Building a makeup kit, what are some essentials?

Jun 6, 2012

Lauren M.

I currently work in a small makeup store and I have done makeup for clients mainly homecomings and proms but I am wanting to do more with my passion. I am wanting to start my own makeup kit so I can do makeup for models for photography and such outside the store I work.

My question is what are some essentials I need to build my kit? I am a college student so I don't have thousands of dollars to spend. What foundations should I purchase as well? Is it worth saving up to buy individual high end foundations or should I settle for drugstore brands?

Any help or tips is much appreciated! I am looking forward everyone's feed back (:

Jun 7, 2012

Kayla T.

Start by stocking up on good quality tools that will last a long time. Since you'll be using them on lots of people, look for disposable sets with like a bunch of them or look for a cleaning spray so you don't risk spreading any germs.

Jun 7, 2012

Oana O.

Good brushes are always a must. Then good quality neutral eye shadows, always a must for bridal makeup. Very good primer and an eye shadow palette that has all the colors you might possibly need. Finally, a good selection of blushes. Since I'm not an actual make-up artist but people ask me to do their makeup for all sorts of events anyway, I didn't invest in concealers, foundations and mascara and use the client's. 

Jun 7, 2012

Mikayla O.

Try a foundation palette rather than individual bottles and alcohol in a spray bottle to clean everything.

Jun 8, 2012

Courtney E.

Brushes & disposables[mascara wands, spatulas, sponges, etc]! I would pick up a concealer palette that way you can use on multiple clients. And of course a few eyeshadow palettes. BH Cosmetics & Coastal Scents seem to have sales on these items quite often. Hope that helps & good luck. :]

Jun 8, 2012

Shelly T.

If you're going to go the generic eyeshadow palette route, go straight to eBay. Do not go to Coastal Scents or BH Cosmetics -- not because they're bad companies (from what I can tell, they're not bad), but because they mark up the prices of these palettes considerably. If you buy them on eBay, you'll find them for much cheaper and with free shipping.

Foundation... theatrical brands do cream foundation palettes and with a wide range of colours -- a good way to do this quickly without spending money on multiple bottles of foundation, not to mention cream foundations can be sheered out anyway. IMO, invest in one of these.

A few examples...
http://camerareadycosmetics.com/products/ben-nye-media-pro-hd-18-color-sheer-foundation-palette.html

http://camerareadycosmetics.com/products/graftobian-hi-def-glamour-creme-super-palette.html

http://camerareadycosmetics.com/products/kryolan-hd-mini-palette-foundation-18-color-19018.html

http://camerareadycosmetics.com/products/kryolan-ultra-foundation-12-color-palette-9004.html

And yeah, you definitely need disposable applicators (you can buy these in bulk; you can probably find these on eBay as well), brush cleanser (in case you need to spot-clean in between jobs), a spray bottle with some isopropyl alcohol (70% or 91% is fine) in it to sanitize your makeup.

Brush-wise, if you want a full kit of them, Sigma has some good ones. Or e.l.f.'s Studio brushes.

Jun 9, 2012

Ashley H.

Try making your own Inglot paletes! if you buy pans of concealer they're $5! and the pan of blushes are 10! and eyeshadow 6 i believe!
inglotusa.com!
hope i helped

Jun 10, 2012

Tania C.

most important is that you invest in high quality brushes! you can achieve every look with the right brush! also invest in good concealer palettes and then just start stocking up your kit with little things. you dont need to always use high end products, you can mix them up with some drugstore lipsticks and such too. just make sure theyre high pigmented! powder wise I'd just go with a trans powder, saves money because that way you dont have to buy a powder for every shade. I'm a makeup artist and hairstylist myself... feel free to check out my work and inbox me if you have any questions! https://www.facebook.com/GlitzGlamHairMakeup?ref=ts

Jun 11, 2012

Princess B.

It can be very expensive bit it's a must to have quality tools. Get some decent brushes..get a set from Crown Brushes & it won't break the bank. And you also need a foundation palette, buying them singularly can cost even more. Graftobian has some good quality foundation & concealer palettes..not crazy expensive either. And some eye shadow palettes..there's tons of places to get them.. Coastal Scents, BH Cos. or even Ebay. Get as much disposables as you can get your hands on. And baby wipes & alcohol spray bottles are a must!