Expertise.com
2024

Last updated:

Best Makeup Artists in San Jose

Our Recommended Top 12

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored San Jose Makeup Artists on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

209

Reviewed

130

Curated

12

Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Website
San Jose, CA 95134

Why choose this provider?

Marilyn Valencia is a top makeup artist working in San Jose. The makeup artist backs her skills with over ten years industry experience specializing in film, television, bridal, and special events’ makeup. She has worked for some of the top brands in the cosmetics industry but now offers freelance makeup services for clients in San Jose. Marilyn is comfortable with all makeup styles and loves the feeling she gets from knowing she is helping her clients look and feel beautiful.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.5
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (14)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
Campbell, CA 95124

Why choose this provider?

Beauty By Cherise is a hair and makeup service in Campbell. The service specializes in bridal hair and makeup but also provides in-salon services like hair coloring, hair cutting for both women and men, and hair extensions. Cherise has been working in the hair and makeup services industry for over 12 years. She received her training at MAC Cosmetics, with Michael O’Rourke of Big Sexy Hair, and served her hair extensions’ apprenticeship at Babe Brand Hair Extensions in Las Vegas.

Website
San Jose, CA 95132

Why choose this provider?

Aimee Makeup & Hair Design is a makeup and hair styling service with clients in San Jose. The beauty services' firm specializes in body makeovers, fashion makeup, hair care, and bridal makeup. Aimee Lam is the business’ founder. She has worked with thousands of clients over a 12-year career. Aimee’s formal background is in design studies and photography but sees her education to be just as relevant in her hair and makeup career. She sees hair design as sculpturing and makeup as painting.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0

Website
Dublin, CA 94568

Why choose this provider?

The Makeup Movement is a makeup and hair styling business in Dublin. The service specializes in makeup services for any occasion including weddings, engagements, and birthdays. The Makeup Movement also offers private and group makeup lessons and workshops, customized certifications and apprenticeships, cosmetic consultations, and cosmetics business coaching. The company also runs online makeup and hair styling classes. The owner and senior stylist is a Certified Motives trainer, makeup art and hair styling instructor, and licensed cosmetologist.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (55)

Website
San Jose, CA 95111

Why choose this provider?

Phi Phi and Yvonne are makeup artists and hair stylists specializing in beauty consultation and cosmetics assistance services. The mother and daughter team received their certifications while working in Hollywood but have since moved and now offer their services from San Jose. Yvonne has over 15 years' experience providing makeup services for top Vietnamese music professionals. She is a perfectionist who takes her art seriously.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (32)

Website
Redwood City, CA 94062

Why choose this provider?

Kristen Calderaro is a makeup artist who has provided freelance makeup services for clients in Redwood City and beyond for over 15 years. Kristen obtained her aesthetician license in 1992 and has worked at fashion shows and with film and print companies. She keeps abreast with the latest trends in her field by taking advanced skin care and makeup courses with Temptu Airbrushing, The Makeup Institute, Martin Westmore, MAC, Jan Marini, Make Up For Ever, Yonka, Mark Lees, and other industry professionals and organizations. Kristen offers several skin care packages for skin repair, rejuvenation, exfoliation, anti-aging, and moisturization.

Website
Los Gatos, CA 95032

Why choose this provider?

Rose Hill & Crew is a team of makeup artists, costumers, and hair stylists serving clients throughout the US West Coast. The agency is managed by professional makeup artist Rose Hill. Rose is a nationally recognized professional whose commendations include a listing in Crystal Wright's The Hair and Makeup & Career Guide for her work as the founder of the Academy of Cosmetic Arts. The school has been rated as one of the best in the country. She is also renowned for her ballroom dance competition and bridal makeup skills. The makeup artist and her crew have been praised for their work in film, television, and magazines.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.5
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (32)

Website
San Jose, CA 95112

Why choose this provider?

