Whether they’re using a clear wax to create a feathered brow look or using a specific technique to apply liner to hooded eyes, makeup artists are and always have been the keepers of the makeup industry’s top secrets. Given that they are the ones we go to when we need a bit of makeup magic, we have to wonder: Which crème-de-la-crème products do professionals (who know every little detail surrounding makeup formulation, application, packaging, and staying power) give to their loved ones during the holidays? We asked three makeup artists about their favorite products to gift and what they’ve got on their wish lists this year, too.
Which makeup products are you giving to the minimalists?
“The perfect gift for the minimalists would be something from the clean-beauty sector. Evio Beauty Character Concealer, Kosas Big Clean Mascara, and Lilah B. Aglow Face Mist are my favorite clean-beauty items right now. I love the idea of little mini care packages for gift giving, so I’d give a combo of these to the minimalist who would appreciate products with simple, real ingredients.”
Which makeup products are you giving to the maximalists?
“For the maximalists, think luxury with high color impact. A Mothership palette from Pat McGrath Labs would be my go-to gift.”
Which makeup products are you giving to those who live somewhere in between?
“I’d gift a limited-edition beauty essential like the glitter mascara, [like] Dior Iconic Overcurl Mascara in Iconic Sequins. Everyone loves a good mascara, but the hint of sparkle will be something someone in between will appreciate when they want to add some glam to a simple look.”
Which products are you giving to your colleagues?
“When it comes to fellow makeup artists, a great gift is always a few new makeup brushes or even a new foundation in their complexion so they can experience it themselves to maybe add to their kit—brushes from My Kitco or Synchro Skin Foundation from Shiseido.”
Which products are you giving to your best friend or close family member?
“For a close family member or friend, I like to gift lip combos that include something they would normally wear, as well as a new shade that I’d love for them to try. YSL Mini Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick Set [is perfect for this].”
Is there any makeup product you would cherish forever if you received it as a gift?
“A gift that I’d cherish forever is a limited-edition eye palette or super-luxurious makeup brushes. Something about knowing you own a piece of makeup that represents a moment in time to remember is super special to me.”
“The perfect gift for the minimalists would be something from the clean-beauty sector. Evio Beauty Character Concealer, Kosas Big Clean Mascara, and Lilah B. Aglow Face Mist are my favorite clean-beauty items right now. I love the idea of little mini care packages for gift giving, so I’d give a combo of these to the minimalist who would appreciate products with simple, real ingredients.”
Which makeup products are you giving to the maximalists?
“For the maximalists, think luxury with high color impact. A Mothership palette from Pat McGrath Labs would be my go-to gift.”
Which makeup products are you giving to those who live somewhere in between?
“I’d gift a limited-edition beauty essential like the glitter mascara, [like] Dior Iconic Overcurl Mascara in Iconic Sequins. Everyone loves a good mascara, but the hint of sparkle will be something someone in between will appreciate when they want to add some glam to a simple look.”
Which products are you giving to your colleagues?
“When it comes to fellow makeup artists, a great gift is always a few new makeup brushes or even a new foundation in their complexion so they can experience it themselves to maybe add to their kit—brushes from My Kitco or Synchro Skin Foundation from Shiseido.”
Which products are you giving to your best friend or close family member?
“For a close family member or friend, I like to gift lip combos that include something they would normally wear, as well as a new shade that I’d love for them to try. YSL Mini Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick Set [is perfect for this].”
Is there any makeup product you would cherish forever if you received it as a gift?
“A gift that I’d cherish forever is a limited-edition eye palette or super-luxurious makeup brushes. Something about knowing you own a piece of makeup that represents a moment in time to remember is super special to me.”
Which makeup products are you giving to the minimalists?
“Westman Atelier Lip Suede Compact. It has four different-colored lipsticks and is super easy to carry around and travel with.”
Which makeup products are you giving to the maximalists?
“NARS Liquid Blush. It works for every skin tone, and it’s really pigmented, perfect for people that love a good cheeky blush.”
Which makeup products are you giving to those who live somewhere in between?
“Milk Makeup Kush Fiber Eyebrow Gel, because everyone’s eyebrows need love, and it’s really easy to use. [Or the] Victoria Beckham Bitten Lip Tint in Chérie—it is gorgeous and a perfect lip stain to wear all year round.”
Which makeup products are you giving to your colleagues?
“Bite Beauty’s new plumping lip glosses [because] they are fun colors and something unique for those who’ve never tried lip plumpers.”
Which makeup products are you giving to your best friend or close family member?
“ Dior 3D triple lash primer—it’s amazing, and [it’s] something most people wouldn’t buy for themselves. It curls your lashes and helps them look a lot longer. [Also,] the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation [because] it never fails and your skin looks and feels like butter.”
Is there any makeup product you would cherish forever if you received it as a gift?
“Yes! Any of the Hermès lipsticks.”
“Westman Atelier Lip Suede Compact. It has four different-colored lipsticks and is super easy to carry around and travel with.”
Which makeup products are you giving to the maximalists?
