Have you ever wondered what’s in a makeup artist’s makeup bag? Well, it’s safe to say that it’s probably a combination of eye shadows, eyeliners, eye brow pencils, mascaras, foundations, blushes, lipsticks, and bronzers. However, it really comes down to the brand and the quality of the makeup that’s the biggest difference in what a professional MUA has versus an everyday beauty lover. Kate Lee, a Chanel makeup artist, has been working alongside the brand for over 17 years. Over that time, she’s worked on the faces of some of the biggest names in Hollywood such as Anne Hathaway, Kaitlyn Dever, Emma Chamberlain, Charli D’Amelio, and other beloved celebrities to create jaw-dropping looks for award shows, television appearances, and red carpets. To get the latest scoop on the best makeup products you should buy from Chanel, Lee shared some of her favorites from over the years and why she doesn’t leave home without them.
“I now use Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Serum and/ or Chanel Hydra Beauty Camélia Water Cream pre-make up application. Containing hyaluronic acid and vitamins C and E, it is easily absorbed and leaves the skin luminous and hydrated,” says Lee.
“Paired with and angled brush, this is the most intense matte black gel cream liner around. It can be blended immediately on application to soften the line or left sharp and clean,” says Lee.
“This is my go-to for red carpet events. It has a fantastic wand, which makes it simple to coat every lash from root to tip, and the waterproof formula dries fast and holds in a curl,” says Lee. “It will not let you down through tears or extreme heat.”
“Lovely colors and so easy to use! It’s also great because it’s perfectly formulated to work inside the waterline,” says Lee.
“This pencil is so good! It does not move and comes in some brilliant vibrant shades alongside neutral go-tos like Intense Noir and Espresso brown,” says Lee.
“The love I feel for this product is real. We usually have a few seasonal colors, but the transparent and sculpting shades are my favorite,” says Lee.
“This is my go-to for a red carpet,” says Lee. “It delivers intense pigment, dimensional color, and stays put.”
“This is a great choice if you want a versatile product that can be used as a stain or full-bleed as a lip color,” says Lee. “It also makes a great blush if you work quickly!”
“This is an old-school, classic Chanel product! It has multidimensional pigment packed colors, and I love the seasonal shades. The core shades are user-friendly and the powder blush works for everyone,” says Lee.
“This foundation is truly fool-proof. It comes in a great range of colors, and has the appearance of an elevated, natural complexion,” says Lee. “It’s easy to travel with thanks to the lightweight plastic bottle, and it’s my all time favorite Chanel foundation.”
“This is our newest foundation formula. Think of it as a big sister the the Water Fresh Tint, but slightly more pigmented and available in some great shades,” says Lee. “Using micro droplets of pigment, the gel texture is light, refreshing, and buildable.”
“I love this product so much. It is a subtle rosy tint that you can add into foundation, pat over cheekbones, or wear on its own to make the skin look tight and luminous,” says Lee.
“This is the OG of cream bronzers. Lately, we added another two shades, which makes it great for most skin tones,” says Lee. “I love the deepest shade, 395, and sometimes use that as a contour.” Next up, check out our editor’s review of Chanel.
