A blurring drugstore powder and a $7 hack for the perfect faux freckle
And everything else I found in a celebrity makeup artist's bag
One of the best things about my job as a beauty editor – and it’s a very perk-heavy gig, let’s be honest – is the people that I get to meet. Particularly the beauty industry icons that are a wealth of intel within their respective realms of expertise, and who I am lucky enough to be able to learn from (read: shamelessly steal their techniques and elicit the best product recommendations).
With more than two decades in makeup artistry, Chantelle Baker is one of the most sought-after celebrity MUAs in Australia. Her glam roster reads like a roll call of stylish A-listers, with names like Gigi Hadid, Adriana Lima, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Sarah Jessica Parker. Most recently, she delivered a sultry smoky eye for Banks that went straight to my Saved folder.
Chan is warm, kind and a certified makeup genius, but she’s also just a really good time. I was thrilled to bump into her yesterday at the Australian Open, where we were both spending the day at the tennis with Bondi Sands. We were having drinks during the Djokovic game when I saw Chan reach into her bag to touch up her makeup.
‘I would love to know what she carries in there,’ I thought to myself. Chantelle has obviously tried a lifetime’s worth of beauty products, but the confines of a handbag create a restrictive space. Every inch is prime real estate so the bag tends to be where we keep the verified ride-or-dies that can always be relied upon.
“Chan… can I please dig through your bag?” I suddenly blurted out. Chantelle looked extremely confused. “My bag?” she hissed back, as a mandated hush fell over the tennis game in front of us. “Yeah! I wanna see what beauty products you’ve got in there,” I whispered. She handed it over and I proceeded to pull out each beauty product, to which I asked her to make a case for each inclusion.
And that’s how this new series A Carry Case was born, where I rifle through the tote-able possessions of interesting people in my professional orbit to find out why each product earns its place within limited space. Here are the rules:
there can be no warning given to the handbag’s owner ahead of time. Those featured will be sprung upon impulsively, as and when my ADHD fuels the urge, so that nothing is ever pre-determined
the owner must be willing to share (obviously, I’m not a bag-stealing freak lol) and can remove anything they’d prefer to keep private
there will be no aesthetic ‘bag spill’ pics because this can only ever be completely organic – that’s the fun of it!
Okay, are we ready? Here’s what I found in Chantelle Baker’s Fendi for a day at the tennis.
Make Up For Ever Aqua Resist Smoky Shadow
Chantelle was wearing this last night! While it’s actually an all-over eyeshadow stick, she told me that she uses it “in my water line for a sexy bronzed look”. Tick!
L’Oréal Paris True Match Radiant Serum Concealer
I envy the confidence of a makeup artist who fears no prescribed product use. “This L’Oréal serum concealer is a great contour and it also doesn’t move. I use it as a lip contour and also for the face,” Chantelle says.
L’Oréal Paris Infaillible More Than Concealer
Look how worn in this one is! That’s how you know it’s a mainstay for Chantelle. “L’Oréal’s concealer is so good. The coverage is amazing and stays on all night!”
L’Oréal Paris Infaillible 24 Hour Foundation in a Powder
It’s a powder that doubles as a foundation, which Chantelle says she loves as it “blurs and covers” as needed. “Love this under my eye to set, and for any shiny areas.”
Laura Mercier Soufflé Hand Cream in Almond Coconut
Just a “good hand cream”. Enough said, really.
Prada Beauty Monochrome Soft Matte Lipstick in 106 Caramel
I’m very jealous of this one, as I have yet to try Prada’s makeup line, but Chantelle says this matte lipstick is “just divine”.
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil
This exact shade doesn’t seem to be available in Australia (makeup artist privilege, am I right?) but Chantelle swears by the formula of this lip pencil because it’s “creamy and long lasting”.
Okay, now this one really got me. It’s an ink brow definer that Chantelle uses to create the perfect faux-freckle. It’s $7 (!!) at Chemist Warehouse and Chantelle demonstrated its wear by applying it on my hand and swiping at it after it had dried down. I can confirm that it does not move. She uses it for “freckles that last all night”. I’ve already bought one as a result.
Sunnies Face Lip Dip in Nougat
This is a blurring lip tint that looks so soft for a diffused finish. “I love the way it feels and the colour ‘nougat’ is so gorgeous,” Chantelle says.
Chantelle’s current go-to black liquid liner that she uses to create “extra sexiness” to a look “if I need it” (she definitely doesn’t, but it does look stunning).
L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Kohl Eyeliner in 102 Pure Espresso
I’ve been looking for a new kohl, and this is Chantelle’s favourite “top-up” chocolate eyeliner “for extra on the eyes” while on the run.
(Let me know in the comments if you want more of these and I’ll keep my eye out for more unsuspecting victims! And if you liked this letter, check out my On Reflection series for a deeper dive into someone’s beauty routine – I’ve got a good one dropping next week!).
Omg I LOVE this idea. What a queen Chantelle is
God I love this idea! And I want that faux freckle prod