Clients find makeup artists in three ways: they search (Google, Instagram, TikTok), they ask a marketplace for quotes (Thumbtack, GigSalad, The Knot), or they book through an app (StyleSeat, Vagaro, Booksy). You don't need all 20 places below. Start with the free ones, add one paid marketplace that fits your work, and keep the listings that bring bookings.
Still training? OMA's Elite Career Path is a makeup program with business training built in: its second level includes modules on business, branding and marketing and on maximizing your income.
How we checked: every price below comes from the platform's own pages on October 28, 2026. Plans change, so confirm before you pay. And before you take paid bookings, check your state's license rules: 32 states plus DC license paid makeup work.
Your website: the one listing you control
Point every listing below back to your own website: your portfolio, a "starting at" price list, your service area, reviews and a booking or contact link. It's the one listing no platform can change or charge you a commission on. Our portfolio guide compares website builders and their prices, and our pricing guide shows how to set your prices.
Free listings: start here
1. Google Business Profile
Best for: clients searching "makeup artist near me" and on Google Maps. Cost: free. If you travel to clients, Google allows a service-area profile without a public address. Ask every client for a review. Visit Google Business Profile
2. Instagram
Best for: being discovered, and being checked out before a client books. Cost: free professional account; ads are optional. Professional accounts can't be set to private, so keep it for your work. Visit Instagram
3. Facebook Page
Best for: local clients, reviews and community groups. Cost: free; paid promotion is optional. Visit Facebook Page
4. TikTok
Best for: short tutorials and before-and-afters that reach new viewers. Cost: free business account. TikTok's Verified Business Account asks for a business license. Visit TikTok
5. Pinterest
Best for: bridal and editorial looks that people save and plan around. Cost: free business account; ads are optional. Visit Pinterest
6. YouTube
Best for: longer tutorials that show your skill and teaching style. Cost: no fee listed to start a channel. Ad income comes only through YouTube's Partner Program. Visit YouTube
7. Nextdoor
Best for: neighbors looking for a local artist. Cost: free business page with free posts; paid ads are optional. Visit Nextdoor
8. Yelp
Best for: clients who compare reviews and request quotes. Cost: free business page; Yelp Ads from $150 a month. Visit Yelp
Marketplaces that send you leads
Here clients post what they need and pros respond. You pay per lead, per year or per booking, so track what each one brings in.
9. Thumbtack
Best for: event and wedding clients asking for quotes. Cost: no subscription or membership fee; you pay per lead, at prices you set for each service, within a weekly budget. Visit Thumbtack
10. Bark
Best for: clients who post a job and compare pros. Cost: you buy credits to contact customers; no commission on the job. Visit Bark
11. GigSalad
Best for: parties, corporate events and other gigs. Cost: Starter is free with a 5% booking fee; Pro is $139 and Featured $169 per 3 months, each with a 2.5% booking fee. Visit GigSalad
12. The Bash
Best for: event clients; it belongs to The Knot Worldwide. Cost: Basic $129 a year or Pro $219 a year, plus a 5% booking fee ($20 minimum). Visit The Bash
13. Google Local Services Ads
Best for: paying only when a client contacts you through Google. Cost: pay per lead. Google lists Makeup Artist as a US category; check whether it's available in your area. Visit Google Local Services Ads
Wedding platforms
14. The Knot and WeddingWire
Best for: couples who start their vendor search there. Cost: a Basic listing is free; Premium placement is paid, with prices from the sales team. Both belong to The Knot Worldwide, and one WeddingPro account covers the two. Visit The Knot and WeddingWire
15. Zola
Best for: couples who plan and register on Zola. Cost: free listing and a 30-day free trial, then pay-to-connect credits or a monthly Unlimited plan. Visit Zola
Before you create your profile OMA team would suggest you to research other MUAs in your area and check out their profiles and services they offer. It is very likely that you will see the same artists on many of the listed websites. Study their bios before you create yours to make sure you’ve listed all the necessary information.
