I am constantly receiving emails inquiring about what’s in my case, what items I can’t live without, and what lines I love. Truth is, every pro artist has a diva (and a label-whore) inside of them, and every pro artist carries a unique set of items. There is no ‘one’ product or ‘one’ way to do something. That’s why we love makeup – because there really aren’t any rules (as long as you are hygienic and considerate of your model’s safety, of course).
No product will define you as an artist, so don’t focus too much on labels. I’ve met many artists that can’t afford pro products but are sensationally talented. And on the flipside, I’ve met artists with $20k in their kit but can’t apply eyeliner to save their life. So yes, the list below contains a lot of labels, but don’t be intimidated! When you’re good, you’re good!
You’ll absolutely want to use mostly (if not all) professional-grade products if you’re looking to expand your clientele and charge higher prices for your services, but there’s nothing wrong with practicing with drugstore makeup in the meantime. I would never recommend using drugstore foundation for a wedding or photo shoot, so when you’re ready to upgrade – upgrade your foundations, concealers, powders, and primers before anything else. A makeup artist is, first and foremost, judged on how well they perfect the skin – not how many bright colors they can pack onto one eyelid.
That said, here is a list of the items I choose to keep in my kit:
Misc:
Cotton Rounds
Cotton Swabs (rounded and pointed-tip)
Triangle Sponges
Mascara Wands
2 Boxes of Tissues
2 Mirrors
Face Charts and Release Forms
Fresh Water (Spray Bottle)
70% Isopropyl Alcohol (Spray Bottle)
Hand Sanitizer
2 Smashbox Brush Cleaners
Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask
Boots Makeup Remover Towelettes
Boots Gentle Cleansing Creme
Urban Decay ‘Clean and Sober’ Oil-Free Makeup Remover
Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover
Make Up For Ever ‘Extreme’ Dry Oil Cleanser
Smashbox Exfoliating Lip Scrub
Boots Expert Sensitive Light Moisturizing Lotion
Lubriderm Body Lotion
Smashbox Body Lights & Sugar Liquid Body Bronzer (Mixed)
Glycerin/Water Mixed and Make Up For Ever ‘Sweat Effect Gel’
Make Up For Ever Spirit Gum and ‘Gum Off’ Remover
Make Up For Ever ‘Plasto-Wax’
Beard Block
Plastic Sealer
Eye Seal
Make Up For Ever ‘Hair Touch’ Liquid Hair Makeup
Ben Nye Tooth Black
DUO White Lash Adhesive
Ardell Clear Lash Adhesive
Ardell Black Lash Adhesive
Tools:
Metal Spatula
Clean palette
2 Eyelash Curlers (Smashbox/NYX)
Tweezerman Ergonomic Tweezers
2 Pairs of Scissors
Pencil Sharpener
Make Up For Ever Dany’s Pouch
Make Up For Ever Dual-Use Pouch
2 Smashbox Stylist Bags
3 Full Sets of Smashbox Brushes
4 Urban Decay Talkon Blushers
Make Up For Ever 3N, 10N, 9N, 6N, 45N, 403, 090, and 100
Assorted CROWN Brushes
Airbrush:
Temptu AIR compressor and SP-35 Airbrush (to replace my Iwata, worth every penny)
Full Set, Temptu S/B airbrush Makeup
Full Set, Temptu Blushes/Highlighters
Temptu Concealer Wheel
Face:
Smashbox PhotoFinish Primer Original, Blend, Adjust, Luminizing, and Light
2 Full Sets, Smashbox Camera Ready Concealer
1 Full Set, Smashbox HD Concealer
Make Up For Ever #3 and #4 Concealer Palettes
Smashbox Photo-Opt Under-eye Brightener
6 Cinema Secrets Cream Foundation Palettes (30 Shades)
12 Yaby Liquid Foundations/Correctors
Full Set, Smashbox Camera Ready Foundation
Full Set, Smashbox HALO Hydrating Perfecting Powder
Full Set, Smashbox Wet/Dry-Function5 Pressed Powder
Assorted MAC and Urban Decay Powder
Assorted Make Up For Ever (HD, Face&Body, Mat Velvet, and Pan Stick), Laura Mercier, Smashbox (HD and Conversion), and MAC Foundations
Make Up For Ever HD Powder
Smashbox HD Powder
14 Assorted HIP, Sally Hansen, Stila, Smashbox, and Laura Mercier Cream/Gel Blushes
20 Smashbox/Rock&Republic/Illamasqua Powder Blushes
(12 of the Above in YABY Palettes)
Make Up For Ever #2, #3, and #4 Sculpting Duos
Smashbox O-Glow
Full Set, Smashbox Artificial Light (+ Glare, Reflect, and Flash Di Luce)
12 Assorted Smashbox and Make Up For Ever Highlighters and Bronzers
Eyes:
5 Smashbox PhotoFinish Lid Primers
Smashbox PhotoFinish Lid Primer in “Golden Nude”
2 Urban Decay Shadow Primer Potions
