Since becoming a freelance makeup artist in the wedding industry, I have gone through many kit changes. From a tote bag full of small bags to a suitcase full of small bags to now a case designed and curated specifically to work with me...I spent so much time and money on things that didn't end up working out! I don't want you to waste that precious time and money on trying a bunch of things!!! I already did all of the navigating for you!
Over the years, and many trial and errors, I have learned what worked and what didn't when it came to my kit. Being organized when working on multiple people at a wedding is crucial to staying on track time-wise - and during tight timelines, every second counts!
I want to help you shorten your time to the perfect Pro Kit! My husband often says "do it right the first time, or do it again." When it comes to doing it right the first time, it often means spending less of your hard earned money on things that don't end up working or doing it again, meaning spending more time and money. I can tell you from experience, not having this list when I started ended up costing me a ton of unnecessary money! Yes, spending a little extra up front may be necessary to ensure that you purchase the right things rather than buying multiple items to try and end up spending a total of way more!
I have put together 8 important items for you to start to build your kit right the first time! I have also created a quick kit packing checklist for you to download & reference at the bottom of this post that will help you when packing for your next client. **Hint: there may be more posts coming sharing more about kit building!
Happy Kit Building!!
01. the BAG
Having a good bag is essential for making sure not only that you can fit everything you need to bring with you to jobs, but also so that you stay organized during makeup application, and so that you can protect your makeup/tool investments.
I have tried a LOT of bags...this one is absolutely, hands-down, the best bag out there for makeup artists! It has a ton of possibilities with the removable dividers, it has lots of pockets to store things and has not only caring via a strap, but also a handle or a back strap to put on a rolling cart too.
02. the SKIN PREP
While there are many skin prep items currently in my kit, there are 2 that really I use the most.
Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base ($66 50mL) - I have tried multiple moisturizers and the Bobbi Brown one is hands down the one I use all of the time. It hydrates and primes the skin so beautifully. It is important to note, if you are using a water based foundation, this moisturizer may not work as well. Be sure to pay attention to the bases of your foundations that you are using with which moisturizers, if they are not compatible, the foundation may separate on the face. I know that $66 for 50mL sounds like a lot to some, but that one jar usually lasts me 8-12 months using it on all of my wedding parties, so per wedding, that is a small amount for cost of goods used.
The MILK Hydro Grip is a good primer for oily skin. I have found the ELF Power Grip Primer, which dare I say is a true dupe, for a fraction of the cost. I like them both!
03. the FACE
I am both an Airbrush artist and a Traditional Foundation artist; so that means I have a multitude of formulas in my kit.
RCMA Palettes #10 & #11. This is a highly pigmented palette of a ton of colors! I started with just this in my kit and the Temptu Perfect Canvas (airbrush). It is the easiest way to have a lot of colors for a great price and then build the kit slowly from there. To make the pigment even thinner, RCMA has a thinner that you can add to it to make it even more like a cream foundation. This is definitely the most cost effective way to start out!
Georgio Armani Luminous Silk. I don't necessarily think that you need this if you already have the RCMA Palettes unless you are just looking for a foundation that is a little lighter coverage. You certainly don't need this when you are just starting to build a kit because it is more pricey. This one is used for more mature skin or under the ERA Beauty Aerobrush foundation (layering). I don't have all of the colors, but have some that I can mix together to create other colors if needed.
PRO TIP: start your collection of this line with the travel size! This will allow you to get some of them and determine which ones you use the most and then only buy the larger bottles of those colors. I usually wait until they are on sale for 20% off to pick up the larger ones (it pays to be on their email list!)
ERA Face Aerobrush Foundation. I use it to create a finished flawless look over the face using a dry sponge or lightly damp sponge. My clients love that it has medi-spa levels of vitamins & botanicals, is water resistant & transfer resistant coverage that lasts all day AND cover tattoos, scars, veins. GREAT for Brides that are getting ready early in the morning but their ceremony is not until late afternoon! GREAT NEWS..I even have a coupon code for you to Get 15% off!! Use MARLA15 at checkout!! How exciting is THAT??
Temptu Perfect Canvas Foundation. This is the actual airbrush foundation that I use in the airbrush machine. I do have all of the colors in my kit to ensure that I am prepared for anyone. I started with just the starter kit of all of the colors - and then slowly increased to the 1oz size bottles as I finished up the small starter ones - this eased me into the full size without breaking the bank and allowed me to see what colors I used most. Here is what the bottles look like and the colors that they offer! If someone is between two of the colors, I just mix them to create the new shade.
