Kylie Jenner's Go-To Makeup Artist Ariel Tejada Shares His Favorite Products
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The Expert Edit features interviews with specialists about the products they swear by in their chosen field. For the latest installment, we spoke to celebrity makeup artist Ariel Tejada about his favorite makeup products.
Ariel Tejada, aka @makeupbyariel, grew up loving anything beauty-related. "When I was little, I would watch my mom put a little bit of makeup on because she's low maintenance, and it would excite me to see her come up one day with a red lip or makeup that would pop more on her face. I've always been an artsy person, and this is one of those things that fulfilled me and my artistic ability," Tejada tells PS.
Tejada's passion led him to post his work on Instagram, gaining a following thanks to his intricate eye looks and sculpted complexion. His artistry was noticed by Kylie Jenner, and with a DM and a flight to LA, he became Jenner's go-to makeup artist. Although being a celebrity makeup artist is an achievement in and of itself — Tejada has also worked with Rosalía, Kim Kardashian, Gwen Stefani, and Shay Mitchell — the most rewarding part of his job is seeing his clients' confidence transform in a positive way.
Throughout his career, Tejada has constantly experimented with products and looks, and right now his makeup philosophy is less is more. "I think it's something a lot of people haven't practiced (I am also guilty of overdoing every step from time to time), and sometimes it doesn't allow for your features to really shine through," he says. Tejada is not a fan of over-concealing specifically. "Concealer should just be used where it's needed instead of masking your face with it," he says, noting that it's best to just spot conceal where needed.
Tejada is a fan of the "clean girl aesthetic" because it allows him to see the person first, rather than the makeup. He seeks to achieve that by investing in beauty treatments at his go-to 7Q Spa. "The best makeup happens when your skin is in check, and getting Fotona 4D laser a week before an event or as a skin tune-up makes the skin resurfaced and smooth," he says.
Although he's currently loving a more natural look, he notices that creativity has taken a back seat in Hollywood. "Back in the day there was so much creativity and innovation – everything was so artist-based and now that spark of creativity has been dimmed. I would love to see celebrities play into more creativity with their looks – not for the everyday but for the red carpets," he says, noting that this can be accomplished without a heavy buildup of products.
Ahead, he shares some of his favorite makeup products with us, including his go-to foundation, his tried-and-true mascara, and more.
Experts Featured in This Article
Ariel Tejada is a celebrity makeup artist who is known for working closely with Kylie Jenner.
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Best Makeup Remover According to Ariel Tejada
Garnier Skin Naturals Micellar Cleansing Water ($8)
"I love my Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water. I like to pour some of the water into the Kylie Skin Makeup Removing Wipes ($10). I load them up so when I travel, I have a wipe mixed with the water. I wipe my face and everything comes off, leaving me feeling refreshed," he says.
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Best Brow Product According to Ariel Tejada
Huda Beauty #Bombbrows Microshade Brow Pencil ($17)
"I can't live without shade medium brown 5," Tejada says of Huda Beauty's Microshade Brown Pencil. "I have a million of them in my kit and makeup bag. It's the best brow pencil that ever existed and you can create perfect brow strokes with it." The pencil, which comes in eight different shades, has an ultra-fine 0.9mm tip with a long-wearing waterproof and transfer-proof formula.
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Best Cheek Product According to Ariel Tejada
Huda Beauty Blush Filter Soft Glow Liquid Blush ($21)
"Huda Beauty just came out with new matte luminous blushes that I am obsessed with," says Tejada. The liquid blushes are user-friendly with a buildable and forgiving pigment that seamlessly blends into the skin. It comes in five radiant finish shades.
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Best Lip Product According to Ariel Tejada
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm ($24)
"I love Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balms and how hydrating they are. It feels like a lip mask, but it's so easy to put on. I don't love lip balms or lip masks where I have to dip into a pot," he says. This vegan tinted lip balm contains shea and murumuru seed butters for a conditioning feel. It comes in eight flattering shades and flavors. Check out our review of the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm for more information.
