The not so fun part however is planning and packing my kit, but it’s absolutely vital for a successful work trip. To make the process easier, I start reviewing my kit at least a week in advance just in case I need to make any purchases. On the actual day I pack my kit, I set aside several hours to light a candle, play some good music, and clear out my dining table to clean and re-organize my kit. This usually happens a day or two before I leave so that my kit is freshly clean and organized.

Condensing Your Makeup Kit

For destination weddings and clients, I prefer to condense my kit as much as possible to make the kit less heavy and difficult to travel with. I use my rolling relavel makeup kit for travel and typically keep my makeup kit on me at all times since it meets the carry on size. I make sure to have the products needed for my client and I pay special attention to either removing large liquids or transferring them to more compact and travel friendly bottles. I also pack liquids and powders into ziplocks or toiletry pouches like these in case there is any spillage when traveling. I like to separate my powders and make sure they are tightly packed so they don’t move around during travel. I have had the unfortunate experience of exploding products while traveling and it’s best to double contain for an extra safety measure. If you plan to check your makeup bag, you might want to pack a smaller kit with travel size products for a full face to keep with you at all times to be prepared for a worst case scenario, like lost luggage

“I keep my makeup kit on me at all times since it meets the carry on size!”

Ana B Pro Tip

Checking Your Hair Bags

Since my hair kit requires me to bring large bottles of hairspray, I like to pack my hair kit in a luggage and check my hair bag. All my hair products are kept in zuca pouches to contain any spills. Any containers that could easily open during travel are either placed in a large ziploc bag or transferred to a more travel friendly container. For an added safety measure, I buy smaller travel sizes of my hair products to keep with me at all times in case my luggage gets lost. Thankfully this has never happened, but I like to be prepared for worst case scenarios.

Preparing for European travel

Europe has its own type of plugs so be sure to pack an adaptor. I have several of these adaptors for my hot tools. I like to buy doubles of anything that I really need so I can pack one in my carry on and check the other. Also note that American blow dryers tend to burn out even with adaptors as they are too powerful. I recommend either using the one provided at your venue or buying a Dual Voltage brush or blow dryer. The curling and straightening irons should work fine with an adaptor and a lower heat setting.

There’s definitely a bit of extra planning and preparation involved for destination weddings and clients, but to me it’s been worth the hassle for a unique experience I’ll never forget! Let me know if this is helpful or if you have any other related questions or comments. 

XO,
Ana B 

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The post How to Pack Your Kit For Destination Weddings appeared first on Makeup by Ana B.

Shop the products:
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1.MAC Fix+ Magic Radiance isn’t your ordinary moisturizer; it’s a multifaceted skincare essential for makeup artists. This hydrating mist not only primes and refreshes the skin but also imparts a luminous radiance, ensuring that your clients’ complexions are prepped to perfection for makeup application.
2.+CV SkinLabs Calming Moisturizer is a makeup artist’s secret for soothing and hydrating even the most sensitive skin. Its clean, non-irritating formula creates the perfect canvas for a flawless look.
3.Embryolisse Hydra-Cream Light is a makeup artist’s go-to for lightweight yet intense hydration. Its fast-absorbing formula provides the ideal moisture balance, ensuring a smooth and long-lasting makeup application.
4.Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream is a must-have for makeup artists due to its transformative properties. This iconic moisturizer not only deeply hydrates but also primes the skin, creating a flawless canvas for makeup application, leaving clients looking radiant and refreshed.
5.Bobbi Brown’s Vitamin Enriched Face Base Primer Moisturizer, Ana B.’s go-to moisturizer, is an indispensable addition to your makeup kit. It not only nourishes the skin with vitamins and shea butter but also acts as a perfect canvas for makeup, ensuring a smooth, hydrated, and long-lasting finish for your clients.

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The post Pro Series: Best Moisturizers For Your Kit appeared first on Makeup by Ana B.

Shop the products:
one | two | three | four | five

-Ana B’s go-to concealer, (3) Tarte Shape Tape, always makes the list with its full coverage formula that comes in many shades. There’s a reason this cult product is in her personal makeup bag as well as her kit!

-Our makeup pros all agreed (2) MAC Prolongwear Concealer is a must in their kits. This 24-hour matte concealer keeps their clients covered through photos and dancing all night long.

-Our artists agreed that (1) NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer is a must on our list because of its hydrating formula. It will cover dark circles without any cakey build-up, leaving instead a radiant look!

–(4) Huda Beauty FauxFilter Concealer is a must-have for your kit with its buildable coverage and matte yet luminous finish. It’s the perfect combo of Shape Tape and Nars Radiant Concealers.

-With its vegan formula, (5) Too Faced Born This Way Full Coverage Concealer, rounds out our artists’ must-have concealers. This 4-in-1 product in many shades allows you to concealer, contour, highlight and retouch any look.

Upgrade your portfolio with lighting to capture every angle of your work. We asked our pros and they shared their favorite lighting to bring on site with them!

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Shop the palettes:
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1. One of our favorite palettes for our kits is Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk. This palette compliments all skin tones with its various shades of pinks and golds.
2. Tarte’s Tartlette In Bloom palette has been one of Ana B’s go-to palettes! The various shades of browns let you create a natural or full glam look
3. Add a palette to your kit that allows you to create bright, fun makeup looks with Huda Beauty’s Rose Quartz palette with its shades in different textures and various shades of rosy pinks and earthy tones.
4.  Patrick Ta’s Major Dimensions is a versatile palette with various types of bases in warm browns and rose pinks. The blendable shadows and creams in this collection allow you to create striking, multidimensional looks for your clients.
5. Makeup By Mario Master Mattes palette is perfect for all skin tones. With buildable shades that seamlessly blend, you can transform a look from soft glam to full drama with a couple swipes.

