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What Are the Different Types of Makeup Artist Supplies?

Amber Eberle
Amber Eberle

A makeup artist is a person that is hired to apply cosmetics to people appearing in films, television shows, photo shoots, weddings, or other public outings. A person generally attends a cosmetology school to learn the skills needed to become successful in this job. The makeup artist supplies used can make a big difference in a person's appearance. Most makeup artists use professional-grade cosmetics, makeup brushes, and other tools, such as tweezers and eyelash curlers. Other essential makeup artist supplies generally include brush cleaner, sponges, makeup cases, and airbrush equipment.

Cosmetics are makeup artist supplies that must be selected carefully. Most in this industry purchase professional-quality foundations, pressed powders, blushes, and eyeshadows. Other necessary cosmetics typically include eyeliners, mascara, eyebrow powders, lipsticks, and lip liners. Various shades of each type of makeup is generally purchased to ensure that a makeup artist can achieve a number of looks, from natural-looking to glamorous, on a variety of different people.

Various types of makeup.
Various types of makeup.

Makeup brushes are essential makeup artist supplies that give the professional the ability to apply cosmetics with precision. There are many types of makeup brushes designed for use with specific cosmetics, such as those for foundation, face powder, blush, and eyeshadow. Brushes made for applying eyeliner, eyebrow powder, and lipstick, as well as mascara wands are also an important part of a makeup artist's tool set. A brush cleaning product should be used on the brushes regularly to keep them clean and free of bacteria.

A makeup artist needs eye shadows and brushes.
A makeup artist needs eye shadows and brushes.

Other beauty tools, like an eyelash curler or a pair of tweezers, are often also among a make-up artist's supplies. An eyelash curler can lift the eyelashes, making them look longer and thicker after mascara is applied, and tweezers can easily remove stray eyebrow hairs. Other useful tools include makeup sponges, which can be used to blend makeup, or remove it.

A makeup artist is knowledgeable about various cosmetic products, trends, and techniques.
A makeup artist is knowledgeable about various cosmetic products, trends, and techniques.

Some makeup artists like to airbrush makeup, such as foundation, onto a client's face for a smoother finish. This type of makeup application requires professional supplies like an airbrushing machine and a high-quality liquid foundation. These makeup artist supplies can often be ordered or purchased from a beauty supply company.

A makeup case is necessary to hold all of the supplies needed for a makeup artist to do her job. Such a case can be hard-sided, like a small suitcase, or a simple canvas bag can be used. Brushes are often kept in a specially-designed pouch that keeps them clean and organized between uses. While on the job, a makeup artist may even use a tool belt or pocketed apron to keep the necessary makeup artist supplies close at hand.

Discussion Comments

Mor

@Fa5t3r - Quality matters, but familiarity also matters. If a makeup artist is good at her job, it's probably because she's using products that are familiar to her and she knows how to use them.

Brushes are actually the most annoying part because you have to wash them constantly to keep them tidy and hygienic. I think getting a few different sets of high quality brushes is probably even more important than getting the right product.

Fa5t3r

@pastanaga - It's probably a good idea to stock up as a student or apprentice, as you might be able to get better deals. But professional makeup artists might be able to get good deals on products anyway. Since they are, in theory, providing the best kind of advertising to their clients when they put makeup on them. I know whenever I get makeup done for an occasion, they try to sell it to me, so I imagine they get wholesale purchase prices on it, and possibly even sponsorship deals.

It does depend on what kind of makeup artist we're talking about though. If you're doing something like bridal makeup I imagine it's not really the time to be trying to sell products.

pastanaga

My sister is studying to become a makeup artist at the moment and she has told me one of the major differences between her and the other students in her class is that she tries to get the best brands possible every time she stocks up. She really hopes to make a living at this and has noticed that the quality of the makeup makes a huge difference to how well it goes on and how long it lasts.

I've always been more inclined to just get whatever was on sale at the time, to be honest, but then I'm not a professional makeup artist.

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    • Various types of makeup.
      By: adisa
      Various types of makeup.
    • A makeup artist needs eye shadows and brushes.
      By: ctvvelve
      A makeup artist needs eye shadows and brushes.
    • A makeup artist is knowledgeable about various cosmetic products, trends, and techniques.
      By: Dmitry Fischer
      A makeup artist is knowledgeable about various cosmetic products, trends, and techniques.
    • Makeup artists need cosmetics like mascara for their jobs.
      By: Tomislav Forgo
      Makeup artists need cosmetics like mascara for their jobs.
    • Eyelash curlers can help lift the eyelashes.
      By: katalinks
      Eyelash curlers can help lift the eyelashes.
    • A makeup artist will need a variety of makeup brushes.
      By: sirikorn_t
      A makeup artist will need a variety of makeup brushes.
    • A good makeup artist will have an array of professional-grade cosmetics.
      By: xalanx
      A good makeup artist will have an array of professional-grade cosmetics.
    • Straight tip and slanted tweezers are often used for cosmetic hair removal to shape the eyebrows.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Straight tip and slanted tweezers are often used for cosmetic hair removal to shape the eyebrows.
    • Eyebrow pencils in different shades are an important part of the makeup artist toolkit.
      By: Serhiy Kobyakov
      Eyebrow pencils in different shades are an important part of the makeup artist toolkit.
    • Eyeshadow, eyeliner, and eyebrow powders are all essential parts to a makeup artist's supplies.
      By: Africa Studio
      Eyeshadow, eyeliner, and eyebrow powders are all essential parts to a makeup artist's supplies.
    • A brush may used to apply eyebrow shaping gel in a smooth sweeping motion onto the eyebrow to create the desired shape.
      By: Andriy Petrenko
      A brush may used to apply eyebrow shaping gel in a smooth sweeping motion onto the eyebrow to create the desired shape.