Most people with an interest in makeup will already have a kit for themselves, but entering the professional world of makeup will take your kit to a whole new level.
With so many tools, shades, textures, adhesives and more, setting up your beginner makeup artist kit might seem like a daunting prospect.
Don’t worry, we’ve teamed up with students on BCE’s Makeup for Media, Film and TV course to create a handy list of all the essentials you need, ensuring you’ll be fully prepared to start booking jobs and working magic with your brush.
Makeup Case
You’ll notice that most makeup artists have a large cosmetics case that looks like luggage. But if you’re starting out as a student, something smaller will be better for now. Also, it’s worth remembering that your case will get knocked about when you travel between bookings, so investing in a good quality case that’s going to keep all your powders in one piece is absolutely crucial.
NYX Professional’s Beginner Makeup Artist Train Case is perfect when you’re starting out – it’s big enough to store all your essentials and small enough to move around easily. As a bonus, it’s also reasonably priced compared to others.
Brushes and applicators
Other than your makeup, brushes are perhaps the most important part of your kit. You’ll need a range of different brushes and disposable applicators when working with different products and people, but when you’re starting out, it’s good to have at least one of each of the essentials:
- Foundation paddle brush
- Powder brush
- Blush brush
- Flat eyeshadow brush
- Blending brush
- Shader brush
- Eyeliner brush
Real Techniques Flawless Base Brush Set is a good place to start, and it doesn’t cost the earth either!
Brush case
Next, of course, you’ll need a case to keep all your brushes in. The Flat Lay Co. does a handy standing brush case that not only keeps all your brushes organised but also stands up for easier access when working with clients.
Portable light
A portable ring light is a definite necessity, and a ring light with a tripod stand works perfectly. You can adjust the height and brightness, plus change from cold to warm lighting to view your facial artwork in different potential lighting settings.
Makeup artist essentials
Now we’ve got the bare essentials out the way, here are some of the other things you might need when you start building your makeup artist starter kit:Â
- A handheld mirror
- Tissues
- Cotton buds
- Cotton pads
- Oil blotting sheets
- Brush cleaner
- Pencil sharpener for eyeliner/lipliner
- Lash curler
- Disposable mascara wands
- Fake eyelashes and lash glue
- Makeup remover
- Skincare products
Here’s what the students picked
So, with that all said and done, you’re probably ready to start searching for perfect additions to your makeup kit, right? We asked some of our Makeup for Media, Film and TV students for their makeup recommendations, and here’s what they picked:
- Daria – No.7 matte finish foundation
- Paris – Charlotte Tilbury
- Rachel – Bobbi Brown eye-opening mascara
- Olivia – Rimmel liquid eyeliner
- Bella – Revolution makeup bronzer
- Sienna – Charlotte Tilbury lipstick in shade Angel Alessandra
- Chloe – Jeffree Starr blood lust eyeshadow palette
Remember, there are plenty of helpful resources out there when you start learning about makeup for film and television, but if you want to take your passion to the next level, BCE’s Level 3 course in Makeup for Media, Film and TV might be perfect for you.
Our highly-experienced and wonderful tutor Kim specialises in editorial and commercial makeup, and she’ll give you all the tips, tricks and skills you need to be confident and client-ready. We hope to see you there!
