Makeup Artist Contract Template

Reviewed by the Agiled editorial teamUpdated June 2026

Wedding-morning makeup runs on a clock that has no slack in it — which is why the contract matters more than the kit. A makeup artist contract locks the date...

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Makeup Artist Contract Template — page 1

MAKEUP ARTIST SERVICES AGREEMENT
This Makeup Artist Services Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into as of [Date of Signing] by and between:
Makeup Artist: [Artist Legal Name / Business Name], with principal place of business at [Address] ("Artist")
Client: [Client Name], residing at [Address] ("Client")
Collectively referred to as the "Parties."
1. EVENT DETAILS
1.1 Event Type: [Wedding, Photo Shoot, Fashion Show, Film Production, Special Event, etc.]
1.2 Event Date: [Date]
1.3 Service Location: [Venue/Hotel/Studio Address]
1.4 Artist Arrival Time: [Time]
1.5 Services Completion Deadline: [Time] (all makeup must be complete by this time)
2. SERVICES
2.1 The Artist shall provide the following makeup services ("Services"):

Person	Service	Trial Included	Price
[Client/Bride Name]	[Full glam bridal makeup with airbrush, lashes]	[Yes/No]	$[Amount]
[Person 2]	[Bridesmaids makeup]	[No]	$[Amount]
[Person 3]	[Mother of the bride]	[No]	$[Amount]

