We all know the big ones: the incomparable François Nars ' namesake line, Charlotte Tilbury 's supermodel-approved range, and, most recently, Pat McGrath's rule-breaking formulas. However, while these iconic makeup artists have created some of the best cosmetics around, they're hardly in a class of their own.
In fact, dig a little deeper and you'll find tons of brands created by artists with a universal goal: to make their own artistry better by filling voids in their kits, whether that be the perfect lipstick texture or a sponge that just won't quit. (Spoiler alert: The Beautyblender was created out of necessity by a celeb makeup artist.) Luckily, the fruits of their labors are ours to revel in.
The best part? There are brands ahead that you may have passed over in favor of the more well-known lines. But, as beauty editors, we know that if an artist is behind it, it tends to soar above the competition.
Click through for nine of the best lines created by professional makeup artists — and the products you simply can't overlook.
The Artist: Fiona Stiles
The Line: Fiona Stiles
A few months ago, this in-demand Hollywood makeup artist teased the release of a quite massive collection of shadows, liners, lipsticks — even foundations and matching concealers — that she's been toiling over. A lofty goal, as most new lines start far smaller, but man do they impress. We've got to fawn over her superior multitasking skills — a cool line and a job beautifying stars like Gabrielle Union, Jessica Chastain, and Elizabeth Banks? We need a nap just after thinking about it.
Try: Stiles' Matte Lip Crayons are bomb (read: comfortable, bright, and stay in place), and her Sculpting Palette — a satiny, shimmer-free compact of three hues that makes contouring easy — is totally foolproof. But the shadows are easily the hero product. With their bouncy and viscous texture, you can easily smudge them onto lids with your finger or a brush — and they stay put!
Fiona Stiles Radiant Aqua Eye Veil, $22, available at Ulta Beauty.
The Artist:Terry de Gunzburg
The Line:By Terry
De Gunzburg's story is one that begs to be repeated while browsing the aisles of Sephora with friends. The French makeup artist was brought on to consult on Yves Saint Laurent Beauté and subsequently created the iconic Touche Éclat. It was based on her mixture of rosewater, moisturizer, and a dab of Clinique foundation. She even says that it took her three years to convince the brand to create her go-to skin-perfecter. Now, of course, the brand is happy (is anything in the YSL range as cult-y?), and she's gone on to create a kick-ass namesake line. Blame the French mentality, but de Gunzburg isn't interested in passing fads — her line is made up of tried-and-true formulas.
Try: No exaggeration here: By Terry's $60 Rose Balm is everything. That is, it feels and smells amazing, makes lips plump and soft, and lasts forever. Also on our By Terry wish list are her shadow sticks (seriously, so easy to use you could do it on the subway), colored mascaras, and shadow palettes.
By Terry Ombre Blackstar Color-Fix Cream Eyeshadow, $44, available at Beauty.com.
The Artist: Rea Ann Silva
The Line: Beautyblender
Necessity is the mother of invention, which is evident when it comes to the biggest beauty-tool advancement in recent history. The story goes a little like this: Makeup artist Rea Ann Silva was sick of using disposable sponges on clients like Sean Combs and Vivica A. Fox, so she created one that would put all others to shame. That was back in 2003, and within a few years her clever invention was mass-produced and in every makeup artist's kit.
Try: If you haven't already, pick up the one product the beauty industry can't stop talking about: The Classic Beautyblender. It is totally foolproof and can be used in dozens of ways. While you're at it, grab the cleanser, too — it makes disinfecting your sponge crazy-easy.
Beautyblender Beautyblender Original, $20, available at Beautyblender.
The Artist:Troy Surratt
The Line: Surratt Beauty
Inspired by Japanese beauty products, Surratt's line brings something fresh and new to the scene: sleek, lightweight packaging that is refillable, which saves money and reduces your empties. But inside that packaging is something even better: formulas that many fellow makeup artists consider the best in the game. It makes sense, as Surratt got his start assisting a legend, the late Kevyn Aucoin; helped to formulate best sellers for Tarte before starting his own line; and works with stars like Adele and Uma Thurman on the regular.
Try: One word: Alluring. You need it — trust. And while you're at it, pick up the brow pencil, which is an industry leader thanks to its thin tip and ashy color options. (If we had a nickel for every pro with this in his or her kit, we'd have enough to buy a refill in Brunette.) The lash curler is also tops, and the eyeshadows are sleek enough to pack into a makeup bag.
