I love a bargain. Shopping at the .99 cent store!

I love bargains and I love .99 cent stores, there are so many things they sell for us makeup artists to use. I have just come from shopping at one so I thought I'd compile a list of goodies that you can find at the local .99 cent store.

*q-tips
*tissues
*baby oil
*baby oil gel
*tweezers (not the greatest quality though sometimes you get lucky)
*baby powder
*baby wipes
*scissors
*nail clippers
*brushes (poor quality usually use them for glue or body painting)
*mirrors
*pencil cases
*pill boxes - for lipsticks
*nail files
*empty travel bottles
*cotton
*cotton rounds
*alcohol (usually 50% or 70%)
*which hazel
*Vaseline
*scotch tape (I use it to remove fallen glitter off the face)
*dish rags
*nail polish remover
*latex gloves
*sponges
*paper towels

the possibilities are endless and not every .99 cent store is the same. These finds I usually always get at the .99 cent store and I splurge on things like brushes and actual makeup. So I hope this post was helpful to someone. Happy shopping!!

Love and Lipgloss
Chris

In MY kit .... Non Makeup items

So everyone wants to know what is in everyones kit and what they use. No one ever asks about the tools other then brushes. I am going to talk about some necessities that should, I think, be in every makeup artist's kit.

1) Metal Palette and Metal Spatula

This is the most important tool a makeup artist can have in their kit. It's for mixing products, scooping out product, squeezing out product. because you never want to double dip your products from their original container, which is why you also need a metal spatula to do the scooping.
There are many varieties of each find what works best for you, my metal palette is pretty small, takes up less space, easy to store. You can find these at pro makeup stores, or your local craft store, I'd opt for the latter much cheaper there. There are also disposable paper palettes which you can also get at the craft store, it's effective and works but who wants to shell out $6-$7 for a new one when you run out of paper, buy a metal one and you'll have it for life , clean it after each use with 99% alcohol.

2) Brush Organization

Nothing bugs me more then when I am looking for a brush and I can't find it right away, Or it's hidden in that black hole that forms on my workspace where everything I need at that second disappears into.

I used to be a brush belt guy,

(this is a great one by the way, from japonesque)


then a brush roll guy.

Now I like cups or tubes or vessels, whatever you wan to call them. I find them so easy to work with. I can see all my brushes in front of me and they store them perfectly without any squishing or deformities.

This purple gem by Cozzette called vessels are brilliant. they come in three sizes so they can fit even the tall brushes. I must get more at the next Makeup Show.

So whatever you choose, how ever it is you like to keep organized, just be sure it's clean and neat, and all your brushes are CLEAN!! I can't stress that enough!! the easiest way to keep your "containers" clean is don't put dirty brushes in them.

3) Eyelash curler

I'm sure I don't have to mention this one but I am putting on the list anyway because it is an absolute MUST!

There are billions to choose from some of the best are:
Shu Uemura
Shiseido
Tarte
Kevyn Aucoin


4) Tweezers

You should have at least 2 or 3 good tweezers.

They come in all shapes and sizes. Find what works for you and is comfortable in your hand, test it on the hairs on your arm make sure it grabs the hair easily. I have ones from, revlon, tweezerman, Lacross. You can find them everywhere, especially since there seems to be a wallgreens,duane reade, or CVS on every corner nowadays in NY.

4) Scissors

I keep lot's of scissors in my kit. cuticle scissors, haircutting scissors,small ones, big ones. you just never know. Use them for cutting false lashes, trimming brows, opening a package you can't get into.

5) Bamboo Placemat

This may be more of a personal choice but I feel it makes you look that much more professional.

This was my set up for a Dolce & Gabbana shoot I did with Steven Klein. You can find them at just about any home store. I have never paid more then a Dollar for one. When they get really dirty I replace them, at a dollar a piece I don't really mind.

I feel presentation is everything, if your set up is clean and neat and looks appealing to your talent it will put them at ease.

6) Candle

I try to keep a candle on me, nothing huge and crazy,just a small little candle to set the mood and create an atmosphere.

I love love love Diptyque candles!!!


That's all for now. There is tons more I could have covered, But I did the bare bones minimum and two of my personal touches. I could have gone into brushes and cases and bags etc etc etc etc.. But thats a post for another day.( and I could probably write a novel just on brushes) .

Love and Lipgloss
Chris