Wedding Wednesday- Makeup Kit

Makeup Kits

Imagine a makeup counter arriving to any location you choose. It has countless eyeshadows, blushes, lip products and all the items we dream of as little girls playing in their mommy’s makeup. Imagine this makeup counter is not just one brand, but many high end researched products all deeply pigmented and waiting to be applied. Brides have literally giggled with delight when they see all the products we bring on location to ensure a happy client. The one question we are asked a lot is: Why do we charge a travel fee? Essentially we charge this fee because we are bringing an entire salon to your desired location. We have spent countless hours investing our knowledge, time and money to ensure that our makeup kits and hair kit is to the highest standard. One of our favorite mottos is: Supply is never a problem!

Speaking for both Jenny and myself we began building our makeup kits over twelve years ago. Jenny began collecting her favorite makeup brands and asked for MAC brushes as her high school graduation gift. Her parents had offered a computer to assist her in college, but Jenny preferred her makeup even then. I began building my kit in 2000 when I attended Redwood Empire Beauty College and really started to attain a lot of products when I started working for MAC Cosmetics in 2006. MAC has quality makeup and both Jenny and I have a large supply in our kits. Some of our other favorite brands include Urban Decay, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Kylie Cosmetics, Benefit, Kat Von D, Tarte and Youngblood Cosmetics just to name a few.

I began collecting my makeup in a simple black train case, which protects the makeup from extreme hot and cold weather. I already had some MAC brushes before gaining employment with the company but once I started working there full-time I was definitely able to pick out brushes with knowledge and confidence.  Some of my favorite brushes are the 217 and 224 for my crease, the 266 for my brows and eyeliner and the 219 for placing shadow below my lower lash line and defining lines. I use the 187 for powder and the 188 for my highlight. I am also branching out and researching the Morphe Brushes as well. Jenny has purchased a set in rose gold and has been extremely happy with this brand as well.

My kit includes two different foundation brands, MAC and Youngblood, and I will be expanding to a third brand this year. Using different types of foundation is key to being able to work with all skin types. We keep expanding and growing our supply with new trends, new brands and by stocking up on all of our staples. I now travel with my original train case, a rolling Zuca Bag, a makeup chair and a bag full of towels to protect my work area from makeup spillage. This year we may be adding lighting to our kits as well. I can’t even begin to explain the amount of items Jenny carries when we do both hair and makeup in the same day.

The night before a big makeup event I go over all my supplies especially items that need frequent replenishing such as eyelashes, mascara, disposable mascara wands and lipstick wands. I meticulously clean my brushes and store them in a specific order for easy accessibility. I look through all my notes and makeup photos from the bride and bridal party and mentally go through a checklist. The preparations for a long day of makeup start long before the actual applications takes place.

Before the sun rises the next morning I am usually finished with my beauty preparations and sneaking out of my house so I don’t wake my children. I load the supplies and am ready for a day of creating ethereal beauties!