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Full template text

Person	Service	Trial Included	Price
[Client/Bride Name]	[Full glam bridal makeup with airbrush, lashes]	[Yes/No]	$[Amount]
[Person 2]	[Bridesmaids makeup]	[No]	$[Amount]
[Person 3]	[Mother of the bride]	[No]	$[Amount]
[Additional persons as needed]	[Service description]	[Yes/No]	$[Amount]
2.2 Trial Session: [If included, the trial session shall take place on [Date] at [Location]. The trial allows the Client to preview the proposed look and provide feedback before the event day.]
2.3 Touch-Up Services: [If included: The Artist shall remain available for touch-ups from [Time] to [Time] on the event day for an additional fee of $[Amount].]
2.4 Services not listed above are excluded and may be added by mutual written agreement.
3. PRODUCTS AND SANITATION
3.1 The Artist shall use their own professional-grade cosmetic products unless otherwise agreed in writing. All products used are commercially available and compliant with applicable safety regulations.
3.2 The Artist follows strict sanitation protocols including: sanitizing all tools and brushes between clients, using disposable applicators where appropriate, and maintaining a clean and hygienic work setup.
3.3 The Client shall disclose all known allergies, skin sensitivities, medical conditions (including but not limited to eczema, rosacea, acne, contact dermatitis), and any products that have previously caused adverse reactions by completing the Client Intake Form (Exhibit A) at least [14] days before the event.
3.4 If the Client fails to disclose a known allergy or sensitivity, the Artist shall not be held liable for any adverse reaction that results.
4. COMPENSATION
4.1 The total fee for the Services is $[Total Amount] ("Service Fee"), broken down as follows:
(a) Makeup services as listed in Section 2: $[Amount];
(b) Trial session(s): $[Amount];
(c) Travel fee: $[Amount] [for travel beyond [distance] miles from the Artist's studio];
(d) [Additional charges: early morning fee, touch-up services, etc.]: $[Amount].
4.2 Additional persons added after signing shall be charged at $[Rate] per person.
5. PAYMENT TERMS
5.1 A non-refundable retainer of $[Amount] ([percentage]% of the Service Fee) is due upon signing this Agreement to secure the date ("Retainer").
5.2 The remaining balance of $[Amount] is due no later than [14] days before the event date.
5.3 Payments for trial sessions shall be made at the time of the trial.
5.4 Accepted payment methods: [cash, check, Venmo, PayPal, credit card, etc.].
5.5 Late payments shall incur a fee of $[Amount] per week. The Artist reserves the right to cancel the booking if the remaining balance is not received by the due date.
6. TRAVEL AND LOGISTICS
6.1 The Artist shall travel to the service location specified in Section 1.3.
6.2 Travel fees apply for locations more than [distance] miles from the Artist's studio, charged at $[Rate] per mile or a flat rate of $[Amount].
6.3 For events requiring overnight stay, the Client shall provide or reimburse the cost of accommodation.
6.4 The Client shall ensure adequate lighting, mirror access, seating, and electrical outlets at the service location for the Artist's use.
6.5 The Client shall provide parking for the Artist at or near the service location.
7. SCHEDULING AND TIMING
7.1 The Artist shall arrive at the service location at the time specified in Section 1.4 and shall complete all Services by the deadline in Section 1.5.
7.2 The time allocated per person is approximately [minutes] minutes. The schedule is based on the number of people and services listed in Section 2.
7.3 If the Client or any member of the group is not ready at their scheduled time, the Artist shall adjust the schedule as possible, but delays may result in reduced service time for late individuals. The Artist is not responsible for incomplete services caused by the Client's scheduling delays.
7.4 Additional persons added on the event day may not be accommodated and are subject to availability and additional fees.
8. CANCELLATION AND RESCHEDULING
8.1 If the Client cancels the booking:
(a) More than [60] days before the event: The Retainer is forfeited; no additional fees owed;
(b) [30] to [60] days before the event: [50]% of the total Service Fee is owed;
(c) Less than [30] days before the event: [100]% of the total Service Fee is owed.
8.2 Reducing the number of people receiving services within [14] days of the event does not reduce the total Service Fee, as the Artist has reserved scheduling capacity based on the original count.
8.3 The Client may reschedule once at no additional charge if the new date is within [6] months and subject to the Artist's availability.
8.4 If the Artist must cancel due to illness or emergency, the Artist shall make every effort to provide a qualified replacement. If no replacement is available, all payments shall be refunded in full.
9. IMAGE USAGE AND PORTFOLIO
9.1 The Client grants the Artist permission to photograph the completed makeup and use such photographs for the Artist's portfolio, website, social media, and marketing materials.
9.2 The Artist shall not publish photographs that reveal the Client's identity (full face) without the Client's written consent, unless the Client has signed a separate model release.
9.3 If the Client wishes to opt out of all photography and portfolio use, they must notify the Artist in writing before the event date.
10. LIABILITY AND DISCLAIMERS
10.1 The Artist shall exercise professional care and skill in providing the Services.
10.2 The Client acknowledges that makeup artistry involves personal aesthetic judgments and that individual results may vary based on skin type, tone, texture, and condition.
10.3 The Artist is not liable for allergic reactions, skin irritation, or adverse effects if the Client has failed to disclose known allergies or sensitivities as required by Section 3.3.
10.4 The Artist's total liability under this Agreement shall not exceed the Service Fee paid by the Client.
10.5 The Artist shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, including emotional distress or event disruption.
11. HEALTH AND SAFETY
11.1 The Artist shall not provide Services to any individual who exhibits signs of a contagious skin condition or eye infection. In such cases, the Service Fee for that individual shall not be refunded, as the Artist has reserved the time.
11.2 The Client acknowledges that false eyelash application, airbrush application, and other specialized techniques carry inherent minor risks and consents to these services.
12. CONFIDENTIALITY
12.1 The Artist shall maintain the confidentiality of the Client's personal information, event details, and any private matters observed during the service.
12.2 For high-profile clients, the Artist agrees not to disclose the client's identity, event details, or location on social media or to any third party without written consent.
13. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
13.1 The Artist is an independent contractor. Nothing in this Agreement creates an employment, partnership, or agency relationship.
14. FORCE MAJEURE
14.1 Neither Party shall be liable for failure to perform due to circumstances beyond their reasonable control, including natural disasters, severe weather, pandemics, or government orders.
14.2 In such cases, the Parties shall make good-faith efforts to reschedule. If rescheduling is not possible, the Artist shall refund all payments received minus the Retainer and non-recoverable expenses.
15. GOVERNING LAW AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION
15.1 This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of [State].
15.2 Disputes shall first be submitted to mediation. If unresolved, disputes shall be resolved by binding arbitration in [City, State].
16. GENERAL PROVISIONS
16.1 This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties.
16.2 Amendments require written agreement by both Parties.
16.3 Unenforceable provisions do not affect the remainder.
16.4 Notices shall be in writing to the addresses stated above.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties execute this Agreement as of the date first written above.
ARTIST:
Signature: ___________________________
Name: [Artist Name]
Business: [Business Name]
Date: ___________________________
CLIENT:
Signature: ___________________________
Name: [Client Name]
Date: ___________________________

