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5 Celebrity Makeup Artists Share Their One Must-Have Product

By Michelle Rostamian

We turn to Instagram for the latest buzzy beauty trend and dermatologists for skincare advice. When it comes to makeup, much of our inspiration stems from the red carpet, be it the sultry smokey eyes, perfectly applied lip color, or radiant complexion donned by our favorite celebrities. We know that the road to achieving what ends up in paparazzi photos and Twitter feeds is a long one, which is why we decided to reach out to the pros to learn what their one must-have product is that helps them—quite literally—create #makeupgoals for us to feast our eyes on.

Behold, expert-approved products that’ll help you achieve the most flawless beat yet.

The makeup artist: Robert Sesnek

The product: Catrice Cosmetics True Skin Concealer

The how-to: “My one favorite must-have product is the True Skin Concealer by Catrice Cosmetics,” says Sesnek, who has painted the faces of Hailey Beiber and Kendall Jenner. “It can be used on all skin types and has amazing coverage when used underneath the eyes and for spot treating any imperfections in the face.” 

For the under eye area, Sesnek likes to apply the product and tap it out with his fingers until he reaches the desired coverage. “When applying onto the face, I use a small synthetic brush, build up the coverage as needed, and tap it out with a sponge,” he explains, noting that the concealer has taken the place of his other Holy Grail concealers since its launch. “It’s also oil-, alcohol-, and paraben-free, and contains hyaluronic acid which gives the formula its hydrating qualities.”

The makeup artist: Erika La’ Pearl

The product: Be a 10 Be Separate Mascara

The how-to: “What I love the most about the Be a 10 Be Separate Mascara is that it features two different wands in one tube,” says La’ Pearl, who is Cardi B‘s lead makeup artist. “The larger wand is great for lengthening the upper lashes while the smaller wand is perfect for giving precision to lower lash application. You can also use the smaller wand on your top lashes to reach the finer hairs toward the inner lashes,” she adds of the versatile wand sizes. 

“When applying this mascara, I like to start as close to the lash line as possible and shimmy the wand up and out to give the lashes that sexy, cat-eye look,” says La’ Pearl of her preferred method of application. “Then, go in with the smaller wand to smooth it all out and apply the long-wearing formula onto your lower lash line.”

The makeup artist: Jamie Greenberg

The product: Younique Touch Serum + Foundation

The how-to: “I really love this foundation for my clients who have skin that’s on the drier side,” Greenberg says of the serum-foundation hybrid. “The serum (aka the skincare part of this foundation) has sodium hyaluronate, ectoin, and gardenia extract to make the skin appear smoother,” adds Greenberg, who works with Chelsea Handler, Kristen Stewart, and Rashida Jones.

“I love to shake it up really well, add two drops onto a brush, and then buff it on with a kabuki brush. It’s customizable and you can intensify coverage with more drops as needed,” she says of her application technique.

The makeup artist: Douglas Otero

The product: It Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation Full Coverage Moisturizer

The how-to: “This foundation gives the ultimate red carpet glow and is great for every skin type,” says Otero, who frequently uses it on his celebrity clients for awards shows. “It’s packed with insane skincare ingredients, but the main one is collagen, which makes it great for anyone wanting a product with anti-aging benefits,” he says of the full coverage moisturizer-foundation blend.

To apply, Otero, whose client list includes Catherine O Hara and Christine Taylor, recommends using a round dense buffing brush to break it down yet still provide enough coverage to give that second-skin feel. “Because it has more of a soufflé consistency, a sponge would soak up too much product,” he adds.

The makeup artist: Patrick Ta

The product: Patrick Ta Major Glow Balm

The how-to: “I love continuing a glow into fall,” says Ta, who counts Megan Fox, Camila Cabello, and Lucy Hale as part of his roster of celebrity clientele. “To achieve this, I use the Major Glow Balm everywhere. It’s meant for both the face and body, and really gives the most beautiful finish to the skin,” notes Ta, who loves using it as a cheek or decollete highlight or even on the lips for a next-level finish. “It can be used on all skin types and can be applied with multiple techniques from fingers to brushes,” Ta says of the product’s versatility.