There are so many new beauty puffs, pads and brushes out on the market, all promising to help you look your best — but are any of them really worth it? We asked makeup artists to open their kits to let us see the hottest new helpers, the cheap and trusty go-to tools they use all the time, and which fancy stuff they avoid.
Because they’re creative professionals at heart, most of the makeup artists we talked to love trying something different, and they’re very willing to give new technologies a chance. Those who work with influencers, stylists, fashion designers and publications need to stay ahead of trends, especially when clients are always asking about the latest tools they’ve seen on social media.
The good news for you is that because professional makeup artists are testing and trialing all the time, they’re good gatekeepers of what works and what doesn’t. Follow their advice to avoid wasting money on something that promises big hype but delivers poor results.
‘Keep An Open Mind’
Marco Campos is a makeup artist who loves trying new beauty tools and who gives all this new stuff the benefit of the doubt. “I believe that when it comes to beauty, it’s important to keep an open mind, because you never know what’s going to be invented next.”
Makeup artist Kimi Duncan has seen lots of new beauty tools come and go, and she said that there currently are more new products than ever. “The beauty tool market is loud right now,” she said. “Every week there’s a new ‘must-have.’” While she loves trying innovative tools, she often returns to her old reliables. “My kit is built on tried-and-true staples,” she said, mentioning Beautyblender sponges, Bdellium’s Golden Triangle 963 brush and the Kevyn Aucoin lash curler.
For Duncan, the secret to finding the best new tools is to read “real” reviews and avoid what she called “TikTok hype.” Another smart suggestion is to stick to less-invasive tools for at-home use. “If it has the potential to damage your skin without professional supervision, it’s probably not worth the risk,” she said.
Top Picks From The Experts
Light Therapy Masks
Duncan swears by the Solawave, which combines red light for anti-aging and blue light for anti-microbial therapy. At $297, it’s not a bargain by any means, but, she said, “It’s a game changer for encouraging product absorption, stopping breakouts and helping with hyperpigmentation.”
Campos has also tested a number of light therapy masks and said, “The brand that’s really killing it right now is Omnilux. They have an LED mask that, if used as instructed, can really help tackle acne problems.” At $395, this is another pricey purchase, but Campos said the benefits are real: “The mask helps reduce blemishes, inflammation and redness; and the most impressive part is its effect on the appearance of acne scars,” he said. “It’s pretty revolutionary when it comes to at-home treatments, in my opinion.”
Eco-Friendly Tools
“The most sustainable thing you can do is use tools that are reusable,” Campos said. “And a lot of usable tools are very helpful to reduce your eco footprint.” He said that instead of disposable makeup wipes, you can try using a cleansing balm with a reusable face cloth. “Tools made from sustainable materials like wood or metal are also great eco-conscious options,” he said. “Lastly, the best way you can be eco-conscious is by using up what you currently have.”
One way to do that is to use a makeup condensing service, which repackages bulky or excessive products into smaller, more efficient and customized setups. It’s perfect for beauty professionals, frequent travelers, overwhelmed consumers and diehard minimalists. The service removes expired, duplicate or unused products and helps you decide what’s worth keeping, tossing or replacing. Then they “depot and decant” by taking individual products out of original packaging and transferring them into magnetic palettes and smaller jars.
Duncan condenses her kit through The Artist Kit Company, saying, “Makeup enthusiasts at home can benefit from the way they streamline products into chic, compact palettes.”
Not Worth The Cost
After combing through the latest tools, there were some that didn’t make the grade. The first one is microneedling rollers. “They offer minimal results at home and increase your risk of having breakouts,” Duncan said. “Leave this service to the licensed professionals.”
There’s also a new crop of at-home laser devices on the market, but Duncan said, “Most lack the power for long-term results.” She does see a use for them in maintenance after professional treatments, so if you frequently receive laser treatments, you might want to ask your dermatologist about using this tool in between appointments.
Another “not worth it” tool is pore vacuums. While it sounds tempting to have a tool that can suction up debris, exfoliate and improve circulation, they don’t live up to the hype. “The suction is too aggressive for most skin types, and these tools rarely deliver the pore-clearing results you see in online ads,” Duncan said.
Too Soon To Tell For These Next-Gen Tools
The makeup artists we interviewed hadn’t yet seen an AI tool that convinced them to use it long-term. “The AI brushes with sensors or 3D printing applicators are fascinating, but more of a novelty,” Duncan said. “The texture, wear and control just aren’t there yet, especially for editorial or red carpet looks.” Still, there’s more innovation on the way, she predicted.
While he hasn’t tried it yet, Campos is interested in the BoldHue foundation-matching robot. “It’s a machine with a built-in camera that takes your photo and creates a customized foundation match,” he said. “I’m definitely intrigued.”
There are more smart makeup tools on the way to your local Sephora or Ulta, experts agreed. Some next-gen tools include AI‑powered skin analyzers, which provide precise skin condition analysis and can gauge moisture, pores and aging signs.
Also already on the market are augmented reality smart mirrors, which are interactive displays that overlay digital content onto your real body. When you’re using a smart mirror, you can virtually try on products such as clothing, accessories or makeup, or even receive guided makeup tutorials in real time. Sephora has implemented AR mirrors from ModiFace in some stores, allowing customers to virtually try on makeup.
Even with all these new gadgets and high-tech tools, makeup artists still swear by the old-fashioned, artisanal method of helping customers look their best. “We’re likely to see more advancements in the next decade, but nothing replaces the hand, eye and precision of an artist,” Duncan said.