We’re going to call it, people. Choosing your wedding day hair and makeup artist is just as significant as the all-important outfit. No, really! Hear us out. Most brides and grooms want to feel A+ on the big day and the best way to do this is by feeling comfy in your own skin, whether you opt for a full glam look or more natural vibes. A good hair and makeup artist will have you feeling like the best version of your wonderful self, updo or loose waves, smokey eye or dramatic wings. Are you feeling us? Thought so!
To help you cross one more thing off your prep list, we’ve gone and rounded up our Top 18 Hair & Makeup Artists across Australia and New Zealand. We recommend giving each a good read and dropping your fave two or three a line with your wedding date and wedding party number. You’ll also do well to whip out your Pinterest board to save a beauty reference shot or two.
We’ve got a few notorious HM faves in the round up (hi, Liv Lundelius, The Future Mrs and Samantha Lee), that we have been trusting and recommending for many years, as well as plenty of new finds that we have been in awe of recently, such as The Peach Club, Penton & Co. and Caoimhe Downey.
Love a good list? Be sure to check out our other handy posts including our Top 18 Caterers and Food Trucks and Top 18 Wedding Stationery Designers.
If you’re still trying to decide on your wedding day lewk, then go soak up bridal goals galore over at our 15 Luxe Bridal Gowns To Love. We also speak to a few of the below experts about wedding prep in our Wedding Planning Guide, which is usually sold out, so grab a copy while you can!
But first, get cosy and settle in for this read. Consider your hair and makeup sorted…
JENNIFER MOUNTAIN
This Sydney-based hair and makeup artist is the perfect person to have by your side on the morning of your wedding. Jennifer‘s not only a master of the beauty trade with over 14 years experience behind her, but she’s a qualified Reiki practitioner, too. She provides additional services such as a group meditation circle for you and your ‘maids to set the vibes before she dolls you up for the big day ahead. Intrigued? Get in touch with her here.
Location: Sydney, NSW
CASSANDRA RENEE
If your wedding day makeup brief involves the words dewy and natural, hit up Cassandra – she’s all about it helping her brides look like the best version of themselves by accentuating natural beauty. She’s also all about helping you weave your way through the overwhelm that is Pinterest makeup boards. What’s more, she has extensive experience in both bridal and event beauty (including Melbourne Fashion Week) so rest assured you’ll be looking fine, right on time. See her in action for bride Jinendri here.
Location: Melbourne, VIC
BELLE BLUE BRIDAL BY ELKA
This superstar worked as a makeup artist on many Hollywood blockbuster films over the last 20 years, but bridal beauty is now her happy place, and she loves nothing more than creating effortless, light-touch looks, which she pulls off with aplomb every. damn. time. Her big goal is for clients to feel empowered, so that they shine from within. She’s all about achieving a delicious ‘still feel like me’ look, with fresh skin and lashy eyes. Sound like what you’re after? Get in touch with the lovely Elka here.
Location: Blue Mountains, NSW
THE PEACH CLUB
If traditional hair and makeup is not your vibe, and your looking for a bespoke experience without a signature look in sight, do yourself a favour and get in contact with The Peach Club. This ultra-talented team of professionals specialise in the modern, editorial, fashion-forward aesthetic we all know and love. They cater to NZ brides across Tamaki Makaurau, including Waiheke Island, but are also partial to a sunny holiday so will travel on request! They use only the most luxe of products and are extra lovely and relaxed to boot. Get in touch with them via their directory listing here.
Location: Auckland, NZ
CHIC ARTISTRY
Natural glowing makeup. Luxe silky waves. Modern romantic upstyles. Soft neutral tones that make your eyes ‘pop’. Does this sound like your dream wedding look? Then these are your gals. Catch them in action at Sarah and James’ wedding, where the bride named her team of beauty pros a standout vendor, “for making myself and my bridemaids feel absolutely beautiful.”
Location: Hunter Valley, NSW
GRACE ROBY HAIR
NSW brides may have heard of this clever cookie before, however we can’t chance that you haven’t, because she’s that good. Grace is all about bringing your romantic, undone, soft and timeless hair dreams to life. On top of being an incredible hair stylist, she is super sweet and personable too. Have a chat with her via her directory listing, and you’ll see for yourself!
Location: Sydney, NSW
LIV LUNDELIUS
Where do we begin with the lovely Liv Lundelius? We’ve been lucky enough to watch Liv work her magic live and it’s a real joy to witness – her work has been splashed across the pages of HM many a time (including in our shoot with KWH!), because not only can we rely on her to nail every brief, but she is just an excellent person to be around, too. Liv specialises in the effortless vibe and sees beyond trends to create a look that is timeless and impactful. Drop her a line here to snap her up for your date!
Location: Sydney, NSW
MAKEUP BY LILIWith more than 12 years of solid experience in event, photographic and bridal makeup, Lili is the gal you want on your wedding prep team. It is her pride and passion to ensure all of her clients leave the studio feeling absolutely amazing, and she won’t stop until she has nailed your dream look. Check out the gorgeous Laura here who was lucky enough to nab Lili for her own big day.
