Investing in a professional makeup kit is crucial because it shows that you take your makeup career seriously whether you’re working on a film set, a photo shoot or a fashion runway. We laid out the essential makeup tools, products and equipment to include.
Makeup Tools & Equipment
There are three main important things to acknowledge when crafting your makeup artist kit. These include sanitation, quality and multifunctional.
- Sanitation: Since you will be working with many different clients and models you will need to keep your brushes, tools and makeup clean. It is essential to find the right disinfecting sprays along with using disposable items. One of the important rules in the makeup industry is to never double-dip.
- Quality: As you look for products for your makeup kit, it is crucial to look for high-quality ingredients. A good quality product will pay off in the end. You should also look for well-packaged products to resist wear and tear.
- Multifunctional: A tool that can be used for different purposes will help save space, reduce weight and be easier to clean. For example, a small brush can be used to apply eyeshadow, create sleek eyeliner and even apply lip colour.
Below are a few recommended essentials you should carry in your makeup kit:
- Cotton Pads: When combined with micellar water, you can use these soft and organic pads for removing foundation or any makeup. Or you can use these to put on skincare products like creams or toners. We recommend these Organic Cotton Pads at Sephora or Shiseido Facial Cotton from Mecca.
- Powder Puff: These soft, feathery pads come in handy when applying powder to your skin (whether that be a powdered foundation or setting powder). You can use Ben Nye’s Velour Powder Puff, Kryolan’s Powder Puff in Triangular or the Kry Aust Powder Puff circular version in 10cm.
- Wet Wipes and Tissues: These wipes are a faster way to gently clean off any makeup (including waterproof ones) while leaving your skin fresh, smooth and hydrated. It removes debris, bacteria, oil, impurities, sweat and more. You can find these wipes at Kryolan (bigger packs of 60 or smaller, easy-to-carry packs of 45) and Biodegradable Wipes from MAC.
- Cotton Tips: They have a pointed-tip feature that allows you to touch up or apply makeup and clean those tight spaces. Find a pack of 100 or ones with paper stems at Swisspers.
- Mixing Palette: A sanitised way to mix and blend makeup products and pigments (such as lipsticks, creams, liquids and more) without double-dipping them into containers. Look for the Kryolan’s Make-up Blending Plate.
- Disposable Sponge Wedges: These triangular sponges can be used for any purpose whether that be applying on foundation, using setting powder or easily blending bronzer and blush. You can find them in a set of 16 at Kryolan or a set of 16 with 10 packs.
- Spatula: Combined with the mixing palette, you can use this spatula to scoop and/or blend makeup or skincare products. We recommend Ben Nye’s Stainless Steel Spatula, Blending Spatula or Kryolan’s Disposable Spatula.
- Disposable Mascara Wands: A sanitised way to apply multiple layers of mascara instead of double-dipping the tube. You can instantly throw it away after use. Check out the 25-pack or 50-pack from Kryolan.
- Disposable Lip Wands: There’s also the lip version of the mascara wands. A convenient and clean way to apply lip products to multiple clients. You can use Kryolan’s Disposable Gloss Wands or their Disposable Lip Brush.
- False Eyelashes: These temporary lashes will give a full-face glamorous look. All you have to do is use lash glue (the small tube adhesive that holds lashes in place) and secure them on top of the real eyelashes. Check out these glamorous false lashes: MAC’s 83 Siren Lash, Ardell Glamour Lashes – Black 114 and Ardell Faux Minx Lashes 811. We didn’t forget the glue! Use it with MAC’s Duo Adhesive.
- Apron/Cape & Toolbelt: A quicker way to access all your makeup tools and brushes. It also keeps clothes from product stains and chemicals (such as eyeshadow, powder, etc). We recommend Kryolan’s Disposable Capes or MAC’s Makeup Toolbelt.
- Makeup Towel: The magic thing about this is that it removes all your makeup and cleans pores and oil with only water! It’s great for those with sensitive skin and convenient travel essentials. Try Mecca’s Reusable Cleansing Face and Body Washers and Cleansing Pads.
- Pencil Sharpener: It’s best to maintain and sharpen your eyebrow pencils, eyeliner and lip liners. Find a sharpener that works for any pencil size and shape. For example, Ben Nye’s Dual Pencil Sharpener and MAC’s Pencil Sharpener/Universal.