COMING SOON!! Marla Austin Cashmere Soft Focus Foundation. This one is getting ready to launch in my makeup line in May 2023! It is Vegan, with skin loving ingredients and is a 12 hour long wear, medium to full coverage foundation that I cannot wait to launch!! It really does feel like Cashmere on your skin!
COMING SOON!! Marla Austin Flawless Finish Foundation. A light to medium coverage. Great for mature skin! I love to mix this one with moisturizer and get a light coverage that looks beautiful!
04. the COLOR
What I am loving these days is Danessa Myricks ColorFX little tubes...the color "Exposed" is absolutely beautiful! They are reasonably priced (so much so that I purchased nearly all of the colors - can you say obsessed?)
I know that there are a ton of palettes out there, some inexpensive and some a little more expensive. However, the key thing that I found when choosing palettes is the "fallout" of product when I put it on the lids. If I end up with product everywhere rather than where I place it, it ends up in the discard - do not use - cabinet. Also, if it does not blend out very well, to the land of no returns it goes.
For those just starting out though, the key is to get a eyeshadow palette that has a good amount of colors and blends out good. I love the Viseart Palettes for this. It has a variety of colors for many looks and skin tones. Viseart has been that palette that I continually go back to because of their blend ability. The Grande Pro 1X (picture 1) is the one I would get if they would have had it back when I started. They now offer a mini version (picture 2) of a good neutrals palette and the original version (picture 3) which is the palette I have in my kit. I have tried most all palettes out there - embarrassed to say it is a bit of an addiction - but I always end up back with Viseart.
PRO TIP: Start out with mattes. You can use your highlighter powder to add shimmer over the matte. You can also use the pink shades as blush if you need to.
05. the FINISHING POWDER
My go to has always been Laura Mercier Translucent or Hourglass Veil powder for just touching those areas that need powder. I recommend getting the small travel/trial size for the kit until you determine which powder works best for your climate, and skin of your clients.
06. the BRUSHES (or use disposable sponges)
Brushes are an important tool for makeup artistry. Here is a post from Instagram I recently did on my Top 5 favorite brushes. There are many variations of brushes out there for all price points depending on your budget. I recommend getting a few for eyes, a foundation brush, a blush brush, a powder brush and maybe a contour or bronzer brush to start.
TOP 5 favorite brushes you need for your makeup toolbox 🧰
➡️ 1- the @bdelliumtools #732 flat fan brush - If you are anything like me, the spoolie on the mascara wands end up on more than just my bottom lashes! This fan brush allows you to place the mascara on just the lashes.
➡️ 2- the @morphebrushes #M518 lid corner brush - this is for placing eyeshadow in the outer corner of the eye or it can be used for the crease as well.
➡️ 3- the @itcosmetics airbrush foundation brush #101 - this is a bit denser and will produce a heavier coverage of foundation on the face. It’s best to tap it in, rather than drag the foundation around.
➡️ 4-the @ultabeauty #23 powder brush (aka tapered highlight brush) -this is one of my absolute favorite powder brushes! It’s super soft and has a dome head on it to get into eye corners and around the nose easier. Much better for specific placement rather than all over powder placement.
➡️ 5- the @morphebrushes #M453 blending brush - this is for your eyeshadow blending. A very very very important step! Use this to make sure there are no harsh lines left once your shadow has been placed.
07. the LASHES
Lashes make everything better! I am convinced!
They are a must have in your kit especially when someone is going to be photographed. Everyone that sits in my chair gets lashes - yes, even grandma!
My fav are the Ardell Wispies, Demi Wispies and the Ardell Naturals #420, 421 and 422.
When you are starting out, you really only need the Wispies and Demi Wispies. I have started to build up my lash collection to include more now, but that is many years into the business.
Amazon does have the best pricing for them vs. Target or Walmart that I have found.
08. the DISPOSABLES
Ensuring that your kit is always sanitary and clean is a MUST! This is non-negotiable when it comes to being a makeup artist! The best way to make sure that you are not missing the boat on this one is to use disposables. Lash spoolies, lip wands, cotton swabs, and sponges are all good choices to make disposable. I have linked the ones I use below along with the container I put them in for my kit.
** Transparency Disclaimer: some of these items are affiliate links, some are not. :) Just thought you should know. There is no additional charge to you when using these links.
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