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15 Under $40 Fashion Month Beauty Staples That Top Makeup Artists Love

by Jessica DeFino

Updated: Feb. 20, 2024

Originally Published: Aug. 26, 2019

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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).

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Oil Free Facial Moisturizer

Oil Free Facial Moisturizer

“It’s only $10 and also comes with an SPF or a version for dry skin,” Bruinsma says. “It’s the perfect primer for foundation.”

Cold Cream Lip Balm

Cold Cream Lip Balm

“Another show season favorite is Avène Cold Cream Lip Balm,” Bruinsma tells TZR. “It comes in a squeezy tube, so perfect for doing lots of girls in line-up and keeping it hygienic. It’s very emollient without being too shiny.”

Clear Brow Gel

Anastasia Beverly Hills

“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.”

Skin Food

“Weleda Skin Food is kind of what’s in everybody’s kit now,” Hughes reveals. “You can prep skin with it, use it as a mask, or use it as a highlighter. That kind of product is liquid gold.”

Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara

Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara

“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.”

Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel Facial Toner

Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel Facial Toner

“Every model's skin goes through the wringer during fashion week,” Jaikaran says. “I like to use this to soothe the skin after makeup removal. I also have some in a spray bottle I use to refresh the skin to help prevent breakouts as it reduces skin irritation.”

Brow Ultra Slim Defining Eyebrow Pencil

Brow Ultra Slim Defining Eyebrow Pencil

“Maybelline Brow Ultra Slim Defining Eyebrow Pencil gives such natural, hair-like strokes,” Jaikaran tells TZR. “It comes in six colors that match every skin tone so perfectly. I usually buy a few of each and use them on myself as well.”

Lait-Creme Concentré

Lait-Creme Concentré

“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.”

Matte Lip Balm

“The B3 Matte Lip Balm is amazing because it doesn't build up over time and it lasts all day long,” Sinclair says. “You can easily apply a small amount with your finger tip.”

Living Luminizer

Living Luminizer

“I apply the RMS Living Luminizer with my fingers, on a clean face anywhere I want to glow,” Sinclair tells TZR. “It adds a perfect glisten without any sparkles.”

Sensibio H2O

“The Bioderma cleansing water is easy to use and leaves no residue behind,” Soliz says. “To use, you apply it to a cotton round and wipe away. On the eyes, press the saturated cotton onto the eyes and wait a few seconds. Allow the cleansing water to break down any stubborn makeup, then wipe away.”

Rosebud Lip Salve

Rosebud Lip Salve

“The Rosebud Lip Salve is a hydrating balm and has multi purposes,” according to Soliz. “It's great before lipstick, has a nice shine on it's own and you can also use it to moisturize dry, patchy skin like elbows, cuticles, or knees.”

SKINACTIVE Micellar Cleansing Water

SKINACTIVE Micellar Cleansing Water

“I always carry this in my kit because it works wonders to quickly clean up all types of makeup on the skin,” Neil Scibelli, a makeup artist who’s keyed runway shows for Kate Spade, tells The Zoe Report. “It’s especially great on a pointed Q-tip to sharpen a liquid eyeliner.”

Great Lash Mascara

Great Lash Mascara

“I love using Maybelline’s mascaras — all of them!” Scibelli says, citing Great Lash as one of his faves. “The formulas are ultra-pigmented and dry quickly, which is always necessary backstage. It always helps when things dry fast and are effective.”

Precision Tip

“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.”

This article was originally published on Aug. 26, 2019