The Beauty Shortlist: 39 Must-Haves from Our Favorite Makeup Artist
I’ve been fortunate to work with an array of hair and makeup artists over the years. As a personal stylist for women, I’m all about helping every woman communicate her authentic personal style through her clothing. I look to hair and makeup artists to help complete the picture for clients, especially during client photo shoots.
Jenna Hatcher is a wealth of knowledge about makeup and skincare and I’ve asked her hundreds of questions over the years. (You can see her work on me as well as Poplin clients Jenny, Danae, Laurie and Kristin.) She generously shared that knowledge with the Poplin Membership and it was evident that every member of the Poplin Community would love this information, too. So here are Jenna’s favorite products right now. I can’t wait to hear what you think.
P.S. I’ve been addicted to the Gressa eye shadow and Tower 28 lip liner since the moment she introduced me to them.
Heads up! Poplin is an affiliate. When you are ready to purchase, please consider clicking through the images below as Poplin may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting Poplin!
Jenna Hatcher’s Must Haves
Skincare & Makeup
Big thanks to Jenna Hatcher for creating this list of resources.
Skin Prep
Skincare - I have used a lot of skincare and these are my tried and true that I use daily:
Step 1 (Morning & night): La Neige Cream Skin: this is a wonderful toner that gives your skin moisture and dewiness. I apply w/a reusable cotton round on my face and neck.
Cream Skin Cerapeptide™ Toner & Moisturizer
Step 2: Vitamin C (morning only): There are many C serums on the market so feel free to choose your favorite. This one was top rated and affordable!I apply this after the toner, all over my face and neck. Vitamin C brightens the skin and fades dark spots. Leads to a more even skin tone
TruSkin Vitamin C Serum For Face – Anti Aging Formula with Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E – Brightening Serum – Improve Appearance of Dark Spots, Tone, Fine Lines & Wrinkles, 1 Fl Oz
Step 3: Gressa Skin Salt of the Earth Serum, Caudalie Resveratrol-Lift: Instant Firming Retinol Alternative Serum or serum of your choice. I am loving the Caudalie, as it visibly firms, lifts and smooths the look of wrinkles. Formulated with Caudalie’s exclusive patented blend of Resveratrol, Hyaluronic Acid & Vegan Collagen 1, it is 3x more effective than retinol to firm and lift the appearance of the skin. This potent, yet gentle formula leaves skin looking more youthful without irritation.
Salt of the Earth Essence
Resveratrol-liftInstant Firming Retinol Alternative Serum
Step 4: Moisturizer: I personally prefer using serums on my face and going right to a tinted spf as my base. My hands down favorite is Josie Maran Spf 47. It comes in one tinted color, which is not ideal, but it works for most fair and medium skin tones. Saie Beauty is another line with beautiful tinted moisturizers with SPF built in.
Josie Maran Protect & Perfect Face Moisturizer & Facial Sunscreen with SunBoost ATB - Tinted Mineral Sunscreen with SPF 47 - Chemical-Free & Lightweight Sunscreen Moisturizer (2 oz)
Slip Tint Tinted Moisturizer | Sheer Coverage, Hydration, SPF 35
Now, it’s makeup time!
Primers & Hydration
This is a long-wear gel makeup primer that grips makeup for up to 12 hours! Hydrates with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide for a dewy finish. Note it does give the skin a tacky finish, but that’s helps the makeup stay! This is water-based, so use with a water-based foundation.
MILK MAKEUP | Hydro Grip Hydrating Makeup Primer with Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide
This makes you look so fresh and glowy! Wear under makeup or by itself for a “lit from within” radiance. It is applied as the last step before foundation & concealer. Oil-based, so use with an oil-based foundation.
Glossier | Futuredew Facial Oil-Serum Hybrid
If you have oily skin, you can use this all over the face, or if you’re combination, just in the T-zone (down the center of the face). Blurs pores and helps keep shine under control throughout the day.
Milk Makeup Pore Eclipse Mattifying & Blurring Primer
Foundations & Tinted Moisturizers
I love this brand - it’s user friendly, simple yet beautiful and effective. Very light coverage, gives semi-dewy to slightly matte finish, with added SPF protection.