Booking apps and client tools
These take bookings, deposits and payments. StyleSeat, Vagaro and Booksy also list you in a marketplace that sends new clients, some for a share of the first booking. If you only need online booking, software such as Square Appointments (free plan), Setmore (free plan) or GlossGenius does that without a marketplace.
16. StyleSeat
Best for: beauty clients who like to book online. Cost: $19 a month as a limited-time rate for new pros ($35 is the regular price in StyleSeat's own cost guide), plus 30% of a new client's first service, up to $50, when its marketplace brings the client. Visit StyleSeat
17. Vagaro
Best for: a free marketplace listing alongside your booking calendar. Cost: from $30 a month for one calendar ($23.99 a month for the first 6 months as an introductory rate), with a 30-day free trial. Visit Vagaro
18. Booksy
Best for: everyday beauty clients booking on their phones. Cost: $29.99 a month plus $20 per extra user; its Boost marketplace takes 30% of a new client's first visit, up to $100, only when you switch it on. Fresha works in a similar way, with a one-time 20% fee ($6 minimum) for marketplace clients. Visit Booksy
19. HoneyBook
Best for: bridal work that needs contracts, invoices and payment schedules. Cost: from $29 a month billed yearly ($36 billed monthly). It doesn't find clients for you. Dubsado does the same job, from $35 a month. Visit HoneyBook
Film, TV and fashion work
20. Backstage
Best for: crew calls for film, TV, theater and fashion; on the day we checked it listed 114 hair and makeup crew jobs. Cost: membership from $16.66 a month billed yearly (a lower welcome offer was running). Visit Backstage
Two more crew sites: ProductionHUB lists crew for production companies (a Basic profile is $6.99 a month after 30 free days), and Staff Me Up posts production jobs (free Basic plan).
Which ones to start with
Bridal: your website, Google Business Profile, Instagram and Pinterest, then The Knot and WeddingWire or Zola.
Events and parties: Google Business Profile and Instagram, then Thumbtack or GigSalad.
Everyday beauty clients: Google Business Profile and Instagram, then one booking app with a marketplace: StyleSeat, Vagaro or Booksy.
Film, TV and fashion: a website with your credits, then Backstage, ProductionHUB or Staff Me Up.
Your first 90 days
Month 1: publish your website, set up Google Business Profile and Instagram, and ask your first clients for reviews.
Month 2: add one paid marketplace with a fixed budget, use the same photos and prices everywhere, and answer every inquiry the same day.
Month 3: ask every client where they found you. Keep the listings that bring bookings and drop the rest.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best website for makeup artists to get clients?
Start where clients already search: Google Business Profile, Instagram and your own website, all free. Then test one paid marketplace that fits your work, such as Thumbtack or GigSalad for events, or The Knot and WeddingWire or Zola for weddings, and keep it only if it brings bookings.
Do makeup artists need their own website?
Yes. It's the one listing you control: your portfolio, prices, service area, reviews and booking link in one place, with no commission. Every other profile should link back to it.
How much does Thumbtack cost for makeup artists?
Thumbtack has no subscription or membership fee. You pay per lead, at a price you set for each service, within a weekly budget you choose.
Is The Knot free for makeup artists?
The Knot and WeddingWire listings run through WeddingPro, which offers a free Basic listing. Premium placement is paid, and WeddingPro gives prices through its sales team.
What is the best booking app for makeup artists?
If you want new clients as well as bookings, choose an app with a marketplace: StyleSeat, Vagaro or Booksy. If you only need booking and payments, Square Appointments and Setmore have free plans. For bridal contracts and invoices, use HoneyBook or Dubsado.
How do makeup artists get bridal clients?
Build a bridal gallery on your website and Instagram, collect Google reviews, list on The Knot and WeddingWire or Zola, and pin your bridal looks on Pinterest. Couples often book through vendors they trust, so stay in touch with the planners and photographers you work with.
