Let’s face it – makeup products are not cheap. As much as you’re looking forward to a career as a makeup artist, you’re likely dreading the creation of your makeup kit (and we don’t blame you!). You want to have the best products possible on hand for your clients, of course, but you also don’t want to break the bank – especially when you’re just starting out.
Well, we’re here to help! Keep reading to find out how to build your makeup kit by focusing on products that are affordable and versatile, and which items you shouldn’t bother wasting your money on.
Find out how to wash a beauty blender, and all of your other tools, correctly! In terms of Q-tips, however, we recommend keeping some of those in your kit just in case, as you’ll need them to smudge or correct a variety of looks. You can grab a box of Q-tips for less than $5.00, and they’ll last a long time!
Before purchasing any makeup palette, however, do your research! Don’t fall for the illusion that higher prices guarantee better quality, because this simply isn’t true. You should be investing your money on affordably-priced brands that produce high-quality makeup, especially as you begin your career in makeup artistry. When it comes to palettes, spend some time researching the best ones for your price point, and make a list of what to purchase. Your wallet and makeup kit will thank you!
The good news is that there are many high-quality, affordable mascaras available in your local drugstore! Stock up on a few of these in some different colors (black and brown will suffice), and you’ll be ready to create killer lashes for your client at a fraction of the cost.
Pro Tip: Use less mascara by lightly applying pressed powder on your lashes after the first coat. Then, apply a second layer of mascara. This will ultimately give your client a much fuller look (and will save you money)!
1. Disposable items
As a makeup artist, you’ll run into a number of different situations that will require you to remove, fix, and blend makeup. These techniques require tools, and a few different ones, at that! However, items such as Q-tips, cotton pads and foam sponges are totally disposable, which makes them a huge waste of money for makeup artists on a budget. Q-tips are useful when correcting or smudging a client’s perfect winged eye, and cotton pads can quickly remove a blush color that a client isn’t fond of, but there are ways to save money with both of these products, and we’re going to share some tips to help you do so. Swap your cotton or foam pads for a beauty blender! This is a specially-designed sponge that, once wet, can apply foundation, tinted moisturizer, or cream blush to a client’s face with an impeccable finish. It retails for around $20.00, and the best part? It’s totally reusable, meaning that you won’t need to go through countless disposable (and expensive) pads in order to apply and blend your client’s makeup.
Find out how to wash a beauty blender, and all of your other tools, correctly! In terms of Q-tips, however, we recommend keeping some of those in your kit just in case, as you’ll need them to smudge or correct a variety of looks. You can grab a box of Q-tips for less than $5.00, and they’ll last a long time!
2. Individual makeup products
Throughout your career in makeup, you’ll work on many different skin types and tones. While it may seem logical to carry a number of different concealers, foundations, and blushes in your makeup kit to suit every client and situation, it’s just not feasible (or affordable). You’ll throw your money away and also run out of space in a hurry! We recommend stocking your makeup kit with palettes rather than individual pieces. Eyeshadow, concealer, blush and lipstick are all available in palettes, providing you with a range of shades at a much better price. Imagine buying 12 shades of lipstick – this is a huge expense, and it won’t be easy to cram them all into a kit that’s already full of other products.
Before purchasing any makeup palette, however, do your research! Don’t fall for the illusion that higher prices guarantee better quality, because this simply isn’t true. You should be investing your money on affordably-priced brands that produce high-quality makeup, especially as you begin your career in makeup artistry. When it comes to palettes, spend some time researching the best ones for your price point, and make a list of what to purchase. Your wallet and makeup kit will thank you!
3. Shimmer blushes and powders
We get it – you want to have products on hand that will take your clients’ look from gorgeous to radiant, and give them a finishing touch to remember. However, you don’t need to splurge on shimmery blushes or powders in addition to your current blush products to achieve an amazing glow. After applying a matte blush or powder, give your clients an added oomph with a perfecting powder such as BECCA Cosmetics’ Multi-Tasking Perfecting Powder. This product will set your clients’ makeup and provide a silky, natural finish that is equivalent to an overpriced blush. It’s also the only product you need to achieve a finishing touch, so instead of adding two or three other expensive products to your makeup kit, you can depend on this powder. Priced at $34.00, it will definitely do the trick.4. High-end mascara
We totally get how tempting it can be to spend a fortune on mascara. After all, you want to show your clients that you can create the full, dramatic lashes they desire! However, mascara can be ridiculously expensive, sometimes upwards of $200.00, and it’s a very easy way to totally waste your money while building a makeup kit.
The good news is that there are many high-quality, affordable mascaras available in your local drugstore! Stock up on a few of these in some different colors (black and brown will suffice), and you’ll be ready to create killer lashes for your client at a fraction of the cost.
Pro Tip: Use less mascara by lightly applying pressed powder on your lashes after the first coat. Then, apply a second layer of mascara. This will ultimately give your client a much fuller look (and will save you money)!
