How To Put A Makeup Artist Kit Together

Whether you want your own personal kit or plan to work as a professional makeup artist, you must take the time to plan and assemble a kit. If it's for personal use then only your favorite items are needed but if this is to be used for consultations and applications then the kit will require a selection of various tones, pigments and textures.

I will focus on building a professional set up since it is much easier to figure out how to make a personal kit. Over the last ten years I've learned how to include a few essential beauty tools in addition to just skincare and cosmetics. Some makeup classes teach only the basic products for makeup kits and focus on technique but when literally faced with dozens of people, having a variety of resources and options will be the key to success.

1. It all starts with being organized. A professional box is made with of the strength of high quality luggage to house the collection which can end up weighing quite a bit. Choosing which type of makeup box is a matter of preference and convenience. A briefcase style is the most popular next to the classic train case. Wheeled models are good for travel and those with physical limitations. The largest cases have tiered drawers and cabinets to organize tools and product which are most appropriate for theater and special effects supplies.

2. The next essential are brushes, a makeup artist uses the proper tools and "artists" invest in quality brushes. There are many high priced brands that are known for having numbers on them but a good shopper can find lower priced options that are of good quality too. A great place to find those kind of brushes are online and at beauty tradeshows. I recommend watching a few YouTube videos for beauty blogger reviews.

Keep groups of brushes for eyes, lips and face in zip cases or brush rolls. Natural bristles are mostly for powder based cosmetics while synthetic bristles are for cream based products. I stock duplicates of the most commonly used along with a small travel bottle of brush cleaner to do quick wipe downs for reuse in between deep cleanings which needs a hub all it's own. Always set used brushes aside in a cup and do not reintroduce in their case until they are at least given a quick cleaning.

3. Disposables are very helpful for keeping the product clean and letting your clientele see supplies that are new and just for their session. Well made cotton rounds that don't leave fuzz are great for skincare, removing makeup and softening excess color. Applicator style swabs are very handy for blending out eyeliner and touch ups. I always need a good stock of lip wands, spatulas and spoolies, also known as mascara wands.

These items are all kept in a plastic organizer that are easily found in the beading section at craft stores or in the fishing tackle or electrical storage sections at popular chains. I prefer to have two, one for small disposables and a larger one for latex free foam sponges and the cotton pads. In addition, gel santizer and packages of makeup remover wipes are also incredibly useful to keep on hand too.

4. Some more permanent tools are best made of metal and need regular sanitizing. These can include a small 2" x 3" mixing palette for blending thicker creams like lipsticks and gels, brow shaping stencils, a dual end metal sharpener and tweezers for applying false lashes. A pack of individual lashes in brown or black can be used in a pinch for any client with a clear adhesive.

5. Starting with the face basics, a makeup artist kit will need a small set of skincare that includes a soap-free cleanser, alcohol-free toner and moisturizer for oily and normal skin to prep the skin. Keep a hydrating lip balm and a quality primer and liner filler for creating a smooth canvas. All product must be hypo-allergenic and perfume free to minimize potential irritation for sensitive skin types. Having these items will help clients feel pampered too with balanced skin that makes fabulous results and should also be in personal collections to minimize flaws and challenges.

6. After that it's all about the makeup! Foundation is the base canvas for skin matching color and hide imperfections. Liquid foundations can give layers of coverage and be mixed with moisturizer as a thinner tint. Meanwhile, thicker concealers or cream foundations can hide skin pigmentation issues, dark circles and even tattoos! Keep a range of 4-6 colors depending on the range of skintones for your market of clientele that can always be mixed to match. Finishing powders in the basics of light, medium and dark can help set makeup or be used as a base for trouble free skin to take down shine. A well made medium tone bronzer can show up on light to dark skin with proper application along with a few basic blush colors in peach, pink, plum and coral.

7. Choose eye shadows that are classics with some thought to trendy colors and texture. A finely milled powder has more pigment which shows the color better and will last longer especially when used with an eye primer. Cream shadows are great for humidity and layering but be sure to have both matte and shimmer in the collection with a few glitters for party looks. Bridal and mature makeup calls for mostly neutral taupes and browns so have a range of warm and cool tones in stock. Palettes with sets of colors can help keep the amount of compact bulk down and organize color themes for quick reference with labels.

8. As for eye pencils, get a variety of the basics in matte finishes with some in waterproof formulas to start with. If you are skilled enough get liquid liner or pen for greater control, I personally favor gel liners with a slanted brush. Then a brow filler for helping clients with thin brows in ashe and medium browns, don't use black for brows, it can be aging and too harsh. Nobody wants to look like the little old lady at the grocery checkout with a surprised look from her drawn on brows.

9. Lip products can take up a lot of space in a makeup kit just because there are so many to choose from, not to mention the gloss, plumpers and stains. A few key colors can stretch out a small budget by mixing on the metal palette to create the desired pigment. Most women can tell you in an initial consult if they are a Pink, Red or Brown and from there a makeup artist can decide on which nudes in that color range can be stocked with coordinating lip pencils for making perfectly lined lips and longer wear. A clear gloss can give any lip look depth and a pouty shine.

10. An often overlooked product for makeup kits is finishing or setting spray. New skincare technology can help applications look more hydrated, reduce creasing and slow down oil production which holds the makeup on the skin better. Some miscellaneous items to consider putting your box of tricks are a color wheel, handheld mirror, tiny body jewels, breath mints, single use toothbrushes and eye drops for relieving red or dry eyes in small travel sizes.

Some final tips: If you plan to be portable and travel to clients a well organized kit will be your best companion. Otherwise, a stocked case can be kept at home or used at a salon station, boutique or home salon and easily taken to any location for special events. Clean the products and the box itself of excess powder or mishaps regularly and wipe down compacts to show clients that you care about everybody's health and have value in your service.

I hope you've enjoyed reading my recommendations, don't be intimidated into thinking you need to have tons of product by big makeup companies. Make your choices wisely and use what you know. Test new brands privately not on clients, and lastly, have face charts on hand to write down what is used for reference or to be given to clients during lessons.

Most of all, remember to have fun! Beauty is natural, glamorous, uplifting or dramatic and makeovers can even be life changing experiences in some cases. Always keep your stock fresh and keep on learning. Let me know how you like my topic and I'll write more in this category.