In My Kit: Face Prep Edition

As a Makeup Artist, and just in general as a girl-type-humanoid, I pay extra special attention to skin. Beautiful, flawless skin is what I like to start out every look I create, with. 

Here are the products that I use on generally EVERY face, and am constantly repurchasing. Every single item listed here, I have used for years on myself and every client/model I've ever worked on.

Smashbox Artificial Light Luminizing Lotion.

This product is so incredibly concentrated with pearlescent wonderfulness. This really just gives the face an awake, bright, perfectly dewy look. It's so fantastic.

Here's what Smashbox says about this lovely product:

The gorgeous shimmer of this luminizing lotion softens the way light reflects off of the skin to add radiance and help hide wrinkles and imperfections - it's like a soft focus lens for the skin! Mix it with your moisturizer or foundation for an all-over glow, or dab on cheeks and brow bones to highlight. In an airless pump for freshness to the last drop!

They ain't lyin'

MAC Fix + 

This little miracle is amazing! Fix + is a Water spray infused with vitamins and minerals. I USE THIS ON EVERY FACE.  This is usually my second step (after removing makeup), I spritz this on, and immediately the skin is more radiant, plump and youthful looking and feeling. And it smells SO GOOD!

Here's what MAC has to say about this lovely product:

An aqua-spritz of vitamin and minerals, infused with a calm-the-skin blend of green tea, chamomile, cucumber, topped off with the fresh, natural, energizing scent of Sugi. Adds radiance, finishes makeup. Spray it on. Skin drinks it up!

MAC Matte Gel

This is something I use on my oily clients and if a look really requires that there be no shine to the skin. It really keeps oil in check throughout the day and doesn't feel heavy or greasy in anyway. 

Here's what MAC has to say about this lovely product:

A matte-ifying cream that acts like a powder, M·A·C Matte adds a sheer, no-shine matte texture in one smooth layer. May be used on bare or made-up skin. Use a latex sponge or a 252 Large Shader Brush to apply over the entire face or in the T-zone to reduce the appearance of shine. Apply M·A·C Matte after moisturizer, but before foundation to prime the skin for makeup. Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation applies smoothly and effortlessly over top of M·A·C Matte

 Smashbox Photofinish Primer Light

This is the oil free version of the famous original. I prefer the light version just because it's much easier when faces tend to get oilier throughout the day, but they don't necessarily have "oily skin" know what I mean?

I like that this primer has the silicon feel to it, as opposed to the ones that feel more like a moisturizer, just my personal preference. 

Here's what smashbox has to say about their lovely product:

Our latest primer innovation! Our new oil-free, 60% water based primer is ideal for oily, acne-prone or sensitive skin. This silky blend of vitamins and antioxidants helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores for visibly softer skin and can be worn alone or under foundation to increase its longevity. The revolutionary formula has oil absorbers for a smooth matte finish all day, light diffusers to minimize the appearance of imperfections, and vitamin C and peptides to help even skin tone and promote collagen production for a flawless future. Now in a sleek tube for perfect dispensing-down to the last drop! Winner of Allure Magazine's Best of Beauty Award for Best Primer.

MAC Strobe Cream 

This is a super lightweight light-reflecting, luminizing moisturizer. A I generally cocktail this with the Smashbox Artificial Light, I squirt/pump of each on the back of my hand or on a palette, I mix it with a duo fiber brush (usually the MAC 188) and apply to freshly Fix +'d skin. 

Absolutely Gorgeous, I tell you.

Here's what MAC has to say about their lovely product:

The ultimate quick fix for the skin. Super-powered with potent botanicals; de-snoozes, de-stresses, moistens, freshens and boosts the look of dull, flat or tired-looking skin with a fully loaded vitamin zap and a mega dose of green tea. Brightens and clarifies with iridescent particles and antioxidants. Enhances the effects of light on all skin and in all lighting conditions from sunlight to spotlight

E.L.F Makeup Mist and Set:

I've been obessed with this product for a little over a year now. This is literally like hairspray...for your face. Its keeps your makeup looking the exact way that it did when you first put it on, even after 13 hours. Its incredible. The smell is...a little...on the weird side (because of the cucumber, I assume) but it goes away after about 3 seconds. Your makeup will not budge if you spray this before and after you apply it. 

Here's what ELF has to say about their lovely product:

Wish you could have a product for your makeup like Hairspray is for your hair? Well…keep your makeup staying in place all day with a radiance boosting invisible hold with our new Makeup Mist & Set. The invigorating mist moisturizes and soothes the skin with key ingredients Aloe, Green Tea, Cucumber and Vitamins A, C & E. The lightweight, comfortable and alcohol free formula improves makeup wearability and prevents color from running or fading.