Retainer: 30% – 50%, non-refundable
Bridal makeup: $150 – $300; party $75 – $150/person
Trial: $75 – $150, booked separately
Timing: 45 – 60 min per face, bride longest

What your makeup artist contract should cover

Date, location, and ready-by time

The event date, the getting-ready address, and the time the last face must be finished. The artist builds the start time backward from ready-by — the contract records both ends of the clock.

Services and head count

Bride plus the exact number of additional faces, with per-person pricing. The quote was built on the count; the contract states that reductions inside 30 days still bill at the booked count.

Retainer and payment schedule

30–50% non-refundable retainer to lock the date, balance due 1–2 weeks before or morning-of in cash/card. The retainer is date compensation, not a deposit to be argued about later — the wording matters.

The trial

Scheduled 4–8 weeks out, priced separately at $75–$150 (credited or not — say which). The trial documents the agreed look with photos, which becomes the day-of reference and the artist's protection against 'this isn't what we discussed.'

Travel and early-start fees

Free within a stated radius, then per-mile or flat beyond; destination weddings add travel days and accommodation. Calls before a stated hour (commonly 7 AM) carry an early-start fee — the 4:45 AM alarm is a real cost.

Timeline and lateness

45–60 minutes per face and the consequences of the party running late: the artist works to the schedule, and faces that miss their slot may be abbreviated or skipped without refund. The clock protects everyone's photos.

Hygiene and allergy disclosure

Sanitized kit and disposables per industry standard; clients disclose allergies, sensitivities, and skin conditions in writing before the trial. Cold sores and eye infections day-of mean modified service for that person — stated up front.

Cancellation and rescheduling tiers

Retainer forfeited on any cancellation; inside 30–60 days, 50–100% of the full booking due. One reschedule to an available date within 12 months is a common goodwill clause that still protects the calendar.

Photo and portfolio rights

The artist may photograph their work and use it in portfolio and social media — with an opt-out for private clients. Tagging and credit expectations spelled out save the awkward DM later.

Typical makeup artist rates (U.S., 2026)

Service	Typical range	Notes
Bridal makeup (day-of)	$150 – $300	Metro markets higher
Bridal trial	$75 – $150	Booked and priced separately
Bridal party, per person	$75 – $150	Often a 3–4 person minimum
Event / occasion makeup	$60 – $150	Studio or on-location
Lashes	$10 – $30 add-on	Strip or individual
Early start (pre-7 AM)	$50 – $150	Flat fee
Travel beyond radius	$0.50 – $1/mile or flat	Destination: days + lodging

Rates vary by market and experience; editorial and production work bills day rates ($350–$1,500) rather than per-face pricing.

How makeup artist contracts work in practice

The standard bridal booking

Inquiry → quote built on head count → contract and retainer lock the date → trial 4–8 weeks out documents the look → final head count and timeline confirmed 2 weeks before → balance paid → day-of execution to the schedule. The contract is what keeps each step enforceable: the date can't be held without the retainer, the look can't be disputed after the photographed trial, and the head count can't shrink for free after the artist declined other work for that date.

