All the products you need to create the perfect makeup collection

Building a carefully curated makeup collection in an age of modern beauty can make you feel like you need a carry-on to take everything with you. We (Lookdailystyles) reached out to professional makeup artists Brittany Whitfield and Tim Mackay to help us identify must-haves in everyone’s collection, and the good news is that you can leave your rolling luggage at home for this one. Read on to see their expert picks for the makeup you need; no baggage charges are required.

MEET THE EXPERT

• Brittany Whitfield is a professional makeup artist who lives and works in New York City. Her work has been seen on catwalks, red carpets, magazine pages and on television. She is also the founder of the brand Crash and Blend.
• Tim Mackay is a professional makeup artist working in television, print, editorial and events. Her famous clients include Yara Shahidi, Yaya DeCosta and June Diane Raphael. Lives in New York.

Skin Prep or Foundation Primer

Preparing your face for what’s going on is a great way to create the perfect canvas for your makeup. There are several types of primer you can choose from depending on your skin, but we are here to tell you a little secret: good skin care is just as effective at preparing your skin as some primers. “Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream reduces redness, fills the skin and improves the structure of the skin for application / makeup,” says Mackay, “and also for non-users.” Whether you are concerned about pores, redness or anti-aging, it is a basic option for everyone. Whitfield swears by Weleda Skinfood Light ($ 19). “Effortlessly create a healthy glow no matter how much product you accumulate,” he says.

Liquid foundation, CC cream or tinted moisturizer

The best thing about the makeup base is the many different formulas it is presented in to meet every need. A common misconception about foundation is that it must also be thick to look good. “[L’Oreal True Match] has an excellent selection of shades and a fine finish,” Whitfield says. If there’s hardly any speed left, the Mackay Dior loves the Backstage Foundation ($ 40) for its natural yet buildable coverage.

lookdailystyles Tip

“I recommend applying the foundation with a sponge or at least the sponge to really press the foundation against the skin,” Mackay explains. “This ensures that it lasts longer on the skin and does not transfer as easily as if it were applied with a brush. Plus, it can look much more natural!”

Concealer

The concealer is available in many textures and coverage levels, but the most important places you use it are under the eyes for dark circles and also on spots to reduce redness. “[Play Essential High Coverage Concealer] has incredible coverage without looking harsh,” promises Mackay. Whitfield loves Covergirl TruBlend Undercover Full Coverage Concealer ($ 8), which she says can also be removed with a moisturizer for use as a foundation. Good bonus!

Eyebrow Pencil

Your eyebrows are one of the most important features of your face, but over time, many women have overpicked, plucked or experienced thinning of their hair, all of which create a less full forehead. With a pencil, you can easily shape the bow and fill it in with light strokes to create a hair-like look. Whitfield knocks on the British brand Eyebrow Queen. “These are a holy grail! They give such a good reward with a fine point. The coil is precise and fine.” Mackay also recommends products from Fenty Beauty or Benefit Cosmetics for their excellent shadow areas and precision, he says.

Eyeshadow

Whether you prefer textured powder or cream eye shadow, create a beautiful eye makeup look. Eyeshadow does not have to be overwhelming; Start with something suitable for everyday use, like the Too Faced Natural Lust Palette, says Mackay. “[It has] a nice selection of tones and textures with a few colors and great miscibility.” When you’re ready to start experimenting, Whitfield says the only way forward is Pat McGrath Labs.

Eyeliner

Eyeliner is a great way to define your eyes, and it comes in many forms – pencil and liquid are the two most common types on the shelves. Cream colored pencils are easy to use and some formulas, such as Maybelline Lasting Drama Waterproof Gel Crayons, have a crisp finish. “[They] dry quickly, so don’t confuse them with kohl or eyeshadow primers unless they blend in right away,” Whitfield warns. If this is the cat’s eye or bust for you, Mackay recommends the Stila Micro Tip Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner ($ 22) as a high-precision setting for beginners.

Mascara

Wake up your eyelashes daily with mascara; it will make a big difference to your eyes. Mascara is the best product for an instant facelift, and it’s amazing what it can do with all the different styles of eye makeup you use. Whitfield swears by Marc Jacobs on Lash’d because it “plumps like crazy and doesn’t clump or create ‘spider legs'”, and Mackay is a fan of L’Oreal Lash Paradise. Waterproof ($ 11).

