The Under-$30 Mascara/Eyeliner Combo Beyoncé’s Makeup Artist Swears By for Making Even the Thinnest Lashes Look Super Dense

Sir John isn’t big on brand names. When he’s putting makeup on stars like Beyonce, Joan Smalls, and Karlie Kloss, he’s using labelless pots so he can’t see the name of the product unless he looks at the bottom. “To a certain extent, eyeshadow is eyeshadow, and pressed powders are pressed powders,” he says. But when it comes to eyeliner and mascara, he plays favorites, and has a few go-to products he swears by for faking the appearance of super-dense lashes.

“When we were doing concerts, I had to find products that would last during two hours of sweating and moving,” says Sir John, who just launched an online workshop through Sessions by MasterClass where he teaches techniques in 30-days. “I found a couple of products that have saved me and I continue to just use them again and again.”

On the eyeliner front, he relies on a duo of formulas from MAC: the Technakohl pencil ($19) and the Prolongwear Fluidline Eyeliner and Brow Gel ($19), both in black. “Those two have saved my life, time and time again,” he says.

MAC Technakohl — $19.00

MAC Prolongwear Fluidline Eyeliner and Brow Gel — $19.00

He starts with the Technakohl pencil. “I’m a huge advocate of tightlining,” he says. “It’s not comfortable, but you take your pencil and line your upper lash line right underneath.” This is also a super helpful step if you’re applying falsies and want a super seamless look (but, as you’ll learn, fake lashes certainly aren’t a necessity). “I have a pet peeve—I just don’t like to see skin under the lash once you have lashes on, so tightlining kind of remedies that problem.”

Tightlining alone “makes your lashes look so dense,” he says, so you can stop there. But if you want more of a glam look, grab the Fluidline pot next. “I’ll go on top of the lash line with a skinny brush ($5) and then give a beautiful line. That is the way to get the most three-dimensional eyes.”

Finish off the look with the mascara. “You’ve got to have a good mascara. I do love the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Mascara ($10),” says Sir John, who serves as the brand’s creative director.

L'Oréal Voluminous Mascara — $10.00

“It’s my favorite mascara,” he says of the product. He loves it because it doesn’t flake and can withstand sweat and a few tears. It also applies beautifully.

“Whenever you’re looking for a mascara, you have to look at two things: the wiper system and the brush,” he says (FYI: The “wiper system” is the spot inside the tube where you wipe off extra product from the spoolie before you apply). “You can have a great brush, but if the wiper system takes off too much product, you’re not going to get that hit. And I feel like this one from L’Oreal really allows enough mascara on the brush, but the brush still gives you separation and a lot of volume.”

Just a few swipes and you’ll have thick, full-looking lashes that can withstand whatever your day entails.

Want to be the first to hear about the latest (and greatest) SHOP product drops, custom collections, discounts, and more? Sign up to have the intel delivered straight to your inbox.