33 Smashbox Eyeshadows, 17 MAC Eyeshadows, and 21 Urban Decay Shadows in 5 MAC Palettes
40 YABY Shadows
Smashbox MUSE Palette (10 Shades)
Full Set Urban Decay Deluxe Shadows (17 shades)
13 Smashbox Trios/Duos in YABY Palettes
3 NARS Duo Shadows in YABY Palettes
3 Smashbox Quads (’Electric, Celebrita,’ and ‘Eye Illusion’) in YABY Palettes
3 Laura Mercier Crème Shadows (’Platinum, Rose Gold,’ and ‘Burnished Copper’)
Full Set Smashbox Brow Tech/Wax (In a Palette)
Assorted LORAC, Too Faced, Vincent Longo, and Make Up For Ever Eyeshadows
42 Loose Pigments/Shimmers from MAC, Laura Mercier, Red Earth, Make Up For Ever, Essence, Inglot, and Smashbox
14 OCC Pure Loose Pigments
6 Make Up For Ever Flash Colors
Assorted Beads/Bolts/Swarovski Crystals
5 L’Oreal Liquid Eyeliners in Black
10 Assorted MAC/Urban Decay Liquid Liner/Shimmer Liquid Liners
32 Assorted Urban Decay, Benefit, Smashbox, Make Up For Ever, Lancome, Bourjois, Chanel, Sephora, MAC, Stila, and Revlon Pencil Eyeliners/Brow Colors
16 Assorted Smashbox/Benefit Cream Liners, Shadow Liners, and Jet Set
Assorted MAC and Smashbox Stick Pigments/Brow Highlighters
Maybelline Colossal Lash Mascara
CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara
Smashbox Bionic Mascara in Black, Black Violet, and Indigo Ink
Smashbox Lash DNA
Smashbox ‘Thats a Wrap’ Mascara
Smashbox Hyperlash Mascara
Sephora Teal Mascara
Rimmel Lash Stiletto Mascara
Hard Candy ‘Lash Call’ Pink Mascara
Hard Candy ‘Dime’ Silver Mascara
Cargo TexasLash Mascara
Givenchy Phenomen’eyes Mascara
Assorted Ardell, Paperself, Shu Uemura, eeyelash.com, and Make Up For Ever False Lashes
Lips:
56 YSL, Dior, MAC, Smashbox, Urban Decay, Make Up For Ever, Bourjois, Benefit, Shu Uemura, Chanel, Bobbi Brown, Sephora, Bloom, and Laura Mercier Lipsticks in YABY Palettes
43 Smashbox Lip Glosses (Sheer, Full, Metallic, High Shine, and Long-Wear)
36 Assorted Bourjois, YSL, MAC, Sephora, and Urban Decay Glosses
10 OCC Lip Tars
3 Smashbox Lip Stains
Smashbox O-Gloss
28 Assorted Smashbox, Urban Decay, Lancome, and MAC Lip Liners
I‘ve used every makeup case money can buy! None of them were convenient enough for me, so I use 4 tool cases from the hardware store. They are extremely functional, and with a little foam from the fabric store, none of my products move around when I travel!
NOTE: I purchased these cases at Home Depot and had the foam cut at Jo-Ann Fabrics (it’s green soft foam used for cushions). The cost for 4 cases with foam was just about $100.
NOTE: I am constantly updating this list as I change over products!
U r such an inspiration. I am just starting out about a year now as a professional makeup artist. Looking at your kit and seeing all your equipment gets me excited to learn and to do more. Thank you, Joan
Dzang! That’s a shiteload of stuff! Great to read though because it’s a great starting point and reference point when shopping for kit stuff!
Hi Jordan!
I follow you on MM and think you are freakishly talented! I am a budding MUA and have a mu case like yours. It’s driving me nuts when I carry it and all of my organized products go every where. Can you please tell me how you keep your kit contents from sliding around when you are carrying it?!
Please and thank you!
I use green foam (I think it’s designed for filling porch furniture) from Jo-Ann Fabrics. It’s a thick foam you can have cut to size for your cases (I have mine cut 1″ shy of the edges). Just pop in the foam, close your case, and voila! No more movement.
Thank you so much, Jordan. It’s nice to see an established mua who doesn’t mind sharing a few tips, especially for a newbie like myself. Do you have an email that I would be able to possibly ask ýou some questions (especially since you train with my dream company, smashbox)?
Please and thank you! Have a blessed day!
Last Q: is the foam cut for each compartment (say 4 different ones) or is is just one big piece of foam cut for the entire interior space?
One piece per case:)
Hey J,
Where can I find the MU Cases?
thanks for sharing!
Lori
Hey Jordan,
Thanks for sharing! There were definitely a few tools, etc in your list that I picked up on. I’ve been building my small makeup collection for over a year now and it’s nice to see what other people are using.
