When starting as a professional makeup artist, there is much to buy. However, with so many products available, it’s easy to lose focus or waste money. Our guide lists the items you need in a beginner makeup artist kit. And remember, some products are multi-use – so use them creatively! Over time, you’ll naturally acquire more items. But to start with, only the essential makeup items are needed – and there are enough of them!
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Before You Start
- First, think about the industry you want to work in – this will influence what products you will need. For example, a film makeup artist needs camera-friendly products that last in all sorts of environments. A bridal makeup artist will need skin prep products, plenty of neutral shades and waterproof mascara.
- Next, do your research, ask for recommendations and test as many products as possible. For example, you can try products in-store – and ask for samples to test later. There are plenty of YouTube videos showing products in action. Finally, don’t forget to ask the pros on a job what they like to use and why.
- Start slowly – no one expects a beginner to have everything. Be resourceful – many products can be multi-use. Also, understand and use colour theory – all sorts of new shades can be made by mixing.
- And finally, palettes are great for the beginner makeup artist kit – more on palettes later.
Disposables
- Cotton buds.
- Cotton pads.
- Tissues.
- Couch roll.
- Makeup sponges – use latex-free.
- One-use tools – including brushes, applicators, mini powder puffs and mascara wands (also known as “spoolies”). These are essential for hygienic working. Eco-friendly products with bamboo sticks instead of plastic are available.
- Toothpicks – wooden picks individually wrapped in paper.
- Razors.
- Nail files – a packet of mini files can be handy.
Hygiene & Preparation
- Hand sanitiser – one that is both anti-bacterial and anti-viral.
- Soap – can be used for many things, not just hygiene. For example, it can smooth down or block out eyebrows.
- Brush cleaner.
- IPA – isopropyl alcohol. Used to clean metal tools and some brushes (but not anything with plastic such as mascara wands).
- Makeup disinfectant spray – used to clean makeup products, including pressed powders.
- Hairdressing cape – to protect costume and clothing.
- Hair clips and spa headbands – to keep hair out of the way.
- Small bin – for rubbish and dirty brushes/tools to be placed out of the way.
- LED light wand or UV sterilisation box – useful due to the Covid-19 situation.
- Storage pots or organisers – pots are useful for putting brushes, pencils, mascara and other such things in. They take up less space and keep each type of item organised. Plastic boxes with adjustable compartments are useful for organising small things (often found in art shops, DIY stores or places like Hobbycraft).
Skincare
- Micellar water – can be used as a face wash and cleanser and is gentle on the skin.
- Cleansers and toners – for different skin types.
- Makeup remover.
- Moisturiser – products without fragrance are handy.
- Lip balm – use hygienically by removing a little from the pot with a new cotton bud.
- Eye cream – again, use hygienically.
- Eyedrops – that come in single/one-use pods.
- Shaving foam/cream and aftershave balm.
- Sun lotion – useful to prevent tanning and burning if working outside in warm climates.
Makeup Palettes
Palettes are the backbone of a professional makeup artist’s kit. They offer many colours in a compact format, making it easy to choose and mix. Additionally, palettes often work out cheaper to buy than individual colours. And when you eventually run out of a colour, that space in a palette is easy to refill. For a beginner makeup artist kit, palettes are excellent.
- Empty palettes – are excellent for your favourite products. Vueset, Japonesque, MyKitCo and Z-Palette make great empty palettes. MAC do pro palettes for their own products.
- Colour correcting and concealers – choose a palette offering various shades.
- Contouring – a palette will offer a range of highlighting and shading tones.
- Cream foundation – a cream foundation palette is really useful. Remember, products can be mixed to colour match. Choose a palette with a wide range of colours.
- Eyeshadow – including neutrals, mattes and some shimmery colours for creative looks. Remember, mix colours to create new shades using colour theory.
- Blusher – to start with, a pink, peach, coral and plum will cover many needs. Matte and slight sheen finishes are good.
- Lipsticks – you will need a selection of nudes, reds, pinks and browns in matte and satin finishes. Remember, colours can always be mixed. Lipstick can also be used as a blusher. Kryolan have excellent lip palettes designed for pro use.
Makeup
- Primer – a face primer for drier skin and one for oily skin will do (a mattifier). Either can be used for normal skin. An eyeshadow primer is handy.
- Liquid foundation – in a couple of shades and finishes. Remember, you can mix colours to match skin tone. Make a tinted moisturiser by mixing liquid foundation with moisturiser.
- Mineral foundation – a couple of pure mineral foundations are great for men, “no makeup” looks and sensitive skins.
- Setting powder – loose translucent powder is for the makeup trailer, and pressed powder is for taking on set. Most importantly, never take loose powder onto set.
- Setting spray.
- Mascara – a black one is essential, including one with a waterproof formulation. The triple cabinet mascara by Kryolan has a trio of colours (ivory, brown and black) that has many uses, including mascara, defining brows and eyeliner.
- Clear mascara – or a clear brow gel is handy for “no makeup” looks and smoothing brows.
- Eyeliner – black pencil or gel is essential. Pencils in different colours are nice to have. Liquid eyeliner is OK for one person, but can be a cross-contamination issue if used on more than one person.
- Bronzer – one in a cool shade and a warmer one.
- Brow pencils – in shades of blonde, ash blonde