Best Makeup Artists in Chicago, IL

Norman Sands is a Chicago makeup artist with over 15 years of experience doing makeup for television, photo shoots, magazine editorials, celebrities, weddings, fashion shows, and theater productions. Norman is available for freelance assignments and primarily offers airbrush makeup. A one-hour, personalized makeup lesson costs $150, while special occasion makeup is $150 and bridal makeup is $250.

Starlight in Chicago “has been providing stellar makeup services nationwide for over 10 years,” specializing in bridal makeup and makeup lessons. Bridal makeup services include an initial consultation, a pre-wedding trial, and final makeup on the wedding day. Starlight can also provide wedding hair services, if requested. Bridal makeup costs between $200 and $300 for the bride, and between $85 and $100 for members of the bride’s wedding party.

Make Up First School of Makeup Artistry is a private vocational school in Chicago approved by the Illinois Board of Higher Education. The school was founded in 2006 by a media makeup artist who now teaches courses while offering freelance makeup services. Students at the school receive “extensive hands-on studio time required to perfect techniques” and can become certified makeup artists and hair stylists.

Makeup by Jacquee is the Wheaton company of state-certified makeup artist Jacquee, who specializes in a range of applications including bridal, beauty, fashion, theater, and media makeup. The company received one of Thumbtack’s “Best of 2015” awards and is rated on WeddingWire. Bridal services include airbrushing, false eyelashes, full makeup, and hairstyling to help clients achieve desired wedding day looks.

Chicago Makeup & Hair Professionals are the self-proclaimed “hottest makeup artists and stylists in Chicago.” The company received The Knot’s “Best of Weddings” award in 2015, 2016, 2018, and offers classic, modern, vintage, and contemporary bridal looks, spa services for bachelorette parties, personal makeup lessons and consultations, and makeup services for fashion, print, TV, and film. Special rates are offered for large parties.

Debra Petrielli is a Chicago licensed cosmetologist, freelance hairstylist, and makeup artist. Debra offers in-home and on location styling services by appointment for photo shoots, parties, weddings, special events, and for “the busy woman who just wants her hair or makeup done.” The artist is also available to travel for weddings and events out of state and internationally.

Angela Makeup Chicago in Clarendon Hills features a team of stylists who are “masters at the art of makeup and lashes” with over six years of industry experience. The company has been voted into The Knot’s “Best of Weddings” Hall of Fame after receiving awards for over five consecutive years. The stylists offer bridal and airbrush makeup, special effects makeup for films and Halloween events, and eyelash extensions.

Elana Darrus Makeup & Hair in Downers Grove offers bridal hair and makeup services. A wedding makeup rehearsal at the company’s studio costs $75, and wedding day makeup with lashes and airbrushing is $110. The same fees apply to bridal hair services. The company won WeddingWire’s “Couples’ Choice Awards” in 2014, 2015, and 2016, as well as WeddingWire’s “Bride’s Choice Awards” in 2012 and 2013.

Joanna B. Artistry is a professional makeup artist who's served hundreds of clients in Chicago since 2012. The company's services are available for weddings, boudoir shoots, engagements shoots, and professional headshots. The business also has experience doing editorial and commercial work. Virtual sessions are available to book on the company's website. Joanna B. Artistry has been featured in prominent wedding publications, including Vogue Taiwan, The Knot Fall Chicago Issue in 2018, Style Me Pretty, and Brides.com.

Shannon O’Brien is a Chicago makeup artist specializing in print, television, bridal, and runway makeup applications. Shannon started her career with M.A.C. Cosmetics over six years ago and now works as a freelance makeup artist. Clients who wish to book Shannon for bridal makeup services are encouraged to submit an inquiry form directly on the artist’s website.

Carly Pribich is a wedding makeup artist who has over 14 years of industry experience. Carly specializes in airbrush wedding and bridal makeup, and also offers makeup services for other special occasions. Carly’s “aesthetic style as an artist is soft, fresh, timeless, and elegant.” She has received The Knot’s “Best of Weddings” award in 2015 and 2016. Clients may inquire about pricing by submitting a contact form on the artist’s website.

Brides by Kelly is the “top choice in the Chicago area for on location hair and makeup services.” The Lombard company has over 150 five-star reviews and is owned by lead hairstylist and professionally licensed cosmetologist Kelly. Services are available for birthday parties, school dances, proms, and other special events. Bridal hair and makeup costs $215, with a $145 trial run prior to the wedding day.

Jenna Baltes is a licensed Chicago hair stylist and makeup artist, offering services for editorials, fashion photo shoots, family and children photo sessions, and everyday life. Jenna also works with clients in Los Angeles. Rates and availability can be requested by calling or emailing the artist directly.

Nicole Jacob is a professional Chicago makeup artist and the founder of Nicole Jacob Cosmetics, a non-comedogenic and fragrance-free makeup line. Nicole has over 20 years of experience in the beauty industry and specializes in “natural eyebrow sculpting and classic, glamorous makeup for black tie affairs.” Free consultations for wedding makeup are available.

Visage Joli Airbrush Makeup & Hair Chicago specializes in Weddings and video production makeup and hairstyling. Wendy Kimmel, the lead makeup artist of the business, has worked with high-profile personalities like Tom Hanks, Hilary Clinton, the cast of Friends, Arnold Schwarzenneger, and Martha Stewart. She has also done makeup in productions of national television shows, commercials of established brands, and print campaigns. She and her team apply airbrush foundations that can last until the end of events with minimal retouches. She is also teaching detailed online makeup lessons.