Staff Top Picks

At Camera Ready, we take pride in offering the best products in the industry and have incredibly high standards for the makeup, tools, skincare, and hair care we have within our own collections. That's why we are sharing our top picks to get Camera Ready!

As a makeup artist, I know great tools are an essential part of achieving a great makeup look. Three of my favorites include the Smith 151 Paddle Brush, Cozzette #13 Power Blender Brush, and the Bdellium #937 Bold Concealer Brush.

This Smith Foundation Brush gives the most beautiful finish. The size is great for fast coverage, but it is also wide enough not to lay too much makeup down. You know that area that’s right beside your nose, in the inner corner of your eye. Concealer always finds a way to settle and crease there. The Cozzette #13 is my go-to for setting powder around the eyes. It fits anywhere, and it’s dense enough to grab powder products. You kind of feel like you’re using a baby sized BeautyBlender!

If you are a brow carver, a cut crease killer, and a lover of shimmery shadows, the Bdellium Golden Triangle #937 has you covered. The tip gives it that precision and control, and the synthetic hairs are beveled to give you razor-like sharpness.

I prefer a natural and skin-like finish for my foundation, and the new RCMA Liquid Foundation gives me that without feeling heavy. It's amazing how pigmented it is! A little goes a long way, and that makes it the perfect choice for makeup artists. When it comes to hair, I have finally found my perfect all-in-one product. I have really thick long hair, and the Dr. PawPaw 7 in 1 Hair Treatment Styler conditions, detangles, protects from heat damage, and it smells like a vacation in a bottle! To round out my top picks, I have to mention the CAT Complexion Atelier Magic Lash Adhesive. This is probably the best-kept secret in the makeup artist community! It is the best lash adhesive I've ever used. It dries quickly and holds the lash in place beautifully. I know my lashes will always stay in place when I use it.

I tend to gravitate towards finger-friendly products, so the Jillian Dempsey Lid Tint Satin Eye Shadows have been a life-saver when it comes to my quick and natural makeup looks. They are incredibly easy to blend, and I love that they can be mixed with other shadows to create more dramatic looks! For cheeks, I love the pigmentation and blendability of Illamasqua Color Veil Blusher. It's lightweight on the skin and has Illamasqua's best selling Hydra Veil Primer incorporated into the formula, so it keeps my skin feeling hydrated throughout the day.

The one product I don't go a day without is Saint Jane Bright Repair Eye Cream. I've always had pretty dark under-eye circles, but using this eye cream daily has been making such a difference; consistency is key! I've seen visible improvements in the puffiness and color under my eyes, and a little goes a long way.

I have never seen another product like the Esker Body Plane, and the first time I saw it I knew I had to try it. I suffer from keratosis pilaris, and this tool has literally changed my skin for the better. I pair it with Esker Beauty's Restorative Body Oil or Saint Jane's Luxury Body Serum. Not only has it made a huge difference in the texture and hydration of my skin, there is something exciting about seeing the dead skin it removes.

When it comes to makeup, I've tried a lot of great products both in my personal collection and in my kit. My eyeshadow never wants to stay on, and my past trusted primers just weren't doing it for me anymore. When I tried True + Luscious Angel Eyeshadow Primer, I was blown away. It neutralized my eye area upon application and held my eyeshadow on all day. I was so impressed that this is my new fave. I have been raving about it to everyone I know and love that they have shades for different skin tones!

RCMA has always been an amazing and reliable brand, but their recent launches have been nothing short of remarkable. The Liquid Concealer works for everything, and a little goes a long way. The reason I love this product so much is that I am very fair, and it is hard to cover my tattoos. The first time I tested this out I decided to see what it could do with my tattoo, and with very little effort, it provided the coverage needed. I have also used this to cover blemishes, dark circles, etc., and it never fails me!

If you're looking for the perfect glow, look no further than Danessa Myricks Beauty Illuminating Veil! I love that I can wear this alone, on top of my makeup, and all over my body. Plus, it's water-proof and does not smudge, so you have an amazing glow all day long. Every time I wear this, I get so many compliments on how great my skin looks.

When it comes to complexion, I know I can always rely on these two products. I personally get very oily in my t-zone, but when I wear Make-Up Atelier Waterproof Foundation, I hardly ever have to touch up my makeup. My makeup looks flawless all day, and if I do get a little bit of shine, it doesn’t appear until hours later and comes across as a healthy glow. To help control oil, I rely on Embryolisse Hydra-Mat. I have not used another moisturizer or additional skin prep since I started using this product, it's that good. It's super light-weight, the tiniest amount goes a long way, and it helps with creating a flawless makeup look. This is a must-have in my personal routine and makeup kit.

I have tried a lot of great products, but these are the ones that have a permanent home in my routine. I love the Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser! It feels so light and doesn't make my face feel dry afterward. I can also use it as a mask, so that's a bonus. Then, for skincare, everything I've tried from Saint Jane is great! I especially like their gloss because it is long-lasting and makes my lips feel so hydrated after I've been wearing it. I have one with me everywhere I go for a smooth application and quick pop of color.

For complexion, I always reach for Face Atelier Ultra Foundation. It is super easy to use and sits on my skin beautifully. It's great for an everyday look and is buildable for special occasions. It just looks like your skin, but better.

I am a minimalist when it comes to makeup! My secret weapon is the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Overnight Mask. It has helped my eczema and is super hydrating, gentle on my sensitive skin, and doesn’t feel heavy nor greasy! I wake up with soft, happy, and hydrated skin. I like to use Illamasqua Gel Sculpt to contour. It goes on smoothly, and you sheer it out for a hint of color or even build it up for a full glam look! My other staple product is Make Up For Ever Aqua Resist Brow Filler. The tiny brush makes it really easy to fill in the sparse areas of my brows, and it keeps them in place all day.

While most of my eyeshadow collection is made up of Viseart palettes (Minxette, Milieu, and Violette are my must-haves), the palette that I have been using nonstop is the limited edition Lethal is Dead palette. It is colorful yet wearable, and the shimmers do not irritate my sensitive eyes! There are few brands I can rely on to stay all day on my heavily hooded monolids with little to no fallout, and Lethal Cosmetics & Viseart are my tried and trues.

This summer, I've really been focusing on curating my skincare and hair care collection. SACHAJUAN has become my favorite hair care brand because it provides the much needed hydration my very porous color-treated hair craves. The Styling Cream makes my hair softer, more manageable, and even provides a hint of shine. For skincare, the product I will never be without again is Avene Hydrance Aqua Gel. It's intensely hydrating, absorbs quickly, and it is incredible under makeup. I have also enjoyed using it mixed with my favorite foundations to create a tinted moisturizer.  

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Camera Ready Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by Makeup Artist Mary Erickson. She dreamed of having a pro makeup showroom where artists could play with professional products without the typical makeup store attitude.

Today, our team of beauty industry veterans work together to curate the best quality products on the market. We partner with brands who respect the industry and formulate products for true working artists. You won’t find CRC in high-end malls, and we don't wear matching brush belts.

If you want to play with products for a few hours and buy nothing, that's okay ... come in and play! Our store is your playground.