Peak-date minimums

Saturday mornings in wedding season are the whole business — an artist who books a bride-only appointment on a peak Saturday gave up a six-face party for it. Hence the minimum clause: peak dates require a stated minimum spend or face count (commonly 3–4 services). The contract applies it transparently at quoting rather than as a surprise, and off-peak dates can waive it.

Production and editorial work

Commercial shoots flip the structure: day rates ($350–$1,500 by market and tier) replace per-face pricing, kit fees ($25–$75/day) cover product consumption, overtime applies after 8–10 hours, and usage is the client's (the artist's work appears in commercial imagery without further fees — unlike bridal portfolio rights, this is work for hire). The agreement names the production company, the rate, the hours, overtime, and kit fee — and payment lands on Net 15–30, not day-of.

Mistakes that weaken a makeup artist contract

Holding dates on a promise

An unpaid 'we'll definitely book you' is a vacancy. The retainer policy exists because peak dates sell out — no retainer, no hold, no exceptions an artist can afford.

Quoting before the head count

A quote without a face count is a number that means nothing. Build the quote on a stated count, and bill reductions inside the final-confirmation window at the booked count.

Treating the trial as a sales call

An unpriced trial is two unpaid hours plus product. Price it, photograph the result, and let the documented look do its real job: eliminating day-of disputes.

Absorbing the timeline chaos

When the party runs 40 minutes late, somebody's face pays for it. The lateness clause — artist works the schedule, late arrivals get abbreviated service — keeps the bride's slot protected and the blame where it belongs.

No early-start or travel pricing

The 5 AM call time and the 50-mile venue are costs the artist either prices or donates. Flat early-start and per-mile travel fees in the contract turn them into line items instead of resentments.

How to use this template

01
Download the makeup artist contract template in Word or PDF.
02
Enter the event date, locations, ready-by time, and the exact head count with per-person pricing.
03
Set the retainer (30–50%, non-refundable) and the balance due date.
04
Schedule and price the trial, and state whether it credits toward the booking.
05
Add travel radius and fees, early-start fee, the per-face timeline, and the lateness policy.
06
Fill in the cancellation tiers and portfolio-rights terms, then have the client sign with the retainer payment.

Skip this template if…

Salon-based service with walk-in pricing — booth rental and salon policies govern that work.
Special-effects and film production makeup — union rules, day rates, and continuity requirements need a production-specific deal memo.

FAQs

How much does bridal makeup cost?

Day-of bridal makeup typically runs $150–$300, with bridal party members at $75–$150 per face and trials at $75–$150 booked separately. Metro markets and in-demand artists price above these ranges, and peak Saturdays often carry party-size minimums of 3–4 services.

Why do makeup artists require a non-refundable retainer?

The retainer compensates the artist for removing a peak date from sale — once your Saturday is booked, every other inquiry for that date is declined. That economic reality is why retainers (30–50%) don't refund on cancellation regardless of the reason.

Is a bridal makeup trial worth it?

Yes, for both sides. The trial (4–8 weeks out) tests the look against your skin, your photos, and your preferences, and the photographed result becomes the binding day-of reference. Artists price trials separately because they're a full service appointment — typically $75–$150.

What happens if someone in the party drops out?

Most contracts bill the final confirmed head count, with reductions inside the last 2–4 weeks payable at the booked count. The artist reserved time and declined other work based on your number — the clause exists so the quote stays honest in both directions.

Do makeup artists charge for travel?

Typically free within a stated radius (often 20–30 miles), then per-mile or a flat fee beyond it. Destination weddings add travel days, accommodation, and sometimes a second-day rate. Early calls before about 7 AM commonly carry a $50–$150 early-start fee.

What if the wedding morning runs late?

Standard contracts state that the artist works to the agreed timeline: late arrivals may receive abbreviated service or be skipped without refund, protecting the bride's slot and the photography schedule. Building 15–30 minutes of buffer into the timeline at booking is the practical fix.

Pair it with the makeup artist invoice template

The contract sets the terms — the invoice collects on them. Free download with the right line items pre-filled.

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