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Best Product For Dry Skin According to Ariel Tejada
Mixsoon Soybean Milk Serum ($29, originally $38)
"I like using Mixsoon Soybean Milk Serum before my makeup routine. I use it under the complexion products and it helps retain moisture," he says. It's formulated with fermented soybean, ginseng, rice, ceramides, and potato extracts to help plump the skin and restore its barrier.
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Best Mascara According to Ariel Tejada
Lancôme Lash Idôle Lash-Lifting & Volumizing Waterproof Mascara ($30)
"My favorite mascara is Lancôme Lash Idôle Lash-Lifting & Volumizing Waterproof Mascara. The lengthening effect and the fullness it gives makes it an overall good mascara. I can count on it whenever something else isn't working. The mascara gives a nice lift, plus the waterproof formula really helps to hold the curl – even if you jump into a pool," he says. This mascara creates a fully fanned-out volume with no flaking, and it's safe for those with sensitive eyes or contact lenses.
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Best Concealer According to Ariel Tejada
Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating + De-puffing Concealer ($32)
"The formula is so creamy, plus it has a lot of skin care ingredients that I am obsessed with, which helps with breakouts. It's actually healing your skin while you're wearing the makeup, and then you don't feel gross about wearing it all day, which is great," he says. This concealer has a non-comedogenic formula containing niacinamide and fermented arnica, which helps to keep the skin balanced and hydrated while soothing redness and irritation.
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Best Product For Oily Skin According to Ariel Tejada
Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Baking & Setting Powder ($38)
"If your skin is super dehydrated, then your skin will try to compensate and create more oil. If your skin is already hydrated and prepped properly before and you use a mattifying product, you'll get the longevity of the look," Tejada says. "Huda Beauty's Easy Bake Loose Baking & Setting Powder is a great thing to have on hand if you have oily skin and need a touch-up of setting powder. Also, carrying around a blotting powder will be your best friend. I love the Fenty Beauty Invisimatte Instant Setting + Blotting Powder ($37). It doesn't add makeup or volume to the face, it just takes away the oil."
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Best Setting Product According to Ariel Tejada
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder ($43, originally $47)
"An all time classic that I will never get rid of is Laura Mercier Setting Powder, and it universally works on everyone," Tejada says. Available in four shades, this lightweight loose powder helps set makeup for up to 16 hours and helps control shine. It's finely milled so the powder blends into your complexion seamlessly.
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Best Foundation According to Ariel Tejada
Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation ($69)
"I am always changing what I use and am a little all over the place when it comes to foundation, but something that will never get old is Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation. No one can crack the code on this formula, it is just iconic – if I ever have to depend on one foundation, this is the one," Tejada says. The oil-free foundation offers a medium buildable coverage with a natural, skin-like finish.
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Best Eyeshadow Palette According to Ariel Tejada
Patrick Ta Major Dimension Eyeshadow Palette ($70)
"I love a good neutral palette – Patrick Ta has really good palettes, like the Major Dimension Eyeshadow Palette," Tejada says. The versatile palette has two cream bases and an array of velvety matte and shimmery metallic eyeshadows that are pigmented yet blendable. You can do a simple wash of color or go multidimensional and glam.
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Best Makeup Brushes According to Ariel Tejada
Morphe x Ariel Signature Look 12-Piece Face & Eye Brush Set ($98)
"My collab with Morphe – they are the best brushes that ever existed. Makeup has always felt like sculpting, and with the right tools your vision can come to life," Tejada says. The 12-piece set features weighted stiletto tapered handles and a smooth, semi-matte design for easy control. It comes with a range of face and eye brushes made from both natural and synthetic bristles, as well as a blending sponge.
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Anvita Reddy is an assistant editor for PS Shopping. She has a passion for products and is an avid reviewer of everything including furniture, mattresses, home gadgets, cookware, tech, and more. Having dealt with acne as a teenager and into adulthood, her expertise lies in beauty. She has tried and tested plenty of skin care, makeup, hair care, and countless other beauty products.