In this article, you will learn about the makeup essentials for beginners. Selecting makeup must-haves for beginners can be quite frustrating and confusing. But with the right guidance, it can be a powerful way to boost your confidence and beauty.
Whether you are looking to enhance your daily looks or glam up for special occasions, we got you sorted. By the end of this article, you will learn about the must-have makeup essentials that you need to get started and fulfill your makeup needs.
Contents
Makeup Essentials for Beginners
Having a huge range of makeup products and tools available in the market, it’s quite confusing to fulfill your makeup necessities and figure out where to start while choosing the best makeup essentials for beginners. However, if you are a newbie with makeup then you should start with basic makeup products and gradually build your makeup collection that suits your skin and budget.
Without further delays, here is the makeup basics list for beginners:
1. Primer
Primer is one of the basic makeup essentials for beginners that helps to minimize pores and hence create a smooth surface for foundation. It is the first step of makeup that you should not skip if you want long-lasting makeup.
Furthermore, primers come in different categories including mattifying primers, hydrating primers, and pore-filling primers. If you have oily skin then mattifying primer will work for you well. However, hydrating primers are perfect for dry skin, and choose pore-filling primers if your skin has open pores and uneven textures.
How to Apply Primer?
Before applying primer, make sure your face is clean and moisturized. Take a small amount of primer and apply it on your face where have pores or dry skin. Now, let your skin completely absorb it before you move to the next step.
Best Affordable Primers
- e.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer – $11.74
- Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer – $7.99
- NYX Professional Makeup Pore Filler – $17.28
- Rimmel Stay Matte Primer – $5.97
- Wet n Wild Photo Focus Face Primer – $4.16
2. Foundation
The foundation is a makeup must-have for beginners if you want to create glam looks. With Foundations, you can cover little imperfections you might have like redness, simple spots, etc., and create an even skin tone look. They come in different shades. So, you can find a shade that matches well with your skin tone.
Also, there are various types of foundations available in the market like liquid foundation, powder foundation, cream foundation, and stick foundation. Liquid foundations are best if you are a beginner and are suitable for almost all skin types. But if you have oily skin, you can consider buying a powder foundation.
Furthermore, Stick foundations are good if you are looking for a convenient option that is easy to apply. And if you need a suitable option for dry skin with full coverage, go with cream foundations.
How to Apply Foundation?
You can use a brush or makeup sponge to apply foundation. You can start by applying from the center of the face and blending well for a smooth coverage and finished look. Also, ensure that you blend it well into the hairline and your neck so that it won’t look odd.
Best Affordable Foundations
- Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation – $7.39
- L’Oreal Paris True Match Super Blendable Foundation – $13.99
- Revlon ColorStay Makeup for Combination/Oily Skin – $15.31
- e.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation – $7.83
- Wet n Wild Photo Focus Foundation – $5.47
3. Concealer
Concealer is another important makeup product for beginners that is used to cover and highlight specific areas like dark spots, dark circles, redness, etc. They provide more coverage than foundation and come in different shades like brown, green, yellow, purple, and orange.
Additionally, various types of concealer are available in the market including liquid concealer, cream concealer, and stick concealer. You can buy any one of them which fits your budget.
How to Apply Concealer?
You can directly apply concealer to the problem areas and blend it well. Later, you can set it with the powder for a natural finish. But make sure that you are using the correct color from the concealer palette. Here is how it works:
- Yellow, peach shade concealer for dark circles.
- Green concealer to hide red spots and acne.
- Neutral and One shade darker than the foundation concealer for scars.
- Orange concealer for concealing hyperpigmentation.
- Purple shade concealer for yellow-toned skin.
- Matching shade concealer for natural coverage.
Best Affordable Concealers
- Maybelline Fit Me Concealer – $5.77
- L.A. Girl Pro Conceal HD Concealer – $7.70
- e.l.f. 16HR Camo Concealer – $10.82
- Covergirl TruBlend Undercover Concealer – $8.62
- Maybelline New York Master Camo Color Correcting Kit -$12.00 to $16.28
- Revlon PhotoReady Candid Concealer – $10.99
4. Blush
Blush is one of the must-buy beginner makeup products. It helps you enhance your cheeks, giving them a natural vibrant color. There are many types of blushes available including powder blush, cream blush, and gel blush in multiple finishes from matte to glittery.
You can buy any of the blush that suits your skin type. For example, cream blush is ideal for dry or combination skin.
How to Apply Blush?
Look into the mirror and smile to find the apples of your cheeks and apply blush with your fingers or brush. Later, blend it well to create a natural look.
Best Affordable Blush
- e.l.f. Cosmetics Primer-Infused Blush – $766
- Wet n Wild Color Icon Blush – $3.99
- Milani Baked Blush – $10.99
- L’Oréal Paris True Match Blush – $12.99
- NYX Professional Makeup Powder Blush – $10.00
5. Eye Makeup
The basic eye makeup products for beginners include eye shadows, eyeliner, and mascara. However, they are completely optional if you do not enjoy drama 0n the eyes.
