The 6 Best Makeup Artists in New Zealand
Jessica McNamara
| Last Updated: April 2024 Are you looking to get glammed up for your next event? You’re in the right place, then!
We’ve selected the top makeup artists in the country for when you’re in a need of a makeover. See which places made our list and discover what they can offer.
The Cost of Makeup Artist Services in New Zealand
Costs might vary widely from NZ$80 to NZ$1000, depending on the makeup used and the amount of expertise supplied. Makeup artists may also offer discounted rates if you hire them for many services at once.
Top Makeup Artists in New Zealand
We assessed the makeup artists we tested based on the following criteria:
1. The Makeup Artist
| Professionalism | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Communication skills | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Attitude | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Organization | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Artistic Ability | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Creativity | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Technical Knowledge | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Flexibility | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
We recently used The Makeup Artist for a special event, and overall we were pleased with their services.
First of all, the team at The Makeup Artist is highly professional, from the initial contact to the follow-up after the makeovers were done. They were even willing to accommodate our schedule changes.
We liked how they communicated with us effectively, promptly addressing our questions and concerns before beginning the makeovers.
Moreover, we noted how organized The Makeup Artist was as they kept all of their brushes and makeup kits in an orderly fashion. We thought it was great how they cleaned each brush before and after each use.
Furthermore, the team at The Makeup Artist also had tremendous creativity and knowledge regarding applying makeup and creating beautiful and unique looks.
Their palette of eyeshadows was a nice blend of neutral and popping shades. In contrast, their foundation shades varied from light to dark tans.
We wanted more variety in lipstick colors, but the primary reds and nudes they had did the trick for us. However, what we liked the most was probably how willing they were to customize the look we wanted and ensure everyone felt comfortable with their makeovers.
For example, they had great ideas for making our eyeshadow stand out and even showed us how to replicate the look easily.
Really, the only downside we saw to The Makeup Artist is that they are not available in all of Wellington. So you have to contact them to ask how far they are willing to travel.
Also, keep in mind that they charge an additional travel fee per stylist from the stylist’s house to your required location (round-trip).
Pros
- Cleans makeup brushes often
- Accommodating to styles
- Effective communicators
- Orderly makeup kits
Cons
- Travel fee per stylist
- Basic lipstick colors
- Not available in all of Wellington
Customer Reviews
Outstanding wedding makeup
Zoe and Antoinette did the most outstanding job of makeup and hair for myself, my bridesmaids and my mum for my wedding. They were punctual, flexible, so professional and so easy to get along with! They listened to what we wanted, ensured everyone was happy with what they had done and the makeup and hair looked stunning all day and night. Highly recommend. — Jordan Howie-Price
Flawless photoshoot makeup
Zoe is an AMAZING Make-up artist! She did my make-up and hair for my 40th Birthday Photoshoot and she did a phenomenal job. I’m not a make-up person, but Zoe has made my first experience outstanding and I could not be happier. She was professional, kind, and kept me calm the entire time during our session. She is a lovely down to earth individual with a bubbly personality. She made my make-up & hair look flawless and I continued to receive compliments the entire day. I would highly recommend her without hesitation for any and every occasion. Thank you Zoe for making my 40th photoshoot incredible. Looking forward to our next session. — Chrisie Naidoo
2. Poppy Makeup Artist
| Professionalism | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Communication skills | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Attitude | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Organization | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Artistic Ability | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Creativity | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Technical Knowledge | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Flexibility | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
We recently had the pleasure of working with Poppy, a local makeup artist in Kaikoura. After perusing her impressive portfolio, we couldn’t wait to give her a try.
Even though Poppy arrived at the photo shoot a little late, our first impression was that she is a kind, professional, highly skilled & talented makeup artist. She made up for her lateness by being immediately ready to work with all the necessary palettes and kits to complete the makeup for our photo shoot.
Since our photo shoots can sometimes be a bit of a frenzy, we liked how Poppy quickly put everyone at ease with her ready smile and calming demeanor.
Moreover, the makeup she did was flawlessly applied and incredibly well-balanced, accentuating everyone’s best features. All colours and styles complimented every skin tone perfectly, and we were all highly pleased with our looks.
Not only did Poppy have a fantastic eye for makeup, but she was also incredibly organized and efficient throughout the entire process. An additional plus was the variety of products that she had available.
Poppy’s makeup selection was broad and up-to-date with the latest trends, which was extremely helpful. She also had plenty of supplies, meaning the shoot went off without a hitch.
Her skill level, commitment to her craft, and vast knowledge of makeup products made her an invaluable addition to our photo shoot.