Saie Tinted Moisturizer
This is a full coverage foundation that is buildable and gorgeous. Great for when you want something to last day to night, for an event, etc. I carry this in my kit, as I primarily use it for weddings and special events. Available in a wide variety of shades to meet every skin tone need.
Dior Forever Skin Glow Foundation SPF 15
My personal holy grail. So dewy, I frequently get compliments on my skin, as I wear this everyday. Everyone should prioritize sun protection in their skincare and makeup routine. Downside it comes in one color, but does work for most fair and medium skin tones.
Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer Mineral SPF 47 Protect & Perfect
This is one of if not THE best “clean”, natural foundations on the market. Formulated with broccoli seed oil as the base, it is very full coverage, or sheer (you only need 1-2 drops for your entire face!) Best suited for more oily-prone skin. Available in a wide variety of shades to meet every skin tone need.
Gressa Minimalist Corrective Serum Foundation
Concealer
This has been a staple in my kit for years! Tried and true, works on every skin type! It is more of a full-coverage concealer that will last all day.
Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer
Another favorite, similar to Nars but maybe a touch more dry, has more of a matte finish. Comes in a variety of colors for every skin tone.
Laura Mercier Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Serum Concealer
What I carry and use in my personal makeup bag. I love that the ingredients are more natural and the coverage is on the lighter side. Very dewy, would benefit from setting with a setting powder.
Tower 28 Beauty Swipe All-Over Hydrating Serum Concealer
Blush & Bronzer
I love this brand so very much! It has a wide variety of color options, beautiful textures, and it’s more minimalist / clean in its ingredients. Magic Hour is great for light-medium skin tones, while “Golden Hour” would be gorgeous on deeper skin tones.
Tower 28 Beauty BeachPlease Lip + Cheek Dewy Cream Blush in “Magic Hour”
Another brand I adore! Cream products are just the perfect match for more mature skin, and they are here to stay IMHO! Chilly is a gorgeous mauve-y color that looks like you just stepped off the slopes or came from a great workout. They also have a variety of colors for all skin tones, and more natural ingredients to boot!
Saie Dew Blush Liquid Cream Blush in “Chilly”
Nars is one of my favorite brands due to their color selections, pay-off and consistency across their products. If you would prefer a powder blush because you have more oily skin, I recommend the colors, Orgasm, Torrid, or Exhibit A for the deepest skin tones.
Nars Powder Blush
This will give you a perfect sun-kissed glow without the damage! I know it looks dark, but it blends in so well for just the right amount of color. Perfect for dry skin, and you can swipe on your face right from the tube.
Olio e Osso LAB Balms in Ganache
This is very similar to the one mentioned above, but a slightly lower price-point and a different applicator (use your finger vs swiping on).
Tower 28 Beauty Bronzino Cream Bronzer in Pacific Coast
Eyeshadow
A shadow primer isn’t a must, but if you have very oily and/or hooded lids, a primer will help keep your eye makeup in place. You also have the option of using a full-coverage concealer as a primer/base.
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
There are so many eyeshadow palettes on the market, it can be overwhelming! I’ve chosen this one because it’s a cult-favorite, it’s well-priced and not hard to figure out! It has all the colors you need to create a day-to-night look. You can keep it simple and neutral, or dip into the darker colors for more of an “oomph!” for nighttime.
Urban Decay Naked2 Basics Matte Eyeshadow Palette
ABH’s eyeshadows are some of the best because of their pigmentation, minimal fallout, and variety of colors all at an amazing price point. This palette is a step up from the UD Naked2, because it includes more colors and some shimmery shades, if youre a bit more adventurous with your makeup.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Eyeshadow Palette
This is my go-to favorite eyeshadow for myself! Obsessed with the texture and colors of these eye tints. They are perfect to use with your fingers when you’re in a rush. I chose this color because it looks so good in the crease or as a bronzer. If I could only have one eyeshadow for the rest of my life, I’d choose this one. Take some time to look through the other colors, as they’re all so gorgeous!
Gressa Eye Tint in “Butterrum”
Lips
This color is my absolute favorite! I have two in my makeup bag and in my kit! It’s just the perfect pinky-nude that seems to make your natural lip color pop. It can also be swipe across the cheeks or used as an eyeshadow pencil. Again, love the ingredients and easy wearability of this brand. If you want a darker/more neutral shade, Work of Art is a great option.
