Secrets Of A Wedding Makeup Artist: What’s in My Makeup Bag Right Now
By Carina Pennant, Beauty Editor at MNT Magazine & Founder of Powder Blue Artistry
Photos by Thai Hibbert
As an inclusive wedding makeup artist based in London, I get asked all the time what’s in my personal makeup bag - not just what I use on clients, but what I genuinely reach for day to day. And while I love makeup, my own routine is pretty low-key.
I’d describe myself as a lips and liner kind of person. My daily makeup is paired back, natural, and built around skin that looks like skin. I rarely change my core look, but I do swap out blush and lip colours with the seasons. Right now, I’m deep into my burgundy and brown winter era.
Here is a peek at what I’m actually using right now - products I trust, love, and keep coming back to, both in my personal routine and my pro kit.
Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream
If I could only take one product to a desert island, it would be this. I’ve used Elizabeth Arden’s 8 Hour Cream for years, and I always have one close by - in handbags, drawers, and makeup kits. While it’s technically a multi-use balm, I mostly use it as a lip balm. It hydrates, soothes, and just works.
Glossier Haloscope (Moonstone)
This has been a staple in my routine for years. It’s a solid highlighter stick that glides straight onto the skin and blends effortlessly. Haloscope is made with crystal extracts and moisturisers, so it gives a dewy, natural glow that catches the light beautifully. I always repurchase as soon as it runs out - and people regularly comment on my skin when I wear it.
Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Enhancing Tint
This is a recent addition to my makeup bag and I'm loving it. I prefer lightweight, skincare-based foundations that still allow skin to look like skin. This one provides just enough coverage to even out the tone, while giving a luminous, natural finish. It’s breathable, easy to apply, and great for everyday wear.
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
A long-standing cult favourite and a staple in both my personal makeup bag and the Powder Blue Artistry bridal kit. This concealer offers beautiful coverage and a radiant finish, perfect for brightening under the eyes or softening areas of redness - and it lasts all day.
Urban Decay Perversion Waterproof Fine-Point Eye Pen
I’ve always loved eyeliner, and this one delivers. It has a fine-point nib that makes precision easy, whether you're going for a soft flick or a sharp wing. It’s waterproof, long-wearing, and doesn’t dry out quickly - which is rare for a liquid liner. I’ve tried many, and this is the one I keep coming back to.
ELF Wow Brow Tinted Gel
This brow gel is a brilliant affordable find. It’s buildable, holds well, and contains tiny fibres that cling to the brow hairs, giving a natural, fuller finish. At just £6, it’s a great option for anyone looking for vegan, cruelty-free brow products that deliver.
Glossier Solar Paint (Heat) + Cloud Paint
Although Glossier’s Solar Paint bronzer has now been discontinued, mine has lasted ages and I still use it regularly. I’ve since replaced it with their Cloud Paint bronzer, which gives a similar healthy, radiant glow. I also love their Cloud Paint blushers - especially the shade Dawn, a bold orange that adds warmth and dimension to the face. These products are highly pigmented, so a little goes a long way.
Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush (Rose Latte)
This warm-toned blush has been in heavy rotation lately. It has a soft, creamy texture that melts into the skin for a natural finish. It also doubles as a tinted lip product, which makes it a great multitasker when I’m travelling or on-set.
NARS Climax Mascara
My go-to mascara for both volume and length. While I often have sample mascaras floating around from beauty boxes or PR gifts, NARS Climax is the one I rely on when I need something I know will perform. It defines lashes beautifully without flaking or smudging.
Morphe Lip Liners (Vibes + Trendsetter) & Tom Ford Gloss in Aura
Right now, I’m wearing Morphe lip liners solo or paired with Tom Ford's Lip Gloss in Aura. I usually prefer a matte lip, but this gloss is different - it hydrates without feeling sticky and gives a soft shine that feels luxurious. I often layer it over liner with a dab of 8 Hour Cream in the centre of the lips for a subtle, glossy finish.
MyKitCo Double-Ended Brush Set
This brush set was a recent gift to myself for personal use. Despite having plenty of brushes in my pro kit, I usually end up using my fingers or whatever’s lying around. These brushes are beautifully made, double-ended, and come in a clear, wipe-clean pouch - great for travel and everyday use.
As someone who works with all kinds of clients across the UK and internationally, I believe makeup should enhance, not mask. Whether I’m working with a bride, a creative brand, or myself, my approach is always the same - skin-first, story-driven, and personal.
If you're looking for an inclusive wedding makeup artist in London who, or a supplier who shares the same values of representation, creativity, and individuality I’d love to connect.
And if you're just here to be nosy about what’s in my bag? I get it. I’m the same.