My top 10 tips for building a make-up kit!

I have been a working make-up artist for 10 years - but my love of make-up has been a life-long obsession.
Over the last year I have broadended my skills and have been teaching make-up - which has lead me to helping a lot of people wanting to reach into the world of becoming a make-up artist.
Through this I have had to answer A LOT of questions - and 'how to build your kit' has 100% been top of that list.

Obviously you will need things to clean and maintain your kit, as well as disposable tools - but that will be a whole different post - I promise!

I'm sure you will agree that a make-up artist is nothing  without their kit. We all have to start from somewhere, and often other artists aren't willing to help, it is one of the most competitive industries - so here I am, sharing my top tips on how to grow that kit!

My top 10 tips for building a make-up kit.

1. Investing in brushes is key – if you look after them, they will last a life-time. If your brushes are of poor quality they will make you job harder and take you longer to achieve certain effects - fact. ​
2. When starting out – don’t be afraid to ask your friends and family to bring their own make-up for you to practice and take photos. This will save you initially having to spend a fortune and you will still be able to practice and get images for your portfolio!
3. Save money for big sale such as 'Black Friday' to aid you in bulk buying items. I still do this even to this day - get the quality products you want for a fraction of the price.
   
4. Apply for ‘MUA discounts’  - every little helps! Lots of companies do student discounts and MUA discounts, for these you generally just have to email them over a few pictures of 'proof' that you are learning/are a working make-up artist. 
5. Multi-use products - for example, you can use different coloured concealers or foundations to highlight and contour the face, you don't need to fork out for a cream contour kit on top of all of this. Use highlighters for eyeshadow - utilise what you already have! 
6. Don’t be afraid to start with ‘cheaper’ products – as you make more money off working with clients, you can gradually invest into more ‘pro’ products. When I first started doing make-up I invested in a range of foundations and make-up brushes first - via discounts and sales, and most other things where cheaper brands - as I started making more money, I then swapped these out for more 'luxury' items. Make sure you have a good range of colours.
7. Invest in a good ‘all round’ eyeshadow palette that you can do an array of looks with. I always find myself going back to the Violet Voss - Holy Grail palette and recently I have been obsessed with the Plouise - Secret Sinner palette - these are both versatile and can create a good range - natural, glam and also pops of colour.
8. ‘Drugstore’ is really bringing quality products. Drugstore brands are really raising the game, my favourite concealer right now is a Revolution one that literally costs £5 - if it works, it works - don't be afraid of the price-tag! 
9. Don’t get caught up in using ‘all of one brand’ – use whatever YOU think works, most brands can absolutely kill it with some products, but some of their others might not hit the mark! 
10. Keep investing in YOURSELF – as a make-up artist you can never know everything, Open yourself up to be constantly learning. YOU are your more valuable asset. Whether that is watching youtube, experimenting with new products, doing online courses or doing lessons.