Essential Guide to Starting Your Makeup Collection: Tips from Experts

Starting your beauty and style journey can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially with the myriad of products flooding the market. Fear not! We’ve tapped into the wisdom of top makeup artists to help you curate a basic makeup collection that’s perfect for you. Whether you’re a makeup newbie or looking to streamline your routine, here’s your ultimate guide to building a flawless makeup kit.

Prepping the Canvas: Foundation Primer

Creating a flawless makeup look starts with a good base. A primer not only smooths your skin but also ensures your makeup lasts longer. Primers are designed to create a barrier between your skin and the makeup, ensuring that your foundation applies smoothly and stays put throughout the day.

• Pro Tip: Sometimes, good skincare can be as effective as a primer. Embryolisse's Lait-Crème Concentré is a makeup artist favorite that works wonders under any complexion formula. This multi-purpose cream hydrates, primes, and even removes makeup, making it a staple in many professional kits.

Primers come in various formulas to address different skin concerns:

1. Hydrating Primers: Perfect for dry skin, these primers add moisture and prevent foundation from looking flaky. Try the Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer.
2. Mattifying Primers: Ideal for oily skin, these primers control shine and keep your foundation matte. The Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Pore Minimizing Primer is a great choice.
3. Color-Correcting Primers: These primers neutralize skin discolorations. For example, green primers counteract redness, while purple primers brighten sallow skin. The Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting Foundation Primer is a versatile option.

Perfecting Your Complexion: Foundation and Beyond

Choosing the right foundation can make all the difference. Whether you prefer a barely-there tint or full coverage, there’s something for everyone. Foundations come in various forms, including liquid, powder, cream, and stick, each offering different levels of coverage and finishes.

• Pro Tip: Use a sponge to apply your foundation for a natural, long-lasting finish. Tim Mackay, a celebrity makeup artist, swears by this technique for its flawless results. A damp makeup sponge, like the Beautyblender, helps to blend foundation seamlessly into the skin, ensuring a natural look without streaks or patches.

When selecting a foundation, consider the following:

1. Skin Type: For dry skin, opt for hydrating or dewy foundations like the NARS Sheer Glow Foundation. For oily skin, go for matte or oil-free foundations like the Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup.
2. Coverage: Light coverage foundations, such as tinted moisturizers or BB creams, are great for everyday wear. Medium to full coverage foundations are better for special occasions or for those who prefer more coverage. The Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation offers buildable coverage that looks natural both on-camera and off.
3. Undertone: Your foundation should match your skin’s undertone—whether warm, cool, or neutral. Many brands offer shades categorized by undertone, making it easier to find your perfect match.

Concealer: The Secret Weapon

Concealers are essential for hiding dark circles and blemishes, giving you a bright, fresh look. They come in various formulations and coverage levels, allowing you to address specific skin concerns.

• Pro Tip: Brittany Whitfield, a makeup artist to the stars, recommends Covergirl TruBlend Undercover Full Coverage Concealer. It’s versatile enough to double as a foundation when mixed with moisturizer. For precise application, use a small brush or your fingertip to gently blend the concealer into the skin.

When choosing a concealer, consider these tips:

1. Formula: Creamy concealers are great for under the eyes as they blend easily and provide hydration. Stick concealers offer full coverage for blemishes and other imperfections. Liquid concealers, like the Tarte Shape Tape, are versatile and can be used for both.
2. Shade: For under-eye circles, choose a concealer that is one to two shades lighter than your foundation to brighten the area. For blemishes, match the concealer to your foundation for seamless coverage.
3. Application: Apply concealer in a triangle shape under the eyes to lift and brighten the face. For blemishes, apply directly on the spot and blend the edges to match your foundation.

Brow Game Strong: Eyebrow Pencil or Gel

Your eyebrows frame your face and can dramatically enhance your overall look. Well-groomed brows add structure and balance to your features, making them a crucial part of your makeup routine.

• Pro Tip: For natural-looking brows, try Patrick Ta's Major Brow Defining Pencil. If you prefer a gel, ILIA's In Frame Brow Gel will keep every hair in place. Eyebrow pencils are perfect for filling in sparse areas with hair-like strokes, while gels tame and shape the brows, adding volume and hold.

To achieve perfect brows, follow these steps:

1. Shape: Start by determining the shape that suits your face. You can use a brow stencil or have your brows professionally shaped to create a guideline.
2. Fill: Use an eyebrow pencil to fill in sparse areas with short, hair-like strokes. Focus on the arch and tail of the brow for a natural look. The Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz is a popular choice for its fine tip and wide range of shades.
3. Set: Apply a brow gel to set the hairs in place and add volume. Clear gels like the Benefit 24-Hour Brow Setter are great for a natural look, while tinted gels can add color and fullness.

Eye-Catching Looks: Eyeshadow Essentials

Eyeshadows are incredibly versatile, allowing you to create anything from a subtle day look to a dramatic evening eye. They come in various finishes, including matte, shimmer, and metallic, each adding a different dimension to your makeup.

