Claire ThompsonGetting ready for a wedding, gala, or photoshoot should feel fun, not chaotic. But finding the best makeup artist in Columbus can take a little digging, especially when every portfolio looks polished online.
If you’re like me, you want artists who can handle real event pressure, listen closely, and create makeup that still feels like you. So, I pulled together local pros who stand out for bridal glam, natural enhancement, inclusive service, and calm day-of energy.
Read on for my top picks!
How much does hiring a makeup artist cost in Columbus?
Hiring a makeup artist in Columbus usually costs $75 to $200+ per person, depending on whether you need event makeup, bridal makeup, a preview session, or a larger luxury wedding package.
| Service Type | Estimated Cost |
| Bridal Makeup | $95 – $175+ |
| Bridesmaid or Event Makeup | $75 – $120 |
| Individual Trials | $125 – $200 |
| Luxury Wedding Packages | $1,500+ |
1. Alea Beauty – Wedding Hair & Makeup – Central Ohio
Website: http://www.aleabeauty.co/
Address: 3496 Snouffer Rd., Suite 20 Dublin
Contact: 866 922 1550 | [email protected]
Hours: By appointment only
It can be surprisingly hard to book a stylist when you don’t have a massive bridal party, which is why Alea Beauty stood out to me right away.
They take on bride-only and individual bookings with no blanket minimums, so smaller weddings don’t get pushed aside. I also like how inclusive the team feels, especially with masculine grooming options and a queer-founded, women-led setup.
The self-serve booking app makes the process feel less like an endless email chain, and many clients appreciated this feature.
Their sanitation focus is another plus, as they have a dedicated, certified expert who keeps the kits clean.
However, you need to know that their preview sessions only happen after a signed contract. Their studio space is also limited, so you might need to find a different venue for prepping larger groups, which may need to pay travel fees.
They followed those exact instructions
The team at Alea Beauty is the absolute best. They are so talented and on top of that so responsive and fun to hang out with for the many hours before the ceremony. Me and all my bridesmaids were absolutely thrilled and can’t recommend them enough. We asked for natural and they followed those exact instructions.
- marie baldassarre | Google Review
Listened to our requests
Rachel and Casey were the perfect addition to our wedding day! They both have a great energy about them and listened to our requests for hair and makeup. I couldn’t be happier how it all turned out. Thank you!
- Janell Herron | Google Review
2. Hey Pretty! Beauty
Website: http://www.heyprettybeauty.com/
Address: 1007 S High St, Columbus
Contact: +1 614 398 0668 | [email protected]
Hours: Hours may vary
Coordinating beauty prep for a big group can feel like herding cats, and Hey Pretty! Beauty is clearly built for that kind of morning.
Here, they automatically bring in extra stylists for larger parties at no additional cost, which helps keep the timeline on track. I also like that they train artists to work with all skin tones and hair textures, so the experience feels more welcoming.
Another plus is that their kits are stocked with cruelty-free products, including hypoallergenic and vegan options. A thoughtful detail I particularly love is that part of your payment supports local survivors of human trafficking.
The downside is the strict six-service minimum for day-of bookings. Big bridal parties may also find the one-lump-sum prepayment rule a little rigid.
Hey Pretty came to the rescue
I had the hardest time finding a makeup artist and Hey Pretty came to the rescue! I had the privilege of working with Sam and Mae for my hair and makeup. They both made me feel so comfortable right from the start of the trial. On my wedding day they brought great energy and knocked my hair and makeup out of the park. Mae was also very tentative and adaptable as I found my own makeup style and tweaked things as we went. It was all meant to be
- Sabrina Moore | Google Review
Got the entire party done early
Hey Pretty did the hair and makeup for my bridal party a couple of days ago and they were so amazing! Mae and Sam were such a joy to work with at my trial and throughout the entire planning process leading up to the big day. They were incredibly kind and professional and got the entire party done early, which was such a blessing! I highly recommend Hey Pretty for all beauty-related things!!
- Rachel Sessler | Google Review
3. Makeup By Tatum LLC
Website: http://www.makeupbytatum.com/
Address: 893 N High St, Worthington
Contact: +1 419 230 4773
Hours: Hours may vary
Walking down the aisle and feeling like a completely different person is a real fear for a lot of brides. Thankfully, Makeup By Tatum leans into an effortless beauty style that enhances your features instead of covering them up.
Her approach starts with careful skin preparation, which makes the final look feel softer and more natural. Just note that her natural aesthetic may not fit brides who want heavy glam.
I also like that she keeps the wedding calendar intentionally limited, because that usually means more attention for each client.