You have it together! That is what i’m talking about! I have some of the products you mentioned and thought I was done buying makeup for a while, seeing your list makes me wanna shop,shop,shop. Thanks for the info you have shared with all of your friends and fans we really appreciate it and value your opinion!!
Hello Jordan,
I follow your advice and work on MM and i think you are great. Among the things I adore at your work are the highlighting in the inner corner of the eyes…can you tell us what is the product you’re using for that?
Looking forward for your book !
I use a number of things on the inner corner! Smashbox makes an eye brightener (double ended pencil) that is awesome, but a light shimmery loose shadow over primer really shines the best!!!
Thanks a lot ! i was thinking of OCC in Iced because it looked almost the same but i am pretty sure it would look weird in the inner corner…i will definately check out smashbox’s site.
Hi, this list is to helpful for those of us trying to get into the industry! I was wondering, how often would you say you use your airbrush system, and is there a certain type of shoot that you use it for? Thanks!
It really depends on the artist. Personally, I prefer the look of makeup done by hand, but a lot of SFX/body work requires one and the new trend with brides is airbrushing. Then again, many of my colleagues use their airbrush at every shoot, for every face. It’s totally a personal preference!
Your kit is awesome! Your work is phenomenal! I can’t wait to get your book! Keep progressing
Hi Jordan!
Thank you for this site, the information and your inspiration! I am a huge fan of yours on MM and will be looking forward to your book! Thank you for sharing your kit with us
*stands up and applauds*
Hey Jordan
What do you use to carry your Airbrush Compresser in? mine wont fit in my regular MU case
Nat
Hi Jordan,
Thanks for the list. Love your post and look forward to reading more.
hugs…Trish
Hi Jordan,
This is an awesome bit of knowledge!! Thank you for posting this. Found your link on MM. You mentioned you bought your makeup case @ Home Depot….this may be a dumb question, but I’m wondering what section??
Thanks!
I was wondering what airbrush compressor/gun you use or if you could recommend one.
Thanks!
The compressor is listed above:) Temptu AIR
Hey, I have a question. Would you use the ’sweat effect gel’ to create the wet dewey eyeshadow look.. or is it another product? Thanks and I love your work!
Natalie
Sweat effect gel or any glycerin-based products are not meant for the eyes. Use lipgloss;)
Hi Jordan you are amazing I musy say. Is lip gloss what you used for your main pick on MM? also what tool did you use to do the cheetah eye?
Hey Jordan,
thanks for sharing, this page is sooo helpful. I was wondering where you store all of these glosses? Mine take up so much space and I have no idea where to put them or how. Maybe you have a tip.
Keep up the great work.
I store them in zip-loc baggies and small containers (my favorite containers are the plastic ones that Q-tips come in, they’re like 5 inches wide, 3 inches tall, and about 4 inches deep!
Jordan,
You are amazing! I have been following you on MM, and you are such a wealth of knowledge and inspiration! I wish I could assist you for a day (or as a career!), your work is both flawless and phenominal! I am so excited for your book, I can’t wait until it launches.
This post is amazing! So is your website. I refer to it often. Any chance we could talk you into some YouTube tutorials?! Like how you obtain flawless skin or blend your shadows? You have such amazing talent.
Thank you for being so sweet and kind. We all appreciate the effort and time you take in responding to every comment. The world could use more people like you!
Thanks so much for the comment!!! Video blogs are coming (in HD) and will be available on my youtube page and here on GGF. The link to GGF’s official youtube is in the ‘Give Good Face’ tab at the top of this site!
w00t!
Can’t wait for the video blogs, I can only imagine what I will learn from them! I have learned so much just from reading about what you have to say both here and on MM.
Also, thanks for re-introducing me to Smashbox. I have over looked their products after a disasterous amateur start a few years back. LOL! Definitely going to add Halo, HD foundation & concealer and Studio Lights to my kit!
Thanks for responding to my post! =)
how do you store your urban decay shadows… I have alot of them and they are so inconvenient in my kit. also how do you keep your pigments?
I melted the shadows out of their original packaging (there are a lot of youtube videos on ‘de-potting’) and popped them into MAC palettes. For the deluxe shadows, I de-potted them into YABY’s freestyle palette. And for my pigments? I went to the craft store and picked up some bead organizers (the ones I have are large clear boxes with 30 small clear jars in each) and funneled the loose pigments into each.
i stumbled on your profile in MM when my friend (she is also a budding MUA) was showing me what blocking eyebrows is all about. im an aspiring MUA as well and i would love to go far in it as a career if possible. i wonder if there are any tips you could give me.
im fresh on the block. just building my kit and trying to get a friend to assist in shipping products to Nigeria as there are a lot of products we dont have access to here.
i cant afford a lot of them but im trying.
any advise for me?
thanks