The Beginner's Guide to the Perfect Makeup Starter Kit!

Does your makeup bag need an update?

"What makeup should I buy?"

Makeup isn’t cheap, especially good quality ones. Through the process of building one’s kit, we waste a lot of hard earned cash on trial and error, but what if there was a recommended list of products we should check out first? After perusing the makeup bags of several of my good friends while doing their makeup, I realized that a lot of us need help out there to build their initial makeup kits and that is what this post is going to be about. This post is also useful for those with established makeup bags looking to try new makeup. Welcome to my guide to building your perfect personal makeup kit.

This is a list of products that I have loved over the years and products I have continuously turned to in rushed times. It has a mix of both drugstore and high end products to fit a reasonable budget (think of this as an investment for your face - makeup takes years and years to run out!). I think these products would work for the most and would be a great starting point to build a high quality yet affordable makeup kit.

Let’s start with the utmost essentials – the brushes.

BRUSHES

I believe the key to great makeup are great applicators. If you’ve got the right brush for the job, even with the worst products you can still create decent if not very good makeup looks.

£9.99 - Real Techniques Expert Face Brush – This brush is excellent at applying and buffing foundation
£13.50 - Sigma Tapered Blending Brush E40 - this is a dupe for the more expensive MAC 224 Brush that is excellent at blending concealer. Purchase from Amazon UK

£21.99 - Real Techniques Starter Set 1406 – this set contains all the eye makeup brushes you need. I especially love the contour brush and eyeliner brush

£9.99 x 2 – Real Techniques Blush Brush x2 – I cant seem to live without this soft brush these days, not scratchy at all. It works well for blush AND bronzer. Buy two!

£12.99 – Real Techniques Powder Brush - This massive ultra-soft powder brush makes setting foundation with powder so quick and easy

FACE

£25 - MAC Pro Longwear Foundation – as far as liquid foundation goes, this has been my favourite. It’s great for any and every occasion and makes my face look flawless. It has spectacular staying powder even in the hottest of days. Of course our skin types are all different and you might find something else that fits you, but this one’s a good starting point that should fit all. Ask a makeup artist to help you match your shade.

£22 - NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer – Fantastic long wearing concealer for dark circles and blemishes

£23.50 - Benefit Hoola Bronzer – amazing for contour

Blush – there are so many different blushes out there, I can’t recommend a particular one. They are all quite dupeable. MAC, Sleek Makeup and NARS are good brands to check out. Purchase a matte peach and a matte light pink eg. NARS Gilda Blush and MAC Pink Swoon Blush

£15 - MAC Pearl Cream Colour Base – fantastic highlighter, apply with the fingers – quick and easy!

£20 - MAC Blot Powder – powder that goes on clear. Makes an excellent setting powder and keeps shine at bay.

EYES

£15 - MAC Paint Pot – to create the perfect even skin-toned eyeshadow base – Soft Ochre for warm toned gals and Painterly for the cooler toned
£16 - Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion - a cult favourite, this product makes your eyeshadow last all day

£37 - Urban Decay Naked Palette – warm toned girls should check out the original palette and cooler toned gals should check out the Naked 2 palette

£15 - MAC Blacktrack Fluidline – for the classic longwearing ultimate black eyeliner

£10.99 - L’oreal Paris Volume Million Lashes Mascara - mascara should be changed every 6 months to prevent the build up of bacteria on the brushes which can easily transfer to your eyes. Check out L'oreal and Maybelline

£18.50 - Shiseido Eyelash Curler – for dramatic lash curls

LIPS

£7.99 - Revlon Kissable Lip Balm Stains – the original kissable lip balm stains are my favourite, but of course there are the matte and glossy varieties. Purchase a red and a nude pink shade.

There’s a run through of things you should check out if you feel your makeup bag needs a little update. You don't need to buy everything at once; you can pick them up in installments, monthly paydays, etc. Go on, bookmark this on your phone and treat yourself to a high quality makeup splurge you'll be proud of! 

Thanks for reading! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below!  Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog

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