Whats in my kit?
As a professional wedding artist, I must be able to 'makeup' individuals of all skin tones and skin types creating a lasting look through dancing, sweating and celebrating into late hours of the night even through humidity, rain and spilt champagne toasts!
Being able to do this means using the proper tools for the job. You wont find a kit full of TikTok trends or YouTube influencer recommendations because I only use products used regularly in the makeup industry by other professional bridal, film and print makeup artists who make their living by applying makeup to paying clients, not reviewing products and filming applications on themselves or friends!
Keep in mind my kit is ever evolving. While the following are my current brands, some will be removed and some will be added at some point.
Hygiene
Being a professional means following proper hygiene protocols to prevent the spread of bacteria and germs which can cause diseases and virus to spread from one person to the next.
This means never using the same brush or sponge on multiple clients. I have enough brushes and sponges for each person who sits in my chair.
I use hand sanitizer between each client.
I also regularly clean the products themselves with alcohol or makeup approved sprays which are meant to be used on powders. For lipliners and eyeliners I will sharpen between every use which removes the previously exposed layer.
For lipsticks I use a spatula to scrape a small amount of product from the container and apply using a brush or disposable wand from the spatula which is them sanitized with alcohol between clients. (lip brushes are placed into container of used brushes and disposables tossed into the trash).
Mascara will be applied using a disposable wand. Each time I need to dip back into the tube, a new want is used.
Concealers will be swiped onto the back of my hand or onto my palette, never swiped directly onto the face.
Concealers
Generally I don't use concealers a whole lot. I find makeup artists tend to forget their knowledge and become cookie cutter artists just putting concealer on everyone in the same exact spot everytime. Concealers are meant to ...you guessed it....CONCEAL. I find a vest majority of faces I work on dont need a concealer. Foundation alone is usually enough to cover some discoloration and spots. However, for those situations where there is significant discoloration under the eyes, large sun spots or acne, I will then reach for a concealer to color correct and add more coverage to specific areas only that need it.
Temptu, MAC, Kevyn Aucoin
are the brands I am currently using for concealers and color correctors.
Complexion
I carry a huge variety of brands for blush, contour, bronzing and highlighting.. In my Artist Kit Company palettes I have depotted probably 30 or so full sized palettes and compacts to condense and lighten my load. Then I have some that can't be repotted and are still full. I carry shimmer finish and matte finish blushes, contours and bronzers as well as cream and powder products.
Cream blushes, bronzers and contours are almost always layered under my foundation application (underpainting) before topping with a light powder bronzer, contour blush application which aids in the longevity of the look.
Brands I carry:
Ben Nye, Temptu, Charlotte Tilbury, Dior, Scott Barnes, Nars, Becca, MAC, Benefit, Too Faced, The Balm, Sitla, Tarte, IT Cosmetics, Inglot, Lethal Cosmetics
Brushes
I use a variety of brands. A vast majority of my brushes are from Omnia Professional
from the Royal and Langnickel Company. The rest is a mixture of Mac, Melanie Mills Hollywood, Ben Nye, Sigma, Real Techniques, Esum and probably a few other stragglers from various other brands.
Skincare
Skin care is one of those subjects I could yammer on about for days, but I won't bore you with the details. Basically in the makeup world there are primers and skin prep. To create the best possible base for makeup, the skin needs to be prepped properly. Unfortunately, how good I can make your skin look is only about 30% up to me with the rest being your responsibility at home with proper routine. I can't reverse years worth of sun damaged, over exfoliation and severely dehydrated skin. But I can do the best I can to address these issues for the day to allow the skin to look its best which will allow the makeup to sit better. I don't use primers the way most makeup artists do. I prefer to cleanse, tone, exfoliate and hydrate appropriately using products specific for your skin needs. The only time I will use a dedicated primer is to reduce the look of large pore which is typically just in the t-zone. But before that, I will still be applying the appropriate skin care.
The skin prep and primers I am currently carrying come from the following brands:
Bioderma cleanser, Thayers witch hazel, QRxLabs, Sonia Roselli, B3, Embryolisse, Makeup Forever, Kevyn Aucoin, Mehrom, Temptu and Melanie Mills Hollywood.
Foundation
A common question I get is, 'what brand of foundation I use'. No single foundation is suitable for all skin types. At all times I carry with me several brands and formulas to suite each person I encounter.
MAC Studio fix
medium buildable coverage which I use only for oily skin types.
Face Atelier
Sheer to medium buildable cover which has a beautiful luminosity. This is my favorite foundation for dry to normal skin or dehydrated skin types as well as mature skin.
Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer
Full coverage cream foundation which I use for oily skin types and those wanting full coverage.
Temptu Perfect Canvas
This is 1 of my 2 airbrush formulas which I use on oily skin types, those with texture and those wanting a more matte complexion.
Temptu S/B
This sheer coverage luminous, hydrating formula leaves a beautiful glowing complexion that looks like your real skin.
MAC Studio Fix Powder foundation
for super oily skin, those with flawless skin who want the most minimal makeup and for male grooming. Its also use to add more coverage or demension.
Powders
RCMA No Color Powder, Ben Nye, Temptu Invisible Difference Powder
Eyes
Charlotte Tilbury, Viseart, Tarte, Stila, Anastasia Beverly Hills, MAC, Urban Decay, Lorac Pro, Too Faced
Lips
Charlotte Tilbury, MAC, Gerard Cosmetics, Mirabella Beauty, RAD Beauty (I have my own line of Lipsticks), Esum Beauty
Misc Cases, Tools, products
The Makeup Light, Relavel, Japonesque, Cat Complexion Atelier, Ardell, Makeup Forever, Temptu, Graftobian, LA Girl, NYX, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Mario Badescu, Skindinavia,