Makeup Kit Essentials
- Alyssa Caggiano
- Jan 8
- 3 min read
The new year brings new goals & aspirations. I know freelance makeup artistry may be a dream for a few of my readers, so I wanted to dedicate this article to makeup essentials for a kit. There’s an Amazon List at the end of this article featuring all products discussed. It’s not as daunting or overwhelming as it seems. If it’s your dream, then know it’s completely possible! Here’s my guide for makeup kit essentials:
Sanitation
Sanitization is the most vital part of a kit that can be easily overlooked for beginners. Products or brushes should never touch more than one face without being sanitized. Think about it! You wouldn’t want to purchase or apply used makeup on yourself, so why offer that to your clients? Disposable tools, such as mascara wands or lip applicators, are a great investment for a kit. Ensure you never double dip to maintain the integrity of the product. A clear makeup palette is another great choice to place cream products without applying directly to the face. Of course, you can use it to mix pigments or products as well.
70% Isopropyl Alcohol & brush cleaner are best to keep on hand to sanitize products & brushes between clients. 70% Isopropyl Alcohol is the most effective against bacteria, so it is a must in your kit. The Isopropyl Alcohol can be used for pencils, cream products, powder products (approximately 15 cm away), & any other tools or brushes. Brushes should first be cleaned using a brush cleaner after every client. Using a spray brush cleaner is easiest for cleansing brushes between clients because it requires little to no drying time. Beauty sponges & powder puffs cannot be fully cleansed, so I personally do not recommend using them for more than one client.
Skin Prep
Products for skin prep are another essential aspect of a kit that can be overlooked. The right skin prep allows base, or complexion, products to layer & blend seamlessly on the face. With each client, you should gently cleanse the skin with a wipe or micellar water to ensure there is no product on the skin. After, apply a moisturizer to ensure the skin is hydrated before using a primer. A primer may not always be necessary but should address any skin concerns (i.e. oiliness, dryness, pores). You must understand your client’s skin type to properly prep the skin. Your client may have oily, dry, combination, normal, or sensitive skin so discussing their skin type will help tremendously in using the right primer & complexion products. Lastly, the lips need a bit of hydration to allow a smooth base before layering products on top.
Base Products
Base, or complexion, products are the last of what I’ll cover for essentials because there are so many various complexions & undertones to consider as a makeup artist. I suggest starting out to purchase affordable options to save money when building your kit. Expensive does not always mean better quality when it comes to makeup! The Revlon Colorstay Foundations & Maybelline Fit Me Foundations have a large shade range that can match various complexions & undertones for your kit. Additionally, mixing pigments, such as L.A. Girl’s Pro Color Mixing Pigments are perfect in matching the right undertone for a client. Mixing pigments can turn a foundation that may be a little too warm or yellow on the skin to a perfect match. L.A. Girl’s Pro Concealer can be used to contour or bronze the skin as well as highlighting or concealing the face.
There is always more to learn in the world of makeup artistry, but this is a basic guide to get you started. If you have any more questions about what should go into your kit, then you can DM us on Instagram @caggs.official or email us at caggs.official@gmail.com. Below is a link to our Amazon List titled ‘Makeup Kit Essentials’ to help build or refine your kit:
Thanks for sharing the link at the end!