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Jan 27, 2024

26 Beauty Products That Makeup Artists Swear By

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

These high-quality beauty products come ~highly recommended~ by makeup artists.

BuzzFeed Contributor

A L'Oreal Paris Magic BB cream with wonderful anti-redness properties in case you're like me and suffer from rosacea but still want that smooth, matte finish you've been craving. Not to mention, it's a GREAT alternative to the usual primer + foundation combo.

A warm nude eyeshadow palette made with the highest quality ingredients and offering an infinite number of dazzling eye looks. Psst: I like to use a good shadow to shape and build out my brows, too.

A L'Oreal Paris true match tinted serum that instantly brightens your skin and leaves it soft, hydrated, and with a flawless finish. As the French say, oh là là.

Promising review: "I’m a professional makeup artist and I can seriously tell you I will never switch again! These sponges are by far better than the leading brands. They are not stiff which makes the makeup apply beautifully and seamlessly. My favorite way you use them is to wet them and wring them out. Order them ASAP! You won't regret it." —Mabel

Get a set of six from Amazon for $9.95.

Promising review: "I ADORE this palette! I've worked as a makeup artist for 13 years. This pallet is STUNNING! I ordered two as gifts and just ordered another!" —mimiami

Get it from Amazon for $11.04+ (available in three styles).

Promising review: "I don't write reviews a lot…but I have to share this! This is absolutely the best makeup brush cleaner I have ever used! It's fast and easy and your brushes will literally look like new. I’m a cosmetologist and makeup artist…30 years…and this is the best! It doesn't require a lot of product use either…use sparingly. You will love this!" —Sarah

Get it from Amazon for $14+ (available in seven sizes and styles).

Promising review: "I’ve been a makeup artist (trained by MAC) for over ten years. This is so innovative. Better than any $50 foundation I’ve ever used. It has a serum consistency, almost gel-like, you can see reflective particles in the bottle but not the face — just a glow — and it offers just the right amount of coverage to let you shine through and look natural. It feels hydrating but won't get shiny, and the longevity is great." —BB

Get it from Amazon for $13.95 (available in 12 shades).

Promising review: "This is an essential product for an artist. I body paint and do face paintings quite often and it allows me to create pretty much anything I can imagine. The product will smear and crease if you don't set it with a translucent finishing or setting powder. Once you set, it is locked. The product has a smoothing effect, as well." —TheBoyOfSugar

Get it from Sephora for $99.

Promising review: "I am a makeup artist. This mascara outperforms nearly every other mascara I have used and I am 55 and have purchased and used an innumerable amount of drugstore and specialty mascaras, especially all the high-priced ones that are SUPPOSED to do what this very quiet, low-marketed, very black mascara does: coats every lash, thickens, and lengthens every time and for this price?!?! Sssshhh, don't tell anyone." —Laura

Get it from Amazon for $4.99.

Promising review: "This eyeshadow stick is awesome. You can use it as a primary color or a base. It stays on all day. I can use this on any skin tone and any different effect I'm trying to get, and as a makeup artist, this is very important. If you're looking for a great deal and a multifunctional eyeshadow, this is the one for you. I recommend this. It's a great product!! —nicole

Get it from Amazon for $4.99+ (available in 14 colors).

Promising review: "I've been a makeup artist for 15 years and have every brush in the books. When I saw this one in store I knew I didn't have anything like it. The taper is perfect for getting around the nose and eyes, yet it's large enough to work your whole face. The bristles are like silk, and I wash this using the beauty blender solid unscented block and it works perfectly to keep my brush in mint condition. I HIGHLY recommend this brush, for any foundation, but especially if you buy the new Ambient Soft Glow Foundation because they're a match made in heaven!" —teenyyogini

Get it from Sephora for $47.

Promising review: "These are quite decent for the price. I'm a traveling freelance makeup artist and I got these for a wedding I just did for a friend. I was hesitant because sometimes brushes online aren't dense enough or are just too synthetic-feeling. These worked really well. Not too soft where they didn't pick up product, and not too hard where they would hurt. They were actually perfect, and I plan to order more for my personal collection." —Jesse

Get an 18-piece set from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in four colors).

Promising review: "Gorgeous color. I bought it after a makeup artist used it as a lip gloss over some lip liner for one of my friend's weddings. I love it for every day use or a special occasion." —Julia

Get it from Amazon for $4.97+ (available in 36 colors).

Promising review: "I have been a professional makeup artist for over 32 years. I have worked as a freelance artist and as key makeup artist for many high-end events. I have used many professional makeup brands and of course prefer them to commercial brands. That being said, I use this bronzer every single day and love it! Smooth, flawless finish exceptional warm shade does not oxidize in skin. Best ever!" —Be Kind, Do Good Work!

Get it from Amazon for $12.33+ (available in seven shades).

Promising review: "As a makeup artist using everything under the sun product-wise, I am extremely impressed by this concealer! I use this personally on myself and don't even have to touch the product with my fingers! Blends like a dream and is very light, does not cake in the creases AT ALL, and wears all day amazingly perfect. Totally recommend this to everyone!" —Bioya

Get it from Amazon for $7.60+ (available in 16 shades).

