Skip to Content

Add These Professional Makeup and Skincare Recs to Your Shopping Cart ASAP

From J. Lo's personal stylist to YouTube sensation faves, industry experts weigh in on their staples.

By
Professional Makeup

If you buy something from the links on this page, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?

We glance over the lipstick shades that magazines rave about every month and consider the moisturizer our mothers have advised us to use for years, but when it comes down to it, beauty regimens are just so personal. We're not alone — celebrity stylists and beauty influencers play favorites at the makeup counter, too, and to prove it, we sat down with a few beauty experts across the industry to find out what products they really gravitate towards behind and beyond the red carpet.

Nick Barose – Celebrity Makeup Artist

Nick Barose
Instagram @dilokritbarose

Nick Barose was born in Thailand, and when he moved to New York City his love for the beauty industry blossomed. He started out as a makeup artist for Kevyn Aucoin, and has worked with countless celebrities from Scarlett Johansson to Lena Dunham, and with glossies like Elle, Allure, Vogue, and Marie Claire. These days he's best known as the man behind Lancôme Ambassadress Lupita Nyong'o's every look.

Product he swears by: Lancôme Grandiôse Wide-Angle Fan Effect Mascara, $32 BUY NOW

He says: "I love the Lancôme Grandiôse mascara. It has a great formula that adds length and volume. And the wand is bent perfectly to fit the shape of the face, so it makes it easier for my clients to apply it themselves. I almost always have my clients apply it themselves. This way they really can get in there from roots to tips!"

More: Top Picks to Navigate the Wonderful World of Face Makeup

Mary Phillips – Celebrity Makeup Artist

Mary Phillips
Instagram @1maryphillips

Mary Phillips is one of the most in-demand celebrity makeup artists in the business, so much so that Jennifer Lopez didn't hesitate to sign her on as her own personal makeup artist in 2006. Aside from J. Lo, Phillips has worked with a variety of A-listers from Christina Aguilera to Gwen Stefani and the Kardashians, and her work has been displayed on the pages of Glamour, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, and Vanity Fair, among others.

Product she swears by: Shadow Shields, $8 BUY NOW

She says: "I'd seen Shadow Shields on Instagram many many years ago, just silly pics of people wearing them, and then a client asked me what I thought of them, but I didn't know! After my first try, I was in love. Having never been a fan of the loose-powder trick (to each their own), I was always using Kleenex or a powder puff, but these made life and my job easier, cleaner, and seamless! I appreciate when people come up with stuff like this!"

Dina Altieri — Makeup Artist and Founder of Hush + Dotti

Dina Altieri
Hush + Dotti

Dina Altieri was a makeup artist for 20 years when she began to notice a shift in the beauty industry's focus from dolling up to stripping down and zeroing in on ingredient lists. To keep up and offer clients makeup and skincare she was proud to use, she developed what we now know to be Hush + Dotti, a nontoxic label with professional quality products.

Product she swears by: Hydrating Serum Dream Drops, $52 BUY NOW

She says: "A great makeup application starts with skin that's well-prepped. I can't live withour Dream Drops … it hydrates skin and absorbs quickly so makeup can be applied right on top of it without needing an additional primer. I use it both under and over makeup on my clients and it absolutely never lets me down. I would be lost without it!"

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Jamie Greenberg – Celebrity Makeup Artist

Jamie Greenberg
Instagram @jamiemakeup

Jamie Greenberg is a celebrity makeup artist/Youtube vlogger whose makeup tutorials directly correlate with her work on your favorite A-listers from pop starts to runway models. Her hopelessly devoted clientele includes Big Bang Theory's Kaley Cuoco, Pretty Little Liars star Lucy Hale, the hilarious Anna Faris, and Golden Globe winner Elisabeth Moss. She's also the host of Allure's digital series Show Me Your Boudoir.

Product she swears by: Neora Eye-V Moisture Boost Hydrogel Patches, $55 BUY NOW

She says: "You can say, that one of major go-tos for face prep is the Meora Eye-V Moisture Boost Hydrogel Eye Patches...I never leave home without them! I use these patches before makeup application to prep the skin, and add hydration. They are also great for a boost throughout the day!"

