Morgan Gates Makeup Artist

I have to update and say that I have now had the pleasure of working with Morgan many times and have even been lucky enough to sit in her chair. Yay, me!
Every time I see her name on the vendor list for a wedding, I am giddy because I know all the ladies she touches will be gorgeous. Morgan is amazing at bringing out a woman’s natural beauty. Every bride I know that has worked with her has raved and felt so confident and pretty on their big day.

I cannot speak more highly of the gorgeous and talented Morgan Gates. If there were more than 5 stars, I’d give them!
Morgan did my bridal makeup for my semi-​elopement in NYC and also did makeup for a few others in our wedding party (my mum, mother-​in-​law and best friend). As I was organising my wedding all the way from Australia, I found Morgan on Unilocal and was struck by the exceptional reviews she had. From the very first enquiry email she was an absolute pleasure to deal with. She was so, so helpful, understood exactly what I was going for and even helped me find an equally amazing hairdresser (Bobbie Yanoupeth).
Not only is Morgan an exceptional make up artist, she’s super nice. I felt like I was hanging out with a girlfriend during my make up trial and on the day prep! She put me totally at ease on what had the potential to be a stressful day and made me feel beautiful, calm and, most importantly, me.
Thank you Morgan. You’re the best!

For any bride who has ever been scared by the CLOWN MAKE-​UP look at someone else wedding, or simply anyone who wants to look both natural and glamorous at once…
Morgan is the absolute best (and if you don’t believe me, just scroll down and soak in all the fabulous reviews). She did make-​up for myself and two others for my recent wedding and everyone, despite being a make-​up phobic bunch, was extremely happy with the results.
Morgan was extremely receptive to my feedback post trial about wanting to change the look slightly, and she had several great recommendations for me to do a little research on products before the big day. She was thorough and thoughtful in our conversations leading up to the wedding day which speaks to both her professionalism and her personality.
Morgan has a very calming energy– she is funny, sweet, and focused. A true professional– she comes in and gets right to work, checking in with you along the way– not only about the make-​up, but about how you’re doing/​feeling «do you need water? champagne?» as well as being your voice when you need — direct quote, said in sweetest possible way– «I’m going to be a meanie and say that no one is allowed to ask the bride a question for 5 minutes.» And they LISTENED to her. Even if you didn’t need make-​up done, I would recommend Morgan to just be a presence. But her work is seriously fabulous. I had major apprehensions about foundation and overall make-​up cakey-​ness and Morgan guided me in the right direction, listened to where I felt comfortable, and managed to achieve the perfect look for my wedding day. She even threw in one of her very own lip pencils when last minute we all decided the lip shade I had picked out was too bright! I am looking forward to the next event I can have Morgan for, and my maid of honor already wants to have a make-​up session with her. She is a very memorable part of my wedding day and I am very thankful to have had her with me to help ground me before getting swept up in the whirlwind of the day!

All of these 5-​star reviews are the truth, ladies! Morgan is awesome!!!
She did my bridal makeup and then stuck around during my reception for touch-​ups, and she is really great! Not only is she great at what she does, she is just really nice to have around. And believe me, your makeup artist is going to be all up in your face (literally) on your big day. She even dealt really well with my kinda-​difficult mother.
Two thumbs way up for Morgan!!!
One of my favorite vendors for my big day.

Let me start off by saying this girl is INCREDIBLE! My makeup knowledge is limited, I hardly wear it and when I do, I’m stuck with doing a very basic face because that’s all i know! So when it came time to seeking out someone to perfect my face on the most aesthetically important day of my life, Morgan was my girl!
I feel like i can be a hard client in that I have no direction, I just wanted to look pretty, which can be too broad of a statement for make up artists. During my makeup trial, Morgan was able to hone in on the most perfect look for me, and it was flawless! Every bride wants to look and feel stunning on her big day and Morgan definitely surpassed that goal. She also took the natural beauty of my 5 brides babes to another level, they all looked gorgeous!
Not only is Morgan amazing at her craft, but she is an all around awesome person. She answered all my questions in a timely manner and even helped with some suggestions to help keep my face flawless as the night progressed. She was such a pleasure to be around and her work is fantastic, can’t recommend this girl enough!

My experience with Morgan was fantastic. I ended up doing two makeup trials before the wedding. I felt completely assured with the trials that Morgan would create a beautiful wedding look for my big day. Every time, Morgan was on time at my apartment, very communicative, and planned out a wedding day schedule for myself and 6 other ladies makeup.
Also, all of her makeup practices are very hygienic and my skin felt totally fine after the wedding (no breakouts or weirdness). I am so very happy with the makeup Morgan provided for myself, my mom, my mother in law, and 4 ladies in my wedding party that were different ages and different skin tones. Thanks again Morgan!

