The unglamorous products makeup artists always have in their kit
There’s nothing flashy or glamorous about these everyday products, but makeup artists and celebs like Kate Hudson say they do exactly what they say on the tin.
It’s normally the hot, new makeup releases that grab all the attention.
The fancy setting sprays. Hi-tech facial cleansing devices. The night creams developed with scientists from NASA to defy gravity and all the rules of ageing.
But while they’re certainly fun, they’re often not the ones we reach for every day.
The ones you know will never let you down. The old faithfuls that don’t look flashy but do exactly what they say on the tin and more.
Like sunscreen. It doesn’t exactly scream out for attention or social media likes, but it’s the product that’s constantly recommended by experts as the single best to use for younger-looking skin. And you should be using it every day. (Yes, that means in winter too.)
While UVB rays are strongest in summer, UVA rays are present and affecting your skin all year round.
Hairspray is another “unglamorous” staple that’s seriously underrated. It will keep your hairstyle in place, yes, but you can also spray on an old toothbrush to brush away flyaways or on a run in your tights to stop it getting bigger or even happening at all.
And what about the professionals? We asked five makeup artists to share the staple, no-fuss product in their kit they couldn’t work without — no ridiculous price tags in sight.
EGYPTIAN MAGIC ALL PURPOSE SKIN CREAM
$24, available at Priceline
You probably wouldn’t look twice if you saw this cream on the shelf but it’s a staple in many a makeup artist’s kit.
“It’s truly amazing. It’s made with all natural ingredients like olive oil, beeswax and bee pollen, and can be used all over the face, body and even as a frizz tamer in the hair,” Priceline makeup director Sarah Laidlaw said.
The multipurpose cream has so many uses. It can help treat burns, scars, acne and eczema, as well as a moisturiser, lip balm, eye cream and even as a hair mask. Talk about a multitasker.
Celebrity makeup artist Jade Kisnorbo, who has worked with Georgia Love, Elyse Knowles and Rebecca Harding as well as at international fashion weeks, also uses the “magic” cream regularly.
“The product is a lifesaver for the red carpet. It’s perfect for the body and lips. Plus it’s completely natural and full of goodness,” she said.
Celebrities like Kate Hudson, Madonna, Emily Blunt and Gisele Bündchen are also fans of the stuff.
KISSABLE LIPS SMOOTHING LIP EXFOLIANT
$27, available at Mecca
Mecca senior artist Sally Axford believes a lip scrub is a non-negotiable for great makeup.
“It’s a step often skipped by makeup artists who just want to get to the ‘fun’ bit of makeup but it really does make a difference to the final image,” she said.
Think of it as a facial for your lips.
“You can’t just think a swipe of good quality lip balm will have the same effect. I leave it on for a good five minutes to soften the skin, and then get my model to buff it off with an exfoliating toner on a cotton pad. Life-changing.”
If you’ve ever lamented about your lipstick looking less than perfect, this should do the trick.
VASELINE
$4.49, available in chemists and supermarkets
Yes, that old pot you’ve had in your bathroom cupboard since god knows when is one rather unglamorous product the experts use regularly.
As Jesinta Franklin’s go-to celebrity makeup artist Michael Brown puts it, it’s an “oldie but a goodie”.
“I use it for many things — skin highlighter, body glow, lip balm or gloss, wet-look hair shine, to set brows, or dry cuticles, or any dryness really,” he said.
“It’s just a handy product to have for a glossy sheen and to mix into other products.”
Use your fingers to apply a tiny bit above your cheekbones for a highlight or dab in a brow spoolie then brush through your brows to set.
Vaseline is a behind-the-scenes beauty product that’s been used for over a century — film stars in the 1920s used to apply it to their teeth to give them extra shine.
DERMAL THERAPY LIP BALM
$3.99, available at Priceline
It may be one of the most basic beauty products, but it’s the little things that make the difference.
“Lip balm is definitely the staple product that does its job brilliantly. Dermal Therapy is a newbie I’ve found and it’s amazing — and cheap too,” makeup artist Chantelle Baker said.
Lip care can be the difference between lipstick staying put all evening and smudged within your first sip.
And with this expert-approved one costing the equivalent of a large coffee, who are we to say no?