Discover the essential basic Makeup list must-haves every beginner needs to know, from foundation to eyeliner, and everything in between. Learn what experts recommend for a flawless, everyday look with this beginner’s guide to the basic makeup list.
Everyone begins their journey with makeup at some point. This is why it’s crucial to begin with basic makeup list tips for beginners instead of diving straight into a cut-crease or complex contouring method. Certainly! Before diving into straightforward tips and tricks, we must assemble a reliable makeup kit.
Assembling a quality Beginner makeup kit can be challenging and daunting even for the most experienced makeup enthusiast — much less for a novice. With countless products available, it can become somewhat confusing to determine which ones are most suitable for you.
If you’re beginning your makeup adventure and seeking an effective guide, we compiled a list of essential makeup items, products, and tools for your cosmetic bag. Additionally, we reached out to professionals in the cosmetics field to determine which products rank as the very best. In this instance, Sharon Becker and Donni Davy both contributed their insights on the key items for your makeup starter kit.
What Experts Say Every Beginner Should Have in Their Makeup Kit
Discover the essential makeup must-haves every beginner needs to know, from foundation to eyeliner, and everything in between. Learn what experts recommend for a flawless, everyday look with this beginner’s guide to the basic makeup list. Certainly! Here is the rewritten content with optimized usage of the keyword “best makeup for beginners,” formatted with headings and bullet points for your Word document:
Starting with Makeup: The Essentials
When it comes to makeup, everyone has to start somewhere. It’s crucial to follow beginner makeup tips rather than diving straight into advanced techniques like cut-creases or intricate contouring. Before mastering these skills, you need a well-rounded make-up essentials kit.
Assembling a good makeup kit can be challenging and overwhelming, especially for beginners. With so many products available, it’s easy to get confused about which ones are best for you.
If you’re new to makeup and need guidance, we’ve compiled a list of essential items for your makeup kit. We consulted makeup experts Sharon Becker and Donni Davy to identify the best makeup for beginners.
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Meet the Experts
- Sharon Becker: Manhattan-based makeup artist
- Donni Davy: Emmy-winning makeup director for HBO’s *Euphoria* and co-founder of Half Magic Beauty
Continue reading to discover the best makeup for beginners, as recommended by the experts.
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You can rely on us to assure you that they are not only user-friendly for beginners, but they’ve also undergone testing and swiftly gained popularity among professionals.
Find out precisely what essentials you should keep ready with our selections below.
1. Skin-Prepping Products
Excellent basic makeup list starts with excellent skincare. Therefore, a tidy and even canvas is consistently essential. Davy suggests beginning with a mild cleanser to wash your face, like Aveeno’s Positively Radiant Brightening Cleanser. Next, apply a lightweight moisturizer such as the iconic Embryolisse Face Cream and basic makeup list Primer — and just to clarify: Yes, moisturizer is essential for every skin type. Always apply your moisturizer followed by an SPF — Davy prefers Elta MD UV Clear SPF 46. Just before application, Davy recommends incorporating an extra layer of moisture using Evian Water Facial Mist. With your skin now clean, hydrated, and prepared, you’re set to apply your makeup.
Great makeup starts with excellent skincare. For a clean and smooth canvas, Davy recommends using:
- Aveeno Positively Radiant Brightening Cleanser: A gentle facial cleanser.
- Embryolisse Face Cream and Makeup Primer: A lightweight moisturizer suitable for all skin types.
- Elta MD UV Clear SPF 46: Essential sunscreen to protect your skin.
- Evian Water Facial Mist: Provides an extra layer of hydration before applying makeup.
Pro tip: Davy suggests using the Evian facial mist to dampen makeup sponges, avoiding chemicals from tap water.
2. Concealer and Foundation
Are you dealing with dark circles or blemishes under your eyes? Don’t worry, since a high-coverage cream concealer such as the Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancers or the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer can deliver buildable coverage that appears entirely natural—without a cakey appearance.
Since skin color can vary with the seasons, Davy advises having multiple foundation shades. For a perfect match, mix shades as needed. Recommended products include:
- Make Up Forever Ultra HD Foundation: Offers 24-hour wear and comes in 50 shades.
- Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancers and NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer: Both provide high coverage for dark circles and blemishes with a natural finish.
3. Brown Pencil, Powder, and Gel
Eyebrows are a key feature on your face. Becker recommends:
- CoverGirl Micro Fine Fill + Define Eyebrow Pencil: For shaping and filling in brows.
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Powder Brow Duo: For tinting and filling gaps.
- NYX Eyebrow Mascara: To shape and hold brows in place.
4. Eyeliner and Mascara
If you’re looking to experiment with color — in the style of Euphoria — Davy suggests trying the ColourPop Gel Liner Vault. Complete your appearance with a colored mascara, such as Benefit’s Bad Gal Bang Mascara.
“To elevate to more vivid shades, consider applying an electric blue, orange, or bright purple solely to your upper lashes,” suggests Davy, who is clearly familiar with bold hues. “I really enjoy a vivid-colored water line, which is likely the simplest and fastest method to introduce a splash of color.”
Beginners should start with mascara and eyeliner instead of false lashes. Both experts recommend:
- L’Oréal Voluminous Mascara: Known for its consistency and effectiveness.
- Chanel Cream Eyeliner and Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner: For long-lasting eye definition.
- ColourPop Gel Liner Vault: For experimenting with color.
- Benefit Bad Gal Bang Mascara: For a pop of color.
Tip: Davy suggests bright colors on the upper lashes or waterline for a vibrant look.
5. Lip Balm and Lip Color
When aiming for a striking lip, much like you prepare your entire face, it’s essential to ensure a solid foundation. Davy utilizes the Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Swivel Stick. For a touch of color, she mentions her fondness for the MAC Cosmetics Pro Lip Palettes, featuring six color choices in a single palette. Becker’s top picks are ColourPop’s lipsticks that are vegan, cruelty-free, and very affordable.
For a bold lip, start with a good base and color:
- Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Swivel Stick: A moisturizing lip balm.
- MAC Cosmetics Pro Lip Palettes: Offers six color options in one palette.
- ColourPop Lipsticks: Budget-friendly and cruelty-free.
6. Brushes, Sponges, and Q-tips
To apply your makeup effectively, it’s essential to utilize the appropriate tools. The iconic Beautyblender is ideal for seamlessly blending foundations, blush, and concealer. Davy additionally suggests a high-quality brush set — her preferred choice is the Luxie Brushes. For accurate eye basic makeup list, Davy suggests the Eyeconic Eye Set. For a more affordable choice, Becker suggests that e.l.f. brushes are “excellent beginner brushes” — consider the Flawless Face Six Piece Brush Collection.
Proper tools are essential for applying makeup:
- Beautyblender: Ideal for blending foundations, blush, and concealer.
- Luxie Brushes: A quality brush set recommended by Davy.
- e.l.f. Brushes: A budget-friendly option with a Flawless Face Six-Piece Brush Collection.
- Pointed Q-tips: Useful for correcting mistakes and precision work.
7. Blush, Bronzer, and Highlighter
Add color and glow to your face with:
- Make Up Forever Ultra HD Cream Blush: For a natural flush.
- Glossier Haloscope Highlighter Stick: Adds a radiant glow.
- The Balm Blush, Highlighter, and Bronzer Trio: A compact option for all-in-one application.
8. Eyeshadow Palette
Prime your eyelids before applying eyeshadow:
- Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion: Prevents creases and keeps eyeshadow in place.
- ColourPop Bare Necessities Palette: A versatile palette with neutral shades.
9. Setting Products
To ensure your makeup lasts:
- Indeed Lab’s Nanoblur: Mattifies oily areas.
- Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder: A classic setting powder.
- Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray and NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray: For a final touch that helps makeup last all day.
10. Makeup Remover
To remove makeup at the end of the day:
- Simple Cleansing Wipes: For gentle and effective makeup removal.
- L’Oréal Clean Artiste Eye Makeup Remover: To thoroughly remove eye makeup.