The ultimate guide for a makeup newbie

For a makeup beginner, choosing what to buy and getting started can be really difficult and leaves a bit of room to experiment. Especially now you need to look your best every day, all the time.

Gone are the days when a simple lip gloss and a little khol were enough for the day. Cleopatra is said to have bathed in goat’s milk and honey to look her best. We are all aware of the ancient connection between women and beauty. No wonder the cosmetics and beauty industry is a multi-million dollar company! Now you must look your best every day, at all times. The range of hair products, skin lotions, and cosmetics available today is mind-boggling. Buying, maintaining and restocking beauty products is an expensive affair. After all, vanity has a price. And all the available options can be overwhelming for a total beginner.

If you walk into a store like Sephora or Ulta and feel overwhelmed, it’s probably safe to say that you are fairly new to the makeup world. For a beginner, makeup can be quite intimidating. Today there is a huge selection of products available that often confuse newcomers. “What does that do?” “What do I need this for?” The choice seems endless. And most of the time, you end up buying something that doesn’t work for you. Do not worry. Makeup, like many things, involves trial and error and a lot of practice, but a little help never hurts. We’ve compiled a “makeup starter kit” of affordable essentials that every newbie needs to fully immerse themselves in the makeup world.

Primer

A primer, although not always essential, will help makeup to apply smoothly and increase its longevity. When choosing a primer, it’s important to consider your skin type. If you have dry skin, you want something hydrating and luminous. If you have oily skin with larger pores, you will want something mattifying and blending.

BB Cream / Makeup Base

If you’re new to makeup, try a BB cream before diving into the foundation realm. BB creams, or “beauty balm,” provide light coverage and don’t feel heavy like some foundations. In general, they are a good way to allow your skin to get used to the feeling of wearing makeup. Like primers, knowing your skin type is important when choosing a BB cream.

Concealer

Even if you have doubts about wearing face makeup for the first time, a concealer is a must. Concealers contain more pigment than foundation and allow you to cover things like dark circles or any unwanted blemishes.

Dust

Powder is essential for setting makeup and making sure it doesn’t slip or slide throughout the day. If you have drier skin, you can usually get away without it, but if you have combination / oily skin, it is a must. The most important part of your face to fixate on is the T-zone, forehead, nose and chin, as this is the area that produces the most amount of fat.

Tan

Bronzer lets you fake that tanned glow all year long. It is best to apply a warm shade in the shape of a “3” to the sides of the face, hitting the forehead, cheekbones and jaw.

Blush

Blush, when applied correctly, brings life to your face. A good way to choose a perfect blush is to select a color that mimics your natural blush. Peach tones tend to look best on those with warm skin, while pink tones favor those with cool skin.

Highlighter pen

It’s not a necessary step, but if you want to achieve that beautiful inside-lit glow, you will need a highlighter. Highlighters are light, shimmering champagne or gold-toned powders or liquids.

Eyebrow pencil

Your eyebrows frame your face and can seriously change your entire appearance. That is why it is important that they look neat and neat.

Eyeshadow primer

An eye primer is absolutely essential if you want your eyeshadows to look amazing all day. Eye primers prevent eyeshadows from wrinkling, make them look more vibrant, and help them blend smoothly and blend easily.

Neutral Eyeshadow Palette

Neutral eyeshadows are the most basic and essential thing a makeup beginner needs in their kit. In general, light shades should be applied to the eyelid, inner corner, and brow bone, midtones to the crease, and dark shades to the outer corner and lower lash line.

Eyeliner pencil

Eyeliner pencils can intensify any look and make your eyes pop. Black can be used to add a sensual, smoky effect to your look, brown is perfect for everyday definition, and nude can be used on the waterline to really open your eyes.

Liquid or gel eyeliner

A liquid or gel eyeliner will add drama and is the perfect product to show off your look from day to night. The formula you choose is your preference, however, both require some practice.

Mask

If you could only buy one product on this entire list, that should be the mascara. It’s amazing what long, full lashes can do for your face. Applying a few generous coats of mascara to your upper and lower lashes will open your eyes, brighten your face, and make you look more awake.

Lipstick

Lip liner is a great way to define your lips and increase the longevity of your lipstick.

Lipstick

For a makeup beginner, lipstick is probably the easiest way to really play around with different colors and styles. There are a variety of finishes and shades to choose from, and really, it’s all about experimenting!

Lipgloss

Lip gloss is a great way to add color and shine to your lips without having to deal with lipstick maintenance.