“NARS Liquid Blush. It works for every skin tone, and it’s really pigmented, perfect for people that love a good cheeky blush.”
Which makeup products are you giving to those who live somewhere in between?
“Milk Makeup Kush Fiber Eyebrow Gel, because everyone’s eyebrows need love, and it’s really easy to use. [Or the] Victoria Beckham Bitten Lip Tint in Chérie—it is gorgeous and a perfect lip stain to wear all year round.”
Which makeup products are you giving to your colleagues?
“Bite Beauty’s new plumping lip glosses [because] they are fun colors and something unique for those who’ve never tried lip plumpers.”
Which makeup products are you giving to your best friend or close family member?
“ Dior 3D triple lash primer—it’s amazing, and [it’s] something most people wouldn’t buy for themselves. It curls your lashes and helps them look a lot longer. [Also,] the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation [because] it never fails and your skin looks and feels like butter.”
Is there any makeup product you would cherish forever if you received it as a gift?
“Yes! Any of the Hermès lipsticks.”
Which makeup products are you giving to the minimalists?
“[ The Victoria Beckham Cell Rejuvenating Priming Moisturizer] is incredible for anyone, especially a minimalist. It’s mainly skin care but also has a golden tint that gives a radiant glow to all skin types.”
Which makeup products are you giving to the maximalists?
“[ Roen 11:11 Eyeshadow Palette]. The formula texture is so unique. They are sparkly and give a wet, glowy finish. RÓEN is a clean brand, so there’s no nasty glitter in their formula that usually irritates your eyes! You can load these eyeshadows on over powder or by themselves. Perfect for holiday seasons.”
Which makeup products are you giving to those who live somewhere in between?
“[ The Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow] bronzer/highlighter duo is one of my desert-island products that I can’t live without. Sometimes I’ll use a little dust of it all over my face and neck to give me a little glow for the day, or I’ll use it to really contour and highlight for a night out. I use it on all my clients; it works for so many skin tones!”
Which products are you giving to your colleagues?
“I think skin care is a great gift for a colleague. Male, female, no matter what your age, who doesn’t love skin care?! There’s an Irish brand I love called Pestle & Mortar. They do an incredible Pure Hyaluronic Serum that suits any skin type, and it’s a reasonably priced brand.”
Which makeup products are you giving to your best friend or close family member?
“I always gift my friends a full makeup look. They constantly ask me about looks I’ve created for my celebrity clients and how they can achieve that look themselves. The [Roen Glam & Glow Look Sets] really make it easy for them with lippies to complement each eyeshadow palette.”
Is there any makeup product you would cherish forever if you were gifted it?
“Oh, this one is so hard; I cherish so many makeup products for my personal makeup bag and my kit.
“Here’s a list of a few of my ride-or-die products that I’m obsessed with and love to gift because I know they will bring the same joy to that person. [The Roen Cake Mascara, Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer Broad Spectrum SPF 25, Hourglass Cosmetics Illume Sheer Color Trio in Sunset, and Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Iconic Nude] are four products I use on myself every day without fail.”
“[ The Victoria Beckham Cell Rejuvenating Priming Moisturizer] is incredible for anyone, especially a minimalist. It’s mainly skin care but also has a golden tint that gives a radiant glow to all skin types.”
Which makeup products are you giving to the maximalists?
“[ Roen 11:11 Eyeshadow Palette]. The formula texture is so unique. They are sparkly and give a wet, glowy finish. RÓEN is a clean brand, so there’s no nasty glitter in their formula that usually irritates your eyes! You can load these eyeshadows on over powder or by themselves. Perfect for holiday seasons.”
Which makeup products are you giving to those who live somewhere in between?
“[ The Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow] bronzer/highlighter duo is one of my desert-island products that I can’t live without. Sometimes I’ll use a little dust of it all over my face and neck to give me a little glow for the day, or I’ll use it to really contour and highlight for a night out. I use it on all my clients; it works for so many skin tones!”
Which products are you giving to your colleagues?
“I think skin care is a great gift for a colleague. Male, female, no matter what your age, who doesn’t love skin care?! There’s an Irish brand I love called Pestle & Mortar. They do an incredible Pure Hyaluronic Serum that suits any skin type, and it’s a reasonably priced brand.”
Which makeup products are you giving to your best friend or close family member?
“I always gift my friends a full makeup look. They constantly ask me about looks I’ve created for my celebrity clients and how they can achieve that look themselves. The [Roen Glam & Glow Look Sets] really make it easy for them with lippies to complement each eyeshadow palette.”
Is there any makeup product you would cherish forever if you were gifted it?
“Oh, this one is so hard; I cherish so many makeup products for my personal makeup bag and my kit.
“Here’s a list of a few of my ride-or-die products that I’m obsessed with and love to gift because I know they will bring the same joy to that person. [The Roen Cake Mascara, Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer Broad Spectrum SPF 25, Hourglass Cosmetics Illume Sheer Color Trio in Sunset, and Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Iconic Nude] are four products I use on myself every day without fail.”
