Top Makeup Brands Professional Makeup Artists Love in 2025

Walk backstage at any fashion show and you’ll see a dizzying spread of makeup spilling out of kits—foundation bottles marked up, palettes caked with every shade imaginable, and more brushes than an art supply shop. But if you peek closer, you’ll see the same brands pop up again and again. Why? Pro makeup artists don’t mess around with trends for clients; they need reliability, color payoff, and formulas that work for hours under lights.

Ask ten makeup artists about their desert island pick, and you might get ten different answers, but anyone who’s worked behind the scenes knows there are a few names you’ll find in almost every kit. Celebrity faces, editorial shoots, even wedding glam—they all demand makeup that holds up under pressure. So, which makeup brand do most makeup artists actually use, and what makes those products their secret weapons?

What Makes a Brand a Pro Favorite?

If you think it’s just about high prices and fancy packaging, guess again. The brands that show up in pro kits have usually been around for decades and are built on word of mouth. Pigmentation, blendability, and versatility come first—because nobody has time for patchy eyeshadow or a foundation that melts after two hours. But there’s more to it than performance.

Packaging matters, but not in a “pretty on the bathroom shelf” way. Artists want palettes that are slim and sturdy, bottles that won’t leak in their kit, and magnetic closures that aren’t going to open mid-transit. Longevity is crucial—think 12-hour editorial shoots, busy wedding mornings, sets where there’s no break to touch up liner. Brands that make products designed for these tough environments earn their place again and again.

Pro makeup also needs to work across a range of skin tones and types. Diverse shades, inclusive undertones, and formulas tuned for dry or oily skin are a must. Brands get major points for innovation, too—think quick-drying gels for runway, airbrush foundations, or eye-safe vibrant pigments. The best products aren’t the ones you see hyped in every influencer video; they’re the backstage staples, quietly getting the big jobs done for years.

The Heavyweights: Brands Most Common in Pro Kits

If you spot a makeup artist’s kit and it doesn’t have something from Make Up For Ever, MAC, or NARS, look again. These names are legendary and, honestly, as close to universal as you’ll get. MAC’s Studio Fix Fluid and Lip Pencils? Reliable. Make Up For Ever’s HD Foundation? A favorite for shoots and HDTV since the 2000s, thanks to its real-skin finish that fools even 4K cameras.

Anastasia Beverly Hills is almost a requirement for brows, while Danessa Myricks has surged in popularity since 2020 for high-impact pigments and skin products. Ben Nye, Kryolan, and RCMA are the “old-school” theatrical brands—giant pans of foundation, translucent powders that genuinely look invisible, and blushes that last through literal stage lights. Laura Mercier’s Translucent Setting Powder is a legend in its own right, topping “pro favorite” lists year after year for good reason.

Want a glimpse inside a typical working artist’s kit? Here’s the usual spread:

• MAC Cosmetics: Lipsticks, Studio Fix, Pro Longwear Concealer
• Make Up For Ever: HD Foundation, Aqua Lip pencils, Artist Color Shadows
• NARS: Radiant Creamy Concealer, Sheer Glow Foundation, blush in Orgasm
• Laura Mercier: Translucent Setting Powder, Caviar Stick Eye Color
• Anastasia Beverly Hills: Brow Wiz, Brow Powder, Clear Brow Gel
• RCMA: No-Color Powder, Foundation palettes (for pro use)
• Viseart: Eyeshadow palettes, praised for blendability and pigmentation
• Charlotte Tilbury: Pillow Talk lipsticks, Filmstar Bronze & Glow
• Danessa Myricks: Colorfix pigments, Dew Wet Balm, Yummy Skin blurring balm
• Ben Nye: Banana Powder, cream blushes, classic stage makeups

If you want proof, check out the backstage tables at events like New York Fashion Week. Makeup artists usually mix and match, but these brands are mainstays season after season. A 2024 survey by The Makeup Show (a top global makeup expo) showed MAC, Make Up For Ever, and NARS as the three most packed brands in working kit bags, with over 75% of their artists citing at least one product from each.