- Makeup Cases: Find a case that has enough space to equip you with what you need. A cosmetic case like Kryolan’s Actor Bags (twin set), Kryolan’s Flight Bag or Black Onset Tote Bag can help you with those quick jobs and touch-ups. On the other hand, a cosmetic trolley like Kryolan’s Trolley Case Emi – Sit On makes life easier as you can bring all the makeup options you need.
- Makeup Brushes: As you start to learn more, get more work in and improve your skills, so will your brush collection. But as of now, you can use brushes for different purposes. Make it easier for yourself by purchasing Kryolan’s Training Brush Set 32 Pieces, 25 Pieces or 12 Set Pieces. You want to make sure you’re cleaning your makeup brushes regularly using a brush cleaner.
Essential Makeup Products
Once you have the essentials ticked off, check below if you have these cosmetics included in your professional makeup kit.
Primers
Priming helps to create a smooth base for your makeup and keeps it on longer. Once you find the right formula such as Paris Berlin Moisturing Avant Primer or Mattifying Primer, it will help minimise the appearance of imperfections, wrinkles and fine lines.
Foundation
You need to assemble a wide range of options including skin tones and shades in a multitude of brands (we never know what your client might be allergic to).
There are many foundation formulas to choose from like transparent liquids, compact cushions and full coverage. By using the suitable formula you can hide blemishes, blur imperfections, perfect skin tone and create an even canvas.
Check out our recommendations such as Ben Nye’s Diverse Harmony Matte HD Foundation Palette, Matte HD Foundation and Creme Foundation Palette.
Concealer & Colour Correctors
By using concealer and colour correctors you’re able to hide diverse skin imperfections like dark circles, acne, scars, age spots and discolouration. Use concealers like Ben Nye’s Concealer or NK11 Total Conceal-All.
If more severe, try out Ben Nye’s Cover All Wheel. It is more solid and pigmented than a typical foundation. It comes in a range of liquids, powders, creams and sticks.
Contouring
By using bronzer, blush and highlight you’re sculpting your face and curating dimension using darker or lighter colours than your normal tone. The tip here is to apply a little product and use light hand movements.
- Bronzer: Gives you a warm, shadow look. Try to add it alongside the hairline, jawline, nose bridge and underneath cheekbones. Use Ben Nye’s Deep Contour Wheel for that.
- Blush: Helps make the look more natural instead of flat. Swipe the shades from Ben Nye’s Classy Chic Eye & Cheek to give the cheeks that fluttering colour.
- Highlight: Brings attention to that spot where the sun hits. Add one or more shades from Ben Nye’s SK-2 Highlight Wheel to the top of the cheekbones, the nose bridge and brow bones.
Eye Makeup
You can bring attention to the eye look through the use of eyeshadow, eyeliner, eyebrow pencil or powder and mascara.
- For eyeshadow, have a palette that is both neutral, bold and compact such as Ben Nye’s Golden Glam Eyeshadow Palette.
- For neutral looks that are easy to apply, you can use an eyeliner pencil from Kryolan’s Pencil Combi. Or if you need that dramatic intense look, consider a no-smudge eyeliner like Ben Nye’s Cake Eyeliner Black.
- Mascara will bring volume to the lashes and make the eyes appear bigger. Try out Paris Berlin’s Cat Lash Mascara.
- For brows, you can simply fill it in using natural colours. Add Ben Nye’s Classic Eyebrow Pencil to your professional makeup kit.
Lip Makeup
Using matte or satin lipstick combined with lip liner can help bring a pop of colour and texture to the lips.
- Matte Lipstick: These have a velvet-like flat finish. A handy tip is to look for ones with vitamin E like Kryolan’s Lipstick Matt so that the lips are hydrated and don’t feel dry.
- Satin Lipstick: These types have a sheer and smooth look to them compared to matte. Try out the Ben Nye’s Lip Colour 12 Palette.
- Lip Liner: This lip pencil allows you to create a base for your lipstick and can help keep your lipstick from bleeding. It also helps with longer-lasting wear. Look out for Ben Nye’s Lip Liner Pencils.
Setting Products
Lastly finish the makeup look with a setting product, whether that be a setting spray from Ben Nye’s Final Seal Setting Spray or a translucent setting powder like Ben Nye’s Luxury Powder – Banana.
The setting spray will help set the makeup, making it look matte while brightening and hydrating your skin. On the other hand, a setting powder eliminates the shine and makes the makeup last longer.