Celebrity Makeup Artist Keita Moore Product Recommendations

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 Keita Moore about his beauty product recommendations.

Celebrity makeup artist Keita Moore has worked with the likes of Iman, Janelle Monáe, Adut Akech, Tessa Thompson, and Yara Shahidi. Hailing from Rochester, NY, where he worked at the MAC counter for a year, he met reality TV stars who assured him of his talent and encouraged him to build his brand in Manhattan. “My primary goal was to offer something new in an industry that is rather hard to break into for a Black artist,” Moore tells PS. “As I grew, I walked on sets and [into] rooms knowing that I had to display amazing work to represent, and helped open doors for artists who weren’t in those rooms as much.”

Moore’s experience behind the scenes has brought him to Met Gala gigs, Fashion Week (he’s currently gearing up for jobs in New York, Milan, and Paris), and plenty of red carpets where he’s been trusted to provide the final touch for his clients before they stepped in front of the camera. “Celebrities can be quite different from what you see on screen,” Moore says. “Most of the time, they’re looking for good energy to be around. They appreciate great makeup skills, but positive energy is a huge bonus. Glam time often becomes a safe space to bond, share thoughts, and let their hair down.”

“Glam time often becomes a safe space [for celebrities] to bond, share thoughts, and let their hair down.”

So it’s no surprise that a lot of the essentials Moore carries with him include basic essentials like Benadryl, double-sided tape, and Tide sticks — none of which are directly related to makeup on paper. After all, Moore notes that the getting-ready experience is about striking a balance between fashion and beauty. “It’s a harmony: sometimes the gown is the focal point, so hair and makeup are kept simple; other times, when the styling is understated, the makeup or hair needs to stand out.”

It can be a stressful gig, but Moore remains devoted to himself and his mental health by meditating before and after work, taking vitamins and herbs, staying hydrated, and getting eight hours of sleep. In addition to sharing beauty product recommendations with PS, he also has advice for breaking into the industry: “Practice your craft first. Do as much makeup as you can so that you can fine-tune your artistry. Do some assisting, and while assisting, learn how the key artist works the room and works with their clients.”

Ahead, see what Moore has consistently kept in his pocket as he’s bettered his skills and creativity to make great strides in his career.