Makeup Artist Must-Haves: Inside Beau Nelson’s Kit

Peek inside his beauty arsenal

By NewBeauty Editors · Feb 4, 2015

To peek inside a celebrity makeup artist’s kit is the equivalent of looking behind the velvet curtain of Hollywood. You get to see the tools that make the town run–from the exact highlighter that gives Jessica Biel the most envious glow to the kohl eyeliner that allows Natalie Portman to make news with the perfect smoky eye. That’s why we asked Beau Nelson, makeup artist extraordinaire and the man behind some of the most iconic looks of the red carpet, to open up his prized kit for for a peek. Here are the makeup products he swears by.

1 / 5

Tom Ford ‘Shade & Illuminate’ Highlighter & Shader Duet

“The highlighter is so finely milled it never emphasizes pores, but just provides a radiant effect to the skin, and the shade tones are perfect, one for lighter skin and the other for deeper. I blend the shade onto the apple of the cheek, diffusing it slightly downward and back toward the hairline with a very soft brush, and then I apply the highlighting powder to the tops of the cheekbones and the Cupid’s bow of the lips.” $77, shop.nordstrom.com

2 / 5

Chanel Sublime de Chanel Infinite Length and Curl Mascara

“Its flexible plastic brush gives perfect length and separation, even when I’ve applied individual false lashes to a client. It curls the lashes subtly (but I still use a curler) and helps lock curl into place. I apply at the roots of the lashes and then comb through. Adding more at the root for a second coat makes lashes look thicker and denser, and leaving less product on the ends makes them look fluttery and natural.” chanel.com

3 / 5

NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation

“This is the latest in next-generation pigment technology. One drop is flexible enough to cover your entire face in a veil of weightless, seamless coverage that lasts for up to 16 hours. I apply this with a clean synthetic foundation brush, working in sections of the face from the inner part blending outward.” $48, narscosmetics.com

4 / 5

ColourPop LIPPIE STIX and LIPPIE PENCILS

“These are my new favorites. They are made in LA, and the colors are fun and they have a large selection of them, most with an exact matching lip liner available. And, they are only $5 each!” $5, colourpop.com

5 / 5

Laura Mercier High Coverage Concealer For Under Eye

“This is an EXTREME coverage concealer, so a little goes a VERY long way. I use the tiniest amount on my finger to press under the eye area only where it is discolored, which is usually the inner-third of the under-eye socket bone, and then I blend using a rapid patting motion. I like to take a single ply of Kleenex afterward and roll it over the concealer to absorb some of the oil from the product.” $22, sephora.com