Pros
- Calming demeanour
- Well-balanced makeup looks
- Vast selection of makeup
Cons
- Late to appointment
Customer Reviews
Talented makeup artist
We highly recommend Poppy if your searching for a talented makeup artist in Nelson! Her makeup application is flawless and her portfolio of work is impressive! We were fortunate enough to recently capture an engagement photo session for our client who used Poppy for her makeup, she looked fantastic, here are some photos as further proof. — Think Visual
Extremely good at what she does
Poppy did my mums and my makeup for my wedding. Not only is Poppy a beautiful soul but extremely good at what she does. Normally I struggle to wear makeup as it feels like I’m wearing a mask but poppys talent and her ability to understand what your wanting to achieve is a very rare combination to find. Thank you so much Poppy; your amazing. — Carlee Dixon
3. Grayson Coutts Makeup Artist
| Professionalism | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Communication skills | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Attitude | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Organization | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Artistic Ability | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Creativity | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Technical Knowledge | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Flexibility | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Many raved to us about his sophisticated, popping, high-definition makeup looks. So, we recently observed Grayson Coutts for ourselves to see the acclaimed makeup transformations we’ve heard of from his previous customers.
First of all, we noted that as he is quite famed in the makeup industry, his services are expensive, and his schedule is limited in terms of flexibility.
Despite these things, we can see why Grayson Coutts has worked with countless celebrities. Grayson has an absolute knack for enhancing natural beauty.
One of the first things that jumped out at us was the quality of his available makeup products. Everything was high-end professional studio quality.
We noted that he has a creative eye and can identify and accentuate the shapes and structures of each individual’s face and accentuate them. We liked how he uses long-wearing and reliable products, so your look stays flawless throughout the day.
He is also very thorough in his work, paying attention to every detail to ensure no detail is unnoticed. From where we stood, his clients always looked confident and beautiful.
We also found Grayson to be personable and friendly. He is easy to communicate with and clearly understands the needs and expectations of his clients.
Pros
- High-end professional makeup
- Works with celebrities
- Long-wearing products
Cons
- Limited scheduling
- Expensive services
Customer Reviews
Beautiful wedding day makeup
Grayson did my makeup for my wedding day, and also looked after my bridesmaid and mum. I highly recommend Grayson, particularly if you want a beautiful look for your wedding day but still want to look and feel like yourself (just an enhanced version)! Grayson was able to come up with three different looks which suited each of us perfectly – we all felt gorgeous once he had worked his magic. He was also such a calming presence on what would otherwise have been a stressful morning. I got so many compliments on the makeup and felt the best I’d ever looked! — Alannah
Incredible makeup artist
Grayson was the most incredible artist. We had a chaotic wedding day with a lot of moving parts, not only did Grayson make the full bridal party look incredible, he was a calming force for the rest of us. Highly recommend.— Connie Mills
4. Wanaka Makeup & Hair — The Road to Beauty
| Professionalism | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Communication skills | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Attitude | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Organization | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Artistic Ability | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Creativity | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Technical Knowledge | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Flexibility | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Wanaka Makeup and Hair – The Road to Beauty in New Zealand has a team of makeup artists who create beautiful and unique looks for any occasion.
One of our team members had the opportunity to experience their services for their wedding. They commented to us on the high-quality, professional and friendly service provided.
From the initial consultation to the end results, their attention to detail and artistic creativity was superb. Our team liked how the makeup artists arrived on time and had all the necessary makeup kits ready to use.
What stood out to our team the most was how the makeup artist at Wanaka Makeup and Hair could serve multiple people simultaneously. This was convenient as they needed to get ready at the same time, and the makeup artist could accommodate them.
The makeup artist also did a fantastic job blending the makeup to provide a flawless look. The makeup was not cakey and hid any imperfections.
Furthermore, the makeup was very lightweight. Another thing our team members liked was their custom blend lip colour.
The quality of the lip colour was fantastic – it lasted all day, and it maintained its richness. Plus, they could take a sample home
Yet our team member thought the makeup artist could have clarified the types of products and techniques used when applying makeup. They got a general impression that the makeup artist used high-quality products, but having more information about the products would have been helpful.
Pros
- Custom blended lip colour
- Multiple makeovers at once
- Prompt arrival
- Detailed and creative looks
Cons
- Lack of makeup product information
Customer Reviews
Delightful makeup artists
I booked Deirdre and Teresa from Road to beauty for my wedding. Working with them was a delight!! They were very helpful in organising the vision I had for myself and my wedding party. They are very professional and even more so, very talented!! The hair and make up they produced on the day was beautiful!! It was so lovely to have them there on my special day helping me get ready. Everyone (including myself) felt at ease and very glamorous. I would not hesitate to book with them again or to recommend them to any future brides for their special day! — Tianna McHugh
The best in the biz
I’m so grateful to have found Deirdre! She is THE BEST in the biz and comes highly recommended by so many locals and was also recommended to help us with our professional shoots. She can do it all with grace and is fantastic at hair and makeup and actually listens to your wishes and vision. She always gives me a beautiful glow and helps bring out the best in my features. She’s now an integral part of our team. She is so reliable, full of vibrant and positive energy. She’s super quick to understand a brief and as she uses products I love and use from the US, she is very adaptable, lovely and professional. — Lauren Roxburgh
5. Melinda Makeup Artist
| Services | Wedding Makeup, Fashion Makeup & Special Occasions |
| Website | Melinda Makeup Artist |
| Address | Auckland and nearby areas |
| Contact Details | +64 21 949 090 |
| Operating Hours | Monday to Sunday: 4 AM to 9 PM |
| Professionalism | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Communication skills | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Attitude | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Organization | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Artistic Ability | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Creativity | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Technical Knowledge | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Flexibility | ★★★☆☆(3/5) |
When it comes to makeup artists, Melinda is among the best of the best in New Zealand. Well, that’s what many of her former clients rave about and her ten-plus years of experience.
