Why This Makeup Pro Keeps Scotch Tape in Her Kit—and You Should Too

Courtesy of Fara Homidi

Scotch tape, string, petri dishes—you'd think makeup artist Fara Homidi did her beauty shopping at a hardware store. But no, she's just a resourceful pro who loves to play. "I blend colors, from foundation to lipstick, in dishes," she says. She uses clean spoolies and Scotch tape to remove excess powder without disturbing makeup. Her MVP? "If I have the Make Up For Ever color cream palette, I'm good to go. You can mix up pretty much any shade and use it anywhere."

Courtesy of Fara Homidi

Here, the rest of the must-haves that Homidi stocks in her kit.

For more stories like this, pick up the October issue of InStyle, available on newsstands, on Amazon, and for digital download Sept. 15.

Start Slideshow

1 of 7

Scotch Tape

Time Inc Digital Studio

“To pick up stray glitter, press a piece of tape onto the skin. It grabs everything without messing up the rest of the face,” says Homidi.

2 of 7

Make Up For Ever Flash Color Palette in Artistic

Time Inc Digital Studio

$99 Make Up For Ever SHOP IT Opens a new window

3 of 7

Artis Elite Mirror Oval 7 Brush

Time Inc Digital Studio; Courtesy

$62 Artis SHOP IT Opens a new window

“As a last-minute touch-up backstage, I take this brush and blend base into models’ hands or knees. It buffs in makeup really nicely,” says Homidi.

4 of 7

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage

Time Inc Digital Studio; Courtesy

$35 Laura Mercier SHOP IT Opens a new window

5 of 7

String

Time Inc Digital Studio

“I hold string taut with my hand and dip it into [makeup]. Then I press it onto the skin to make a precise line,” says Homidi.

6 of 7

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Pro Palette

Time Inc Digital Studio

$88 Anastasia Beverly Hills SHOP IT Opens a new window

7 of 7

Klorane Smoothing and Relaxing Eye Contour Patches

Time Inc Digital Studio

$24 Klorane SHOP IT Opens a new window

"I put these on models as I'm prepping their skin. They leave you glowing—and the reduction of puffiness is amazing," Homidi says.

Replay gallery

Why This Makeup Pro Keeps Scotch Tape in Her Kit—and You Should Too