EDUCATION AT CAMERA READY

Our February Top Picks are in, and they include a beautiful assortment of products for everyday use! To view past years' favorites, you can always view past Staff Top Picks blogs or our curated collections of 2022 and 2021 favs. To learn more about what we've been loving this month (and why) keep reading! If you prefer to view all of our products in one place, visit our collection of 2023 Top Picks! Chelsie's Top Picks I've been highly anticipating the Sonia Roselli launch, and one of the first items I picked out was the Water Elixir Skin Prep! I've been using it for a few weeks now and I'm already SO in love with it! It's so lightweight and soothing, calms inflammation quickly, and absorbs into my skin almost instantly. I love that it doubles as a serum AND moisturizer. It adds some much needed hydration and helps to build up my skin barrier (check out our Sonia Roselli Live, if you haven't already!). My skin feels so soft, plump, and dewy after using it, and I've noticed a considerable improvement in my skin texture. It's the perfect product to use before makeup, as it gives my skin a lovely, glowing base! I can't wait to use it on my clients and models! I absolutely LOVE the Indie Lee CoQ-10 Toner - it's quickly become one of my go-to products! When I'm having an especially dry day (pretty much every day lately), I quickly spritz some of this on to get an instant boost of moisture. I love that it contains hyaluronic acid, my favorite ingredient, to provide continuous hydration, but what really makes this toner stand out is that it also protects and primes your skin with antioxidants and refreshing ingredients (thank you CoQ10 and Chamomile). Plus, it's a super-fine mist so it doesn't interfere with my makeup! Overall, this toner is perfect for keeping your skin hydrated, refreshed and protected throughout the day! August's Top Picks I am totally obsessed with Danessa Myricks' Vision Flush! As a no-makeup makeup fanatic, this is the perfect product to add some color onto your face. I'm personally in love with shade Ballet Slippers and use it as blush whenever I can along with a pop on my eyes. It is super soft, creamy, and incredibly pigmented. A few taps covers everything I need. I also love love love the Dose of Colors Velvet Mousse Lipsticks. They have a range of gorgeous deep colors (my fav is Spicy) that are highly pigmented and a super soft non-drying formula. These are my go to for date night and will last through it all while still being super comfortable on your lips! Holly's Top Picks I am slowly transitioning my makeup routine to all cream products and the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Blush has become my newest obsession! Every shade is so beautiful and flattering. It's so easy to blend and dries down very nicely - I don't even need to set it with a powder blush. I love wearing them when I do a very natural makeup look to keep my face looking fresh and radiant! My second pick for the month is one I've been wanting to buy for a while and am so glad I caved! I never felt like I needed to invest in a nice makeup light to do my skincare and makeup until I came across the Glamcor RIKI Skinny LED Vanity Mirror. It truly has changed my morning and night routine! It is so nice to sit down in the morning in front of great lighting to do my skincare/makeup while sipping on my morning coffee! Talk about self care! It is also super easy to travel with considering the size. I am IN LOVE with this light. Calvin's Top Picks I know a great lipstick formula when I see one, and the new Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge Nudes are amazing. Longwear, highly pigmented, a beautiful and line smoothing soft matte finish, super lightweight on the lips, AND a nude for all skin tones? This revolutionary formula is the answer to lip color. Swipe, Swipe, Go!!! Since skin prep is an essential step of my job as a makeup artist, I had to name the Rituel de Fille Thorn Milk Hydrating Skin Mist as my second top pick (one of my coworkers selected it last month, but it's just that good that it needs to be name a top pick again)! I have extremely dry skin, so I like to test products on myself to see how they'll perform on clients with similar skin types, and knowing how the product performs all day is also the best way to elevate your artistry. Great makeup artists will know how the products will look all day/night long. This makes my feel hydrated, healthy and relaxed. I use it on clients right before all other skin prep just to give that layer of hydration to the skin so that it's not soaking up all the other products.   