chanel — Blog — Charlotte Sharples

As a makeup artist, I often get asked what my favourite products are or what I would recommend buying or investing in for your personal makeup kit or if you are just starting out as a makeup artist. I have chosen items from each section of my kit which I couldn't live without!

Skincare

Recently I have really been enjoying using Rodial products. My favourite skincare product from them at the moment has to be my Stem Cell Magic Gel. This is quite a pricey product at £55 but I definitely think it is worth it. Not only does it work as a great moisturiser it also primes the skin perfectly for makeup application. On days where I am not wearing makeup, it also gives a healthy looking glow to my skin. You can also apply a thick layer of this at night to act as a face mask.

Primer

My favourite primer at the moment has to be my Laura Mercier radiance primer. At £30 this isn't a cheap product, however a little does go a long way. This primer gives a really nice glow to the skin that everyone seems to want at the moment, it is also nice mixed into your foundation if you want to add that extra dewiness to your skin.

Foundation

It is hard to pick just one foundation as choosing a foundation is usually down to personal preference, based on what coverage you want and what skin type you have. However, my go to foundation when working is usually the Charlotte Tilbury light wonder foundation. I carry two shades of this in my kit, 2 and 7, and find I can usually mix these two to suit most skin tones. This foundation aims to smooth, hydrate, illuminate, minimise pores and reduce wrinkles and I find it suits most skin types. This foundation is £32, although there is a pro artist program where makeup artists can apply for a 30% discount.

Concealer

As a makeup artist, my go to concealers are from Mac. They provide concealer palettes which cover all the shades you need as a makeup artist and are really handy to carry in your kit. These are £36 however makeup artists can apply for a 35% discount.

Powder

For a translucent powder to set makeup, I really like the RCMA no-colour powder - which is also affordable at £12. You can buy this on Beauty Bay. I apply this powder under the eyes to set concealer, and also in any areas where you want to avoid shine, such as the T-zone.

Liquid highlight

For a cream highlight, I absolutely love the Iconic London illuminators. I carry two shades in my makeup kit, original and shine. I tend to use original for when I want a more bronzed look and shine when creating a light, bright highlight. I apply these to the highpoints of the face over foundation where I want a strong glow and also often apply them under foundation when I want to create more of a glow from within look. These illuminators are also lovely mixed into foundations for when you want an all over glow. These are priced at £29.99 however they often have discount codes available - use code "HOLDUP" for £5 off your next order

Powder Highlight

I often go through phases of using different powder highlighters, however at the moment my favourite is Double Gleam from Mac which is an extra dimension skin finish. This is for when you want a really strong highlight and works well layered over the Iconic London illuminators. Double Gleam is a beige that breaks silver and is priced at £24.50 however makeup artists can apply for a 35% discount.

Bronzer

My go to bronzer that I use on almost everyone is the Chanel Soleil Tan which is a cream bronzer and works really well on many skin types. It is priced at £32 however this product will last a long time. You can use a little product or build it up depending on your skin tone and what cover you are looking for.

Blush

My favourite blush at the moment is from Laura Geller in the shade Pink Grapefruit. This shade has tones of beige, mauve and shimmering pink. This blush is lightweight and creates a really nice flush of colour. I bought mine from Beauty Bay and it is priced at £23.

Brow products

My favourite brow product at the moment is the Anastasia Beverly Hills brow wiz, I have the colour soft brown. I find this product really easy to use and find it helps me create soft, natural looking brows. I bought mine from Beauty Bay and it is priced at £15.50.

Mascara

In general, I don't think you need to spend a great deal of money on mascara, make sure you curl your lashes and most mascaras will work great! However my go to mascara is Extended Play from Mac. This mascara is £15.50 (makeup artists can apply for a 35% discount) and I love it because it has a small thin wand, which helps to define lashes, creating length but without making them look clumpy.

These are my top products at the moment! Any questions just ask!

Thanks

Charlotte x