Eyelash Curler

If you are one of the mythical few whose lashes are naturally curly, we congratulate you. For the rest of us ordinary, we have to rely on the medieval straight eyelash curler. There are types of mini-mechanical hair curlers, clamp type and heated; the lift with a good curl makes a huge difference in making the eye look bigger and more open, whether the mascara is on or not. Whitfield says his curls or curls are Kevyn Aucoins because “it gets really close to the lash line!”

Setting or Finishing Powder

Modern powdered powder is not the talcum powder that your grandmother used to hit with a puff (though we would not judge you if you like Coty Airspun powder ($ 6) – it’s been around ever since. ). Using a curing powder can help set liquid products, prolong wear, smooth structure and in some cases as the preferred choice of Whitfield, Diorskin Forever and Ever Loose Powder, it controls oil. “This powder absorbs oil well for all skin tones,” he says. Mackay likes the Fenty Beauty’s Pro Filt’r Instant Touch-Up Setting Powder ($ 32) for finish and the amount of powder (spoiler: that’s a lot) you get in one package.

lookdailystyles Tip

As a general rule, all your liquid products and cream products should be applied before your products in powder form. The powder on top of the cream helps set things up; the cream on top of the powder will cause lumps and separation.

Bronzer

Bronzer is an important step in injecting depth, dimension and natural color into your face so that you can further enhance it with blush and highlighter. Whitfield and Mackay swear by Fenty Beauty to sunshine perfection: Whitfield loves Match Stix ($ 25) for the quality of his bag on any skin tone, and Mackay loves Fenty Beauty Bronzer because it is matte and comes in so many warm colors. And cold. nuances.

Blush

Blush brings that glow back to the cheek when the foundation removes excess color from the face, but it’s not a one-way ticket to Clown Town. There are many natural colors to apply gently on your children’s apples; Mackay recommends “Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Blush. It is soft, natural and comes in different shades for different skin tones.” For an on-the-go option, try a cream stick like Milk Makeup’s Lip & Cheek Stick ($ 28).

lookdailystyles Tip

When we talk about travel, there are a few things Whitfield and Mackay should wear in any tote or party bag: a lip balm for hydration and a gloss highlight in a pinch, tampons for easy cleaning, and a lip product: pencil, lip color, or set your cheek cream in dual function.

Highlighter

Highlighting the high heights of the face (wherever the sun hits) is a sure way for people to wonder what the secrets of your skin are. Whitfield says flexible products like Cover FX’s Custom Enhancement Drops ($ 44) are a staple. “You can dilute them if you want, or if you want a galactic touch, use them as they are,” he says. Powders like Becca Cosmetics’ shiny skin perfecto may seem counterintuitive (a powder, shiny?), But “it can look moist with a moisturizer,” Mackay promises.

Lip Liner

Before there were lip fillers, there were lipsticks. These reshaping of OGs define lip lines, create sharp, sharp edges, and help prevent creamy lip products from migrating throughout the day. KVD Vegan Beauty Everlasting Lip Liner ($ 19) has “beautiful undertones that hold on to the skin,” Mackay says of his favorite; for Whitfield, it’s “MAC Cosmetics! Obvious!” In a pinch you can fill in the entire lip for a quick replacement of lipstick.

Lipstick or Lip Gloss

You can never have enough lipstick, but what are the most comfortable and durable formulas? Depending on what lipstick finish you want, there is certainly a lot to choose from in every conceivable category. Mackay promises that Dior lip tattoos are “beautiful and durable” (as the name suggests!), And Whitfield says that Marc Jacobs’ Enamored Hi-Shine Gloss lipstick can “add a touch to color settings. Neutral” tingling mint lips.

Setting Spray

If you want your makeup to last all day or on a special occasion, choose a setting spray to be sprayed on when you have finished applying it. The spray forms a film that keeps your products sealed in place even on the sweatiest dance floors. Mackay loves Charlotte Tilbury’s Flawless Setting Airbrush Spray ($ 35), and with a name like that, who doesn’t? Whitfield keeps it old-fashioned with Skindinavia’s original makeup spray.

Makeup Brushes

Da Vinci did not paint the Mona Lisa with his fingers, and good facial tools in canvas are also a must. Especially for eye products, the brushes provide precision that your fingers cannot. The bases include a flat, rigid brush for packaging products; a soft mixing brush and washers of soft colors; and a smaller, more detailed brush, e.g. an angled style or pencil, for precision work. How about an unusual tool that Whitfield calls his secret mascara weapon? “A mini fan-shaped eye brush,” she reveals. “[It’s] the only thing that comes close to the root of the lashes, and it’s perfect for mixing hair pieces and for lower lashes.” Try MAC Cosmetics Brush # 205 for your own professional tip.