How to start your makeup kit

Have you been wanting to start using makeup but haven’t gotten around to it because you have no idea where to begin? I don’t blame you. There are so many makeup products, brands, and techniques out there that it becomes daunting and nearly impossible to know where to start. But don’t worry! Here are a few steps to help you start your makeup kit.

Step 1: So, what do I need?

To start things off, you will need foundation, concealer, powder, blush, neutral eye shadow, eyeliner (either pencil, liquid, or gel), lipgloss, and lipsticks.

As for makeup tools, just like makeup products, there’s a whole ton of makeup brushes, although if you are just starting out, you don’t need all of them. Start with a flat eye shadow brush, a fluffy eye shadow brush (for blending), and a blush brush. For buffing foundation onto the face, simply use a damp sponge, and that’s about all you really need.

Makeup has the power to emphasize the features we already have, but on the flip side, it can also change the way we look. Keeping your beauty products down to this basic set allows you to make the most of your makeup while still looking like yourself.

Step 2: Finding out what to buy.

Watching Youtube videos on how to apply makeup is super helpful, not only for the techniques but also to see what your favorite beauty gurus are using. Researching on makeup can save you a lot of time and money, instead of testing out a bunch of products at random. While researching, you get to see what will benefit your skin the most, and make sure you get your money’s worth while you’re at it.

Remember to give yourself a budget so you don’t overspend. Keep in mind that just because one makeup product is more expensive than the other doesn’t necessarily mean it is better. You’d be surprised at how similar the ingredients are while comparing prices.

Step 3: Perfecting that flawless face.

Being in a country where the heat is crazy, I would suggest not getting a foundation that is too thick. Stick to tinted moisturizers; my personal favorite is Laura Mercier’s tinted moisturizer. But if you feel like you need more coverage and would like to purchase a foundation, for a luminous look I would suggest the L’Oreal Paris Lumi Magique. For a matte finish, I would recommend the Makeup Forever HD foundation, another personal favorite.

When choosing a blush, complexion plays a big part of what color you should get. If you have fair skin, getting light pink colors will look most flattering. If you are darker in tone, berry color blushes will look best.

Step 4: Eyes on point.

Getting a makeup palette of neutrals is your best bet if you’re just starting out with makeup. A palette that has a bunch of neutral colors, including a light highlight color and a dark shadowing color, which allows you to experiment to your heart’s content. Shimmer eye shadows are easier to blend as compared to matte eye shadows. Stay away from bright eye shadow colors because they are harder to use to create a flattering eye look. My personal favorite mascara is the Benefit They’re Real! Mascara, because its thin brush coats every lash evenly while making them look natural.

Step 5: Keep it clean!

Cleanliness is so important when dealing with makeup. Often, we get pimples not from the makeup products themselves but from the way we take care of them. Always remember to wash and remove your makeup before sleeping. You can buy makeup remover wipes to make things easier. Also remember to wash your brushes at least once a week. I find it best to use Johnson’s Baby Shampoo, as its gentleness won’t damage your brushes and sponges when you wash them. And most importantly, always look at the expiry date of makeup to make sure that the products you use haven’t gone bad.

Makeup is here to emphasize the beauty that is already there. So, have fun with it! Experiment your heart away, but always remember less is more. You are beautiful just the way you are.