Makeup artists get to test out a wide variety of the latest beauty launches. (It's one of the many perks of the job.) As such, it takes something truly spectacular for a beauty product to earn their seals of approval.
These new picks make the cut: These are the makeup, skin care, hair, nail and beauty tools launches that captured the attention of MUAs. So, if you're looking for a new lip balm, primer or a new conditioner, these expert picks are worthy of a spot on your shopping list.
"I'm obsessed with Blue Lagoon Iceland Rejuvenating Lip Balm!" says makeup artist Mary Irwin. "This rich but not heavy formula has algae from the Blue Lagoon in Iceland in it, along with shea butter, vitamin E and aloe. It's almost shiny enough to use as a natural-looking gloss, but absorbs so nicely and leaves lips feeling soft and hydrated." She adds, "The delicate vanilla-mint flavor is a plus, too."
"I just tried the Snow Fox Hot Stone Facial Mask and Black Obsidian Gua Sha and I am kind of losing my mind over them," says Irwin. "I've been a big believer in gua sha and jade rollers for ages, but this mask is really special. It's self-heating, which works similarly to steaming your face to get your pores to open up. It also uses niacinamide, which stimulates circulation, and blue Egyptian lotus, which increases hydration. When used with the gua sha tool, it's INCREDIBLY effective."
"I love everything Viseart makes when it comes to color, and I can't stop reaching for the Spritz palette!" says Irwin. "This little bitty (it's basically purse-sized!) palette has 12 warm tones inspired by a classic Aperol spritz! It has the perfect summer-into-fall colors: golds, creams, coral and rust anchored by some modernized neutrals. It's all you need for shadow, and the formula is like nothing else — it's basically the only shadow I keep in my professional kit."
"I like the Younique Touch Glorious Mattifying Face Primer which is a two-in-one face primer designed to mattify skin without leaving it dry and help makeup last for up to eight hours," says makeup artist Angela Calisti. "Formulated with an innovative gel-to-liquid water break technology, this facial primer provides skin with a matte canvas, decreases the appearance of pore size and shine, improves skin smoothness, and blurs imperfections for a flawless, long-wearing makeup application."
