My Kit
A list of my favorite products that I use regularly in my makeup kit. I hope you find the information helpful!
Mehron HD Foundation
This is by far my favorite foundation! Just a few of the things I love about it -
Color variety - For the clients I've worked on thus far, this foundation palette has provided every color I've needed. While I've used the lightest light, I have yet to use the darkest dark (review on that to come!), but for most skin tones, I think this is a great kit to get a match with amazing, blendable and buildable coverage. I've even added a couple pots of this in my everyday personal makeup kit. I also love that there are some yellow-based colors in here that are supposed to be for Asian skintones. As an Asian woman myself, I've found them a little too yellow even for me, but I like to mix them with my closer matches, somewhere between a Med4/MD1. I also use them to mix with the other colors in this palette when I'm trying to match clients with more of a yellow undertone to their skin.
Formulation - This is an oil-free, aloe-based product which has been great for my skin personally. Because of it's creamy formulation, special care does need to be taken when applying, such as correctly priming the skin before use, use of sponge or brush for application, and then finishing off with a quality finishing powder to give it staying power. This product seems to work best for normal and dry skin, and on days when my face is feeling a bit dry, I actually find this product soothing to my skin. It can work well for oily skin, too, but I notice I have to take extra care to prime the skin with an oil-absorbing primer, and then set the product.
Price - Super affordable! For a product like this, you would expect to pay a ton more! However, a full-sized pot will only set you back about $10, which is a great bargain for the actual size of the product and pigmentation level!
Cinema Secrets Ultra Foundation
If you're willing to shell out a bit more, then CS's foundations are definitely worth a try! They are available in individual pots, though I definitely recommend purchasing them in the palettes so you can adjust your foundation with the seasons, as well as have shades available for highlighting and contouring. Like Mehron's foundation, this product is also aloe/silicone based, and has a very high pigmentation level. I use this with Cinema Secrets' Moisture Spray for easier blending, and to sheer out the product. One advantage of this product is that it is available in many more colors than Mehron's foundation, and comes in smaller, more portable cases - perfect for travel, and less mixing involved to find a true match. I would say that this foundation has the best staying power, so I do prefer to use it for clients that I know will need their makeup to last the entire day, especially for weddings and special events.
Mehron Celebre Pro HD Pressed Powder
This product should seriously be called powder FOUNDATION. The pigmentation level and staying power of this is absolutely wonderful. I find that I can touch my buffing brush on it, and that alone gives a minimum of a medium coverage on my forehead! I like Mehron made their foundation in powder form, which works well for me on especially hot and humid days.
One thing I will note is that the color, while just as beautifully pigmented and blendable as its creamy counterpart, is slightly lighter in powder form. While I'm more of a Med4 in the cream formulation, I find that I need more MD1 when using this powdered version.
Price is a bit higher than the cream version, but worth it for convenience. These will be my new go-to powder foundation for personal and professional use. I currently use Graftobian's powder foundations for highlighting and contouring, as well as quick evening out for light-coverage jobs. While I love it, I may switch over to Mehron's version because of it's equally amazing performance and cost effectiveness! ;)
Graftobian 12-Color Dual Finish Foundation Powder
I absolutely love this powder foundation, and if the palette is wonderful for makeup artists! The color selection is nice, though it does lack powders for the darker tone skin. However, if you shop individual colors/refills, you'll find that Graftobian offers a large selection of colors to choose from. This foundation has great pigmentation as far as powders go, and very blendable. I loved using it for highlighting and contouring especially. Also perfect for quick even-outs, for those genetically blessed enough to have a naturally even skin tone, or for male clients who want a super natural look. Product is a little pricy, but it works great, and I love how you can create your own palette!
Cinema Secrets Foundation Primer
I've had great luck with this primer thus far, especially since it is silicone-based, and compatible with not only my CS Foundations, but also my Mehron Foundations. Goes on smooth (super "concentrated" so a little goes a long way) and helps foundation to go on smoother and adds staying power. A little on the pricey side, but worth it for the performance, and considering you only need a little amount to do the job. I think this works best for dry or normal skin, though with correct prep and setting, it can work with oily skin as well. Bear in mind that this isn't the best for mattifying those with super oily skin, but luckily I have other products for that. ;)
Mehron ProFace Skin Prep Pro (Formerly "No Sweat")
A must for hot and sticky situations, and perfect for our humid Okinawa weather! I've used this product personally a few times, and found that it does help makeup to stay better, and actually keeps my oily skin behaved! When I first put it on, my face didn't feel as, well, flexible as it normally does, but it really did increase my makeup's staying power! Notice I say "INCREASE" staying power.. No makeup is permanent (after all, it isn't plastic surgery), but this absolutely does help. It takes a while to wash off at the end of the day, and might leave you feeling a bit dry, but nothing a little face wash and light moisturizer can't fix. I would definitely say that the minor discomfort you might feel with using this product is well worth having a flawless face for your big day! Something else to note, that since this product doesn't let much oil or moisture penetrate to your makeup, you may have to be mindful of how this will affect your makeup's color. I found that some of my makeup actually looks a little bit lighter when wearing this underneath compared to when I don't, so something you may want to bear in mind if you're adding this step.
Cinema Secrets Brush Cleaner
This is arguably the best makeup brush cleaner in the business, and for good reason! I've used several types of brush cleaners including the more commonly used brush shampoos, homemade formulations, and pricey sprays. None of them compares to CS's brush cleaner! This stuff can even remove mascara and lipstick! Product can be used two ways-- 1. Placed in a cup (or dipping vessel of choice) and brushes dipped into it (watch as the makeup literally falls off the brush!), then wipe dry with towel, or 2. Quick-Spray Method - spray a generous amount of cleaner on to your brush and wipe clean with towel. Repeat as needed. Not only does this stuff leave your brushes LOOKING clean, but it also sanitizes them, as well as leaving a fresh vanilla scent. I love it even more because it dries very quickly compared to other brush cleaners. This is definitely a keeper for professional and personal use!
Smashbox The Master Class Palette
At the risk of sounding unprofessional, I must say that I love this palette so much that I could just marry it! It pretty much has all the color products you could need, and the amazing quality that Smashbox offers. Since I find myself doing more natural looks on my clients, I love that I can tote around this palette for clients that may want something more dramatic and colorful. You get a beautiful variety of eyeshadows (from neutral to colorful, and shimmery to matte), cream/gel eyeliners in several colors, two blushes that look beautiful on anybody, as well as some lipglosses to finish the look. Some things this palette does NOT include though are applicators, mascara, highly pigmented lip colors, pressed powders, or contour shades. It still has been extremely useful for me, and portable, and has high-quality basics. Just LOVE LOVE LOVE it!
Ben Nye Essential Eye Shadow Palette
For the price and performance of these eyeshadows, I think they are an absolute STEAL! I actually think these might be one of the most underrated eyeshadows out there. I particularly like this Essential Eye Shadow Palette because it consists of only matte neutrals that can be used by anybody. I'm able to create both a natural look and smokey eye with this palette, and even use it for brows and eyeliner (when doing that I like to use it with e.l.f. Studio Makeup Lock & Seal for extra staying power). If you're in the market for a neutral palette, this is the one to get!
maqpro lipstick
cinema secrets lipstick palette
ben nye banana powder
mehron setting powder
cinema secrets setting powder
rimmel eyeliner
japonesque eyelash curler
duo eyelash glue
eco tools brushes
alcon sponges
Please check back for additional/updated reviews.
