Nisa Nicole Makeup Artistry

Nisa Nicole Makeup Artistry was established in 2006 by Nisa Nicole, who owns the business and works as its makeup artist. She has been in the makeup business for more than 15 years and became a familiar name in the Austin beauty industry in the early 2000s. Her earlier work includes time as a makeup artist at MAC Cosmetics and as a portrait artist at Disney World.

The business covers bridal makeup and packages, wedding party makeup, on-set and production makeup, headshot makeup, special occasion makeup, editorial and art makeup, and senior portrait makeup. On-set work is priced at $500 for a half day of one to four hours and $800 for a full day of five to eight hours, with requests over eight hours quoted individually. Light hair styling can be added to on-set makeup for $150. Headshot makeup is $150 for one hour in the studio, or $150 for the first hour on location and $100 per additional hour to stay on set. Special occasion makeup on location is $125 for 45 minutes to one hour, and glitter, bold or bright colors, stencils or rhinestones can be added for $25 if requested in advance. Art and editorial makeup, including costume work and creative shoots, is $150 for one hour or more, plus $100 per hour to stay on set. Senior portrait makeup is $150 and is done on location with a custom airbrush foundation.

Bridal packages start at $500, which is the minimum rate for Saturday and Sunday weddings. A package includes one trial makeup application in the studio, one day-of application on location, and two additional applications on the wedding day, which are also available on Fridays and weekdays at $125 each. Wedding day applications begin with a personal consultation and skin prep, and include airbrush foundation that lasts up to 24 hours. Travel to South and Downtown Austin has no fee. Fees for farther locations are $85 for 25 to 35 minutes from South Austin, $100 for 35 to 50 minutes from downtown, $120 for 50 to 75 minutes, and $140 for 75 to 100 minutes, calculated one way. Appointments cancelled within 24 hours of the start time carry a $50 cancellation fee. Contact requests sent on Fridays and weekends get a reply the following business day, within up to 24 hours. The business does not advertise and relies on referrals, reviews and industry relationships.

The business has had its bridal work featured on several wedding websites and is a preferred vendor for some Austin-area venues. Its work has been published in local and national bridal publications, and tutorials have appeared on a lifestyle blog. Past and listed clients include Sheryl Crow, Matthew McConaughey, Edie Falco, Zac Posen, Project Runway All Star Designers, CNN, KXAN, SXSW, New York Fashion Week, Nautica, Urban Decay, Altar'd State and Baylor Scott and White Medical Center. The business says it won Best Technique at the Austin Fashion Awards and a Couple's Choice Award from Wedding Wire, and that it was named to Best Of Weddings 2017 by Borrowed and Blue.

Makeup is customized to each client's style, age and skin tone, and sanitation is handled with clinically taught sterilization and hands-off methods on every client.