Check out the rest of our Pro Series for all our tips and tricks!

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Shop the lighting:

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1.VILTROX L116T LED Photography Kit
2.Pixel Panel Light, 2 Pack LED Studio Lights
3.GLAMCOR Multimedia X Portable LED Lighting Kit
4.Neewer 2 Packs Dimmable Bi-Color 480 LED Video Light
5.NEEWER LED Selfie Light with Front & Back Phone Clip

Want to up your artistry game even more? Sign up for our next MAB Academy class here!

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Shop the lashes:

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–Ardel 421 and FriHappy Lashes are our favorites for brides and bridesmaids that want a glamorous look!
-For mothers of the bride and mothers of the groom Ardel 420 is the perfect lash, giving a natural but enhanced look.
-Want the Ardel lashes look without the price? Newcally So Natural is the way to go!
-Our favorites for brides and bridal parties that love a more natural lash are Ardel 110 & Ardel 120.
-Have bridesmaids that want lashes, but are nervous about a full strip? Use KISS Falscara Wisps to achieve a natural look!

Keep investing in your future and reserve your seat in our next upcoming MAB Academy Class! You’ll only regret not attending.

The post Pro Series: Best Lashes For Your Kit appeared first on Makeup by Ana B.

What inspired you to become a makeup artist and specialize in bridal makeup?

Growing up, I was always the “artist” of the family. I loved drawing, painting, and really just creating. I went to college at VCU and studied Fine Arts with a concentration in Painting and Printmaking. I loved my experience so much but knew that after college, I wanted to work in the beauty industry. This led me to MAC cosmetics shortly after graduation, where I really used my painting skills to achieve beauty for clients. After doing a few weddings for friends and family, I knew that bridal was for me. I love being able to connect with groups of women and men on such a special day, putting them at ease, and making them feel and look their absolute best!

What are the essential skills and techniques that a makeup artist should have to be successful in the industry?

I think it’s important to ALWAYS be learning from your peers. Even when you think you have mastered something, you can always tweak or improve. I love attending master classes, watching celebrity makeup artist videos, and I am constantly studying new products and trends. I also believe that customer service and making people feel comfortable and heard is a huge part of a successful makeup artist.

Can you share some tips on how to create a long-lasting bridal makeup look that can withstand the elements and the emotions of the day?

1.Prepping the skin with a really good moisturizer
2.Applying THIN layers of makeup to build your achieved look
3.Waterproof mascara always!
4.Setting with powder in problem areas
5.Heavy handed with the setting spray!

You and Ana have collaborated on many bridal looks, what have been some of your favorite memories of working together? How do you challenge each other to grow as artists?

Ana has really become an amazing friend and mentor to me. I can say without a doubt, every wedding we work together is truly my favorite. If I had to pick one, it would be traveling to Wyoming together for our bride, Hutton! It was such an incredible trip and really brought us closer as friends. Ana is one of the strongest business minded women I know. I am always learning from her and pushing myself out of my comfort zone when it comes to how to build my brand. She really provides amazing advice and I appreciate it so much. We also love to connect on products we love/hate and techniques we can work on!

What are the latest trends in bridal makeup, and how can artists incorporate these into their work while still keeping their clients’ individuality in mind?

The latest trends in makeup, in my opinion, is glowing skin and a “no makeup, makeup” look. I think it’s really important to really listen to what your client wants and not what you think they want. Having a trial, asking a lot of questions, looking at a lot of inspo pics are all ways to achieve the client’s dream makeup.

Can you recommend some must-have products that a makeup artist should have in their kit for bridal work?

Some of my favorite products that are always in my kit are:
–Embryolisse Lait Crème Concentré Daily Face and Body Cream – works great for moisture and primer together!
–NARS Natural radiant longwear foundations
– Too Faced born this way multi-use concealers
–Saie Beauty Cream bronzers 
–Rare beauty cream blushes
–Charlotte Tilbury pillow talk eyeshadow palette
–Dior Highlighting palette – 001 is my holy grail!
–Mac lip liners
–Fenty glosses

How can a new or aspiring makeup artist gain more experience in the bridal industry, and what are the benefits of attending a bridal makeup class?

New or aspiring makeup artists can gain experience by shadowing senior artist’s weddings who have been in the industry for several years. This is something that can really help them to see what a “day in the life” looks like, show them time management with clients, and lastly how to speak to different clients to make them feel heard. I also think attending masterclasses, practicing looks on friends and family, and asking a LOT of questions can really help gain the experience they need to succeed in the industry. Lastly, networking with other artists and vendors can be an excellent way to gain rapport and make a name for yourself.

What do you think has made you so successful as an artist that other artists wanting to build their portfolio could learn from?

Be consistent with taking photos of everyone and everything! I am not great on social media but I know this can really be a game changer for newer artists.

What can attendees expect to learn and gain from your upcoming bridal makeup class?

By attending the upcoming bridal makeup class you can expect to learn about:

-Brows and how they make all the difference!
-Classic eyeshadow looks for brides (soft to more glam)
-Highlight and contour step by step
-Details that take your look to the next level
-Product recommendations and more!

Seats are limited for this amazing, career-changing class, so click here to invest in your future!

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