Makeup artists bill brides, wedding parties, photographers, production companies, and individual clients for applications, trials, and on-location work. Invoices usually combine a service fee, a travel or early-start charge, and sometimes products or kit fees. Many freelancers also work with salons, studios, or agencies, so some jobs are invoiced to a business rather than a person.
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Invoice_1001_Client_2026-10-14.pdf
Most makeup artists charge a flat fee per application, with different prices for bridal, bridal party, special occasion, and editorial or commercial work. Bridal work is often sold as a package that covers a trial, the wedding-day application, and sometimes touch-up time or a second artist. Travel is billed separately, either as a flat fee, a per-mile rate, or a day rate for destination work. Early start times (before 6 or 7 a.m.) usually carry a surcharge. Film, TV, and commercial jobs are more often priced by day rate or half-day rate, with a kit fee added on top of the artist's rate. Lash strips, airbrush, and hair styling are sold as add-ons. Deposits and non-refundable booking fees are standard, since a single wedding date takes up an entire day that can't be rebooked.
| Service | Priced | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Bridal makeup (wedding-day application) | flat fee | $150-400 |
| Bridal trial | per session | $75-200 |
| Bridesmaid or mother-of-bride makeup | per person | $75-175 |
| Special occasion or event makeup (prom, photoshoot, party) | per application | $75-200 |
| Airbrush upgrade | per person | $20-50 |
| Lash strip or individual lash application | per application | $10-40 |
| On-location travel fee | flat fee or per mile | $25-150 flat, or $0.67-1.50 per mile |
| Commercial, editorial, or film set work | per day | $400-1,500 |
| Makeup lesson | per hour | $75-200 |
Typical US ranges. Rates vary by region, experience, and job size.
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridal makeup, wedding day (includes lashes) | 1 application | $275.00 | $275.00 |
| Bridesmaid makeup | 4 person | $110.00 | $440.00 |
| Mother of the bride makeup | 1 person | $110.00 | $110.00 |
| Early start surcharge (before 7:00 a.m.) | 1 flat fee | $75.00 | $75.00 |
| Travel to venue, 35 miles each way | 70 mile | $0.90 | $63.00 |
| Bridal trial (paid previously, 3/12) | 1 session | $125.00 | $125.00 |
| Total | $1,088.00 | ||
Notes: Wedding date: June 14. Deposit of $300 received on booking is applied to this invoice. Remaining balance is due 7 days before the wedding date. Payments accepted by card, Zelle, or check. Late touch-up time beyond 2 hours after application is billed at $60 per hour.
Makeup jobs are tied to a specific date and call time, so listing them confirms exactly what was booked and supports early start or location charges.
Group bookings change often. Listing each person or a headcount avoids disputes when someone is added or dropped.
Bridal, bridesmaid, airbrush, and lash add-ons are priced differently, so each line should say what was applied.
Clients often forget they already paid for a trial as part of a package, or that it was extra.
Shows how much has been credited toward the total and makes clear that the booking fee is non-refundable if that is your policy.
Breaking these out keeps the base service price consistent and shows the client what drove the total.
Many states require a license for makeup application for pay, and some clients, venues, and productions ask to see it. Check your state board's rules.
Most makeup artists take a non-refundable deposit of 25-50% to hold the date, often paid when the contract is signed. The balance is typically due 1-2 weeks before a wedding, or at the time of service for smaller appointments. Commercial and production clients usually pay on net 15 to net 30 terms, and may require a W-9 and a purchase order or call sheet reference. Late fees of 1.5% per month or a flat amount are common for business clients, but for private clients it is more effective to collect the full balance before the event. Cards, Zelle, Venmo, and checks are all common, and day-of payment is often handled by sending a payment link in advance.
On wedding mornings, nobody wants to handle money. Set a due date a week or two ahead so the invoice is settled before you arrive and you are not chasing a bridal party member afterward.
Spell out that the deposit is non-refundable and what happens if the date changes. A short contract signed at booking prevents most cancellation disputes.
Set a deadline, such as 30 days out, after which the final count is locked. Adds after that date are billed at the standard rate if you can fit them, and drops are still charged.
Long gaps between clients, parking fees, and venue distance eat into your day. Add travel, parking, and an hourly rate for extended standby time as their own lines.
For set work, a kit fee on top of your day rate covers consumables like sponges, disposables, and sanitizing supplies. State it as a line item rather than raising your day rate.
Yes, most makeup artists do. A trial takes one to two hours and uses products and your time. Some include a trial in a bridal package at a bundled price, while others charge separately and credit it toward the wedding booking. Either way, list it on the invoice so the client sees what they paid for.
Standard practice is that the deposit is non-refundable because you turned away other bookings for that date. Make sure your contract says so and that the client agreed to it before paying.
It varies by state. Services are often not taxed, but products you sell to the client, such as lipstick they take home, usually are. Check with your state department of revenue or a tax professional about how your services and retail items are treated.
You can, but most artists include product use in the service price. If you add a separate product fee, state it up front in your quote. Retail items the client keeps are normally listed as separate lines.
Include your day or half-day rate, the shoot date, the production name, your kit fee, and any overtime. Many businesses ask for a W-9 first, and some require a PO number or call sheet reference on the invoice. Use net 15 to net 30 terms and state them clearly.
Send a Makeup Artist estimate for approval, then turn it into an invoice when the work is done.
Makeup Artist estimate template