Celebrity Makeup Artist Daniel Martin Shares His Beauty Recs
Daniel Martin, Meghan Markle's Makeup Artist, Shares His Go-To Products
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The Expert Edit features interviews with specialists about the products they swear by in their chosen field. For this installment, we spoke with Daniel Martin — a celebrity makeup artist and Tatcha's Global Director of Artistry who has worked with the likes of Meghan Markle, Jessica Alba, Michelle Yeoh, and Priyanka Chopra. He shares his top makeup and skin-care recommendations ahead.
Although the world of makeup is highly saturated with creators, product launches, and of course, makeup artists, there's no one in the industry quite like Daniel Martin. The Vietnamese and French makeup artist first gained notoriety as the genius behind Meghan Markle's glowy wedding day makeup in 2018, but he was a well-established artist before that viral moment. His love for makeup runs deep, beyond a sharp contour or glass-skin finish. "It wasn't just about the surface, but about confidence, identity, and expression, " he tells Popsugar. "Over time, I realized that my job wasn't just to apply products but to empower people, and that's what keeps me passionate about it every single day."
This deeper sense of purpose has been clear in Martin's major career moments, from being a Dior brand ambassador to being appointed as global director of artistry and education for Tatcha — the first Asian American to hold a global director position at a beauty brand. But Martin credits something far more personal as his greatest career accomplishment: "I had a client and dear friend who unfortunately is no longer with us and, upon her passing, I learned from her family that it was her dying request that I do her makeup for her burial," he says. "I honored her wishes, and that was the biggest validation to me as a makeup artist." This love for people speaks to his ethos of being all about the artistry, rather than idolizing the status of his clients: "Doing makeup for celebrities isn't any different than anyone else; these particular women just happen to be famous and I have a long-standing relationship with them."
Though Martin has amassed an impressive résumé during his two-plus decades in the field, he's still breaking new ground. He's worked with Savannah College of Art and Design to direct their fashion show, and is working on a collaboration with Companion Candles, a pet-friendly candle company, that's set to launch this fall.
And of course, Martin boasts his own insanely glowy skin, so we just had to get his recommendations on all things skin care and makeup. From his favorite LED mask that helped him conquer acne to the secret product he's used on the Duchess for years (hint: Tatcha), keep reading for the beauty staples he can't live without.
Daniel Martin's Favorite Eyeliner Gel
Inglot AMC Eyeliner Gel ($22)
Looking to perfect your eyeliner routine? Martin swears by this eyeliner gel from Inglot that creates precise lines on the lash line. "It doesn't budge and has so many incredible shades to choose from," he says.
Daniel Martin's Go-To Lip Liner
Mac Lip Liner Pencil ($25)
This lip liner from the household beauty brand is a mainstay in Martin's makeup kit. Its smooth, creamy texture doesn't skip or drag, and comes in 20-plus shades for any kind of glam.
Daniel Martin's Go-To Neck Mask
Knesko Diamond Radiance Neck and Decollete Mask ($47)
Preparing the skin is an important part of Martin's routine, and this collagen neck mask from Knesko is a staple in his kit. "My clients love these masks to help tighten and firm the skin before the red carpet," he says. "You definitely see the results immediately."
Daniel Martin's Favorite Serum
Tatcha The Serum Stick Treatment & Touch Up Balm ($49)
One of the keys to Martin's makeup technique? Skin care first. He keeps this serum balm from Tatcha in his arsenal, citing it as his "everything stick to hydrate, fix makeup, and mix medium for makeup." With ingredients like Japanese lemon balm and the brand's signature Hadasei-3 to reduce the appearance of lines and bring restoration to the skin, we totally understand why it's his favorite.
Daniel Martin's Lipstick Essential
Rouge Dior Refillable Lipstick ($50)
Martin always keeps Dior's iconic lipstick in his makeup kit, in the shade 999. It contains hydrating ingredients like red peony, pomegranate flower extracts, and shea butter to nourish your lips in addition to giving them a radiant, luxe finish.
Daniel Martin's Bronzing Essential
Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream ($60)
Martin loves this bronzer for its glowy finish, which leaves anyone looking simply sun-kissed. Its noncomedogenic formula also helps avoid clogged pores and breakouts.
Daniel Martin's Favorite Eye Mask
Joanna Vargas Bright Eye Firming Mask ($60)
He credits this eye mask as "the best companion to wake up tired eyes for an early call time." Thanks to ingredients like hydrolyzed silk protein and hyaluronic acid, your skin is bound to feel hydrated and brightened.
Daniel Martin's Go-To Moisturizer
Tatcha The Dewy Milk Moisturizer ($64)
Tatcha's green tea-infused moisturizer is one product Martin suggests every makeup artist should have in their kit, and it was the secret to Markle's effortless, glowy makeup. "Less is more, so I hydrate her gorgeous skin with the Dewy Milk Moisturizer and then spot-treat her complexion using a small, fluffy brush with foundation to balance it out rather than cover up," he says.
Daniel Martin's Go-To Concealer
Sisley Paris Phyto-Cernes Éclat Concealer ($135)
In case you were on the hunt for an FSA- and HSA-eligible concealer, look no further than this one from Sisley Paris. Martin's been using it for almost 10 years, noting that it brightens and conceals beautifully.
Daniel Martin's Go-To LED Mask
Shark CryoGlow Red Blue & Infrared IQLED Face Mask & Under Eye Cooling ($349)
In addition to his love for Tatcha products, Martin keeps this LED mask from Shark Beauty in his repertoire. Through QLED technology, this device provides treatments of red, blue, and deep infrared light that work to visibly tighten the undereye area and give you a smoother complexion. "It's the first LED face mask that fits comfortably on my big face, and the LED light has helped my acne," he says.
Daniel Martin's Go-To Facial Sculpting Device
Shani Darden Facial Sculpting Wand ($399)
Apart from products that lock in moisture, Martin often uses this facial sculpting wand from Shani Darden on his clients during skin prep. The first-of-its-kind device uses sound-wave technology to target skin concerns like crow's feet, fine lines, and wrinkles, ultimately giving you a firmer, smoother appearance.
Naomi Parris is an assistant shopping editor at Popsugar, based in New York. With over eight years of experience and previous roles held on the brand's Beauty and Operations teams, she enjoys telling stories that merge fashion, beauty, and Black culture. Naomi has also lent her skillful pen to Essence Girls United, Elle, Bustle, and Elite Daily. When she's not crafting shopping roundups, high-profile features, beauty op-eds, or trend guides, you can find Naomi behind her blog "Eli-Nay," where she inspires readers through style guides, cultural pieces, and innovative content on her Instagram.