Liz's Top Picks Even though I've curated the best skincare routine (thanks to having the best brands to choose from at work!), there are times my skin doesn't like to behave. It has texture and some spots that are prone to being oily while others want to be bone dry. When Sonia Roselli told me about her Water Oil Skin Prep, I was intrigued, but I have to say that it's really one of a kind. It's lightweight and locks in hydration. My skin is left with less texture and feels balanced. Plus, it makes my life on the go easier and helps me look flawless when I wear makeup. Hands down a must-have for my every day essentials. Apparently, I am on an oil kick right now, and R+Co's Mirror Smoothing Oil has made a huge difference in my hair. I have long, fine, wavy hair with bleached ends and oily roots. I have been trying to find the perfect thing to make my hair dazzle even though it needs a trip to the salon ASAP. I have found some really amazing products, but I ALWAYS have issues with my ends getting dry and frizzy within a day of a fresh wash. I started using R+Co's Mirror Smoothing Oil about a month ago, and it has changed my game. I use it on my ends when my hair is wet, and I also touch up with it when it's dry. Since I started using it, I haven't felt like my ends are dry. If they start to feel like they need a drink, I grab more oil and give it some love. It's lightweight, so it doesn't weigh down my hair at any point and my hair is glossier than ever. I started using it on my daughter's hair and have seen a huge difference in how healthy her hair looks. I don't know if I can ever live without it now. Morgan's Top Picks I love products that help me get ready and out the door in minimal time, so Sydney Grace's Cream Shadows have been my go to! They come in a variety of gorgeous shades that suit any look from subtle to bold! It is true that they are smudge proof, but they will easily wash off with a cleanser! Theylast the entire day without creasing or moving. Unlike some other cream shadows, you have some time to work with before it dries to ensure you're happy with the look, and a little goes a long way. Warm Glow is my favorite color. It's definiely a must-try for cream shadow lovers. My second favorite this month is Grande Cosmetics Lash Serum. Lash serum is an excellent way to repair lash damage caused by mascara, extensions, and false lashes. Grande Cosmetics has the best serum on the market right now. You have to be consistent in order to see the results of thicker and more lashes, but it is well worth it! Jess's Top Picks If you’re a naturally wavy/curly girl - I HIGHLY suggest this Oribe Apres Beach Wave and Shine Spray! I like to do the *bare minimum* when it comes to styling my hair. After a shower, I towel dry, add some leave-in and curl product, then braid my hair when damp overnight. When I wake up, I take the braid out, run my fingers through the waves, and spritz on a generous amount of this spray to maintain the curl and de-frizz! It LOOKS like it took hours to style, but really minimal effort! A win/win in my book. If you, like me, are a chapstick babe - you should try RMS Beauty's Tinted Daily Lip Balm! It looks and feels luxurious without that sticky and drying feel of lipstick (iykyk). With a hint of color, it’s subtle yet natural looking while FEELING amazing. Feeling Inspired? Ready to experience the products we can't get enough of? Click here to start exploring or top picks or click below to discover more great products. To learn more about our top picks from 2022, click here. Want to create your perfect makeup, hair care, or skincare routine? Our team of Beauty Advisors are here to help! Click here to send them a message! EXPLORE HAIR CARE EXPLORE SKINCARE EXPLORE SKINCARE TOOLS About Camera Ready Cosmetics 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. 

We're kicking off our Staff Top Picks with a clean slate with our favorite products that we've used so far in 2023! To view past years' favorites, you can always view past Staff Top Picks blogs or our curated collections of 2022 and 2021 favs. To learn more about what we've been loving this month (and why) keep reading! If you prefer to view all of our products in one place, visit our collection of 2023 Top Picks! Chelsie's Top Picks I've talked about my favorite brow product (the Inglot Playinn Soap Brow!), but this month, I wanted to shine a much-deserved spotlight on my favorite brow tool, the MYKITCO Pro My Brushed Brow 2.3! One end has stiff bristles that look almost like a tiny hair brush to fluff up your brows, and the other has a spoolie to set those tiny hairs in place. It's one of my favorite tools in my kit! The makeup item I have been loving is RMS Re Dimension Hydra Power Blush. It has the prettiest finish that makes your skin look healthier, almost glowy, and it helps my skin look even more radiant. Maria's Top Pick I've always loved hydrating facial mists, and the Rituel de Fille Thorn Milk has become a staple in my collection. Aside from just looking cool (it has a bi-phase liquid that needs to be shaken up to be mixed), it instantly soothes and calms your skin as soon as you spritz it on. Any dry patches or light irrititation I have is instantly smoothed over, and it plays so well under makeup! All of my foundations have layered on top of it beautifully, and it keeps my skin hydrated throughout the day, so any dryness or makeup breakup I'd experience due to my skin getting drier throughout the day is gone. That says a lot, especially because we're in the middle of winter! The other thing I've been using nonstop since I bought it is the Artis Mini Palm Brush. I am really picky when it comes to foundation application tools because the foundations I tend to like are the types that dry down super quickly, so they give you less time to blend and tend to look streaky if not used properly. However, this Artis brush changes all of that! I was able to blend out the foundation on my entire face with less time spent blending and no