• Pro Tip: Start with a neutral palette like Makeup by Mario's Master Mattes. It’s perfect for everyday wear and can be amped up for special occasions. A good neutral palette will include shades for highlighting, contouring, and adding depth to the eyes.

For a well-rounded eyeshadow collection, consider these types:

1. Matte Shades: Essential for creating depth and contour in the crease and outer corners of the eyes. The Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette is a great option with versatile matte shades.
2. Shimmer Shades: Perfect for adding a touch of sparkle to the lid or inner corner. The Huda Beauty Nude Obsessions Palette offers a range of shimmer shades that complement the mattes.
3. Bold Colors: While neutrals are essential, having a few bold shades can spice up your look for special occasions. The Anastasia Beverly Hills Norvina Pro Pigment Palette features a mix of bold and neutral shades for endless creativity.

Defining Moments: Eyeliner

Eyeliner adds definition to your eyes and can be as subtle or bold as you like. It comes in various forms, including pencil, gel, and liquid, each offering different levels of precision and intensity.

• Pro Tip: For beginners, the Stila Micro Tip Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner is user-friendly and delivers precise, long-lasting results. Liquid eyeliners are perfect for creating sharp, defined lines, while pencil liners offer a softer, smudgable look.

To master eyeliner application, consider these techniques:

1. Pencil Liner: Ideal for a soft, natural look. Apply along the lash line and smudge with a brush for a smoky effect. The Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil is creamy and long-lasting.
2. Gel Liner: Offers the precision of liquid liner with the blendability of a pencil. Apply with an angled brush for a defined wing or smudge for a softer look. The Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner is a makeup artist favorite.
3. Liquid Liner: Best for creating sharp, precise lines and dramatic wings. Use short strokes to build the line gradually. The Kat Von D Tattoo Liner is renowned for its fine tip and intense black pigment.

Lash Love: Mascara and Eyelash Curler

Mascara is a staple for making your eyes pop, while an eyelash curler can enhance the effect even further. The right mascara can lengthen, volumize, and define your lashes, while a good eyelash curler lifts and curls them for a wide-eyed look.

• Pro Tip: Maybelline's Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara is a cult favorite for its lengthening and volumizing effects. Pair it with Kevyn Aucoin's eyelash curler for the ultimate lash lift. A quality eyelash curler like this one ensures a gentle yet effective curl without damaging the lashes.

When selecting mascara, consider these factors:

1. Formula: Lengthening mascaras contain fibers to extend lashes, while volumizing mascaras add thickness. Waterproof formulas offer long-lasting wear but can be harder to remove. The Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara is a popular volumizing option.
2. Brush Shape: Different brush shapes can enhance different lash effects. Curved brushes lift and curl lashes, while straight brushes separate and define. The Benefit Roller Lash Mascara features a curved brush designed to lift and curl lashes.
3. Application: For best results, start at the base of the lashes and wiggle the brush as you move upward. Apply multiple coats for added drama, but avoid clumping by letting each coat dry slightly before applying the next.

Set It and Forget It: Setting Powder

A good setting powder will lock your makeup in place, control shine, and give your skin a smooth finish. Setting powders come in loose and pressed forms, and they can be translucent or tinted to match your skin tone.

• Pro Tip: Supergoop! (Re)Setting 100% Mineral Powder SPF 35 not only sets your makeup but also offers sun protection, making it a dual-purpose powerhouse. This powder is perfect for touch-ups throughout the day, providing a matte finish and added SPF.

To effectively use setting powder, follow these tips:

1. Application: Use a fluffy brush to apply a light layer of powder over your foundation. Focus on areas that tend to get oily, like the T-zone, to control shine. The Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder is a cult favorite for its lightweight, flawless finish.
2. Baking: For long-lasting makeup, especially for events, use the baking technique. Apply a generous amount of powder under the eyes and on the high points of the face. Let it sit for a few minutes before dusting off the excess with a brush. This technique locks in concealer and foundation, preventing creasing.
3. Touch-Ups: Keep a compact powder in your bag for touch-ups on the go. The Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder is perfect for quick fixes and maintaining a matte complexion.

Add Some Glow: Bronzer, Blush, and Highlighter

Adding bronzer, blush, and highlighter brings dimension and color back to your face, giving you a healthy, radiant look. These products help to enhance your natural features and add warmth and glow to your complexion.

• Pro Tips:
  • Bronzer: Fenty Beauty Sun Stalk'r Instant Warmth Bronzer comes in shades to suit all skin tones. Apply bronzer to the hollows of your cheeks, temples, and jawline for a sun-kissed effect. Use a fluffy brush to blend seamlessly into your skin.
  • Blush: Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Blush adds a natural flush. Apply blush to the apples of your cheeks and blend upward toward your temples. This technique gives a youthful, lifted appearance.
  • Highlighter: Saie's Glowy Super Gel provides a subtle, buildable glow. Apply highlighter to the high points of your face, such as the tops of your cheekbones, brow bones, and the bridge of your nose. Use a small brush or your fingers to blend for a seamless finish.

