What's in my Makeup Kit?

I get asked my potential clients all the time - "What Makeup do you use?"

I know people are curious, especially since going cruelty-free, what makeup I actually do have in my Makeup Kit. Contrary to popular belief you actually can look flawless and stunning on your wedding day without touching a single MAC product! I actually use plenty of very well known, high end makeup brands who produce quality products but don't feel the need to rub them all over a bunny and wait for an allergic reaction. Two Faced, NARS, Hour Glass, Urban Decay and Morphe are all quality makeup brands that appear in kit, just to name a few. 

Most of my products are by luxury brands, yes... but not so exclusive that you can't go out and purchase them if you loved how it looked on your skin. You adored that glowy foundation and blinding highlighter? Great! You can easily grab them for your own personal collection next time you're at Sephora. I will happily give you the product name and the colour I used on you. 

So these are my current favs for each category of Makeup.. If you book with me this is most likely what will end up on your pretty face:

Primer - Two Faced hang over primer (hydrating, smoothing and smells AMAZING)

Foundation - NARS sheer glow (makes your skin look naturally flawless) or Two Faced born this way (med-full coverage, matte, flawless finish)

Concealer - ELF maximum coverage concealer (the highest of coverage, my secret weapon) or LA Girl pro conceal (Every MUA has used this as some point, an oldie but a goodie)

Setting Powder - Ben Nye translucent powder (sets your face makeup in place like magic)

Bronzer - Two Faced chocolate solet (suits every skin tone, and dead set smells like choc)

Contour - NYX contour palette (there is literally a colour for everyone, amazing product)

Blush - Ben Nye (almost always a pink and peach combo, works a treat for a natural glow)

Highlighter - Usually a combo of The Balm mary loumanizer and Hour Glass ambient light (a match made in heaven for a glowing bride)

Eye shadows - Morphe (so many pigmented colours, I don't know if I will ever get over them)

Eyeliner - Tarte tartist liner (jet back and life proof)

Mascara - NYX waterproof black (can't go wrong with waterproof black)

Lashes - Model Rock Lashes or Red Cherry Lashes (best and most natural, also you can reuse them after!)

Setting Spray - Urban Decay (the only setting spray, like hairspray for your face)

So these are my makeup kit basics, obviously every makeup is different and I gravitate between different products. Iv'e tried and tested all of these products and I know that they will last ALL DAY & NIGHT! Hope you enjoyed the sneak peek into my kit :)

How to clean your makeup brushes (and why it's so important).

When I first stared wearing makeup in High School I NEVER cleaned my one, single makeup brush. I used the same weathered, old kabuki brush for everything! Foundation, powder, blush and bronzer. Although I only had one makeup brush I had no idea of the importance of washing it regularly... and I wondered why I had a constant flow of new pimples! 

Now, I'm no scientist, but I know for a fact that makeup brushes can hold a lot of bacteria. Which is then brushed directly onto your skin. Every day. When you really think about it, it's disgusting, leaving your makeup brushes to fester and collect makeup, dead skin, dust, oil and dirt month after month... or for some, year after year. Its not until you wash a foundation brush for the first time that you realise HOW MUCH product and gunk is actually collected in your brush!

Anyway, I'm going to give you a quick rundown on how I clean my brushes.

Step 1 - Collect all of your dirty brushes, a hand towel and a brush cleaner of your choice. You can pick up brush cleaners from your local Sephora, Mecca or online beauty supplier. Or if you're like me and don't believe in spending $40 on fancy soap here are a couple of other products - Stain remover laundry soap or baby shampoo. They do the same thing and work just as well as the expensive stuff but will cost you a quarter of the price!

Step 2 - Wet your first brush. Add some cleaner. Swirl around in the palm of your hand (watch all the built up makeup wash down the sink). If the brush is still dirty, repeat this step again. Extra dirty brushes or ones that haven't been cleaned in months may need a few goes! 

Step 3 - Repeat for all of your brushes. Make sure you're careful with your brushes, swirl them gently. Once you've rinsed the soap out, swirl on the hand towel to remove excess water, reshape your brush and lay flat on the towel to dry. DO NOT stand them upright! This can let the water soak into the glue of the brush and can ruin your brushes!

Step 4 - Once all of the brushes are washed and laying flat on the towel, leave them overnight to completely dry (bigger face brushes will take longer).

Step 5 - Once all of your brushes are dry they are ready to use! 

If you wear makeup every day I recommend cleaning your brushes every 1-2 weeks. You can pick up alcohol based brush sanitizing spray from makeup stores to keep them clean between washes. At the moment I am using the Mecca Brush Sanitizing spray to clean my brushes in between clients.

Do the right thing for your brushes and your skin by washing them regularly. Not only will you be keeping them clean and hygienic but your brushes will be born again once all of that clumped up makeup and oil is removed. They come out looking and feeling like a new makeup brush every time!