There is no way for me to properly express my gratitude to Morgan for doing my makeup for my wedding. I can’t say enough about how amazing she is. When I first found Morgan on Unilocal,I had just had a terrible hair trial with someone who told me that I had bad hair that wasn’t capable of being styled. I don’t really wear makeup and never do anything with my hair but I was hoping to do something natural but pretty for my special day. That hair trial made me think this wasn’t possible. Then I met Morgan and everything changed. From our very first email communication Morgan put me at ease. She was so easy to email with; she was sweet yet informative, laid back yet professional and always very responsive. When she came to my apt for my makeup trial I immediately knew that everything was going to be perfect. Not only did she do the most exquisite makeup, she listened to what I wanted and didn’t judge me for not knowing anything about makeup, but she immediately made me feel calm, relaxed and beautiful. It was really important to me to have a chill, non-​stressful vibe on my wedding day, and Morgan created exactly that. She also did the makeup for my mom, sister and best friend, all of whom she made feel comfortable and beautiful. And because she knew I didn’t really own makeup, she even brought me a little bag with small lip brushes and samples of the lip color and gloss so that I could reapply throughout the night. My mother has been very ill and as a result has been feeling unattractive and has issues with her eyes and mouth. Morgan was so sweet with my mom and was sensitive to her issues and made my mom feel beautiful. Morgan also was able to recommend a hair person who was able to style my hair! I feel so lucky to have met Morgan and was so thrilled that she was able to be a part of one the most important days of my life. She made me and everyone around her feel happy and beautiful.

I’m just going to reiterate what everyone else has to say, but it deserves repeating, so here goes:
Morgan rocks! I could not have been happier with my wedding day make up. I felt like the best possible version of me — which I think is exactly how you want to feel on your big day. I know my mom and sisters — who Morgan also made up — felt great about how they looked as well.
Again it’s worth repeating that Morgan is not only a talented make up artist, but she has a great personality and presence as well. I liked her from the minute I met her at the trial. I also had second thoughts about how I wanted my eyes to look after the trial. I got in touch with Morgan and she completely listened and made the changes on my wedding day.
I know combing through potential vendors/​collaborators/​artists for a wedding can be overwhelming. Let me make it easier on you — book Morgan for your wedding! You won’t be disappointed.

Morgan is a phenomenal makeup artist! I’ve worked with Morgan and she is a true professional and an expert in everything that is makeup! Could not recommend her artistry enough.

Morgan is the best. She did my wedding makeup, and I LOVED it, and it stayed perfect all night long. She is extremely talented, nice, flexible and very reasonably priced for her level of skill. She is a consummate professional, amazing artist and an absolutely lovely person!

Morgan Gates is a splendid makeup artist! I was not able to do a makeup trial since I live on the west coast and the wedding was on the east coast where Morgan is located. Despite this, Morgan was able to accomplish exactly what I wanted for my wedding day! She also did the makeup for my wedding party and mom… they all looked fabulous! She is extremely professional and a delight to be around! Thank you Morgan!

Morgan did my makeup and hair for my wedding in August. From our trial months in advance to the last coat of mascara on the big day, she was a true professional. I looked like myself, only more polished and glamorous — just as I wanted! Morgan is a sweetheart and a true talent.

AMAZING, Morgan is nothing short of AMAZING. As a bride you are always nervous about someone really getting what you envision for yourself for the big day. Morgan totally got what I wanted and more. She knew how to enhance my features without going overboard. Her calming personality doesn’t hurt either. I really cannot rave a about her enough!

Morgan did my makeup for my engagement pictures and my wedding, and both were phenomenal. I was hesitant to get my makeup professionally done after I had had a makeup artist do it for another wedding I was in as a bridesmaid. At that other wedding (where it wasn’t Morgan doing my makeup), my husband absolutely hated my makeup and thought I looked like a completely different person.
When Morgan did my makeup it was a completely different situation. I looked completely natural — just the best version of myself. All of my pictures turned out so well, too. I had just enough makeup on to photograph well, but not too much where it looked caked on or fake.
The best part about it was that my husband absolutely LOVED it and kept telling me how wonderful the makeup looked.
Morgan was so pleasant to deal with, too. She was prompt, professional, and everything you would want on your wedding day. She also went above and beyond, getting me a «touch-​up» kit for the day of and picking out lipstick shades for me to keep.
I promise you won’t regret it if you go with Morgan for your makeup. I am just so sad she moved from San Diego so I can’t use her again or recommend her to all of my friends!
Thanks so much, Morgan!

