Makeup artists often use a wide variety of tools and products from both consumer and professional brands, and some become favorite go-to items on shoots. Just like packaging influences consumer purchases, pro makeup artists often like a specific product based on its package — and whether or not it makes the product easier to use on the job.

Kerry Herta, a makeup artist and founder of Colour Box Makeup Studios where she is an instructor, created the look shown above for American Horror Story’s Apocalypse campaign. She tells us which products she used — and which types of packaging she appreciates when she’s on set. (Click to the second photo above to see some of the products used to create the look for the television show’s ad.)

During the shoot for the campaign photo above, Herta prepped the model’s skin using Koh Gen Do’s Spa Cleansing Water, Ceramiracle’s First Light The Serum, and Veil Cosmetics Sunset Light Primer. Herta says she appreciates glass packaging, which Ceramiracles uses for its serums. “The clear glass dropper is perfect for seeing exactly how much product you are about to use,” she says.

Herta applied Veil Cosmetics Sunset Skin Foundation along with the brand’s new AutoMatte, a mattifying touch-up base. “Not only is Veil’s new AutoMatte amazing, but I love the small flat sponge that it comes with. It works well for working the product into the skin.”

To create the painted side of the face, Herta chose Kat Von D Beauty’s Lock-It Foundation, followed by European Body Arts Endura Pro Airbrush Paint to create a pale opaque look. A smoky eye was achieved using Rituel De Fille’s Ash and Ember Eye Soot in Obsidian, along with purple’s from Viseart’s #08 Editorial palette.

On the brows, Herta brushed in Kat Von D Beauty White Out Super Brow Pomade. Herta also applied Mademoiselle’s silk lashes with LaTweez lighted tweezers — then whitened them up using Kat von D’s White Out again. “Good tweezers are essential — and these from LaTweez are perfectly shaped for precision,” says Herta. She adds, “I love that they come with a case, which keeps them in alignment. And the light is fantastic for finding the tiniest stray hairs.”

The purple side of the lips is Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Roxy, while the white side is the brand’s Studded Kiss White Out Crème Mixer. Lose the Halo Lip Concealer by Sigma Beauty was also used, to help prevent feathering. 

Herta is an instructor at Colour Box Makeup Studios. She led a team that won a Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild award earlier this year for their work on American Horror Story’s Cult campaign.

Photo above: (1) American Horror Story Apocalypse, courtesy of FX; Kerry Herta creating the look.

Second photo in the slider above: Ceremiracle First Light The Serum; LaTweez lighted tweezers; Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Roxy; Kat Von D White Out Super Brow Pomade (top); Veil Cosmetics AutoMatte; Veil Cosmetics Sunset Skin Foundation