Makeup artists

Makeup artists in New Zealand: prices and booking

Updated 5 November 2026

In New Zealand a makeup artist usually charges between NZ$150 and NZ$350 for one person at a party or event, and between NZ$150 and NZ$400 for a bridal look with a trial. Prices vary by city and by how much work is involved. The quickest way to see current rates for your date is to send a request on BlaBlaPrice, and local artists reply with their own prices.

Qualifications and what to check

Ask whether the artist holds a recognised qualification. The New Zealand Certificate in Makeup Artistry and Hairstyling is one option; tuition is about NZ$1,000, and enrolment needs NCEA Level 1. Ask to see a portfolio of recent work, and ask whether a trial session is included. Some bridal quotes include a trial and others charge for it, so get this in writing before you book.

Season and timing

Summer runs from December to February, and that is when many parties and weddings fall. November is late spring, so a December or January date is the one to book now. Heat and sun can shorten how long makeup lasts outdoors, so ask about long-wear products for summer events.

How the service is bought here

Artists in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton and Tauranga work either from a studio or as mobile artists who come to you. Mobile bridal work depends on your location, so ask whether travel is included or charged on top. Prices are quoted per person for events and per day for shoots. Ask whether the quote includes GST, because some published price guides list it separately.

What to put in your request

Name the makeup type, the number of people, the date and start time, and your district. Say whether you want hair done too, a trial session, and a call-out to your address. Add your budget in NZ$, so the artist can tell you what fits. A photo of the look you want saves a round of questions.

Post your request on BlaBlaPrice for free. Describe the event, the date, the number of people and your district in your own words, and add a photo if you have one. BlaBlaPrice's AI reads the request, asks for any missing details, and looks through local artists' websites and price lists, then shows the prices and businesses it found. Registered artists reply in the chat with their own offer, and your contacts stay hidden until you decide to share them. If you need hair as well, see Hairdressing.