Hello babes! This week we’re spilling the tea on makeup artist kit essentials! That’s right, I will be sharing product’s I personally keep in my professional makeup kit as well as an overview of the type of products you should keep in yours! I am going to break everything down by category and include checklists below, so keep reading if you need a kit refresher; an entire kit checklist; or are just interested in what artists lug around in those bags! 

Whether you are a veteran makeup artist or a beginner, keeping a stocked and varied makeup kit is an essential part of our job! There are many jobs that we are hired for, that we are coming into “blind”, meaning we aren’t aware of the makeup looks we are creating nor are we aware of who we are creating them for, until we arrive onsite. For this reason alone, it is imperative to offer varying skin care products; foundation, powder, and concealer shades; color palettes; and essential tools. 

The foundation of a perfect makeup application is skin prep! You cannot create a flawless look if the skin is not prepped appropriately! Skincare and skin prep is definitely not a one size fits all routine.  As artists, we usually arrive at a job without knowing much about our client’s specific skin needs, so it is our job to ask questions in order to obtain information about their skin and the products we need to utilize. A client can have oily, dry, or combination skin. They may also have skin discolorations, scars, or markings that need to be covered, this is why varying skin care products are a MUST. 

After skin prep is completed, we can move onto creating a cohesive look based on our client and their desired outcome. Now, this is where it is so important to carry varying shades of color based palettes (blushes, eyeshadows, lips) as well as varying shades of foundation, concealer, and powders. Once again, not knowing the client’s skin tones/shades, or skin discolorations ahead of time, requires us to arrive prepared! Arriving unprepared for any situation is unprofessional. First, your work is going to suffer, and you will not be able to create a cohesively curated look for your client. Next, other professionals are going to see this, and not want to book you again, which results in an empty bookings calendar for you. (Sad face) 

Not only is it important to carry multiple shades of certain products, but it is also imperative to carry multiple brands and types of products. If you are only carrying one foundation in your kit, you’re doing it wrong! One foundation cannot supply ALL the looks. At the bare minimum, you should at least carry one water based foundation and one silicone based foundation!  Water based foundation is great for those clients who have dry skin or want a more natural, light weight, look. Silicone based foundations are usually going to supply more medium-full coverage looks, and are great for those with combination to oily skin. 

It is important for artists to maintain a professional reputation. One way you can do this is by creating beautiful and memorable looks for ALL client’s. Artist’s need to be prepared for any job, and keeping a fully stocked makeup kit is how it’s done(along with a few other things, but that’s for another day). Check out my essential makeup kit products below! I do carry other products as well, but this is a simplified list created for both beginners and experts alike!

 Let me know which products you carry in your kit and why you love them in the comment section below! 

SKIN PREP ESSENTIALS CHECKLIST:

Micellar Cleansing Water: Helps to exfoliate skin and remove any leftover products the client has on their skin

What’s in my kit?

Garnier Micellar Cleansing water; used with cotton rounds

Toner: Removes impurities from skin; helps improve efficacy of other products (moisturizers and serums and ability to penetrate the skin)

What’s in my kit?

Mario Badescu Rose Water Toner (Tip: I use a diffuser to apply to skin)

Moisturizer (Both for oily skin and dry skin): Helps hydrate the skin

What’s in my kit:

-Embryolisse: Hydramat for oily skin; Lait Crème Concentré for combination skin; Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base (plus side: it also contains primer!)

Face Primer (both Silicone based and water based): Helps to prolong makeup wear and smooth skin’s surface 

What’s in my kit? 

Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer for silicone based foundation application; Milk Hydrogrip primer for water based foundation application

Color correction palette: Helps to correct any discoloration on client’s skin 

What’s in my kit?

Temptu color correction wheel and Tarte color correction palette 

Setting Spray: Helps to prolong makeup wear 

What’s in my kit? 

Ben Nye Final Seal and Fix Plus by MAC Cosmetics

Lip Primer: Helps to hydrate lips; keep lip products in place for extended periods of time 

What’s in my kit? 

MAC Cosmetics Prep + Prime Lip Primer

MAKEUP PRODUCTS ESSENTIALS CHECKLIST:

Eyeshadow/Palettes: Varying shades and colors can be used for varying skin tones and shades

What’s in my kit?

Morphe Everyday Chic Artistry Palette

Morphe x Jaclyn Hill Palette

ViseArt Pro Palette 

Blush Palettes: Varying shades and colors can be used for varying skin tones and shades

What’s in my kit?

Ben Nye Blush Palette

Anastasia Beverly Hills Blush Trio:

Berry

Coral

Pink

Concealers: Helps cover discolorations and skin imperfections

What’s in my kit:

Ben Nye Media Pro HD Concealer Palette

MAC Cosmetics Pro Longwear concealer (used on all my bridal clients because it is long wearing and water resistant)

Foundations: 

What’s in my kit? 

Water Based Foundation: 

MAC Cosmetics Face & Body provides a sheer, buildable coverage, which is great for achieving natural-skin based makeup looks 

Silicone Based Foundation: 

NARS Radiant Long wear which is great for creating medium to full coverage looks; I often use this on my bridal clients because it is long wearing. Pro Tip: it can be drying so, skin prep is very important here

Powder Foundation: 

MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Powder 

This can be used as a foundation by itself or as a setting powder, when applied lightly (I suggest a fluffy brush when using as a setting powder)

Setting Powders: Used to prevent liquid or cream products from creasing and to aid in long lasting wear 

What’s in my kit? 

Loose Powder:

Ben Nye Luxury Powder: It helps diffuse texture and fine lines while controlling oil and shine.

Pressed Powder: 

MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Powder and Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

Eyeliners:

What’s in my kit? 

Liquid Liner: 

Stila WaterProof Liquid Liner

Gel Liner:

Anastasia Beverly Hills Waterproof Creme Color

Pencil:

 Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye-Pencil in varying colors

Mascara: 

What’s in my kit?

Maybelline Clear Mascara which is great for male clients or a very natural makeup look

Lights, Camera Lashes 4 in 1 mascara by Tarte. I use the waterproof formulation for bridal clients! 

Lip Products: 

What’s in my kit?

Lip pencils:

MAC Cosmetics lip pencils, in varying shades 

Lip color:

Graftobian Lip Palette

NARS Power-Matte Lip Pigment: Long wearing lip stains are great for bridal clients! 

Fenty Gloss Bomb Lipgloss