~Basic Makeup Artist's Essentials~

Any aspiring makeup artist needs a kit including basic essentials to achieve a variety of looks and to compliment any skin tone that he/she may encounter. When going on a professional appointment, one wants to appear just that. Professional. You don't want to lack the supplies needed to complete a certain job, thus losing time, clientele, money and worst of all, sabotaging your reputation as a reliable, competent and efficient makeup artist.

There are thousands of people out there who can quickly replace you, should your client dislike your work. First impressions as well as consistency in this field is the key to making a positive name for yourself and having your services recommended to others.

To start off, every artist should have a kit large enough to include the following essentials:


Foundation: You can purchase a palette with different colors or just get Light, Medium and Dark in order to mix and match when needed.


Powder: Get a Light, Medium, Dark and a Translucent powder.


Eyelash Curler


Sponges: Lots and lots of sponges (I like the wedged kind)


Lip Gloss/Lipstick: You should get an empty lip palette so you can break down your lip colors in order to mix and match and it's also a lot easier than carrying around a ton of lip glosses or lipsticks.

Makeup Remover: makeup wipes, liquid is just as good.


Eyeshadow: It's good to have a variety of neutral and brighter colors. You can get empty palettes so you can depot all your shadows, this makes it easier to carry them around. Or a larger palette with at least 25 basic colors.


Blush/Bronzer/Highlight: You should get a few colors that will compliment all skin tones and also so you can mix them. Bronzers are great for contouring. You should also get an empty palette and fill it with these.


Concealers: A lot of companies now sell concealer in a palette with a variety of colors, also get one with the corrective colors (pink, blue, green, yellow).


Disposable Applicators: Mascara wands, lip applicators, sponge eye applicators, etc.


Mascara: Black and brown


Brush Cleaner


Brushes: I recommend just getting a brush set because it comes with a variety of brushes and most of the sets are basic brushes.


Anti-bacterial wipes/Hand sanitizer


Bobby pins: to pin clients hair away from face


Gum/mints: When you're in clients faces all day you don't want them to smell your breath.


Business Cards: Always carry these just in case


Q-Tips


False Eyelashes/Eyelash Glue


Moisturizer: For sensitive skin


Primer


Eyelid Primer


Eyeliner: Black, brown, white..basic colors


Setting Spray: Urban Decay All Nighter, Model in a Bottle


Tweezers


Tissues


Hand Held Mirror


Makeup Spatulas for mixing colors


Sharpener


Train Case


Puffs


Most of these items can be found at drugstores and department stores cosmetic sections. You can buy them piece by piece if you're on a tight budget until you have all your basics.

There you are. With these essentials, you should be well on your way to establishing a career in Makeup Artistry. Remember, have fun, and think outside the box, when appropriate, to stand a cut above the rest and create a signature for your creations so that when one sees your work, the say "Oh! That is beautiful, looks like one of .........'s works!"