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.
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:
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:
Lyric Rochester, a makeup artist who is a graduate of The Face Place, one of Jamaica’s best beauty schools, recommends the following:
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:
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:
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:
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.
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:
You also need these general hygiene and safety supplies:
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:
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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 applicationAfter 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 concealersIt 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
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