From lipstick and foundation to mascara and brow pencils, you might have already spotted the products R29 beauty writers buy on repeat. But what about the professional makeup artists?
Tasked with conjuring up Instagram-worthy looks under tons of pressure, including on shoots, the red carpet and backstage at Fashion Week, those guys know which mascaras will lengthen and define without smudging, the foundations that stay put throughout the sweatiest of commutes and the lipsticks which last way past lunchtime.
Click through to discover the failsafe products expert makeup artists pick up time and time again.
Ruby Hammer MBE, makeup artist, beauty expert and brand creator
This is a wonderful lip balm meets lip colour, which suits everyone. It can be worn on its own or on top of another lip colour. I always buy one in advance before I run out so I don’t panic!
Clarins Instant Light Lip Balm Perfector, $18.5, available at FeelUnique
I love this very versatile colour. It provides shape, adds colour and gives the illusion of full, lush lips in seconds. It's so useful in my kit.
Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Pillowtalk, $16, available at FeelUnique
Whether touching up or finessing a makeup look, or removing excess product, these are incredible and it's all because they are so thin. They’re 100% cotton with a paper shaft and so won't clog the environment with plastic. Processed with antibacterial chitosan, they are perfect on clients.
Muji Thin Cotton Buds x 200, $3.5, available at Muji
Samantha Qureshi, professional makeup artist
The travel-friendly size version of this mascara is so handy. It's the bomb for creating full, dramatic and voluminous lashes. The packaging also feels so luxurious thanks to the gilt metal design.
Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara Travel Size, $12, available at FeelUnique
Kenneth Soh, celebrity and editorial makeup artist
This is a great shade that suits many. The formula, and way the pencil is blade sharpened, allows me to draw super fine, hair-like strokes for naturally bushy brows.
HD Brows High Definition Pro Pencil, $18, available at FeelUnique
This is basically the colour of blood so it’s the perfect shade of blush for any skin tone. The pigment is strong so you only need to buff in a tiny amount for that flush from within.
Kryolan Supracolor in 080, $7.8, available at Kryolan
Glossier's Cloud Paint range includes fresh, easy to blend colours that make you look healthier naturally. It's also great for patting on eyes and lips to create a whole look using just one product.
Glossier Cloud Paint, $15, available at Glossier
Mata Marielle, makeup artist and founder of Mata Labs Cosmetics
I absolutely adore false lashes. What I like about Ardell is that they have so many different styles to suit lots of different eye shapes. I even use the Demi Wispies on 'natural' shoots because they work so well and can really complete the face.
Ardell Fashion False Lashes Demi Wispies, $5.49, available at Superdrug
I started using the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Liquid Lipsticks last year and haven’t stopped since. The formula is to die for. I actually use this product as a blush most of the time because the colours and super lightweight consistency is so great.
Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick, $8.49, available at Boots
This is iconic, if I may say so myself, and incredibly easy to apply. I use this before and after I do a full face. It adds a heavenly, natural glow and is suited to every skin tone.
Mata Labs Mazemi Glow Skin Highlighter, $18, available at Mata Labs
Abbie-May Hopkins, professional makeup artist
This highlighter will not let you down and lasts all day on the skin. The texture is best applied with your fingers as the warmth helps to melt it into the skin and blend in the most natural way. This particular shade suits pretty much all skin tones, which is a real bonus. I can't imagine my kit without it.
Sleek Makeup Highlighting Elixir Illuminating Drops in Poppin Bottle, $6.99, available at Boots
This is perfect for those who find most mascaras drying and prone to flaking, but want that full lash effect. I love this mascara both for myself personally and for my kit, which rarely happens. The consistency is quite thick so it's great to layer up. The formula is the blackest black, which really makes all eyes stand out.
MAC Cosmetics In Extreme Dimension 3D Black Lash Mascara, $20, available at MAC Cosmetics
This gloss can be worn alone or on top of other lip products to change up the finish. It's also great on all skin tones which is important to me, as my clients span across all skin colours. I have had to replenish it quite often due to clients "borrowing" it and never giving it back!
Fenty Beauty By Rihanna Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer in Fenty Glow, $16, available at Harvey Nichols
Karin Darnell, celebrity makeup artist
I always have this gloss in my kit because it can be applied over a colour or worn alone for a juicy, plump finish. It’s extremely wet-look, and the key to its greatness is that it’s not gloopy or sticky at all. A total winner for just over £5.
Rimmel London Oh My Gloss Crystal Clear Lipgloss, $5.49, available at Superdrug
I love this shade. It's jet black and quite a soft pencil so deposits so much pigment onto the waterline of the eye with an immediate intensity. There's no need to warm it up, unlike some eyeliner pencils. Because of the consistency, it blends out easily, so the colour gets into the lash line super fast, which means you don’t get a large, bare area between the waterline and lashes.