Morgan Gates is an amazing makeup artist. I wasn’t sure that I actually wanted someone to do do my makeup for my wedding because I am so particular about my makeup, but I am so happy that I chose Morgan. She did a great job on my makeup and my bridesmaids. We looked beautiful. Everyone was happy with their makeup and that is not very common. I have been in a couple weddings and never let anyone do my makeup. I am not a professional but I usually like to do my own makeup because I know what I like and am comfortable with. She does a trial, which is great if you want to talk about the look you want. I HIGHLY recommend Morgan for any event.

Morgan did my make-​up for my wedding back in 2007. I was going for the classic 1950’s look and she nailed it. I loved it and felt beautiful on my wedding day. Morgan is super nice and professional. I would definitely recommend her!

Morgan did my makeup when I had to go to a wedding and was 9 months pregnant. She did a fantastic job, making me feel beautiful instead of a fat, swollen mess! It looked great the whole evening :)

Morgan is a true make up ARTIST! I am a photographer and she did makeup for a Lynn’s Rags fashion shoot. She’s professionaland punctual, which is increasingly difficult to find these days in makeup artist. She is awesome to collaborate with, gives great input and is super attentive to detail. She stayed with us for the entire day — changed the looks out a few times on our model and was flawless with the touchups.
I would work with her again in a heartbeat!

Morgan is the best makeup artist in town. My daughter was getting married, making me the «Mother of the Bride». I was nervous to walk down the aisle on her big day. There were going to be people that I had not seen in many many years. On the morning of the wedding, I trusted my face to Morgan and didnt peek once until she was finished. I remember the first words out of my mouth «I’m SO pretty !!» She did an amazing job and I went to the wedding feeling confident and beautiful, looking better than I expected to…

I’m a singer/​songwriter and Morgan did my makeup for the photo shoot for the cover of my album «Dreams in Cold Weather» as well as the photo used for «The Art of Dreaming». You can search for these on iTunes to see the work she did. (just go to iTunes and type in Tracy Johnson)
She made me look stunning & flawless. Somehow she was able to make me look like a porcelain doll, but completely natural all at the same time. I think that’s the sign of a true makeup artist… the ability to enhance everything without making you look like a clown. I’ve never in my life felt more beautiful than after she did the makeup for that shoot.
This girl is destined for great things, she could do makeup for movies, models, commercial shoots, weddings, you name it, she can do it. I’m going to hire her again for my music video shoot in a couple of months.
She’s also one of the nicest people on the planet. Very easy going, and fun to hang out with. I never want to work with anyone else. Morgan has spoiled me. She’s amazing.

My first encounter with Morgan, was right after I had lost 130pds. I had been to someone before, but I kinda looked clownish! So Morgan did her thing and I promise to you… How she made me look made me cry! I never thought I could possibly look so beautiful wearing makeup. I call her my makeup goddess. Now I have a monthly budget to go see her! She is so patient and teaches me how to apply my make up. One session… I had just gotten my hair done. It was black on the bottom and blonde on top with pink highlights. I told her ok match my hair! That was my favorite look ever! That girl can do anything!

Sometimes serendipity walks into the room, and you get precisely what you need and want.
Enter Morgan Gates.
Lately I’ve had bad luck. Depressing events both political and personal, plus my skin is changing and I’m feeling, well, sun damage-​y. Too much sadness and insomnia. I wasn’t looking my best.
Prob was, professional headshots were #1 on my to-​do list. I needed real makeup applied by a real makeup artist with practical, real expertise. In other words, I needed to be camera ready — and fast.
Morgan Gates understands lighting. She’s not some gloss-​wielding cutiepie you see when you’re a bridesmaid, or embarking on an major dinner date, or meeting somebody’s uncomfortably stunning ex. Morgan Gates is a professional. My professional photographer agreed. He couldn’t believe how great her makeup was, and the guy sees professionally applied makeup all day long.
Morgan achieved the perfect balance of polish and natural. My skin never looked better. Just the right mix of glamour and reality. And the photographs were perfect. Not a pixel over– or underdone.
No Photoshop required. That’s pretty amazing.
She’s charming, sweet, funny, a pro through and through. Plus she’s a Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley lookalike, gorgeous, with red hair to die for. Morgan has better hair than Jenny, though.
This girl is bound for editorial heights in LA or NYC. San Diegans, partake of her talent while she’s here. I sure will.