Surratt Beauty Expressioniste Brow Pencil Rechargeable Holder and Refill, $40, available at Net-A-Porter.
The Artist:Troi Ollivierre
The Line:Troi Ollivierre
Question: Is there any clothing company that's created a signature beauty look quite like J.Crew has? Answer: No. The look — mussed-up hair, flushed cheeks, and dewy complexions perfectly punctuated by softly worn, bright lips — is universally flattering and perfectly lived-in. It was no accident. Ollivierre has been mixing the perfect lip colors behind the scenes for years, and now he's made them available to the rest of us. Oh, and did we mention you can also find his work in issues of Vogue, Elle, W, and Vanity Fair?
Try: Just try to choose between the six formulas available. No, really, try, because it is far from easy. Need help? George is the perfect orange-red you're used to seeing in the pages of the J.Crew catalog, and is especially great for summer. For a pinky hue we prefer Atticus, a peachy coral that is just soft enough to pat on as an everyday stain and bright enough to make a statement.
Troi Ollivierre Matte Luxe Lipstick, $28, available at Troi Ollivierre Beauty.
The Artist: Carol Shaw
The Line: Lorac
Makeup artist Carol Shaw's résumé reads like a who's who of fashion icons: Cindy Crawford, Farrah Fawcett, Nicole Kidman, plus Vogue and Vanity Fair. It was in her makeup chair that clients shared their biggest makeup gripes, mainly about the lack of high-performance products that were gentle on skin. Et voilà: Lorac was born, starting with makeup staples like foundation and concealer, all free of common irritants like silicone, sunscreen, titanium dioxide, and fragrance. Now, it's a full range of products that's well-suited for all skin types, even sensitive. Fun fact: Lorac is Carol spelled backwards.
Try: Shaw's Pro Contour palette is perfect for those with normal to oily skin; the soft powders will blend into your complexion and won't move. We're also partial to the mascara, which is perfect for anyone with easily irritated eyes. What's more, her matte lip colors come in shades that are vibrant and super-easy to apply.
Lorac Pro Contour Palette & Pro Contour Brush, $45, available at Lorac.
The Artist: Kirsten Kjaer Weis
The Line: Kjaer Weis
It was a simple journey: Danish-born, New York–based makeup artist Kirsten Kjaer Weis couldn't find natural products that also performed, so she created her own. What makes her line different from many new eco-friendly brands (the market is exploding, mind you), is the luxury — from the substantial metal packaging to the keepsake-worthy red boxes the products arrive in. And the formulas? It took her over eight years to perfect them — and the results speak for themselves.
Try: The lip tint is so good, you'll wonder how you lived without it. It's light, nondrying, and delivers tons of hues that are universally flattering and oh-so natural looking. Her cream foundations are often considered some of the best in the natural section, and her trios are perfectly coordinated for everyday wear.
Kjaer Weis Lip Tint In Passionate, $49, available at Kjaer Weis.
The Artist: Sonia Kashuk
The Line: Sonia Kashuk
Ask any pro makeup artist for his or her favorite bargain brushes, and you'll inevitably hear Sonia Kashuk's name. With countless editorial jobs under her belt — think: Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Allure, Elle, and Glamour — this pro knows exactly what tools are needed to craft every single look. Thankfully for us, this translated to a line of brushes (the hero product in our eyes, if you can't already tell), plus pro-approved palettes and lip colors, accessories, and a hairbrush that rivals the Mason Pearson. Plus, you can buy it all at Target!
Try: You can't go wrong when it comes to the brushes, but our favorites are the Duo Fiber for cream blush (seen here), the Buffing brush for contour, and anytime the brand offers sets, like this six-piece eye palette, it's a good time to swoop in.
Sonia Kashuk Small Duo Fiber Brush, $10.99, available at Target.
The Artist: Petra Strand
The Line: Pixi Beauty
When thinking up her line Pixi, Strand aimed to create multitasking makeup that makes your skin look better after you take it off. She also kept the costs down to be truly inclusive — because everyone deserves good-for-your-skin makeup.
Try: Sure, this toner-essence hybrid is technically skin care, but it's simply too good not to parade as the hero of the line. Glycolic acid is celebrated for its gentle exfoliating and skin-brightening abilities — and you simply can't get it this cheap that often. We're also partial to the line's blush duos and primers.
Pixi By Petra Glow Tonic, $13.50, available at Target.
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