Promising review: "This is a true translucent powder. I’ve used it alone to create a soft-focus and to prepare my skin for powder blush and highlighter, and used it over liquid foundation. It's so finely milled it's a joy to apply. Comes with a little puff—I use a powder brush for application. The scent is soft and doesn't stay once you’ve applied it. I love the smell. If you’re searching for a nice translucent powder, this one has been around for decades and is a deal on top of everything else!! I’m an aesthetician and makeup artist and have used this for years." —ThymeToFly

Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in four colors).

Promising review: "As a makeup artist for more than 15 years, I switched from a more high-end setting spray to the NYX setting spray, and I am more happy with the NYX product. The dewy spray works best for drier skin or more mature skin. It gives a perfect glow." —KL

Get it from Amazon for $8.98.

Promising review: "I am a makeup artist in a spa. My kit contains very expensive brand foundations such as MAC, UD, Makeup Forever...but this is my favorite for myself. I don't like the full coverage look.on myself, but this product is buildable if you prefer without having to worry about caking." —tjennelle

Get it from Amazon for $8.70 (also available in a two-pack).

Promising review: "Pro makeup artist favorite! You really can't beat the price for such a good product! This adds so much dimension to the brow and really holds it in place. For thicker, unruly brows you may need a few coats but for most people, just one to two thin coats will keep them lifted all day and not crunchy or hard. There is also no white residue if you work quickly and in thin layers." —alicia

Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (also available in four other colors).

Promising review: "As a professional makeup artist who has worked on actors, this brush saves so much time and it BETTER than the Beauty Blender. No joke. Try it!!!" —Taylor

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in ten colors).

Promising review: "Love, love, love this eyeshadow palette! I'm a makeup artist and have found this to be my go-to palette for every occasion." —Dierdre

Get it from Amazon for $9.97+ (available in three styles).

Promising review: "I was amazed at how much this kit can hold. I am a professional makeup artist and I was looking for a smaller, easy-to-carry bag to condense my kit for smaller jobs. This bag was able to hold about 75% of all the makeup from my larger kit. I might get another one to carry all my stuff around and forget about my larger, heavier makeup carrying case altogether." —Ava

Get it from Amazon for $30.59.

Promising review: "This is by far my favorite blush I have purchased. I have a lot of name brand blushes and this beats them all. The color works on pretty much all skin tones. I am a makeup artist and use it on so many clients. The perfect slight shine and highlight, without overdoing it. You can add a highlighter if you want tons [of] shine." —Paige

Get it from Amazon for $8.97+ (available in 24 colors and styles).

Promising review: "I used this product last year and had great results. After my first tube of this ran out, I switched to a cheaper lash growth product on the market. Well...you get what you pay for. The new product did NOT work as well for me as this had. So, here I am a year later, and my lashes are back to average length again. I know when I start using this my lashes will be back to looking long, thick and gorgeous! I am so excited! I never got SO many compliments on my eyes and my lashes as when I was using this product. So after using many different lash growth products on the market, I can confidently say this is the best (in my opinion). Also, I am an esthetician/makeup artist and I recommend this product to all of my clients who are trying to achieve significant lash growth results without a prescription product. If you use it EVERY night the results will amaze you and everyone else!" —A.B.

Get it from Amazon for $36+ (available in three sizes).

Promising review: "A makeup artist fave! I purchase these over and over for my makeup kit. They are affordable and great for my clients who love a more dramatic lash. Definitely recommend!" —Marin

Get a 10-pack from Amazon for $8.54+ (also available in four other pack sizes and styles).

Promising review: "I would love to review this as I fell in love with it just as I tested them on arrival. Creamy, easy to apply, smudge-proof, beautiful colors in both sets, soft-to-feel, sleek, beautiful packaging...a makeup artist's go-to product. Every pro-makeup artist should have it handy in the kit." —Smitri

Get a set of six lipsticks from Amazon for $9.98 (available in three color combos).

Promising review: "These are perfect for makeup artists, especially during COVID to keep transferring to a minimum. I’ve used these for quite some time to give to my brides to take with them in their touch-up kits for the day of the wedding! Highly recommend to anyone! Conveniently packed and easy to travel with." —Taylor

Get a 20-pack from Amazon for $6.88 (also available in a larger pack size).

Promising review: "I’m a freelance makeup artist so I’m always looking for inexpensive makeup that doesn't look cheap. I can honestly say I pondered for days before making this purchase because I didn't want to have yet another palette that I can't use. When it arrived, two days after I ordered it which was amazing, I opened it up and swatched a couple of colors...OMG, they were gorgeous! I was super excited and decided to do a 'soft glam"'look on one eyelid just to see what it looked like...wowwww, I was not disappointed! The pigment is very vivid and so far it doesn't seem to be chalky, so if you’re stuck trying to decide I hope you get it, I think you’ll love it too." —D.J.

Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

Promising review: "Excellent! I love this product. I am a makeup artist and it works great!" —stacyjane

Get it from Amazon for $6.99.

The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.