What you need in your PRO Makeup Kit

My first kit was stocked with Maybelline blushes and foundation and they served me well for a long time. When I started working as a freelance MUA I used drugstore products until I could afford better quality products. Once I started getting more clients I upgraded products in my kit for more high end and professional brands. Building a properly stocked makeup kit is a necessity if you want to become a makeup artist. As you know makeup is expensive, especially for a new MUA. That’s why I’m here to tell you exactly what products you need to include in your kit so you can save money and still be ready to service any makeup client. 

Makeup artists can easily spend upwards of $5000 on a well stocked makeup kit.  But if you don’t have thousands of dollars laying around you’ll likely need to slowly build your kit. Keep reading and you’ll find out how to save $$ while building your kit and what you’ll need exactly.

My complexion kit part 2

Save money by waiting for sales

If you attended cosmetology school you are likely entitled to PRO discounts at most cosmetics companies.  If you didn’t, try saving your supply shopping for days like Black Friday when the deals companies have are what PRO’s get the rest of the year.  There’s no shame in this, I didn’t go to cosmetology school nor do I plan to so I wait until things go on sale. You can get high-end makeup for up to 40% off during holiday sales, so save your money and hold off on buying things you don’t necessarily need right at the moment…you’ll save money in the long run. 

Another thing you can do is ask a PRO friend for their discount.  I was lucky enough to have met someone who gave me their login for a PRO MUA store and I got so many products for my kit on sale. I was able to get about half of my kit with my friends PRO discount and it saved me hundreds of dollars. Just make sure that the person you ask will be cool with it.

Some of my kit bags and products

Buy what you need

You’ll need to be prepared for any kind of client that sits in your chair. Below is a comprehensive list of what you need in a professional makeup kit. Remember that there are different products based on skin type so you’ll need to purchase more than one kind of products for the different skin types and tones.

Skin care 

• Micellar water to clean your clients face

• Toner to remove dirt and other impurities

• Serum to deeply hydrate the skin

• Moisturizers/oils to moisturize the skin

• Primer to smooth skin and ensure makeup stays in place 

• Lip salve to moisturize cracked lips and prepare it for product later on

• Under-eye cream to moisturize the under eye and help concealer glide on
  

Complexion/blush/bronzer for all skin tones

• Color correctors to cancel out hyperpigmentation or discoloration

• Matte and dewy foundations for all skin types

• Concealers/Contour palettes or stick to contour and conceal all tones

• Blush for all skin tones

• Bronzers for all skin tones

• Highlighter that compliments all skin tones

• Setting sprays/ refresher for all skin types

• Setting powder for all skin tones

Eyes

• Eye primer to ensure eyeshadow stays on

• Waterproof and Regular Mascara (brides need waterproof)

• Eyeshadow palettes for any kind of look

• Liquid and pencil eyeliners to define the eyes

• Brow products for all skin tones

Lips

• Lip Pencils of all colors that you will use

• Lipstick/colors of all colors that you will use

• Lip Gloss in varying shades

Tools

• Lashes for every eye shape

• Lash/brow scissors for cutting lashes and eyebrows

• Lash glue that lasts all night

• Tweezer for quick brow clean ups

• Lash curler for clients with straight eyelashes

• Palette and spatula for hygienic makeup mixing

• Sponges for foundation and powder

• Powder puffs of different sizes

• Brushes for skin, brows, eyeshadows, etc

• Sharpener for pencils

Hygiene/other

• Antibacterial wipes for surfaces

• Sanitizers for makeup products and brushes

• Liquid brush cleaner for cleaning and sanitizing brushes

• 70% Alcohol spray to disinfect product packages and surfaces

• Gloves for use while cleaning surfaces or applying makeup

• Masks/ Shield PPE to protect yourself and your clients from viruses

• Tissue for runny noses or quick wipes

• Cotton pads for face cleansing or other use

• Q-tips for face cleaning or other use

• Disposable lip brushes/mascara wands to prevent the spread of germs

• Makeup remover wipes 

• Non slip mat to protect surfaces from makeup and vice versa

• Flushable wipes in case there’s no TP in the restroom

• Hand cream to soften dry hands

Equipment 

• Lighting like the makeup light, GLAMCOR, or a ring light

• Directors chair (not necessary but makes your life easier)

• iPhone for photography or a good quality camera

Ok I think that’s it! As I said before building a kit is expensive but if you follow the list above you’re guaranteed to not overspend.  Just start off simple and add things as you go along, you can always swap out products you have for better ones once you can afford them.  If you want specific brands for any of the products above feel free to contact me in any way you’d like although I’ll probably do a follow up to this blog.

I would love it if you shared this with someone who might find it helpful. Have questions? Leave them below