need to apply more product to the brush - I was shocked that I could cover my entire face with less product than normal! I was even able to lightly tap the brush on areas I wanted fuller coverage (like over the sun spots on my cheeks), and it built up beautifully. . Holly's Top Picks Nothing is keeping my summer glow like TheBalm Bahama Mama Bronzer, Shadow, and Contour Powder! I have been getting so many compliments about how glowy I look when wearing this product. It blends like a dream and is the perfect shade for transitioning to the colder months! I cannot recommend this product enough! The second item I can't stop using is Mehron Barrier Spray. This setting spray is getting the job done for me during these colder months! Most setting sprays leave my face feeling stiff and dry, and while I don't normally mind that during the warmer months, I want something more hydrating as the weather starts to cool down. It brings the perfect amount of hydration back into my skin without feeling like my makeup is going to slide off my face. This is a staple during the fall/winter time! Calvin's Top Picks If you're looking for a powder like none other, Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Matte Setting Powder is it; up to 24-hour wear (trust me, I've tested it), a matte formula that never creases and never shines, and it looks like the skin of an angel. Not kidding. I am a makeup artist and photographer, so I am very picky with how products look, and this one delivers. Even on photoshoots, I pack this powder under the eyes to lock in concealer, and it just leaves the most flawless, blurred, and smooth finish. The best part? I never have to touch up the model. Now, for my second pick for the month: Glow, Glow, Glow, Glow!!! Do you want a natural glow? Do you want it to look realistic? We got you. Rituel de Fille's Thorn Oil Priming Facial Elixir is super hydrating but leaves the most gorgeous skin-like glow I've ever seen. Even with foundation over it, it gives this rich subtle skin. Feels beautiful, looks incredible. Liz's Top Picks I have to admit that I try everything Saint Jane launches because I have yet to be disappointed, and I am truly blown away by the Hydrabloom Body Silk. This lotion locks in hydration without leaving my skin feeling greasy or heavy. I saw an immediate, calming, and hydrating response in my skin texture to this cream (I have keratosis pilaris), and the smell is so relaxing. It's the perfect touch to add a little relaxation or self care into your day and would make an amazing gift to encourage the same for others. I have been on a path of trying a million hair products as I am always looking for the next best thing, and Philip B's Forever Shine Collection caught me off guard. My hair is fine, wavy, and highlighted so it tends to be oily and flat at the roots and quite dry on the ends plus I am a mom on the go who does not always have time to blow out my hair. My hair has been left with a beautiful shine with zero frizz, defined waves, and perfect volume with or without heat. The scent is perfect for the colder season, and I have to admit I put the hair product sampling on hold for now as I am in awe with the results this collection has given my hair. Morgan's Top Picks This winter, I've been treating my skin to a bit of TLC with the Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Hydra-Gel Eye Patches. They are excellent if you want something hydrating and refreshing, and they don't slip and slide around like some other eye patches can. I look like I'm more alert and awake after using them, and I've even gotten my husband hooked on them! He appreciates that they smooth and lighten his dark circles. Another must-have for me has been the Insert Name Here Quick Slick Flyaway Hair Essence. This product was one of the many reasons I was thrilled to bring on Insert Name Here. I love this thing! Do you have flyways? Not anymore! Do you have thin hair that doesn't like going in a ponytail? Not anymore! I use this when my hair is up or down. My daughter has fine hair and her baby hairs are unmanageable. However, this works wonders for getting her hair to behave! Jess's Top Picks If your skin errs more on the oily side like mine, do yourself a favor and ADD 👏 TO 👏 CART 👏. I don’t love it when my skin looks too matte, which is why I love Jason Wu's Magic Matte Oil! It takes away the “bad shine” while somehow still keeping the “good shine”, and doesn’t clog up my pores nor break me out! There's a reason we keep selling out of it - it's because it's that good! I have also been really enjoying Jason Wu Beauty The Freckled Boy for the cutest faux freckles. Sometimes, you just need a good freckle day, and on those days, I use this to summon my inner freckle-faced goddess. Subtle but natural, which is exactly how I like it! Feeling Inspired? Ready to experience the products we can't get enough of? Click here to start exploring or top picks or click below to discover more great products. To learn more about our top picks from 2022, click here. Want to create your perfect makeup, hair care, or skincare routine? Our team of Beauty Advisors are here to help! Click here to send them a message! EXPLORE HAIR CARE EXPLORE SKINCARE EXPLORE SKINCARE TOOLS About Camera Ready Cosmetics 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.