Tower 28 Beauty OneLiner Lip Liner + Eyeliner + Cheek Pencil
I think every woman should own one perfect shade of red! This color is so beatiful, and it has major staying-power. You can eat, drink, and talk the day and night away and it’ll last. Liquid lipsticks are a great option when you want to apply once and not really think about it the rest of the day. There are a plethora of colors in this line, if you want something other than red.
Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain 10HR Liquid Lipstick in 01 Always Red
Treat your lips with the moisture of a balm, the coverage of a lipstick, and the glow of a gloss. With shades ranging from subtle to statement, there’s a Lip Boost for every mood. Light, non-sticky and moisturizing, it feels like a balm yet looks like a gloss. My favorite colors are Alice, Sheri, Faris, and Nancy
Gressa Lip Boost
This is another gorgeous, natural brand with incredible color pay off, moisturizing textures, and everything smells so dang good! A great place to start is with the lip sheer and creme lip oil duo
Rituel de Fille
Setting Powders & Sprays
This has been a staple in my kit since I began my career 11 years ago! Think of it as (safer form) of hairspray for your face! It locks everything in place and helps your makeup last that much longer!
Urban Decay All Nighter Waterproof Makeup Setting Spray
Another awesome setting spray, just helps control shine and mattify. Also, this comes out as an aerosol spray rather than a mist.
This powder is magic! Gently press in under the eyes with either a makeup sponge or dense brush to keep your eye makeup from transferring, and concealer from creasing.
Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Loose Powder for Under Eyes
This is an all-over setting powder in loose powder formula, but it also comes in a pressed compact for easy traveling. Another staple in my kit, the translucent works for every skin tone, blurs pores, and keeps makeup lasting all day!
Laura Mercier Ultra-Blur Talc-Free Translucent Loose Setting Powder
Brushes, Tools, & Brows
There are so many brushes & brands out there, it can be confusing & overwhelming to know where to start. If you’re new to using brushes, I would start with this color-coated set, which matches brushes for face or eyes. Started by makeup artist sisters, Real Techniques brushes are affordable and well-made! I carry them in my kit and my personal makeup bag.
Real Techniques 6 Piece Everyday Essentials Makeup Brush Set
If you’re feeling confident with your makeup skills, are wanting to be a little more fancy, and want to step up your brush collection, these are amazing! They’re soft, sleek, and professional. I have several of these brushes and want to add more to my kit. The handles are slimmer than the Real Techniques, offering a more comfortable grip.
Sephora Collection 8-Piece Pro Brush Face & Eye Set
This is how I clean up my brows and client’s! Safer than plucking (we’ve all accidentally over-plucked!), you can shave above the brow and on the upper eyelid to clean up sparse, unruly hairs. I also love to use these all over the face to remove peach fuzz which helps makeup and skincare adhere and absorb much more effectively.
Kitsch Dermaplaning Tool
Admittedly, I only started curling my lashes in the last two years, and oh my goodness, what I was missing! It makes a HUGE difference in opening and lifting your eyes. I prefer to curl AFTER mascara, once it has dried. Any curler will do, but having a finger grip is essential for no slipping.
Tweezerman Classic Eyelash Curler
While I do love powders, I think pencils give a more natural look, and the addition of a spoolie end, helps you brush out/soften the product if need be. I carry this in my personal makeup bag as well as my professional kit. I find Blonde works for most light-to-medium skin tones. If you have a darker complexion/brows, you can still use a pencil 1-2 shades lighter than your hair.
L’oreal Brow Stylist Shape & Fill
Here’s my holy grail! I have tried so many brow pomades/gels, and this one is the best for keep them in place. It is clear, so it’s perfect on its own to give brows more definition, or to go over a brow pencil or powder, to set everything in place.
Maybelline Super Lock Brow Glue Eyebrow Gel
Pin This!
Come on In!
Holy crow there are a lot of benefits to being a member of the Poplin community. You’ll receive my Top 100 Favorite Retailers Organized by Personal Style AND the Wildly Popular Six Weeks of Style Tips. Poplin email subscribers also get the newsletter directly to their inboxes every other Friday PLUS all sorts of bonus content that is not published on the blog. Sign up! We won’t spam you or share your info with anyone else. Already on the list? Share Poplin with a friend who’d love this content, too!