, and its overall Experts Score.
What customers said about special occasion makeup
On my wedding day, they listened to exactly what each of us wanted and made us all feel beautiful while still looking like ourselves. My hair and makeup stayed flawless through hours of photos, the ceremony, the reception, and plenty of dancing! I truly couldn't have asked for a better team (Skylar, Naomi, Rebecca,…
I just want to say how amazing Katie.K was. I travelled up from Ontario, Canada with no bridal trial before hand and it was such an amazing experience, she was able to do exactly what I wanted. My makeup last all day into the night in such hot weather and now I don’t want to take it off. I can’t say how highly I…
My hair and makeup look so amazing! Surpassed my expectations with your talent! Thank you again for making me glam for the CMA awards!
Leanna is a talented artist! She listened to my request for a “not too made up” look for my makeup and hair style, made suggestions, and gave me options throughout the process. I received many compliments!
I worked with Katie-Laine from IBC for our elopement - she did my hair and makeup. She was a great listener and understood what kind of look I was going for, and she executed perfectly. We did some photos outside during 100-degree heat in late July, and the hair and makeup held up flawlessly! I'd definitely…
Katie is so AMAZING! She is truly talented. The way she matched colors and blended was honestly so impressive. I didn’t have any inspo pics or anything and she perfected my hair and makeup! I looked better than I did at my own wedding. Her space is so beautiful- don’t hesitate, book Katie for all of your glam and…
Overall ratings
Experts Score 0–100 and a letter grade per factor (A = top 20% of makeup artists).
| # | Company | Grade | Satis · Relia · Craft · Value · Momen · Track · Accou | ★ | Typical bill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Glam UpNashville, TN | A 82 | AA––CDC | 5.00 | $140 |
| 2 |  Jeanette Wirz Permanent Cosmetics & MicrobladingNashville, TN | A 81 | AACBBAA | 4.96 | — |
| 3 | Beauty By K2Nashville, TN | B 77 | AA––BDC | 4.99 | — |
| 4 |  Creations Art and BeautyHemet, CA | B 74 | AA––DCC | 4.99 | — |
| 5 | Indigo Beauty CollectiveNashville, TN | B 68 | BBACBAF | 4.97 | — |
| 6 |  XtheticsWeston, WI | B 68 | AA––CFC | 5.00 | $126 |
| 7 | Leanna Marie ArtistryHemet, CA | B 65 | BCACCBC | 5.00 | — |
| 8 |  Maven Beauty Co.Weston, WI | B 62 | BB––CFC | 5.00 | — |
| 9 |  Modern Mamacita Cosmetic TattooHemet, CA | B 62 | AADDCCC | 5.00 | — |
| 10 |  Perfect Little Lashes & Beauty EnhancementsHemet, CA | B 61 | BB––CDC | 5.00 | — |
| 11 |  Beautiful Now EstheticsWeston, WI | B 60 | BB–FCDC | 5.00 | — |
| 12 | Pink Mantis BeautyNashville, TN | C 52 | CC––FCA | 4.96 | — |
What jobs cost
What customers paid, from the price Google asks reviewers to report.
| Job | Low | Typical | High | Fair |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hairstyling | $130 | $170 | $282 | 0% |
| Haircut | $41 | $61 | $76 | 0% |
Was the price fair?
All price verdicts left with reviews.
Price verdicts by year
Share calling it great / reasonable / overpriced.
How we grade
Satisfaction (35%) — Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume.
Reliability (15%) — How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months (fewer = better).
Craft & service (20%) — Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — net praise per review.
Value (10%) — Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights.
Momentum (8%) — Last 12 months vs lifetime average — improving or slipping.
Track record (7%) — Review volume and years with reviews.
Accountability (5%) — Owner replies to 1–3★ reviews.