Rachel SmithWhether it’s a wedding or a night out, the right makeup artist makes a big difference, especially when you see how everything comes together in photos and clips with your wedding videographer.
While Indianapolis has plenty of talented professionals, the real challenge is finding someone who matches your style and understands your skin.
It’s not just about products or trends. It’s about someone who knows how to bring out your features in a way that still feels like you, just more polished.
So I put together a guide to some of the best makeup artists in Indianapolis to help you find the right fit without the guesswork.
How much does a makeup artist cost in Indianapolis?
Hiring a makeup artist in Indianapolis costs between $60 and $500, depending on the complexity of your event and the specific services required.
| Service Category | Average Cost | Perfect For |
| Special Occasion | $60 to $100 | Prom nights and fancy evening galas. |
| Bridal Beauty | $200 to $395 | The bride wanting a flawless trial run and a touch-up kit. |
| Bridal Party | $75 to $130 | Bridesmaids and mothers needing a cohesive group look. |
| Freelance Hourly | $28 to $75 | Commercial shoots and local film projects. |
| Travel Costs | $25 minimum | Venues located far outside the city limits. |
| Early Fees | $100 to $200 | Very early morning call times before sunrise. |
| Event Touch-ups | $100 to $125 | Keeping your makeup pristine throughout a long reception. |
| Custom Add-ons | $20 to $40 | Upgrading with false lashes or custom airbrushing. |
1. J.Marie Professional Makeup Artistry
Website: http://www.jmariemakeup.com/
Address: 6119 Allisonville Rd
Contact: [email protected] | 317-615-9987
Hours: No hours specified
J. Marie Professional Makeup Artistry is a mobile artist and licensed esthetician, so she brings both skincare prep and makeup right to your location.
What sets her apart is that she goes beyond basic glam, handling everything from bridal looks to detailed SFX work and even scar coverage.
I actually booked her for a Halloween event last year, and the transformation she pulled off was honestly impressive. Everything blended so smoothly that it still looked realistic, just way more dramatic and polished.
The only catch is her availability. Since she’s an award-winning solo artist, her schedule fills up quickly. Plus, you usually have to book weeks or even months ahead.
Still, if you can get a spot, she’s worth it for special occasions.
Customer Reviews:
She is so personable and talented
Jessica did my makeup last week for a special formal event I was attending in Indianapolis. She was wonderful to work with, listened to what I was looking for and above all made me feel and look beautiful! She is so personable and talented – I really enjoyed my appointment and would 100% recommend her services to anyone looking for a professional makeup artist. You will definitely be hiring the best!
- Holly C | Google Review
She was prompt, professional
Jessica is an absolutely amazing makeup artist! I came into Indianapolis last month for an event from CT I had seen her work online and knew she would be perfect. I arranged for her to come to my hotel downtown and do my makeup there as it would be easier with my schedule. She was prompt, professional, and personable. She nailed the look I was going for with my hair and make up and I honestly have never felt more beautiful in my life. I did not want to take it off! I highly recommend her!
- Laura Sterling | Google Review
2. Hello Gorgeous
Website: http://hellogorgeousindy.com/
Address: 6539 Carrollton Avenue
Contact: 317-753-7818 | [email protected]
Hours: No hours specified
Hello Gorgeous is one of those places that makes wedding prep feel a lot less stressful.
They’ve got a full team of makeup artists, so you’re not relying on just one person’s schedule. That setup is especially helpful for bridal parties, since multiple artists can work at the same time without things feeling rushed.
They’re also pretty well known in the local wedding scene and get strong reviews from past clients. They even share vendor recommendations, which helps when you’re juggling a lot of moving parts for an event.
If you want to test the waters first, makeup trials are available at Hello Gorgeous, too.
The only downside is the demand during peak wedding season. Booking can get competitive, so planning is pretty much necessary if you need to stick with your date.
Customer Reviews:
My makeup was absolutely flawless the entire night
Maddie, is amazing. My grandmother, my mom, and I are so grateful for her—she truly made us feel and look amazing for the wedding. My makeup was absolutely flawless the entire night, I didn’t even need a single touch-up! Everyone kept complimenting how beautiful and radiant we looked, and it’s all thanks to her incredible talent.
I recommend Hello Gorgeous 100%. Professional, corteous, punctual, listens to feedback.
- Isabel GM | Google Review
They were so helpful along the planning process
Wow! Maddie & Kendra with Hello Gorgeous are the absolute dream team! They did all of the makeup at my wedding last month & did an incredible job. They were so helpful along the planning process, especially with recommendations on timeline for getting ready, and made everyone in my bridal party feel their best and most beautiful! They are organized, professional, & so much fun to work with. I would highly recommend Hello Gorgeous to anyone looking for their wedding makeup pros!!