Wendy Rowe – International Makeup Artist

Wendy Rowe
Instagram @wendyrowe

Cosmetic expert Wendy Rowe has taken over the beauty industry in every form. An Artistic Consultant to Burberry, best-selling author, campaign, runway, and editorial artist, labeling her an expert almost feels like an understatement.

Product she swears by: DECLÉOR Hydra Floral 24-Hour Moisture Activating Light Cream, $70 BUY NOW

She says: "Before exercise, you do need to remove make-up, so opt for a cleanser that removes waterproof make-up gently. Just make sure you cleanse really well to keep your skin looking as great as possible. If exercising outdoors, I'd recommend finishing with a light moisturizer – I love Hydra Floral 24 Hour Moisture Activating Light Cream by DECLÉOR. If you are doing something inside, then facial mists are a great option, as they provide enough hydration whilst not being too heavy."

Kim Carpluk – New York Makeup Artist

Kim Carpluk
Instagram @kcarpluk

Kim Carpluck is a jack-of-all-trades in the beauty industry. A New York makeup artist, contributor for XOVain, InStyle, and Bustle, she's also worked as a touch-up artist for the GLAAD Awards, and has collaborated on projects with Too Faced co-founder Jerrod Blandino and Sugarpill Cosmetics founder Amy Doan.

Product she swears by: Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner, $25 BUY NOW

She says: "My go-to staple product would have to be Marc Jacobs' Beauty Highliner, particularly in Blaquer. It's the only eyeliner I'll use on myself, and pretty much the main eyeliner I go to when freelancing. It's super saturated, super easy to blend, and completely waterproof. Once it dries down, it is there until you decide to take it off. This is the only eyeliner that allows my looks to be the same from dawn to dusk, without any pesky running or transfer. Their new matte Highliners are so deliciously creamy and smudgy, they quickly create the perfect 5-second smokey eye. I would swear my life by the Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliners."

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Hailie Barber – Youtube Makeup Artist

Hailie Barber
Instagram @hailiebarber

Hailie Barber attended the Aveda Institute for Beauty and is now a licensed esthetician, as well as a successful beauty influencer across social channels like YouTube and Instagram.

Product she swears by: Tarte Double Duty Beauty Shape Tape Contour Concealer, $25 BUY NOW

She says: "I have so many favorite products but the first one to come to mind is Tarte Shape Tape Concealer! It is my go to everyday! It's super creamy, hydrating, and full-coverage so I can use it for my days of full glam or just put a dot on my under eye on the days I don't really want to wear makeup but need to hide my tired eyes. A little goes a long way! It's virtually creaseless too, so once it's set you're good to go and instantly look more awake! Can't imagine my morning routine without it!"

Camille Clark – Los Angeles Makeup Artist and Beauty Editor

Camille Clark
Facebook @camilleclark

Camille Clark has dabbled in different areas across the beauty industry, including — but not limited to — campaign work, cover shoots, working closely with brands, and styling celebrities. A must-have on hand during award season, she's a regular on the red carpets at the Golden Globes, Grammys, Emmys, VMAs, and Academy Awards.

Product she swears by: By Terry Terrybly Densiliss Primer, $118 BUY NOW

She says: "By Terry Terrybly Densiliss Primer is one of my all time favorite products. I use it on almost every single client. It smooths skin so beautifully, and color-corrects with the skincare benefits of an anti-aging serum. You can wear it alone or under foundation. I just adore this product and it's an essential in my kit."

Headshot of Julia Horniacek
Julia Horniacek

Julia Horniacek is the former fashion and beauty editor for BestProducts.com. When she's not resisting the “add to cart” button on e-commerce sites or chocolate everything, she's a fitness fanatic you’ll find at the gym, sipping an array of seasonal decaffeinated beverages or documenting her life via Insta pics.

Watch Next
 
preview for HDM All sections playlist - Best Products
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Best Face Makeup

charlotte tilbury airbrush flawless longwear foundation, urban decay face bond self setting waterproof foundation, morphe lightform extended hydration foundation

Waterproof Foundations You Need This Summer

setting powders and brushes

What One Month of Testing Setting Powders Revealed

a collage of face makeup primers

The 7 Best Face Primers for Every Skin Type

a group of tinted moisturizers on a pink cloth

Tinted Moisturizers to Prime and Perfect Your Skin

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below