Eye shadow
Eyeshadows are used to create colorful eye looks. These eye shadow palettes come in numerous color shades. But initially, you should buy a nude and brown eye shadow palette for that natural look. Later, you can experiment with more colorful eye shadows to create bold looks.
How to Apply Eye Shadow?
You can use a brush to apply eye shadow on your eyelid. Cover the entire lid with a base color and later you can use a darker shade on the crease line. Make sure you blend and merge the lines well.
Best Affordable Eye Shadow
- e.l.f. Bite Size Eyeshadow -$3.92
- ColourPop Super Shock Shadows -$7.00
- Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Quad -$4.04
- Maybelline The Nudes Eyeshadow Palette -$13.99
- NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Shadow Palette -$23.82
Eyeliner
Eyeliners are used to enhance the eye look. You can buy pencil eyeliner which is easier to use, gel eyeliner that needs to be applied with a brush, or liquid eyeliner.
How to Apply Eye Liner?
If you are using a pencil liner, you don’t need a brush. However, if you are using a gel eyeliner apply with a brush close to the lash line.
You can experiment with different eyeliner styles like thin line, winged, and bold to find what looks best on you.
Best Affordable Eye Liner
- e.l.f. Expert Liquid Eyeliner -$3.93
- Maybelline Eye Studio Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner -$9.99
- Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer -$16.68
- NYX Professional Makeup Mechanical Pencil Eyeliner -$11.92
- Wet n Wild Breakup Proof Liquid Eyeliner -$5.47
Mascara
If you want to volumize and lengthen your lashes, you need a mascara. Depending on what is your requirements, you can order any type of mascara including volumizing mascara, lengthening mascara, and waterproof mascara.
How to Apply Mascara?
Open your eyes and look a little upward. Start applying it from the base of the lashes and move the wand upward. Apply one or two layers, and let it dry properly. You can also use an eyelash curler.
Best Affordable Mascara
- Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara -$11.99
- L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara -$19.06
- e.l.f. Lash It Loud Mascara -$6.00
- CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara -$7.20
- Wet n Wild MegaLength Mascara -$3.57
6. Lip color
Lip colors are the most essential to fulfill your makeup needs. It adds the final touch to your makeup look. There are various types of lip colors like Lipstick, lip gloss, and lip liner available in different finishes and color shades.
How to Apply Lip Color?
Start by outlining the edges of your lips using a lip liner and apply the lip color with a brush or use lipstick directly. For long-lasting wear, remove the excess lip color with a tissue and apply a second layer.
Best Affordable Lip Color
- Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick -$7.49
- e.l.f. Moisturizing Lipstick -$2.38 to $48.00
- NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream -$7.00
- Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick -$9.99
- Wet n Wild Megalast Liquid Catsuit Matte Lipstick -$5.36
7. Makeup Tools and Brushes
Makeup tools and brushes are basic makeup essentials to apply makeup products like foundation, blush, and eyeshadow. But if you are tight on budget, you can buy them later. Till then, blend them well with your fingertips or you can also consider buying a budget-friendly beauty blender.
Also, Ensure that your brushes are cleaned regularly to achieve the best results.
Here are some essential tools:
- Foundation Brush or Sponge.
- Blush Brush.
- Eyeshadow Brushes.
- Eyelash Curler
- Tweezers for removing extra hairs from eyebrows.
Best Affordable Makeup Brush Sets
- e.l.f. Beautifully Precise Brush Collection -$45.28
- Real Techniques Everyday Essentials Brush Set -$18.59
- BS-Mall Brush Set -$15.60
- Coastal Scents Classic Brush Set -$14.56
- Morphe Eye Brush Set -$56.00
Our picks of Makeup Sponges
- Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge – $7.73
- e.l.f. Total Face Sponge – $7.83
- Beautyblender Micro.Mini – $18.00 (for 2)
- Wet n Wild Makeup Sponge – $4.29
- Juno & Co. Microfiber Velvet Sponge – $7.00
8. Setting Spray or Powder
The last product from the makeup essentials for beginners is Setting Spray. You need a powder or setting spray to lock your makeup and make sure that it lasts long.
How to Apply Setting Spray or Powder?
Once you have completed your makeup, apply setting spray from a little distance and allow it to dry naturally. However, if you are using a powder, you can apply it with a fluffy brush.
Best Affordable Setting Spray and Powder Picks
Setting Sprays:
- e.l.f. Makeup Mist & Set – $8.94
- NYX Professional Makeup Matte Finish Setting Spray – $10.72
- Wet n Wild Photo Focus Setting Spray – $4.17
- Milani Make It Last Setting Spray – $19.18
- CoverGirl Outlast Active Setting Spray – $8.33
Powders:
- e.l.f. High Definition Powder – $7.83
- Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder – $3.10
- Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder – $10.99
- Wet n Wild Photo Focus Loose Setting Powder – $6.49
- CoverGirl Clean Professional Loose Powder – $7.82
Conclusion
That’s it for the article. With our list of Makeup Essentials for Beginners that includes a good primer, foundation, concealer, and more, you can enhance your look.
This is not the end. We have also covered some best affordable picks like eyeshadows, eyeliners, and lip colors that will help you make better choices while staying within your budget.