Location: Adelaide, SA
PENTON & CO
We speak on very good authority here when we say that Penton & Co are a collective of beauty superstars. This luxury hair and makeup team have over 20 years experience and are renowned for their attention to detail and unwavering professionalism. As you can see above, they also nail that sought-after natural and luminous look so well. Excellent execution aside, the team are also known for their ultra-bright smiles, so expect a relaxed, stress-free and joyous lead-up. Sound like your kind of vibe? Be sure to hit em’ up here.
Location: Auckland, NZ
THE FUTURE MRS
We are long-term fans of this team, let us tell you! Regulars on HM fashion shoots, this rad collective has got you covered for whatever hair and makeup vibe you’re feeling. Ensuring your experience is bespoke from the get-go, The Future Mrs will work tirelessly to develop and nail your signature look. Their M.O. is to connect brides with editorial makeup artists and hair stylists so that every client looks and feels like they’re fresh off a fashion shoot, as they should! Whilst originally located in Sydney, The Future Mrs has artists nationwide. You can catch them in action here and here and get in contact here.
Location: Australia-wide
CAOIMHE DOWNEY
This lovely lady is a hair and makeup artist with serious skills. Think wedding day looks inspired by sun-kissed skin, golden highlights, and, of course, your gorgeous natural features. She’s got loads of experience (nine years worth!) so you’re in mighty good hands. Not only is a Caoimhe Downey a total H&M maestro, but brides also comment on how comfortable they feel under her brushes. Contact details? We’ve got you, just head on over here.
Location: Sydney, NSW
THE PRETTY PARLOUR
This talented hair and makeup team are regulars on the Hello May blog and our real brides are always sure to gush about their skills. We love that they steer clear of anything too traditional, instead, crafting modern and elegant looks, a perfectly placed clip here, silk scrunchie there. Check out real bride, Amanda, here and tell us otherwise!
Location: Perth, WA
ETERNAL ELEGANCE
This team of hair and makeup artists are lauded for their efficiency, high-quality products and oodles of expertise which, good readers, is exactly what you want come the morning of your wedding. Offering hair, makeup and a combo service, they’ll sort you out whether you’ve got three bridesmaids or 10 (and you’ll all be on time!). All services include lash extensions and a lippy to keep! Win! You can drop them a line here.
Location: Sydney, NSW
KATE MCCLEARY HAIR & MAKEUP ARTIST
Serving up fresh, modern and clean looks is all in a days work for Kate. She put her brushes to work for Maegan & Brendan’s Daylesford wedding, and in the bride’s words, she “loved her”. So do we! Whilst her incredible makeup skills speak for themselves, she’s also astonishingly punctual (the 10 minutes early kinda gal!) and is super sweet to boot. What’s more, she only uses 100 per cent cruelty-free products, and the best of the best at that, so she sure has our vote! Head on over here to grab Kate‘s deets.
Location: Melbourne, VIC
LOVECO BEAUTY
It’s not just LoveCo Beauty‘s artistry that gives us the warm and fuzzies. When LoveCo Founder, Mim, was building her ultimate beauty team, she put selecting kind, empathetic personalities at the forefront. Describing them as “professional, creative artists with huge hearts,” this is the Melbourne bunch to put you at ease. Did we mention that their soft signature look is pretty darn incred, too? And that they focus on natural beauty products, using organic and sustainable where possible. See more LoveCo goodness, and start up a conversation with the passionate team right here.
Location: Melbourne, VIC
SAMANTHA LEE MAKEUP ARTIST
Not only is Samantha Lee a total makeup whiz, but she is an absolutely divine human being as well. We love her work so much that she has been one of our go-to girls for HM fashion editorials, such as Girl Got Grit and Let Love Bloom. She is the queen of dewy skin, and her skills are even more magic in person. When you book Samantha in for your wedding (reach out here!), you’re also signing up for her magnitude of industry secrets to get your skin looking its finest beforehand.
Location: Sydney. NSW
THE LOVERS ARTISTRY
With eight years experience in the industry, there is very little we think Madeleine of the The Lovers Artistry can’t do. While she’d never shy away from a bold or colourful look if that’s what your feeling, her expertise lies in a light-touch approach, which enhances natural beauty. Just pop her through your makeup inspo pics and she’ll craft the on-the-day look of your dreams. She’s also brings those joyful, calming vibes, which are essential the morning of your big day. Sound like your jam? Shoot off an enquiry here.
Location: Sydney, NSW
LEIGH MCCOY
If you’re a Queensland bride yet to hear of Leigh McCoy, then allow us to introduce you. This talented hair stylist and makeup artist has been at the top of her game for over 15 years – she knows all the tips and tricks, and can hold your hand through the whole experience, from helping you narrow down your look in the lead-up, right through to touch-ups on the day.
Location: Brisbane, QLD
CREDITS Photos (from top) Wildfolk Photography, The Paper Fox, Arianna Harry Photography, Willow & Co, Wildfolk Photography, Barefoot & Bearded, Matt Ashton Photography, Scott Surplice Photography, Ali Bailey, Supplied, Tropical Romance & Co, AQ Studio, Hey Babe Photography, Images By Kevin, Georgia Wiggs, Maegan Brown Moments, Maple and June, Sage Hammond, Bonnie Jenkins.