Building an expertly curated makeup collection in the modern beauty age can leave you feeling like you need a carry-on to haul everything around with you. We reached out to professional makeup artists Brittany Whitfield and Tim Mackay for help identifying the must-haves in anyone's collection, and the good news is that you can leave your wheeled luggage at home for this one.
Priming your face for whatever is going on top is a great way to create the perfect canvas for your makeup. There are several types of primer that you can choose depending on your skin, but we're here to let you in on a little secret: good skincare is just as effective at priming the skin as some primers are. "Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream tones down redness, plumps skin, and improves skin texture for makeup application/wear," says Mackay, "and for non-wearers, too" Whether you're concerned about pores, redness, or anti-aging, there's a primer option for everybody.
The great thing about foundation is the variety of formulas it comes in to fit every need. One common misconception about foundations is that it also needs to be heavy on the skin to look good.
They give such a good payoff with a fine point.
Your eyebrows are one of the most important features on your face, but many over time have over-plucked, waxed, or have experienced thinning hair, all causes that create a less fuller looking eyebrow. With a pencil, you can easily shape the arch and fill in with light strokes to create a hair-like appearance. Whitfield swears by British brand Eyebrow Queen. "These are a holy grail. They give such a good payoff with a fine point. The spoolie is precise and thin."
Whether you prefer powder or cream textured eyeshadow, it's necessary to create beautiful eye makeup looks. Eyeshadow doesn't need to be overwhelming; start with something geared toward everyday wear, like the Too Faced Natural Lust Palette, says Mackay.
"A beautiful range of tones and textures with a few pops of color and great blend-ability."
Leonardo da Vinci didn't paint the Mona Lisa with his fingers, and good tools for your face canvas are also a must. Especially for eye products, brushes provide precision that your fingers cannot. The basics include a flat, stiff brush for packing on the product; a fluffy brush for blending and soft washes of color; and a smaller, more detailed brush, like an angled or pencil style, for precision work..
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