It’d be reasonable to assume that since professional makeup artists have access to the best beauty products in the world, their personal collections must be packed with expensive, high-end must-haves. I hate (read: love) to break it to you, but that’s so not the case. The proof is in the surprisingly affordable beauty products that top-tier MUAs keep in their kits during runway season.
“My go-to moisturizer is Neutrogena Oil Free Moisturizer, and has been for years,” Sil Bruinsma a makeup artist who’s created beauty looks for Louis Vuitton on Givenchy, tells The Zoe Report. “Models always ask what I’m using, since it feels very light and is water-based.” You heard it here first: The models at Fashion Week are wearing $10 moisturizer under all of that luxury clothing. Bioderma Cleansing Water is another wallet-friendly pick that nearly every backstage makeup artist has on deck. “It’s the best makeup cleansing water you can buy,” Katie Jane Hughes, who’s keyed shows for Libertine and Milly, tells TZR. Gilbert Soliz, a global artist for Marc Jacobs Beauty, agrees, calling the $15 bottle “the models' favorite remover post-show.”
Ahead, a look at the no-frills skincare and makeup products set to make an appearance at Fashion Month (and, let’s be honest, in your bathroom cabinet).
Shop Fashion Month Beauty Products
“Anastasia Clear Brow Gel is wholly worth the investment, since this brow gel actually works, and it’s a generous size so will last you quite some time,” says Bruinsma. “I like using it as a finishing touch when the models are dressed and ready to go on the runway to keep those brows in perfect shape.”
“L’oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara has been one of my favorite mascaras for years,” Jaleesa Jaikaran, a makeup artist who’s worked on runway beauty for Fenty, tells The Zoe Report. “This is one of the mascaras I can depend on that never gets flaky.” Soliz is a fan, too. “It’s economically priced with luxe effects,” he says. “Great for providing length and volume and it doesn’t smear or smudge.”
“I love Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentrate because it acts as a great base to apply makeup to,” Shar Sinclair, a MUA who’s worked with designers like Diane Von Furstenberg and Thom Browne, tells The Zoe Report. “It has a nice, thick texture, so only a little bit is needed and it won't leave the face feeling heavy.”
“I will literally have a bad day if pointed Q-tips are not in my kit,” Scibelli says. “A lot of shows require angled eye looks, especially with liquid eyeliner, and I’m picky about making sure they’re perfect and even. Pointed Q-tips (and a drop of non-oil based remover) really assist with cleaning up those lines.”