I want to preface this set of blogs by saying that it generally isn’t only the product that makes the look, its the tools and the artist. All three are key elements, and all three need each other. I paint beautiful work with acrylic, but am completely lost using watercolor - and the same goes for product. All the same, a logger isn’t going to apply a perfectly blended eye shadow, and you can’t do blush with a hair brush.

Skin is the most important element of a makeup. I know it isn’t actually makeup, but it can absolutely ruin a look. You wouldn’t put lobster tail on a dirty dish, would you? There is no need to buy $100 creams and promising potions, but you do need some basics to cleanse, tone, and moisturize your clients (or your own skin) before you start covering anything up.

I carry a few options with me - including removers. You would be surprised how many people sit in my chair dawning a full smudged face of last nights makeup.

Premier Products Inc. Makeup remover is gentle, extremely effective, non-abrasive, and non-drying. It is gentle enough to take off eye makeup, but is also strong enough to take off alcohol based paints. I also carry Clinique’s Take The Day Off eye makeup remover. It is oil-free, fragrance free, and breaks down left over mascara like no ones business.

A makeup remover is not a cleanser. Cleansers break down dirt and oil in the skin, and unless removed, can make the skin appear muddy or dull. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser is pH balanced so it doesn’t strip the skin of its natural moisture, but does cleanse thoroughly.

As for toner, I prefer something that removes dead skin cells, and tones. For this, I use Clinique Clarifying Lotion. If your a professional, you will need to carry one in each skin type, but at $12.50 for 6.5 oz it’s worth it. I also recommend skipping Clarifying lotion #1 and using Mild in it’s place. #1 doesn’t actually do much in the way of exfoliating while mild is alcohol free (great for rosacea patients), and does remove dead skin.So mild for dry and sensitive skins, #2 for normal skin, #3 for Oily. You can also skip #4 because rarely will you run into skin that’s so oily it needs to be rung out (like mine!), and #3 will do the job for the day.

Now for moisture. You’ve got your normal/dry skins, and your oily skins. I carry a few options. Kiehl’s Ultra Face Moisturizer is great for normal to dry skins, and also comes in a version with SPF. I don’t recommend SPF for flash photography however, especially for brides. I carry two oil-free options for a very good reason. I carry Keihls Sodium PCA Oil-free moisturizer for a normal skin that either breaks out, or the owner of the skin swears she can only use oil-free products. I carry Rare Earth Pore Minimizing lotion for actual oily skins. It will help reduce shine and oil production throughout the day. It also makes pores appear a bit smaller.

I also like to keep Benefits Dr. Feelgood Lipscription in my kit for exfoliating super chapped lips. My first suggestion is to buy this product at Sephora or online to avoid Benefit’s pushy sales people…unless you want to leave with waxed brows, 5 lips kits, 4 blushes, and three brow kits. Squeeze a very little bit out onto your models finger, or yourself, rub around the lip area, remove with a tissue, and apply the lip conditioner that comes with it. If you do this before skin care, the pout will be ready for painting when you are!