Why Pros Stick with Old Favorites (and When They Take Risks)

It’s tempting to think that pros chase after the latest releases, but their loyalty actually runs deep. If a mascara clumps just once before a shoot, it’s gone. If a foundation photographs poorly in flash, goodbye. That’s why MAC’s lip liners, NARS blushes, and Viseart shadows have stayed near the top for years—they’re just consistently good.

That said, pros are always hunting for something better. Danessa Myricks, for example, became a staple almost overnight because of her genius for universal pigments and multitasking formulas. When something new delivers (say, Shiseido’s Synchro Skin foundation for its seamless finish on mature skin), word travels fast. But those newcomers have to earn their spot—there’s no free ride in a pro kit.

Here’s a tip if you’re curious why pros “shop their stash”: it’s all about knowing it’ll perform in a pinch. Many build their kit on products they trust, then swap in fun new releases for one or two clients to test. If a product flops on set, you’ll hear about it everywhere—word of mouth is everything in the industry.

For makeup artists, time is money. They rarely have time to troubleshoot a new foundation during a 5am call-time, so they prioritize trustworthy essentials. A study published by Professional Beauty Association in late 2023 showed over 60% of working artists said they bought repeat products more than new launches.

Key Products You Always Find in Pro Kits

Want to build a pro-level kit? Start with what’s always in the bag. Here’s a breakdown in a handy table, straight from working artists surveyed in 2024:

Notice something? Most of these are staples because they work for nearly anyone, never look cakey under bright lights (or Wellington’s famously unpredictable weather), and never surprise you by pilling or separating. If you’re creating your own bag of must-haves, these products cover any situation.

MUA Tips: Shopping for Your Own Kit

If you’re a makeup obsessive or just starting to build your stash, picking out the right products can feel intense. Pro artists say you don’t need every new palette or influencer launch; you need the best shade range, formulas that lock in, and multitasking staples that work under any light—inside, outside, or in front of a camera.

Don’t ignore older brands or “pro only” releases. Kryolan, Ben Nye, and Graftobian might sound theatrical, but their base products are unbeatable for long wear and coverage. MAC’s Studio Fix Fluid has been a go-to for decades because it’s reliable, not because it’s flashy. Invest there before chasing limited editions.

Shop where pros shop. Most artists in New Zealand use MUSE Beauty, Camera Ready Cosmetics, or local suppliers that stock "pro" labels—not just department stores. Try not to get distracted by pretty packaging; squeeze a primer or powder for how it feels and see if it matches your actual skin needs. Test under different lights, check how it photographs, and if you can, try a full-size sample before committing.

Don’t sleep on multitaskers, either. Danessa Myricks Colorfix can be a lip, eye, and cheek color. Cream stick blush from NARS doubles as a lipstick. Look for products that can do more than one thing. It’s not just about saving money—most pros have road-tested these for years and found they simply work better.

For those with sensitive skin or who care about cruelty-free, Make Up For Ever and Danessa Myricks lead the way in 2025 with certified ethical formulas. NARS reintroduced a wider vegan range after years of fan pressure, and Urban Decay’s "All Nighter" Setting Spray remains a top vegan pro pick that rivals celebrity favorites.

A last industry secret—pros rarely show their "real" kit on Instagram. Those perfect flat lays? Not what’s actually in the work horse bag. Kits are scuffed, battered, jammed with the same couple dozen products that do it all, and always have a backup Laura Mercier powder just in case their assistant runs out. There’s comfort in those old reliables, whether you’re prepping a bride on a Wellington cliff edge or rushing between takes on a studio set.

So if you’re after makeup that looks flawless all day and works for any face, skip the hype and shop like a pro. These brands didn’t just get famous—they earned their spot by keeping faces looking good under any circumstances. That’s the real magic of professional makeup, and why once something lands in the kit, it usually stays there for good.