- Liz Taylor | Google Review
3. Nikki Brown Makeup
Website: https://www.nikkibrownmakeup.com/
Address: Beauty Haven Spa, 6119 Allisonville Rd
Contact: [email protected] | 317-507-6155
Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Nikki Brown Makeup brings together high-end commercial artistry and everyday beauty through her Beauty Haven Spa.
She works on everything from television production to personal makeup lessons, so there’s a nice balance between professional-level skill and practical, real-life application.
You can also book one-on-one sessions if you want help building a simple routine that actually works for your day-to-day life. Nikki explains everything in a clear way, so it feels easy to follow and repeat at home.
In fact, a friend of mine took a private lesson with her and couldn’t stop talking about how much easier her morning makeup routine became afterward.
Just keep in mind that this makeup artist won’t be able to take on weekend events, as she’s only accepting bookings during weekdays.
Customer Reviews:
On-time, and excellent at communication
Nikki was amazing for my bridal makeup! She did my makeup along with the mothers and my friend – ALL of us loved our makeup. She was professional, on-time, and excellent at communication leading up to the event. She brought a great energy into the room while we got ready and my makeup stayed on all day long. Thank you sooo much Nikki – you’re the best!
- Abigail Gibbs-Holland | Google Review
She was very organized
Nikki did a wonderful job on my makeup for family photos! My makeup lasted all day, and she even gave me some lip product for touch-ups. She was very organized and her supplies gave off a meticulously clean vibe that I really appreciated. She’s very pleasant and friendly as well. Would definitely recommend her services! Planning to go back to her for a lesson soon.
- Nicole Wong | Google Review
4. Makeup by Melanie
Website: https://www.makeupbymelanie.net/
Address: Indianapolis, IN
Contact: 260-250-2846
Hours: No hours specified
Makeup by Melanie brings Los Angeles training and film experience straight into the Midwest.
With her background in commercials and runway work, her makeup is very camera-ready and holds up well under HD lighting. Melanie even got to work with luxury brands like Chanel and Giorgio Armani.
Her style is soft, natural glam that still feels elevated without looking heavy. To ensure everything blends smoothly and looks seamless on the skin, she uses high-end cream and liquid products.
Plus, she makes sure to travel to your wedding venue, which makes getting ready for events a lot more relaxed, as you don’t have to worry about going to her studio.
On the downside, her schedule fills up fast, so you’ll need to reach out early just to secure a consultation before locking in your date.
Customer Reviews:
The entire wedding party loved the end result
We were lucky to have Melanie do our makeup for two of my daughter’s weddings. She is so sweet and has such a peaceful demeanor. Melanie took time to get to know what each of our makeup likes and dislikes were. The entire wedding party loved the end result and we had many complements! She is amazing and we definitely will use her in the future.
- Lucy Neely | Google Review
She made the whole process enjoyable
I can’t thank Melanie enough for the incredible work she did on my wedding day! She made me feel absolutely beautiful and listened to every detail I wanted for my look leading up to the day. She made the whole process enjoyable. Each person in my bridal party looked stunning too! Highly recommend Melanie – she’s amazing!!
- Molly Bradfield| Google Review
5. Colour By Courtney
Website: https://www.colourbycourtney.com/makeup
Areas Served: Indianapolis
Contact: [email protected] | 317-294-5257
Hours: No hours specified
Colour By Courtney works with a wider team, so she can handle big bridal parties without everything feeling rushed or chaotic.
With 16 years of bridal and media experience, she really knows how to keep makeup looking polished from start to finish. In fact, her loyal patrons often highlight that every application comes with solid skin preparation.
What really stands out is her airbrush foundation. It’s fully customized, so the match blends into your skin tone naturally and still holds up all day without constant touch-ups.
Additionally, she’s able to scale up for larger groups by working with other artists when needed, which is very helpful for weddings or events with a lot of people.
Do take note, though, that this makeup artist books up fast. You’re also required to book trials 3 to 9 months in advance, and that can make last-minute plans pretty difficult.
Customer Reviews:
She made me feel so beautiful
I used Courtney for my wedding in October. I couldn’t have asked for better results. She made me feel so beautiful and the make up lasted the whole day (even the lipstick), which was great. It turned out a great in pictures as well. I’m not a big make up person, so I was a little nervous about wedding make-up but Courtney put me to ease and made sure I was comfortable.
- Ashley Curry | Google Review
She made sure my make up matched my skin
Courtney was amazing! She knew exactly what she was doing and she has so much talent. She had a station set up for all the girls to wash their faces (with multiple products and an instruction sheet). She made sure my make up matched my skin, we created my lip color together, and she made sure I knew every step of the make up process. 10/10 recommend her!
- Mindy kirschner | Google Review
