We asked a makeup artist what's always in her kit - and this 'scary' product came out on top

Nothing excites us beauty journalists more than a sneak peek inside a professional makeup artist's kit.

And Caroline Barnes, the MUA behind some of the red carpet's most luminous complexions (think Pixie Lott, Erin Doherty and Sandra Hüller), has revealed the three that never leave hers. Top of the list? Something she admits most people find a little “scary”.

Behind the scenes at woman&home's beauty photoshoot, Barnes revealed that By Terry's Hyaluronic Hydra-Powder is one of the products she always keeps close to hand. “It feels like powdered cashmere on your complexion,” she says of the translucent setting powder, adding that the formula works across all skin tones.

And while powder is generally considered a makeup bag staple, Barnes says it's one many of us are unnecessarily wary of. “Sadly, a lot of people are scared of putting powder on. "Do not be scared,” she says. “What this very soft, light formula will do is mattify your makeup.” Rather than taking down shine everywhere, however, she recommends concentrating it on the T-zone and allowing the rest of the face to keep its natural glow.

It’s this contrast between matte and dewy makeup that Barnes says can actually make your features appear more defined. “By mattifying the T-zone area of your face, you allow your makeup to really enhance your bone structure,” she explains. “Leaving the rest of your face to shine and glow really elevates your bone structure, bringing out your natural beauty.” She recommends applying it as the final step in your makeup routine, only where it’s needed.

The other essentials in Caroline Barnes' makeup kit

Powder isn't the only product Barnes relies on. When faced with dry, flaky lips on set, she reaches for the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. “I would apply this to the lips and very gently, with a disposable mascara wand, I would just do little circular motions on the lip to lift those dead skin cells,” she explains.

She then layers on more of the mask and leaves it to work while she completes the rest of the look. “Once I’ve finished the makeup, I’ll take that off and the lips are baby soft.”

Multi-tasking products are a godsend when you’re short on kit space. And Barnes' next hero is the one of the best Tatcha products – the Serum Stick, a solid skincare serum that she uses to play with different finishes.

“I could use it on lips, use on the eye to create a soft gleam, or just to add a little bit of glass skin by applying it on the high parts of my face,” she explains. “It doesn’t look like makeup. It just kind of creates that really lovely, healthy glow.”

One thing you won't find weighing down Barnes' kit? Full-size glass bottles. With her travelling makeup kit tipping the scales at more than 50kg, she decants products into smaller containers wherever possible, recommending Muji's empty bottles and travel accessories for the job. It's a trick worth borrowing for your own holiday makeup bag, too – especially if you're trying to pack light.