So you want to be a make up artist. You work well with others, you’re great with color, you know all the latest tricks and trends, and you’ve got all the colors of all the products. So you’re all set for work, right? Not quite so fast. Here are 11 must haves every make up artist needs to really do their job right.
1. Rubbing Alcohol – Often overlooked rubbing alcohol is one of the most important items for makeup artists for one reason, sanitation. Use it to disinfect eyeliners and lip pencils throughout your day. At the end of the day use it to wipe down your tools before you pack up.
2. Tweezers – It seems obvious but this item is also often forgotten. In addition to removing stray hairs tweezers are perfect for manipulating false eyelashes and applying small jewels.
3. Mixing Palettes and Cosmetic Spatulas – There are two great reasons for makeup artists to always have mixing palettes and spatulas. The first in, again, sanitation. Stainless steel tools are super easy to sanitize (with your rubbing alcohol) between clients. The second is convenience. Rather than attempt to carry around every shade of every makeup item just carry enough basic colors that you know you can mix together on a palette to create colors that match every client perfectly.
4. LOTS of Disposable Mascara, Lip Wands and Cotton Swabs – Again, sanitation is the big draw of these cheap and disposable items. Eyelashes and the human mouth contain TONS of bacteria. Use new wands for every client. Cotton swabs are also handy for smudging eye makeup, removing mistakes and even applying some glosses and eye shadows. Stock up at trade shows for the best deals.
5. Finishing Sprays – Find one that reduces creasing and oil production to insure your work lasts as long as the client needs.
6. Water Misting Bottle and Moisturizer – Applying makeup to dry skin is a mess. Lightly mist clean skin with water and apply moisturizer immediately after. Always carry a thick moisturizer for dry skin and a lighter one for combination or oily skin.
7. GENTLE Make Up Removers – A make up artist may have to remove make up at the beginning and end of the day. Make sure whichever remover you pick will work on all skin types.
8. Baking Soda – Yes, you read that right, with everything out there a good make up artist carries baking soda. The dry seasons are sometimes so harsh on skin that a little water mist and moisturizer aren’t enough. Gently slough off dead skin by mixing baking soda with cleanser until it’s the consistency of a thick paste and apply it to your clients face, rub gently and wash off with warm water.
9. Lip Scrub and Balm – Chapped lips are also a dry weather problem, and the delicate skin can make using basic exfoliaters painful for your client. Always have a gentle lip scrub and balm (suitable for use underneath glosses and lipsticks) so lips can look smooth and plump before you apply the color.
10. Hair Clips – Always necessary but especially helpful now that bangs are in fashion, always have a couple of simple hair clips so you can work without asking your client to hold their hair back (never ask the client to hold anything!).
11. An Organization System – A make-up artist has to work quickly and expertly. Which means that when there’s a problem you don’t have time to search for the brush you need. Pick a system that works for you so you know where everything is at all times. Caboodles, zip up bags and Tupperware are all useful in this endeavor.
