In this episode, I’m breaking down the exact products I’ve been loving lately for bridal, commercial, and on-set work—and more importantly, why they’re in my kit. If you’re a newer makeup artist still building your kit, this is the kind of episode that will save you money, time, and frustration. You’ll hear how each product performs on real jobs, which skin types they’re best for, and how to decide what’s worth buying based on your budget, your goals, and your clients.

Favourite products right now:

Maybelline Firework Mascara – A tubing formula that resists smudging, even on oily lids. Great for long days and bridal clients. Danessa Myricks Water Powder Serum – A beginner-friendly primer for textured, acne-prone, or oily skin. Danessa Myricks Blurring Balm Powder Flushed – Two blush shades (I Got You Girl + Rose N Brunch) that blend easily and suit a wide range of tones. Danessa Myricks Dewy Cheek & Lip Palettes – Not ideal for cheeks, but incredible for lips—especially for deeper skin tones. Makeup by Mario Soft Blur Powder – A reliable, beginner-friendly setting powder that blurs, sets, and de-pots easily. YSL Make Me Blush 24H Buildable Blush in Shade 37 – A gifted product that earned its place in my kit. A luxe-feeling peachy nude blush that’s quick to apply and client-approved.

Listener Q&A: “How do you keep it interesting when you’re always doing natural makeup?” This job can be repetitive. Most of us aren’t doing dramatic transformations every day. But natural doesn’t mean boring. I talk about why I stick to natural looks even for TFP, how I keep things fresh by constantly adjusting my technique, the challenge of making someone look camera-ready and still like themselves, and why nuance, not variety, is where the real artistry lives.

Bonus tips for new artists: How to test products without a full client roster, how to document your work so you know what’s actually working, why “good enough” is sometimes better than perfect, and how to avoid wasting money on the wrong products.

If you’re building your kit, practicing your application, and trying to get more confident with real-world makeup, you’ll love this one. 

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