For a complete look, consider these tips:

1. Bronzer Application: Use a large, fluffy brush to apply bronzer in a "3" shape along the hairline, under the cheekbones, and along the jawline. This technique mimics natural sun exposure, adding warmth and dimension.
2. Blush Placement: Smile and apply blush to the apples of your cheeks, blending upward toward your temples. Choose shades that complement your skin tone for a natural look. For fair skin, try peachy or pink shades. For deeper skin tones, opt for rich berries or terracotta.
3. Highlighter Technique: Apply highlighter sparingly for a natural glow, or layer for a more intense shine. Liquid highlighters can be mixed with foundation for an all-over glow, while powder highlighters work well for targeted areas.

Finishing Touches: Lip Products

From lip liners to lipsticks and glosses, these products add the finishing touch to your look. The right lip product can enhance your overall appearance, adding color, definition, and hydration.

• Pro Tips:
  • Lip Liner: KVD Vegan Beauty Everlasting Lip Liner prevents feathering and extends the wear of your lipstick. Outline your lips to define their shape and fill them in for longer-lasting color.
  • Lipstick/Gloss: MAC's Matte Lipstick offers vibrant, long-lasting color, while MERIT's Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil provides a nourishing, glossy finish. Lipsticks come in various finishes, including matte, satin, and glossy, each offering a different look and feel.

For perfect lips, follow these steps:

1. Prep: Start with smooth, hydrated lips. Exfoliate gently with a lip scrub and apply a hydrating balm. The Fresh Sugar Lip Polish is a great exfoliator, while the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask provides deep hydration.
2. Line: Outline your lips with a lip liner to define their shape and prevent feathering. Choose a shade that matches your lipstick or is slightly darker for a fuller look.
3. Fill: Apply lipstick directly from the bullet or with a lip brush for precision. For a more natural look, apply with your finger and blend. Layer lip gloss on top for added shine and dimension.

Lock It In: Setting Spray

A setting spray ensures your makeup stays put, no matter what the day throws at you. Setting sprays come in various formulas to suit different skin types and concerns, including mattifying, hydrating, and long-lasting.

• Pro Tip: Morphe's Continuous Prep + Set Mist+ is a fan favorite for its ability to prep and set your makeup seamlessly. This fine mist hydrates and refreshes the skin while locking makeup in place.

To use setting spray effectively, follow these tips:

1. Application: Hold the spray at arm's length and mist your face in an "X" and "T" shape to cover all areas. Allow the spray to dry naturally without touching your face.
2. Multi-Use: Some setting sprays can be used to prep the skin before makeup, set makeup after application, and refresh the skin throughout the day. The MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ is a versatile option that can be used in multiple ways.
3. Dewy Finish: For a dewy finish, choose a hydrating setting spray with ingredients like glycerin or aloe vera. The Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist provides a radiant, glowing finish.

Tools of the Trade: Makeup Brushes

Investing in quality brushes is essential for precise application and blending. The right tools can make a significant difference in the final look of your makeup, ensuring smooth, even application and blending.

• Pro Tip: Start with a basic set like e.l.f.'s 19-Piece Precision Brush Collection. It’s affordable and includes everything you need to get started. A good brush set will include a variety of brushes for different purposes, from foundation and powder to eyeshadow and eyeliner.

For a complete brush collection, consider these essentials:

1. Foundation Brush: A flat or dome-shaped brush for applying liquid or cream foundation. The Real Techniques Expert Face Brush is a great option for seamless application.
2. Powder Brush: A large, fluffy brush for applying setting powder and bronzer. The EcoTools Full Powder Brush is soft and perfect for diffusing powder products.
3. Blush Brush: A medium-sized brush for applying blush and highlighter. The Sigma F10 Powder/Blush Brush is designed for precise application.
4. Eyeshadow Brushes: A set of eyeshadow brushes, including a flat shader brush, a blending brush, and a small detail brush. The Morphe M433 Pro Firm Blending Fluff Brush is perfect for blending eyeshadow seamlessly.
5. Eyeliner Brush: A fine, angled brush for applying gel eyeliner or defining brows. The Sephora Collection PRO Angled Liner Brush #22 is precise and easy to use.

Key Takeaways

Building a basic makeup collection is about focusing on essentials that enhance your natural beauty and style. With these expert-approved products and tips, you’ll have a solid foundation to create endless looks. Remember, it’s not about having the most products but having the right ones that work for you.

By investing in high-quality, versatile products and tools, you can create a wide range of makeup looks that suit any occasion. From everyday natural makeup to glamorous evening looks, these essentials will ensure you always look and feel your best.