What does a professional makeup artist need?

05 Feb.,2024

 

You know you want to devote your career and artistic abilities to becoming a makeup artist, but how to start?

The first thing you need is the proper makeup kit. Your makeup supply essentials depend on two factors: the kind of clients you plan to work with, and state licensing requirements you may have to meet to work professionally.

Before you know it you could be the next Rolf Keppler. He was on the makeup team for Twilight as well as Terminator Salvation and the TV series ER.

Or what about Vivian Orgill. She didn’t do the makeup for just any old nuptial agreement; she was the key makeup artist for My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2.

Maybe you’ll follow in the vein of Dunia Rivero. She runs her own makeup business in Miami and specializes in weddings, runway events, and music videos.

Maybe, just maybe, you will be the next Mario Dedivanovic. You know, the man behind Kim Kardashian’s signature look. It all starts with the right supplies in your makeup kit.

What the Pros Have in Their Makeup Kits

You’ve been doing your own makeup – and probably your friends’ too – for years so you already have a basic idea of what you need in a makeup kit. Things change though once you start doing makeup professionally. As you gain more experience in this artistic field you are going to learn a lot more about what you’re going to need to pack in your kit.

As you develop your own career in this field you can talk to your colleagues to see what they recommend for a general makeup kit. Here is what a few well-known makeup artists advise:

Kim Kardashian’s makeup man Mario Dedivanovic was featured in a Harper’s Bazaar article talking about what products he buys when he goes to the store. While you probably aren’t prepared to spend $1,700 for the products that are in Kardashian’s bag, Dedivanovic provides advice on items that you can get from everyday beauty stores:

  • Demi wispy eyelashes
  • Voluminous mascara
  • Cosmetic wedges
  • Face wedges
  • Eye shadow
  • Hairspray

Professional makeup artist Keri Hatfield, who works in the entertainment industry and has a list of credits that include commercials for Gold’s Gym, Microsoft, United Airlines, MasterCard, and clients that include Courtney Love, recommends the following basics:

  • Concealer brush with a curved tip
  • Powdered concealer
  • Foundation brush – full and coarse
  • Mineral powder
  • Translucent powder brush – full and fluffy
  • Bronzer
  • Eyeliner
  • Lip gloss
  • Spatula
  • Lipstick and applicator
  • Tool belt

Lyric Rochester, a makeup artist who is a graduate of The Face Place, one of Jamaica’s best beauty schools, recommends the following:

  • Brushes for application
  • Face hydrating cream
  • Eyebrow brush
  • Eyebrow pencil
  • Foundation
  • Skin pore lotion
  • Primer and applicator for blemishes
  • Oil-absorbing pressed powder
  • Concealer
  • Translucent face powder
  • Face contouring powder
  • Dabbing towels
  • Eyeshadow
  • Eyeliner pencil
  • Blush
  • Lipstick
  • Lip liner

You may opt to pursue a specific niche of makeup artistry. You’ll therefore want to tailor your makeup kit supplies to fit your unique line of work:

  • Television broadcast and commercial filming sets
  • Movie and film production
  • Theatre, opera, ballet, and other performing arts
  • Weddings, graduations, and other special occasions
  • Spas and beauty salons
  • Resorts and five-star hotels
  • Cruise ships
  • Mobile house and business calls

Essential General Supplies for Your Makeup Kit

Sanitation, disinfection, hygiene, client protection, and your protection. You must have general supplies that address all of these issues. Doing makeup on yourself or informally on your friends, you’re probably not used to practicing the absolute best hygiene techniques, so the sooner you get in the habit the better. While the following supplies aren’t glamorous they will ensure your makeup artistry practice is clean and safe – two essential qualities that are key in determining your long-term success:

  • Hand sanitizer
  • Disposable tissues
  • Antibacterial brush cleaner spray
  • Hair drape or cover
  • Body drape
  • Disposable applicators
  • Eye protection for both you and your client
  • Rubber or latex gloves
  • First aid kit
  • Blood spill kit
  • Containers or bags for soiled items and trash
  • Container or bag for items to be disinfected

