Micro make up kits
As promised, I will share my stripped down, multi tasking personal make up kit . Great for travel, on the go, or just to simplify. If necessity is the mother of invention, limitation is the favorite aunty of creativity! This simple beauty makeup kit challenges you to only have either 5 items or an upgrade to 10 items inc tools… what would yours be?
After a few years of experimenting with my own kit, I quickly caught onto the mindset that color cosmetics can be broken down into skin base color, dark, light and a version of red ( blood, life) . A use where needed philosophy. Lisa Eldridge’s book, Face Paint , https://www.lisaeldridge.com/pages/facepaint, takes a similar theme defined by the historical use of make up, using the pigments of white, back and red . I was thrilled to read this, as, make up tones can be categorized as base, light, dark and a enlivening ‘blood’ colour - aka our flush.
Let me re-introduce you to the multi use nature of pencils, concealer, and an essential mascara ( and eyelash curlers for us less lashed folks) .
The 5 essentials:
Concealer - this is your eye base, under eye concealer, lip adjuster and ‘base’ all in one. Something that is slightly color correcting and with SPF is ideal, use heavier where needed and very sheer ( if at all) elsewhere to make the skin more uniform.
Flush/life giving pencil - a version that contains red can be magenta, orange-coral, plum, neon pink, bright red to red-browns. You know what suits you best. When you think in color, you can use this anywhere you need a flush ( note, some pigments cannot be used on eyes or lips, so read the label) . Eye creases, lips, cheeks, hairline, chest, use bold or sheer or with lip balm. It’s all in the use of your fingers.
Dark pencil or smudge stick - we always crave eye definition: tight line, smudge line, defined line are all options. Choosing an off black such as a dark ashy brown gives versatility, it can be smudged into the sockets or even fill a brow without turning too grey or blue.
Eyelash curler - Kevyn Aucoin noted this was the step most people miss, it opens and lifts the eye, instantly awakening your face!
Speedy mascara - choose what works for you, personally I love a fast setting, quick building, long lasting with no ‘curl droop’ effect.
5 piece micro make up kit
Add a wee more longevity and luxury :
Setting powder - useful for the eye lids, under eye and the T zone, or to set creamier colours. Great for humid, hot and mask wearing. ALSO, don’t be afraid to flick over the lashes to act as a mascara primer for added texture, grip and volume.
Extra eye pencil or smudge stick in lighter or warmer tone - for the socket, lower liner, smoky eye option, or lid wash… even as a bronzer or contour on the cheekbones if its the right shade.
Two brushes, pointed and weeny for eyes and medium for face - this will keep hands cleaner, plus add precision and blending. Use the same brush for powder then dip into the blush/bronzer/glow. This technique with the residual face powder will actually help with blending.
Mirrored blush-glow-bronze in one - when the car mirror is not option, to do make up anywhere, this is a must have. Choose the size and a universal color that best suits most looks. You can even mix the blush colour with lip balm to make a coordinated lip.
Lip gloss, lip pencil, lip balm or lippy per your outfit, event, or lip care needs. Lipstick can double as a coordinated cream blush.
10 piece micro make up kit
When you think of product function, size, colors, and simplify make up into pigment, oil and wax, you can concoct your own multi-use micro kit. Pop into your bag some hand wipes, or hand sanitizer and tissue for cleaning hands before and after, and you’re good to go! If you tend to mix with your pro kit too, make sure your formulas are stable, test compatibility and texture, and use aseptic techniques for mixologist magic!
Up next… looking after yourself as a make up artist…