A former client I spoke with described the morning as calm, steady, and easy to trust. The preview sessions also sound very collaborative.
On the downside, since Tatum accepts fewer weddings, you need to plan ahead early.
Helped make the morning easy and relaxing
Absolutely the best! Tatum did my matron oh honor, bridesmaid & my makeup for our wedding. I’m picky on some things, so I did her preview. She spent extra time to make sure I got the right lip color & everything! She’s super sweet, easy to work with & great communication. I’ll definitely be recommending her to anyone & everyone. I’ll also go to her again if I ever need my makeup done for anything else. Overall, great experience & helped make the morning of our wedding super easy & relaxing.
- Lydia DeVault-Arn | Google Review
Made me feel like the most beautiful bride
Tatum was AMAZING!! She made me feel like the most beautiful bride and my makeup looked great all night long. She was so easy to work with and made sure I felt happy with her work. She did some other people’s makeup for the wedding and they all loved her work as well! Would 100% recommend her for anyone looking for an incredibly talented, capable, and easy to work with makeup artist.
- Madi Kohr | Google Review
4. 614 BEAUTY | Spa | Makeup | Hair
Website: http://www.614beauty.com/
Address: 7140 N. High St. Suite 210 & 220, Worthington
Contact: 614 400 9604 | [email protected]
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
614 BEAUTY makes sense if you want makeup, hair, and skin prep handled by one polished studio instead of juggling separate appointments.
The team offers event beauty services alongside spa treatments, which is helpful if you want your skin looking better before makeup ever goes on.
Their artists also bring experience from television sets and runway work, so they’re comfortable with both camera-ready finishes and long event days.
That said, they’re not the most flexible choice for tiny bookings. For instance, they require a minimum of four people for hair and makeup services. They also don’t offer partial makeup services, and travel fees apply even for local venues.
On the bright side, they can easily handle large groups of up to 24 people, which is convenient for large wedding parties who don’t want to deal with different teams.
Worth every penny
Delcina & Jenni absolutely crushed it on my wedding day. I was a little blown away at first with the cost of wedding hair & makeup, but honestly it was worth every penny. The professionalism and calm, reassuring demeanor amongst the crazy of the getting ready room were so appreciated. My makeup lasted all night and was exactly what I wanted. My hair was done in a french twist and also looked incredible all night long. Jenni also did my mom’s hair and I don’t think it’s ever looked better. Would highly recommend 614Beauty to anyone considering!
- Victoria Lee | Google Review
An absolutely perfect experience
We had an absolutely perfect experience working with Delcina and her team. We had a total of 10 ladies that received hair and makeup services and every single one of us was extremely happy with the results. We all felt so comfortable during the getting ready process, and both the hair and makeup lasted the entire day (through a 90 degree June wedding)!!! I would absolutely recommend this team to any brides looking for a stress free experience that created lifelong memories. 🙂
- Alayna Brothers | Google Review
5. Carly Jo Makeup
Website: https://www.carlyjomakeup.com/
Address: 1500 W 3rd Ave Columbus
Contact: [email protected]
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Small wedding parties deserve detailed artistry without feeling rushed through an assembly line, and Carly Jo Makeup is built around that kind of experience.
Carly focuses on intimate events of five people or fewer, so the whole appointment can feel more relaxed and personal. However, this meticulous attention means there’s a strict cap on party size.
She also focuses only on traditional makeup, so you’ll need another vendor for hair styling or airbrushing.
On the bright side, I like how organized her day-of timelines are, especially because that can make things smoother for local photographers trying to keep portraits on schedule.
A bride I spoke with said Carly used breathwork to help keep the morning grounded, which feels like a rare and thoughtful touch. Her pricing is also easy to understand because false lashes are included.
My makeup looked flawless from start to finish
Carly is amazing! She made me feel absolutely beautiful on my wedding day. My makeup looked flawless from start to finish (even through happy tears and hours of dancing!) and didn’t budge until I took it off at 3 AM. Beyond her incredible talent, Carly brought such a calming, confident energy that made the entire day even more enjoyable. I truly felt like the best version of myself. I can’t thank her enough for her professionalism, care, and artistry!
- Nick & Katie Tsukamoto-Dyke | Google Review
Her artistry and skill is unmatched
As a bridal hairstylist, there is no better feeling than knowing that my bride’s makeup artist is someone i know and trust. Carly is that for me! Her artistry and skill is UNMATCHED. If you are looking for a bridal makeup artist who will give you your dream glam- LOOK NO FURTHER. Carly is your girl!
- Hair by Tatum albert | Google Review
