A Professional Makeup Artist Spills Her Kit.
A Professional Makeup Artist Spills Her Kit.
Beauty pro Corianne Cowan breaks down 11 essentials.
Hi there! I’m excited to introduce my friend Corianne Elizabeth Cowan. She’s one of our favorite on-set makeup artists at Graves Creative, and an absolute font of information when it comes to the products and industry tricks that truly work.
I thought Corianne would be perfect for our Bag Spill series, especially given the timing — we’re all thinking about holiday looks! (The Sephora sale is happening for the next few weeks, so it’s a good time to score some of her recommendations.) Here’s what’s in her makeup bag.
CEC: For me, this cosmetic case is a perfect size: I can include the necessities, but it still allows room for extras, in case I need to "put on a face" when I'm not at home.
CEC: I have extremely sensitive skin, and this Caudalie Grape Water Facial Mist is perfect if it is a bit itchy, or I'm a bit tired — and need a quick external pick-me-up.
CEC: Tip! Decant this Dermalogica Ultracalming Mist into a cute spray bottle for on-the-go, fresh-looking skin. I generally use this when my allergies are out of control, or I have hives on my face due to a product reaction. They don't offer it in a travel size, so I make my own, to fit in my makeup bag.
Chanel Le Volume De Chanel Mascara is a staple for me. My lashes are long but don't stay curled, so before this mascara, I would just pile on as much as possible. Le Volume De Chanel keeps my lashes soft and full with just two coats, and I can reapply later on in the day — without clumps.
CEC: With all the hand-washing of the last two years, and having to constantly sanitize my hands when working on models and clients, EltaMD So Silky Hand Creme is necessary. (And honestly, my hands look so much older when they are dry: so moisture and more moisture, please!)
CEC: Jack Black is actually a brand “made for” men, and initially when I first bought the Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25, it was for my male grooming clients. But then I tried it, and I was hooked myself! I like that it has SPF without being stiff and chalky. It's great for those of us who don't like gloss or shine, plus it’s really long-lasting so you don’t have to constantly re-apply.
CEC: Honestly, Buxom’s Full-On Plumping Lip Cream Gloss in Moscow Mule is hands down my favorite lip gloss, and has been for almost two years. I used to exclusively rock with Chanel's Lip plumping clear gloss, but after they discontinued it, I was back to the drawing board, hunting for something special. Buxom is a mainstay in my kit, so I decided to search for a shade that fit me perfectly: Moscow Mule is it.
CEC: I apply Black Girl Sunscreen Kids SPF 50 with a Beauty Blender (which is kept in a Beauty Blender defender case). I'm asked on a daily basis the most important part of a skincare routine. I tell everyone to start with a good cleanser, sunscreen, and moisturizer; you can always build from there. After working with a dermatologist, I realized I had photodamage from UV rays. I was shocked: I wear sunscreen daily. But it turns out I wasn't using nearly enough! So now, I put plenty on in the morning and reapply at least once, around midday.
CEC: Truthfully, I am a nude lip girl most days. But when I want the focus to be my lips, I want to go bold. Givenchy lipsticks are all winners — and this limited edition will be in my bag until I use it up. It works for many skin tones.
CEC: Generally, I'm not a fan of powder. I think they can look heavy, plus they add unnecessary texture. But what I like about Makeup Forever’s Matte Velvet Skin Blurring Powder Foundation is that it’s buildable and effective for both light and full coverage. I typically use a synthetic fluffy brush and apply just a tad to my forehead, under my eyes, around my nose, and a bit on my chin. Placement in those areas evens out skin tone and minimizes shine.
More Beauty:
A Gift Guide for the Beauty Enthusiast, just in time for the Sephora sale.
The exhaustive guide to skincare lessons learned.
How to age backward, gracefully.
WTF is “The Clean Look”?
More Bag Spill:
The women of The Home Edit spill their (very organized) bags.