Faces by Emily is a makeup and hair service in San Jose. The company is owned by professional cosmetologist Emily Nguyen. Emily was educated at The Academy of Cosmetic Arts and A-list Makeup. She has provided makeup and hairstyling services for people preparing for weddings, portraits, corporate headshots, fashion work, as well as red carpet appearances and film work. Emily's past clients include Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, the Oscar De la Renta company's Erika Bearman, Matt Rogers of Nest, and Kevin Systrom of Instagram among other prominent people.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.5
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (154)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
San Jose, CA 95124

Why choose this provider?

Melissa Hoffman is a makeup and hair artist and photographer who loves helping women in San Jose look beautiful. Melissa specializes in hair and makeup as well as photography services. Her wedding and other special event clients have the unique advantage of dealing with only one provider for both their makeup and photography needs. A client praised her saying, "I love the pictures that were taken with Melissa's support more than any others that have ever been taken of me. I’m so spoiled now; I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to work with another hair & makeup person again. Book her!"

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (24)

Website
Los Gatos, CA 95030

Why choose this provider?

Emma Woods is a hair and makeup artist whose lifelong fascination with color and makeup encouraged her to pursue a career in makeup and hair styling. Emma received top industry training at the Redken Academy for Salon Professionals and immediately began her career serving clients in Los Gatos. She understands that the hair and makeup industry is changing all the time. As such, she makes constant efforts to improve her skills and is always pushing her creativity to adapt to changing client tastes.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (4)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
San Jose, CA 95128

Why choose this provider?

DesignHERimage is a professional hair and makeup service that has operated in San Jose since 1998. The company specializes in hair and makeup services for weddings, fashion and bridal shows, commercial events, film and television professionals, and other special needs. DesignHER image's work has been featured in both local and international magazines and television shows. The firm also provides make-up classes for aspiring makeup artists and the general public. The DesignHERimage team consists of six experienced hair stylists and makeup artists. DesignHERimage won a WeddingWire Couples' Choice Award for 2014.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (275)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
San Jose, CA 95124

Why choose this provider?

Joule Face is a professional makeup services company serving San Jose. The company is run by a licensed aesthetician who has worked for leading cosmetics companies including Chanel Cosmetics. She began her journey in makeup services in 1985 working at John Robert Powers before attending cosmetology school for her license. The aesthetician is certified with PCA Skin, a blended chemical peels' company. She is proud of her recent work which includes makeup work for the Cinequest Film Festival and Maverick Spirit Award Recipient Rosario Dawson.

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Introduction

    If you have a big event coming up, such as a wedding or prom, hiring a makeup artist can make it easier to get ready. It takes some stress off of you by putting this task in the hands of a professional. It also ensures you get a trained professional to get your look just right.

    A professional makeup artist can also help you get ready for a photo or video shoot, whether it’s for wedding photos, family photos, videos or a new professional photo for your work portfolio. These artists apply knowledge of lighting and how colors catch the light to help you get the best possible finished look.
  • Why do people hire makeup artists?

    People typically hire makeup artists to get a special look for events, such as weddings. People also hire makeup artists when their images are being captured, such as in photo shoots and when making videos.

  • How much do makeup artists charge?

    Makeup artists typically charge a base price that’s between $75 and $125 per person. Several things can increase the base cost. These extra services include things like coming to your location, adding glitter to your makeup, and putting on false eyelashes.

  • Do makeup artists use their own makeup?

    Makeup artists typically use their own makeup rather than the client’s makeup. They typically put their cosmetics in a second container or on a palette to make sure bacteria doesn’t get in the original makeup. However, client requests to use personal makeup can sometimes be accommodated at the makeup artist’s discretion.

  • Do I really need a makeup artist for my wedding?

    While it’s possible to do your own makeup for your wedding, hiring a professional makeup artist can relieve stress on a very busy day. Makeup artists can also offer advice on how makeup will look in photos and can choose products that stand up to heat.

  • How much is a makeup artist for a wedding?

    It typically costs between $90 and $475 for a wedding makeup artist. Things that affect the cost include whether the service is provided only for the bride or if the whole wedding party needs makeup done.

  • How do I find a hair and makeup artist for my wedding?

    To find hair and makeup artists for your wedding, do a search for these specialists and then check online reviews to see what others think of their work. Consider a paid trial run. It’s an extra cost, but it lets you see the work before your wedding day.