Ladies, in this industry, its important to carry around a makeup bag for any occasion. Being prepared for any circumstance shows great organization skills. For example, if your MUA is late or unavailable, you can do yourself up the best you can with your own make up. Or if your MUA cant seem to find a match for your skin tone with foundation, you can just use your own. Or if you prefer to use your own make up you could certainly do that. Or if you need to do touch ups yourself etc. Usually, MUAs are professional and these instances are the very worst case scenario. Plus, MUAs like to use their own make up brand so you can show case it to the public and then people can ask where you got your make up done. Great publicity But like I said, its always good to be prepared.

So here are some essential items to have in your make up bag:

1. A gentle make up remover. (I recommend suggest facial wipes but cotton buds and tissues are good too)

2. Face moisturizer (make sure that your moisturizer isnt too oily. The oil shows during photo shoots and video shoots).

3. Make up brushes! Its good to have a kit of all the different brushes.

4. Lip moisturizer (blistex or vaseline is a good choice here), lip sticks and lip liners.

5. Contour, blushes, and concealers.

6. Eye shadow palettes. Make sure to have a variety of choices, from natural to smoky!

7. Natural foundations and primers. Its good to have eye primers and skin primers. Usually you can find foundations that have primers built into them already.

8. Suncreen. SPF is very important! But its hard to blend a very oily and creamy sunscreen with your make up so I recommend getting a foundation or face primer that includes a good amount of SPF in it. That way, itll blend and protect you at the same time.

9. Mascara, eye liner, fake lashes.

10. Nail polish. Usually, nails should be natural. But in the event that your nails should be painted, bring a nude colour and a bold colour like red. You never know.

The following arent make up items but they should be included in your make up bag:

11. Hair spray and dry shampoo.

12. Hair elastics, bobby pins, hair straightener and hair curler.

13. Tweezers and an eye brow brush.

These items are basics to start with, but if you have anything else you think is important and you wish to add, by all means go for it! The more the merrier.

Auditions are crucial for actors as it makes or breaks their careers. Here are a few tips to successfully impress a casting director so you can ace those auditions!

1. Be prepared!

– It is very important that you know what exactly your auditioning for. Know your monologue inside and out. Be one with your character. Also be prepared to perform any requested material from your casting director.

– Make sure that you fit the part. If the casting director is looking for a 60 year old, grumpy and intimidating grandma, dont show up if you happen to be all peppy and if you look young. Make sure you are exactly what they are looking for because they probably wont change the whole script just for you.

– That being said, make sure you have read and understood the guidelines of the audition. Adhere to them and you should be okay.

– Bring head shots and a resume. Even if they say they dont need one, bring one just in case. Its always better to be prepared and organized!

2. Be a Pro!

– Punctuality and reliability go hand in hand for casting directors. If you show up for your audition 15 minutes early, this already shows a great first impression!

– Be polite and be courteous. No casting director wants to cast a rude and arrogant diva, no  matter how talented you may be.

3. Dress to impress

– Do not wear costumes, sports wear or casual wear. Act as though this audition is a job interview. Dress business casual unless otherwise specified.

– Ladies, if your going to wear heels, make sure you can walk confidently in them. Make sure they dont hurt your feet.

These tips should help you impress any casting director! Good luck to all those auditioning for parts this week !