Must have items for a makeup kit

 
 
 

As a professional Makeup Artist, you will have a core kit that you start out with and will continue to build your kit as you gain experience and work with clients. A kit is a very personal preference, and depending on the type of makeup application you will be creating and your specific goals and career path in the beauty industry will depend on the type of items you must have in a kit. Selecting your kit case is an individual preference - depending on your individual situation and needs, as long as it keeps your kit contained and organized, be mindful and protect your investment.

 
 

Must Have Items in Your Makeup Kit:

As a professional Makeup Artist, you will have a core kit that you start out with and will continue to build your kit as you gain experience and work with clients. A kit is a very personal preference, and depending on the type of makeup application you will be creating and your specific goals and career path in the beauty industry will depend on the type of items you must have in a kit. Selecting your kit case is an individual preference - depending on your individual situation and needs, as long as it keeps your kit contained and organized, be mindful and protect your investment.

There are no specific products (in terms of brands) required to have in a kit - however there are key core essential items to always keep in your makeup kit:

Makeup:

  • Primer (for face, eyes, lips)

  • Foundation (4 colors with varying ranges [light and darkest shades] is traditionally more than enough, you will learn to blend to create the best color for each client)

  • Color correcting palette

  • Concealer (again, a few is more than enough - light and dark shades to create the perfect shade for each client)

  • Cream highlight/contour palette (can be used for multiple applications - blush, lips, eyes, face, etc). Be creative!

  • Translucent setting powder

  • Pressed powder (for client touch ups when on set)

  • Powder highlight/blush/contour palette (varying range of colors for all skintones)

  • Bronzer (warm and cool tones)

  • Eyeshadow palette(s) (always have neutral colors as well as a brighter/glitter palette [depending on season!], and keep in mind your clientele and what style of makeup application you will be focusing on)

For palettes: You can create your own custom palette (Z Palette and Vueset have great custom options!)

  • Mascara (traditional and waterproof)

  • Gel eyeliner

  • Pencil eyeliner (black, brown, white/nude - waterproof)

  • Duraline (to modify products for liner, etc)

  • Lashes (strip, individual - small, medium, long)

  • Eyelash glue (traditional, latex free)

  • Lipgloss (can be used as highlight on the eye, etc as well for more creative editorial looks)

  • Lip palette (with a global range of shades for all skintones)

Always be mindful of the expiration dates, try not to have too much product that will expire before you can use them!

Tools + Preparation Products:

  • Brushes (blush brush, foundation, concealer, eyeliner, eyeshadow - a kit is great, but always remember less is more! You will start to see which brushes you use most frequently and expand on your brush kit as needed)

  • Metal palette + spatula

  • Eyelash curler (invest in good quality for this product)

  • Tweezers

  • Scissors

  • Pencil sharpener

  • Eye drops

  • Dental floss

  • Disposable mascara wands

  • Disposable lip wands

  • Disposable eyeliner sticks

  • Disposable latex free sponges

  • Q-Tips

  • Cotton rounds

  • Micellar water

  • Makeup remover

  • Moisturizer

  • Lip balm

  • Setting spray

  • Brush cleaner

  • 70% Alcohol

  • Paper towels

  • Small trash bag

  • Hand sanitizer

  • Breath mint or spray (you will be working closely with clients so always remain clean and fresh!)


    Always keep your workspace clean, and try to avoid asking your clients for products     (unless there is a specific product they request to use).

    Keep your kit as minimal as possible to work your best. You can always expand as you go.