MAC Cosmetics Eye Kohl in Smolder, $15, available at MAC Cosmetics
Nikki Wolff, makeup artist and Perfectil ambassador
This primer is a must-have in my kit. The soft, lavender hue helps to brighten the skin by colour correcting any dullness. Its lightweight, silky texture and finish helps diffuse imperfections and give a subtle glow from within. It contains beautiful crushed pearl and no added glitter, which keeps it flattering and wearable. Primers are a must-have for me because they help foundation glide on flawlessly and really grip to the skin, making them wear longer throughout the day.
Becca First Light Priming Filter, $15, available at Cult Beauty
There’s nothing like a liquid liner to enhance the beauty of an eye shape and this one is super easy to use. Its precise applicator creates a sharp, fluid line with zero fuss and the waterproof formula is extra black. It’s so easy to use that even those without a naturally steady hand can build up to a feline flick starting with tiny strokes along the lash line.
Too Faced 'Better Than Sex' Easy Glide Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner, $16.2, available at Debenhams
Naoko Scintu, London-based makeup artist
This eyeshadow palette contains a really fantastic array of chic colours and textures. So if you want an eyeshadow palette which is extra special, this one is for you. It has a really great mixture of matte and glittery shades to create more of a fun, out-there look, and also earthy colours for more of a daytime vibe. At £16, it's a steal.
Morphe 15s Social Butterfly Artistry Palette, $16, available at Morphe Brushes
I love Lord & Berry's 20100 Shiny Lipsticks, but specifically the colour Intimacy as it’s a perfect nude which works on almost everyone. I'm really into shiny lips at the moment and have used this particular colour on many of my red carpet celebrity clients. It just works so well and keeps lips moisturised the whole night.
Lord & Berry 20100 Shiny Lipstick Pencil, $14, available at Lord & Berry
Sara Hill, UK-based makeup artist
This is the perfect combination of lip balm and stain. The formula really hydrates and conditions the lips, and adds a very sheer berry tint, bringing a hint of colour. I use this product on myself and on my clients too, it’s a great way to nourish the lips without changing their colour too much and is perfect for a dramatic eye look.
Dr. Lipp Lip Tint in Elderberry, $6.95, available at Beauty Bay
I love big, bushy brows and like to incorporate this into many looks, it always looks fresh and contemporary. Soapbrows allows me to groom each individual hair to perfection and create this gorgeous look quickly and easily without changing the colour of the brow. You just mix the formula with a little water to loosen it and apply to the brows with a spoolie. Allow the brows to set for a few minutes and then you can fill in any gaps with pencil, to create supermodel-esque full, fluffy brows.
West Barn Co. Soapbrows Kit, $12, available at West Barn Co.
Lee Pycroft, makeup artist and wellbeing expert
This is a beautiful liner, very sooty in colour but so smooth in texture. Its slimline shape allows me to create lines and flicks with ease, and its staying power is very impressive. The colour is true and doesn’t budge, so it’s perfect for creating a long-lasting look that will take you from day to night.
Hourglass Mechanical Gel Eyeliner in Obsidian, $16, available at Net-A-Porter
This is my secret weapon. I use it on brows to volumise and brush them into shape, before I apply brow colour. It’s long-wearing, never flakes and is a total bargain.
COLLECTION Colour Lash Mascara Clear, $1.99, available at Superdrug
My go-to product for red carpet talent, this blush is easy to apply and creates a fresh, luminous veil of colour on the skin.
Daniel Sandler Watercolour Fluid Blusher in Cherub, $16.5, available at LookFantastic
Gabriella Floyd, cruelty-free makeup artist
In my opinion, this is the best everyday, waterproof mascara. It gives you long, dark lashes that last all day and never smudges. It’s £19 but also cruelty-free and vegan which makes it a great mascara with even better values.
Eyeko Beach Waterproof Mascara, $19, available at LookFantastic
Charlotte Tilbury is one of my favourite makeup brands and Legendary Brows is a great brow gel. The brush is the perfect size to quickly tame and fix your brows in place for the day. Not only does the product last for a long time, but it is available in a number of different shades, including clear.
Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Brows, $18.5, available at Charlotte Tilbury
This is a great concealer for dark under-eyes and any skin breakouts. It’s only £15 and is so quick and easy to use. I keep it in my handbag for touch-ups throughout the day.
Glossier Stretch Concealer, $15, available at Glossier
Amanda Bell, professional makeup artist
This doesn't contain any pigment so can be used as a setting powder on all skins. Because it is talc-free, it's great for setting concealer under the eyes. It keeps makeup pristine with no cakey residue and blends away perfectly. It's great for all finishes from barely-there blotting to full on 'baking', yet is weightless and invisible. The product comes with an applicator to help pat it on but I twist it open and apply with a brush.
Pixi Quick Fix Powder, $18, available at Pixi
Okay, it's not exactly makeup, but these blotting sheets are absolutely amazing for mopping up the sheen that appears on the skin after you've worn foundation for a while. Use them instead of applying more powder. They are also great when used directly after applying skincare, if there is a little too much residue left behind, for example. You can also use them on lips to blot down excess lipstick or gloss and if the lids become a little oily. They keep makeup pristine.
DHC Blotting Paper (100 Sheets), $4.5, available at LookFantastic
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