Top Three: Sydney-based makeup artist Brandon Scott shares his favourite products
IMAGE VIA @ITSBYBRANDON/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY LARA DALY
“I can always tell if a product is a core contender when it ends up in my travel selection. If I trust it enough to travel with, then it’s the one.”
I’m a notoriously nosy person when it comes to beauty products. I want to know whether you double cleanse at night, how often you wash your hair, and exactly what you’re using. I want to know if there’s some special facial tool or pair of tweezers that have (hyperbole warranted) changed your life. I want to know what curl definer you use and which lip balm you swear by.
Want to snoop inside the beauty regimes of other creatives? Head here.
In short, I adore products. Capitalism is in the Kool Aid and I’m drinking it. This is why I’ve asked some of our favourite Australian and New Zealand beauty experts to share the ‘top three’ products they can’t live without. The scope is broad – it can genuinely be anything, as long as they’re the three they value the most.
Joining us this week is Sydney-based makeup artist and digital creator Brandon Scott. Known for his transformational beauty looks, Brandon worked as a professional makeup artist for six years before blowing up on TikTok with his viral #BarbieChallenge video. Working closely on projects for beauty giants like Mecca and Fenty, Brandon knows what makes a product genuinely stand out.
“When I think desert island products my mind goes completely logical,” says Brandon. “I’m thinking sunscreen, lip balm and a gentle cleanser – the bare necessities to survive. However I’m aware this isn’t an episode of Lost, so let’s chat beauty. Narrowing it down to three was tough but these are the ones I’m reaching for over and over again.”
Product one: Fenty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint Foundation
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How did you first discover this product?
Working closely with the Fenty Australia team, I was lucky enough to access this product right as it hit the market. Ever since it launched, I always end up going back to this specific tint.
What is it, what does it do and why do you love it?
This is a blurring skin tint – unlike most skin tints that focus on glow, this one has a satin finish which gives the skin a more natural look, making it super wearable for everyday. The thing I love most about this formula is that it’s finger friendly. A product that doesn’t rely on an application tool for performance is a win in my books. I can always tell when a product is a core contender when it ends up in my travel selection – if I trust it enough to travel with, then it’s the one.
Where would you find it and who would you recommend it to?
In Australia you can pick this up exclusively from Sephora, or directly from the Fenty site. This is really the ‘every person’ product, it works beautifully on most skin types and it comes in a wide shade range. If you’re someone who likes a natural skin look, this is your baby!
Product two: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Pen
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How did you first discover this product?
This was sent to me firstly through PR. I’m always on the hunt for a multifunctional pen product and this one really stood out from the rest on the market.
What is it, what does it do and why do you love it?
This is called a ‘Brow Tint Pen’ but don’t be boxed in by the name – it’s a tinted pen that can be used anywhere on the face, which is a big reason I love it. Traditionally it’s used to add volume and shape to the brows by drawing light flicks to mimic hair-like strokes. But I love using this to create beauty spots across my face, a [technique that is a] staple in my base routine (pro-tip: use these to disguise any pimples that you have covered with concealer for a more natural finish). You can also use it as a soft eyeliner – buff the line out with your finger for a smudged finish and it will make your lashes appear thicker.
Where would you find it and who would you recommend it to?
You can get this from most beauty retailers like ABH, Mecca, Sephora or Adore Beauty. This is perfect for someone who would do all or any of these three steps: brows, beauty marks or eyeliner. It’s perfect for an on-the-go girly who needs a small but mighty product to complete a look.
Product three: Makeup Forever Lipliner in ‘Endless Cacao’
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How did you first discover this product?
I discovered this maybe a year or so ago. The Makeup Forever lip liners are a hot topic and for a while, they were so hard to get your hands on. When I did, I was not disappointed.
What is it, what does it do and why do you love it?
The shade that is my personal ride or die is ‘Endless Cacao’. As a makeup artist, I was always using cool-toned brow pencils to help contour the lip and I have been on the hunt for the perfect cool-toned lip liner to replace this step. I use this shade with almost every lip I do, at the bare minimum to contour and pop the lip shape ,but in a lot of cases to help frame the lips and give other lip colours more dimension.
Where would you find it and who would you recommend it to?
You can get this from Sephora, Adore Beauty, David Jones and The Iconic. You need this if you feel your lip application always looks a little flat or lacks dimension. Also if you’re toying with the idea of lip filler, try a lip contour technique first – it’s a lot cheaper and way less permanent! If you’re a makeup artist, this is a must for your kit.
You can follow Brandon here.
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