- SOMEBODY IS LETTING THE INSIDER SECRETS OUT OF THE (MAKEUP) BAG -

This website was originally designed to help makeup students with limited cash flow wade through an endless sea of products and focus on the best of the high and low end. Who knew so many others would be interested in this topic?  But hundreds of emails have shown me there's a whole world of people looking for a shortcut through the hype. 

So I ask you...have you wondered what Professional Makeup Artists have stashed in their makeup kits? For real?  You'd be surprised...it's not always what the press or advertisers would lead you to believe.

Real Pros know what works and what doesn't.  Their primary source of income depends on the quality and consistency of their makeup work.  On this website you'll find lists and descriptions of some of the most popular products professional makeup artist's REALLY have in their kits.
Keep in mind, Professional Makeup Artists working in Film, Video, Print (Photography) or Live Media formats USE MANY DIFFERENT BRANDS to achieve outstanding results.  When you see an artist working out of a kit filled with makeup from ONLY ONE company...be suspicious.

This website is a professional barometer for cosmetic and skincare products.  These are not reviews tailored to a consumer sensibility (although they do apply in many cases).  The products featured are chosen by performance data gathered from many of the busiest, most respected professional makeup artists around the world. We've compared notes in person, by phone, by email, on social networks and industry forums.
Everything from moisturizer to mascara, lipstick to lipgloss, drugstore to specialty store.  This is your guide to the proven basics, outstanding new cosmetic technology and some all-time favorites that are still best in their category.


REALITY CHECK:
Most major 'consumer' cosmetic companies spend millions of dollars on eye catching packaging, exotic ingredients, luxuriously beautiful bottles and sleek stylish compacts. They make bold statements with provocative advertising.  They BUY "unbiased" editorial coverage by giving magazine publishers BIG advertising dollars.
They BUY the devotion of beauty editors by showering them with free products and expensive gifts.  A certain cosmetic giant has gotten so obsessed, they've gone to extreme (sometimes unethical) lengths to make sure that their name and products are featured or credited EVERYWHERE!  (If you were wondering who pays for all of this bribery...LOOK IN THE MIRROR)

JUST THE FACTS: A cosmetic company may be able to throw their weight around and buy favors to insure their name is always in your face. but the simple facts are:

A Professional Makeup Artist DOES USE products that are designed to meet the requirements of all media formats.
A Professional Makeup Artist DOES USE products that perform efficiently and deliver consistent, high quality results.
A Professional Makeup Artist DOES USE products that make their work look it's best for as long as the shoot lasts.
A Professional Makeup Artist DOES NOT USE products because of the "name" on the packaging (or because the company printed the word "PRO" on it).
A Professional Makeup Artist DOES NOT USE media hype surrounding a brand as a credible buying guide.
A Professional Makeup Artist DOES NOT USE gratis (free) products just because they were free. FREE does not necessarily mean QUALITY and a true Pro would never compromise their work with mediocre products.

VERY IMPORTANT:  No Compensation or Sponsored Advertising is accepted from any company that manufactures or distributes the products featured on this website. 
Placement on this website is based on quality, consistency and performance of each product under professional conditions.  Companies that alter a product's formulation in a way that compromises or lessens their performance under professional conditions will be removed from the IN MY KIT website.

EXTRA! EXTRA! - Most of the companies featured offer Professional Makeup Artist discount programs when you present the correct credentials.

Coming in 2010 - A Complete Site Overhaul and Lots of New Categories!