12 Products Jenna Lyons’s Makeup Artist Swears by

Artist's Loft Fundamentals Tote Bag ($6)

"I've tried many different set bags, some at HIGH price points, and this little craft tote bag is an incredible one," Spickard says. "I put my brush bag and all my stuff for touchups in this bag. It's amazing!" The bag is made of polyester and polypropylene and measures 12" x 5.9" x 7.4" with plenty of pockets.

Another product he always has on hand that doesn't have to cost much at all? A cheap folding hand fan. "I've had expensive fabric folding fans, but I just prefer the cheap ones! They're lightweight, and I use them to dry down my skincare before I go in on complexion, help dry down a concealer before blending it out, or dry lash glue!"

Maybelline Lash Sensational Firework Waterproof Mascara ($11, originally $14)

"This recently overtook Maybelline Sky High Mascara in my kit," Spickard says. "I am beyond obsessed with the waterproof formula of Firework Mascara. The length and volume you get out of this mascara are unmatched. Maybelline just gets mascara, and this is no exception."

Spickard has used plenty of different mascaras from a wide range of brands and swears by Maybelline, which is why their partnership is such a great fit. The key, he says, is simply to practice: "Master the baseline of your artistry. Practice, practice, practice the essentials. Complexion work, shade matching all skin tones, highlight and contour, winged liner, lashes (strip and individual), and red lips."

The Honest Company Sanitizing Alcohol Wipes ($12, originally $15)

"These are, of course, amazing at wiping things down to keep everything safe and sanitary. I use them to clean pencils and palettes, but they are also great at getting makeup off of garments in a pinch," Spickard says. These wipes are fragrance-, paraben-, phenoxyethanol-, and chlorine-free, and help to accomplish the cleaning aspect of makeup artistry.

While assisting makeup artists Nam Vo and Keita Moore, who has also shared his expert product recommendations with PS, Spickard both fine-tuned his craft and learned how to clean. "I watched, took mental notes, and practiced their techniques as I developed my own," he says of his mentors. "Assisting also teaches you how to clean. Keeping a kit clean and sanitary is essential, and you'll become very familiar with keeping brushes and the kit clean."

Artist's Loft Vienna Golden Taklon Short Handle Filbert Brush ($12)

"On the topic of Michaels crafts, I can't live without these brushes," Spickard says. "I use the big ones for concealer and the small ones for lip application. They're such an amazing price and perform better than basically any other lip brushes I've ever tried."

While these brushes are commonly used for watercolor, acrylic, and oil paints, Spickard puts them to use in his own way. They're available in multiple sizes with a short wood handle — perfect for blending, filling, and creating soft edges.

Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain 10HR Liquid Lipstick ($16)

This vegan cream lip stain has a matte finish and comes in a whopping 50 shades. It's a Sephora bestseller and is notable for being transfer-proof and feeling weightless. "This is one of my longwear secret weapon products. These liquid lipsticks do not budge. They do not move come hell or high water. Tons of amazing shades and a good price! I can't sing their praises enough," Spickard says.

Live Tinted Rays Copper Peptide Eye Masks ($22)

"I absolutely love these eye masks. I love the jelly consistency, and they're so cute on social posts," Spickard says. "They really help depuff and hydrate the undereye before makeup. They also don't leave any weird residue behind that pills up under makeup like a lot of other eye masks."

These vegan, cruelty-free eye masks are packed with a triple complex of copper peptides, banana extract, and Bakuchiol, and are meant to soothe, brighten, and nourish the area. The copper peptides boost collagen production, and the Bakuchiol reduces the appearance of fine lines, according to the brand.

Pfefe Cryo Sticks ($22)

"I have a lot of early mornings with clients, and I always bring these with me," Spickard says. "They sit in my mini fridge in my makeup studio, and I pull them out right before I head to my client. These help depuff and stimulate blood flow to the face, which is a must at 5 a.m."

Cryo sticks like these can eliminate fine lines, shrink pores, reduce puffiness, and improve skin elasticity with proper use, according to the brand. These have an ergonomic design and are light and portable to achieve cooling and calming massaging effects while on the go.

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask ($25)

"This is an OG, and I use it on absolutely all my clients before we start makeup," Spickard says. "It's super hydrating and super nourishing. I can't live without this mask. And I do change it out seasonally. I just retired from Pink Lemonade and have swapped in Eggnog Latte for fall!"

The Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask has also been reviewed by our assistant Shopping editor, who appreciates the quality. "As for what it looks and feels like: it's a lusciously thick formula with a silky-soft texture and a glossy finish," she says, adding, "The tiniest amount goes a long way, so even with multiple applications daily, it lasts a while."

Bausch + Lomb Lumify Eye Drops ($26)

"When someone's on camera, these just make their eyes sparkle. Also, they come in hand with a client who is hungover from the night before and has swollen, red eyes," Spickard says. His biggest takeaway, after all, is that makeup artistry is all about knowing what your client needs — even separately from makeup.

"It is obviously about the makeup, but it's also not about the makeup," he says. "Of course, you need to be able to execute the makeup and achieve a look. However, the most important parts of being a makeup artist are being reliable, dependable, and enjoyable to be around. Understanding how to read someone's energy, how to read a room, and how to navigate that space with your client is absolutely the most important part of the job."

Jouer Essential High Coverage Liquid Concealer ($28)

"This is my holy grail concealer," Spickard says. "It's a full-coverage concealer with a gorgeous shade range and fantastic undertones (including olive tones!). It recently went viral on TikTok in a head-to-head concealer try-on by @PaintedbySpencer. She got knocked out in the eighth round, but I was so happy to see this concealer getting the love it deserves."

You can shop it in 24 different shades for a matte finish. The liquid formula contains anise fruit extract, which softens, smooths, and promotes the appearance of glowing skin, according to the brand.

Colgate Optic White Wisp Disposable Mini Toothbrush ($37, originally $40)

"As a makeup artist, mouth and teeth are part of the job. I keep these in my kit, and they come in clutch. A pick on one end and a toothbrush with mouthwash on the other, you'll be surprised how often I go through these," Spickard says.

They're likely used most often when he's preparing a client for the red carpet, which Spickard sees a lot of when working with the Real Housewives of New York and Heather McMahan. "We're currently doing a ton of press for ['RHONY'] as it premiered on Oct. 1. I've been working with Jenna and Brynn for the last year and a half or so, and so many amazing opportunities have come from working with them." he says. "I love award season as well. My client Heather McMahan has been hosting the carpet for E!, and heading out to LA and creating looks with her for the carpet has been such a blast."

Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation SPF 30 ($47)

Spickard calls this product his number-one foundation of all time. "It's fantastic on almost all skin types, has beautiful coverage, and lasts all day. This holds up and doesn't break apart, especially for my clients that I'm with for 12 to 16 hours on a press day. I can't sing its praises enough. Fantastic shade range as well."

You can shop it in six different tones on Sephora's site, which is helpful to Spickard's overall artistry goal: "I want to be a best in class makeup artist for anyone who sits in my chair," he says. "I see so many artists on social media who either do not have any people of color on their pages or cannot execute makeup on anyone deeper than a light, medium skin tone. I pride myself on my ability to execute a makeup look on anyone who sits down in my chair."

Sarah Wasilak (she/her) is the associate director of Shopping at PS. With plenty of experience in the commerce market, a keen interest in SEO, and 10 years as an editor at the brand, she enjoys writing across the lifestyle and health-and-fitness categories. She has bylines at PS, InStyle, Elle, Refinery29, Who What Wear, Elite Daily, Byrdie, and The Quality Edit and aims to amplify minority voices in all her work.