Makeup Artist Kit Requirements for State Licensure

The regulations regarding makeup artist licensing vary significantly from state to state. Check with your state’s board of cosmetology to see if you need a license to work as a makeup artist. The requirements for makeup artistry licensure typically fall into one of these categories:

  • No state licensing requirements
  • State licensing requirement to become a licensed esthetician
  • State licensing requirement to become a licensed cosmetologist
  • State licensing requirement to become a licensed esthetician or cosmetologist only if you are going to be working as a makeup artist in a beauty spa or salon; if you travel or work on-set with clients then you may not be required to be licensed
  • State makeup permit required – Louisiana is currently the only state to offer a specific license/permit for makeup artists, and you are not required to pass an examination for this credential

If you are in a state that requires an esthetician or cosmetology license to work as a makeup artist, that means you’ll need to pass a licensing examination. These examinations typically require you to bring a kit with you to demonstrate your practical abilities. Knowing the general kit content requirements for these exams can therefore help you to plan what materials you want to purchase for your makeup kit.

Once again, check with your state’s board of cosmetology to know the specific kit contents you need for an exam. Cosmetology boards and testing companies usually provide candidate information bulletins (CIBs) that detail the specific kit requirements for your exam.

NIC Esthetician and Cosmetologist Kit Requirements

The National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) has developed esthetician and cosmetology exams that are the closest things to a nationalized standard. Around half of all states use these as the licensure examinations for estheticians and cosmetologists, and a significant number of additional states base their own exams on the NIC’s models.

If Your State Requires an Esthetician License to Be a Makeup Artist

The NIC’s esthetician practical examination requires you to have the following supplies in your kit:

  • Mannequin hand and a table clamp – depending on your state you may be required to use a live model
  • Cleansing face cream
  • Spatulas
  • Astringent or toner
  • Thermos or container for water
  • Massage cream
  • Tweezers
  • Fabric strips
  • Soft wax product
  • Hard wax product
  • Wax heater
  • Facial mask product
  • Moisturizer
  • Foundation, blush, and powder
  • Mascara, eye shadow, and eye liner
  • Lip color and lip liner
  • Eyebrow brush

You also need these general hygiene and safety supplies:

  • Dry storage container
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Antiseptic
  • Body drape
  • Hair drape/cover
  • EPA-grade disinfectant that kills bacteria, fungi, and viruses
  • Cloth and paper towels
  • Tissues and cotton
  • Disposable applicators
  • Tape
  • Eye protection
  • Gloves
  • First aid kit – check with your state for the specific requirements for this, usually band aids, antiseptic, latex gloves, and first aid tape
  • Blood spill kit
  • Containers or bags for soiled items and trash
  • Container or bag for items to be disinfected

If Your State Requires a Cosmetology License to Be a Makeup Artist

The NIC’s cosmetology practical examination requires you to have all the materials listed above for the esthetician examination as well as these additional items:

  • Mannequin head and table clamp – depending on your state you may be required to use a live model
  • Hair clamp
  • Comb
  • Hair brush
  • Spray bottle
  • Thermal curling iron with material to test the iron’s temperature
  • Haircutting shears
  • Razor
  • Chemical wave rods and end papers
  • Chemical applicator bottle with simulated waving lotion
  • Tint brush and bowl or bottle applicator
  • Thick tinting gel or colored cholesterol
  • Blow dryer
  • Hair clippies
  • Hair rollers
  • Cuticle cream/remover
  • Nail filing and buffing tools
  • Cuticle pusher
  • Nail brush
  • Cuticle oil
  • Nail polish and polish remover
  • Sculptured nail products
  • Neck sanitation strips

Back to Top

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. 

This is my  skin prep kit, it contains everything I need to prep a client’s skin before makeup application

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. 

Here are all of my foundations, powders, and color correctors, and  concealers 

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

What does a professional makeup artist need?

Makeup Artist Kit Essentials

For more Supply Original Clutch Kit MG GS, High Quality Tail Lamp Tail Light for MG6, High Quality Tail Lamp Inner Light for MG GSinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.