Makeup Artist "must haves"

What every Makeup Artist carries in there kit is something personal, and It will vary so much between every artist. MUA’s carry the things that they feel most comfortable using.  For example a MUA who prefers using a stippling brush to apply liquid foundation will probably not carry as many sponges as someone who uses sponges to apply foundation. 

For the most basic of makeup artist’s kits you have to at least have:

-foundation

-eye shadow

-lipstick

-brushes

-mascara

-Makeup remover

Though a good, experienced, Makeup Artist will carry:

2+ types of foundation- The reason a MUA should carry two or more different types of foundation is because not everyone’s skin type will work with 1 type of foundation. For example a liquid foundation will not work with an extremely oily bride because she will look like an oil slick. But an extremely dry bride will not look good with a just a powder foundation because it will dry her out and she will get dry patches. You need to have 2 contrasting types of foundation in your kit. I carry liquid foundation, mineral powder foundation and cream foundation so that way I can suit all skin types.

LOTS of eye shadow- What eye shadows you bring can vary job to job. For example you would not bring a lots of bright colors and little natural/nude colors to a wedding.  Always ask what look you will be doing before you go to the job so you can pack the appropriate colors.

Lipstick/lip gloss- Lipstick is probably the product that can change the look the most. A good MUA will have complimentary colors of lipsticks/ lip gloss to all skin tones. This should include browns, pinks, oranges, reds, nudes, and corals.

Blushes- Depending on the type of makeup you are doing and the type of lipsticks you carry you don’t always have to carry a lot of blush because lipsticks can serve as blushes.  But just like lipsticks a good MUA will have complimentary colors of blushes to all skin tones. This should include browns, pinks, oranges, reds, nudes, and corals.

Concealer- depending on the type of foundation you carry this can sometimes be an optional item to carry. For example if you carry a full coverage cream foundation then that is completely ok to substitute a concealer because they are practically the same thing. A good MUA though will always carry concealer for all skin type as well as color correctors.

Eye/lip liners- A good MUA should always have many different types of eye/lip liners in many different colors. The two most absolute must eyeliners are black and brown. MUA’s should carry pencil liners because they are the easiest to keep sanitary. Other eye liner that should be carried is liquid and cream. You should have black, different shades of browns and a variety of other colors. They should also have a variety of lip pencils but the musts are a nude (can use light brown eye liner) deep red, cherry red, pink, and a coral.

Brushes- A good MUA will carry many different types of brushes for many different purposes. They will also carry multiples of frequently used brushes.

Highlights, contours and bronzers- These are MUSTS for runways and photo shoots, but you can SOMETIMES get away with not using these on brides. A good MUA should have bronzers, contours and highlights in colors for every skin tones. A contour can be subbed with foundation 2 shades darker than your natural skin tone and highlights are 2 shades lighter.

Primers- There are two main types of primer, face primer and eye primer. A good MUA will normally carry a face primer for normal skin types and a face primer for oily skin. If they feel it is necessary they might also carry color correcting primers. For eye primers they will normally carry colored liquid or cream primers. Other primers they might carry are lip, or mascara primers.

Mascara- a good MUA will normally carry two different colored mascaras (brown&black) but might also carry colored mascara or clear mascara.

Removers/ skincare- MUA’s should always carry makeup removers, cleansers, moisturizers, toners, and elixirs.

Tools- Tools every MUA should have are: disposable lipgloss and mascara wands, cotton products, sponges, eyelash curlers, tweezers, eyebrow shapers, eyelash glue, spatulas, alcohol, sharpener, palette, headbands/hair pins, sanitizers, etc.

False eyelashes- False eyelashes are not always necessary but you need to be prepared. You should carry individual lashes, natural strip lashes, dramatic strip lashes, and maybe a couple really dramatic lashes.

Sprays- there are different liquids that all MUA’s should carry. The most common liquids are water, alcohol, and brush cleaner. Optional sprays that a MUA should carry are fixers and sealers to de-cake or seal makeup.

This is the kit i brought to a photo shoot.. this is not my full kit

SUGGESTIONS OF PRODUCTS:

*-I use in my kit

Liquid Foundation-

MAX FACTOR*

Makeup Forever HD foundation*

MAC studio fix*

MAC face & body

Makeup Forever matte velvet +

--many others—

Powder foundation

Makeup forever duo mat*

Sephora mineral loose powder*

MAC studio fix

Setting powders

Makeup forever HD powder*

ELF studio powder

Eye Shadows

Makeup forever*

MAC*

Sephora*

NARS

Wet n wild*

--Many others--

Lip sticks

MAC*

Makeup Forever*

NYX*

--many others—

Blushes

MAC*

Makeup Forever*

Maybelline

--many others--

Concealers

Makeup forever*

Mac

Revlon*

--many others—

Primers

Makeup forever hd primers

MAC prep&prime*

Mac paint pots*

--many others—

Makeup removers/skin care

Neutrogena makeup removers*

F.A.B. skin care*

--many others—

False eyelashes

Eeyelash.com*

--many others—

--brushes, tools, highlight contour bronzers,  mascara’s, and sprays will have their own entries--