Just Glam it: A Professional’s Picks For your Makeup Kit
By Daria Wright

I love indulging in all things pretty and sharing them with other cosmetics connoisseurs. I’m also headed towards becoming quite the makeup maven, as a makeup artist for film, television, and theater. But, even I get the urge to take lipstick sabbaticals, and start the anti-makeup revolution. But, I’ve come to a happy medium and learned that less can be more and having good, quality products is where it’s at. Going glam doesn’t have to mean stuffing your kit to the brim; quality is the key. And, living in the Big Apple, I’ve been exposed to all the beauty capital has to offer. So, I’ve revamped my professional kit with some essentials that I’ve spotted while on set and I’m ready to spill...

Viseart Eyeshadow Palette- Basics ($70 at alconeco.com)
Matte eye shadows are beautiful on the lids of mature and young beauties alike. Who wouldn’t love a multifunctional palette of matte shadows that works well for defining brows, lining eyes, and even contouring cheeks? This palette takes your total look from day to evening, effortlessly.

Maybelline The Colossal Volum’ Express Mascara ($6 at drugstore.com)
There are but a few mascaras on the market that I consider bat-worthy for my lashes. For the past few years, I’ve been sincerely searching for the mascara to replace my quarterly $25 indulgence. Pay homage to the stats of this lash enhancer, fellow lash lovers; Maybelline’s most recent genius is contact lens safe, adds 9x the lushness to your lashes (thanks to collagen) while staying clump-free.

Maybelline Volume XL Seduction Lip Plumper ($7 at drugstore.com)
Match lush lashes with luscious lips with another beauty newcomer, Maybelline Volume XL Seduction Lip Plumper. I personally like the gloss for its amplified, glass-like shine, and it comes in many flattering shades to compliment the natural hue of the lips. For a night-out-on-the-town look, opt for the Full-bodied Wine shade.

Iman Sheer Finish Bronzing Powder ($14 at walgreens.com)
Iman Cosmetics offers a variety of products that work beautifully on women of color. My recently discovered beauty crush is with the Sheer Finish Bronzing Powder in Afterglow. A trio of warm and cool colors, blend together to create the perfect bronze effect.

Embryolisse Lait- Crème Concentrate ($25 at beautyhabit.com)
I’ve added Embryolisse to my kit because it isn’t fussy, doesn’t make a lot of false claims, and works well on all skin types. Although I really like Lush Cosmetics Imperalis Moisturizer on my combination skin, Embryolisse is the perfect accent to my skin care regimen during the drier, colder months.

It doesn’t cost a fortune or a full-to-the-brim makeup kit to spend each day looking like your best self. Enjoy life and stick with products that work. Made-up glamour can be all you if you “Just Glam it.”

Beauty in color is our monthly beauty column aimed at reviewing products, highlighting color trends, and focusing on the hair care and skin care needs of women of color. Please contact Daria V. Wright if you have story ideas or product suggestions.