So when we had the opportunity to shadow Melinda firsthand with her clientele, we set out to determine the validity of all the praises we heard about her.
One of the first things we noticed about Melinda is that she consistently demonstrates a keen eye for getting the most out of her clients’ natural beauty and creating long-lasting looks during her consultations.
We liked how she always provided her customers with top-quality makeup products and was mindful of their needs and skin sensitivity.
In addition to her excellent artistry and attention to detail, we thought Melinda demonstrated quality customer care skills. From what we noted, she was very attentive to her clients, taking the time to understand their personal style and find the perfect look.
This commitment shows in the quality of the makeovers she produces. We thought the results were always nothing short of stunning.
The only downside to Melinda’s services is that payment is expected at the time of the appointment. Although this is not unusual for many makeup artists, it does mean that clients have to be prepared with immediate payment when booking with Melinda.
Despite this, we still thought Melinda was an excellent makeup artist with top-notch customer service and eye-catching artistry.
Pros
- 10+ years of experience
- Eye-catching makeup looks
- Great customer care skills
- Committed to capturing natural beauty
Cons
- Immediate payment
Customer Reviews
Loved my birthday makeup
I got my sixteenth birthday makeup and hair done by Melinda and I loved the outcome of the work. I showed her a picture of what I wanted and I was given exactly that. She was incredibly kind, on time, professional and had great service with comfort! Would definitely recommend her 🙂 — Sejal Enaganti
Fun group makeover experience
I enjoyed the experience of a group makeover at work as part of our xmas event with Melinda. It turned out to be more fun than I imagined. Our volunteer model looked stunning afterwards and Melinda was so easy to relate to. Of course I learned new things and bought new products. We’re having her back for one-on-ones therefore I highly recommend Melinda as an artist and teacher. — Cindy W. Te Warahi-Black
6. Serenity Makeup
| Professionalism | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Communication skills | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Attitude | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Organization | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Artistic Ability | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Creativity | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Technical Knowledge | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Flexibility | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
We heard that Serenity Makeup creates elegant and refined makeup looks for any editorial occasion. Therefore, our team decided to employ Serenity Makeup for one of our latest events.
For starters, the atmosphere was very welcoming from the moment the Serenity Makeup artists team arrived. They were friendly, knowledgeable, and professional.
One of the things that stood out to us during our makeup session with them was that the makeup artists tailored the session to our individual needs. We liked how they took the time to understand what looks we were going for.
We noted that they used various techniques to determine the right shades and products for our unique skin tones and face shapes, ensuring we’d look our best.
They are also very knowledgeable about the latest trends in the industry.
We thought it was also great how their makeup products are all cruelty-free. Everything they used felt luxurious and high-end.
However, we did have an issue during our experience with Serenity Makeup: sometimes, the makeup artists were too enthusiastic about selling their products. Although it was nice to have them offer suggestions, it often felt like they were trying to get us to buy something.
Additionally, the prices are a bit high, but it is understandable because the makeup artists have to cover their supplies and travel costs.
Pros
- Cruelty-free makeup
- Latest makeup trends
- Tailored makeup sessions
Cons
- Expensive
- Too many sales pitches
Customer Reviews
Lasting bridal makeup
Serenity did my makeup and hair for my wedding (castaways resort) recently. She also did a trial on my hens day and was so accommodating to our timeframe and date. Serenity was prompt, enthusiastic and made me feel super comfortable considering I don’t usually wear a lot of makeup! On the wedding day, she was able to accommodate my requests. My makeup and hair lasted all day and night. We had a windy and wet-ish day but nonetheless it all held great even at the end of the night. Thanks so much Serenity for making me feel amazing on my wedding day. My bridesmaids also looked stunning and we’re so happy your professional team came out with you for the day. — Ashlee Steel
Fun mobile makeup session
This is the first time I’ve engaged in a mobile make-up session and I loved it! I was nervous about the day ahead but the fun and laughs we had set the scene for a wonderful day. I absolutely loved my make-up and hair – I felt like the best of me. What a talent Deepika is and an incredible service that Serenity provides. All class, all care, all talent. — Debbie Harwood
FAQs About Makeup Artists in New Zealand
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