Makeup Essentials For Beginners: Tips To Build Your First Makeup Kit

As beginners, starting out with makeup can be overwhelming. I have been using makeup for more than 10 years, and each year I learn new things. There is a ton of information online on how to apply makeup. If you watch makeup tutorials it is easy to fall into a rabbit hole. You think you need to buy everything.The amount of products available on the market can confuse you further. 

If you have decided to start with makeup it means you are taking a step to invest in yourself. And I think that’s awesome. Leveling up in your makeup game can make you feel more empowered and confident. For many women makeup is a regular part of their day. While many others may feel discouraged to use makeup, one reason being that they think they can't do makeup. Let me tell you anyone can do makeup. As a beginner you may be tempted to give up sometimes, but keep going. Keep figuring out what works for you and slowly you will get a hang of it.

I’m going to help you in your makeup journey by sharing some tips to build your first makeup kit. We will discuss some makeup essentials for beginners to help you figure out what will work best for you. 

Don't skip on primer

As a beginner I never used primer. Mainly because I did not understand the importance of using one. Primers are a great way to smooth out any texture on the skin, give a radiant glow and help the foundation last longer. The type of primer you want to go for depends on what your skin needs. For example, if you have an oily skin then you will need a primer that mattifies your skin. There are tons of primers available on the market targeting specific skin issues.

If you are confused about which primer you need, you can consult beauty experts in stores like Sephora or Ulta who can help you out. You can go for a drugstore or high-end brand depending on your budget. My personal favorite is the Benefit Cosmetics POREfessional Face Primer as it works well for my skin issues like pores and uneven texture. 

Use a color collector only if needed 

Color correcting is important to even out the color of your skin. Your face may have various discolorations which need to be corrected before going in with concealer or foundation. Each color has a purpose and it is as follows:

Green corrector - Reduces redness

Peach corrector - Reduces dark circles and spots

Lavender corrector - Reduces yellowness and sallowness

Yellow corrector - Reduces dullness and redness

I use a peach color corrector as I have mild dark circles underneath my eyes. After applying the peach color corrector I go in with concealer. It's important to note that you may not need color correcting. As I have mild dark circles, sometimes a certain shade of concealer with a slightly peach or yellow undertone can cover them up. On the other hand some concealer shades can make my under eye look ashy. So again this depends on the discoloration you have. If the concealer or foundation does not cover it then you may need a color corrector. 

My go to corrector is the L.A. Girl HD Pro Conceal in Peach Corrector.

Pick the right foundation and concealer shades

To pick the right foundation and concealer shades you need to know the undertones of your skin. If you know your foundation shade then you pick up a concealer shade based on it. You can pick a concealer with a similar shade of your foundation or a shade darker than it to cover any blemishes. If you want to highlight your cheekbones, chin or forehead you will need a concealer shade lighter than your actual shade.

You may struggle at first to find what works for you. The easiest way to find your shade is to take help from a beauty professional in stores. That is how I found the right shade of concealer for myself. You may come across many articles or videos online that guide you to pick the right shade, however, it may not work for you. The best way is to try out different shades to figure out what works for you.

Use a cream blush for a natural finish

You need a blush to bring some color back to your face. There are many types of blushes like liquid, powder and cream. If you want a more natural and blended look go for cream blushes. Cream blushes can melt into the skin and can add some color to your face without too looking overpowering. You can use a powder blush on top of it to make it long lasting. 

For an everyday look, a blush is enough to add color and give some shape to your face. You can skip on contour or bronzer and just use a blush for a natural look. My current favorite blush is the Rare Beauty’s Stay Vulnerable Melting Cream Blush. 

Pick a bronzer over contour

Contouring can be overwhelming for a beginner. For an everyday look you don't really need contour. You can just use a bronzer to give some shape to your face and to warm it up. For a daytime look contour can sometimes look a bit harsh or excessive. If you want to contour then you will need slightly cool toned shades to contour with. But if you want to keep it soft and subtle, just a bronzer should do. Go for a bronzing powder depending on your skin tone and you should be good. 

My go to bronzer is the Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Bronzer. There are of course many drugstore bronzers as well, for more inexpensive options. 

Go for a neutral eyeshadow palette

Eyeshadow is my favorite part of makeup. As a beginner I remember my first eyeshadow palette was from Makeup Revolution. I used that palette a lot to learn how to do eye makeup. Now, I have quite a collection of eyeshadows that I’m grateful for. When it comes to eyeshdows you can go for any palette you love. Or like me you can go for an inexpensive palette to learn eye makeup. If you are not sure just go for any neutral tones that can help you define your crease. 

You can also contour your eyes simply by using a bronzer, you don’t really need a palette. If you are just looking to define your crease for a simple day time look just go for some neutral shades. If you are not interested in eyeshadows you can just skip this part.

I really love the Elf Bite Sized Eyeshadow palettes, my favorite is Cream & Sugar. I think this is perfect for beginners and it has a decent formula. 

Use a setting powder 

Powder can help your makeup stay in place and prevent your face from getting oily. How you use the powder depends on your skin. I cannot use too much powder as my skin is very dry. So I use a very little amount of powder to set my under eye, and in my T-zone. The purpose is to prevent my under eye from creasing and keep my T-zone from getting oily.

If you want to bake then you can do that. But for everyday look I dont think it's needed. Using powder strategically can make your look very natural. If you are confused about which powder you want to go for, I feel loose powder is better to keep your makeup in place while making it look natural. I love the Maybelline Loose Fit Me Powder, it is my go to. 

Eyeliner and Mascara

Many beginners would be a little intimidated about creating a wing. Trust me I have been doing that for years and it's rarely perfect. You don't have to do a wing, you can just use an eyeliner to frame your eyes. For me eyeliner is an essential part of my makeup kit. There are various types of eyeliners like liquid, gel or pencil. You can go for whichever you prefer. I feel pencil is the easiest to use. 

Mascara just elevates the look of your eyes, so always have this in your kit. Even if I go out without any makeup, I will definitely put on mascara. This is an important item to have in your kit.

Get your brows on

There are a ton of options available for your brows. The easiest way to start is with a brow pencil.

To keep them in place use any brow gel. This is all you need. 

Perfect Pout 

You will need a few shades of lipstick depending on what you prefer. Everyday nudes are easy to find

but ensure that it compliments your skin tone. And keep a red lipstick for special date nights.

Fix It!

Definitely have a setting spray in your make kit. You can not only use this to set your makeup, but also carry it when you are on the go and feel like you need to refresh your makeup. I have been using MAC’s Fix Plus for years now. You can go for any setting spray you like. My current favorite is the Rare Beauty’s Always An Optimist Prime and Set Mist.

You will need some tools

Lastly, your makeup kit is incomplete without some beauty tools. You don't have to buy a ton of brushes. I would suggest going for a beauty sponge as this is a great tool to apply your base. Along with that you can go for a brush set that has a few assortment of brushes for different purposes. Don't go for expensive brush sets, drugstore brushes will do. Later, when you know how to use and maintain them you can try other expensive options. 

Another important tool you need is an eyelash curler. For a beginner, this can seem a bit scary but once you use it, it's not. It instantly lifts up your lashes so that a mascara can curl them properly. 

And there you have it. Hopefully, this list was not too much. Remember to get better at makeup you just need to find out what works best for you. As you start doing your makeup you will figure it out. You do not need a ton of makeup products in your kit, just a few essentials and you are good to go!