Archived Post
Best Products for a Makeup Beginner?
What if… you had to recommend ten (specific!!) products to a makeup beginner?
What would you recommend? What would make a great starter kit?
Now, I’d…
For Eyes:
- Urban Decay Primer Potion OR MAC Paint Pot (in Painterly, if you’re cool; in Soft Ochre, if you’re warm)
- Eyeshadow palette — check Urban Decay, LORAC, Stila
- MAC 239 Brush
- Urban Decay Zero 24/7 Eye Pencil
For Cheeks:
- MAC Well-Dressed if you’re cool, MAC Margin if you’re warm
For Lips:
- MAC Nymphette Lipglass
- MAC Sweetie Lipstick
- MAC Honeylove Lipstick
For Skin:
- Moisturizer + Sunscreen
- Cleanser
-for skin:
*tinted moisturizer, if u want to splurge go for laura mercier, but benefit you rebel is a decent product
*MAC studio finish concealer
-for cheeks:
*MAC cute blush
-for eyes:
*MAC paintpot that is close to your skintone
*coastal scents 88 warm palette
*MAC 239 brush
*lashblast mascara
*urban decay 24/7 liner in zero
-for lips:
*MAC angel lipstick
*YSL golden gloss in no 19
is mac sute blush an old limited edition? i searched for it on the website and can’t seem to find it under any of the blush categories..
Yes, it is discontinued.
What cleanser would you recommend?
It depends on your skin, skin problems, etc. What works for me won’t necessarily work for you and vice versa!
Haha you picked my stuff on the dot!
I’d recommend:
1.UDPP
2.UD palette or LORAC palette
3.Sonia Kashuk eyeshader brush
4.Milani Liquif’eye
5.Dollymix blush for cool tone
6.Blankety lipstick
7.Lip conditioner
8.Cleanser
9.Toner
10.Moisturizer+Sunscreen
for skin:
1) A great cleanser that suits your skins needs.
2) MAC Mineralized Skinfinish Natural
for cheeks:
3) NARS Penny Lane Creme Blush. Creates the most beautiful, natural glow.
for eyes:
4) MAC Paint Pot. I use Painterly.
5) MAC 217 brush
6) Lash Blast Luxe Mascara
7) MAC Color x4 Quad
8) Urban Decay 24/7 Liner in Zero
for lips
9) C.O. Bigelow Rose Lip Suave
10) MAC Lipstick in Hue
olay complete moisturizer spf 15
mac select coverup concealer
mufe face and body foundation
mac prep and prime translucent powder
revlon colorstay pencil eyeliner
maybelline full n soft mascara
nars orgasm
mac lipglass nymphette
e.l.f. studio powder brush
e.l.f. studio c eyeshadow brush
Hah! Great post idea Christine – But I ALWAYS ruin “what if” questions with counter-questions like: “How old is this person?” “What are they looking to do?” LOL! That being said, when I wear makeup it’s usually minimal, so I’ll go with my personal top 10:
Face/Cheeks:
1. MOISTURIZER (I prefer Aveda’s “All Sensitive” but it’s discontinued and I’ve yet to find a replacement)
2. CONCEALER (I like ALL of MAC’s concealors, so it’s just personal preference – Cream or liquid – Keep in mind Studio Finish has a high amount of Titanium Dioxide which can wash out the face in non-professional flash photography and liquid IS more versatile – You can mix it with moisturizer and make foundation if you need to)
3. BLUSH/BRONZE (I favor cream blushes – I don’t use powder on myself and they look quite natural. I use Aveda’s Uruku cheek/lip tint in a bronzy red. It’s a MARVELOUS product that is discontinued – ERRRGH!)
Eyes:
4. MASCARA (Every woman I know feels naked without mascara on, I don’t use it but it would be in any starter kit – And I like MAC’s Plushlash for volume, Pro Longlash for length)
5 & 6. SHADOW (Two neutral tones, one mid tone and one deep tone. My personal favorites are MAC Silvering and Carbon, but if you didn’t want to go that dramatic I’d recommend picking two shades that were deeper than your own skin tone – One moreso than the other – And MATTE! For the love of all that’s holy MATTE!)
Lips:
7. LINER (I SWEAR BY Subculture by MAC – It’s perfect for evening out my lip skin tone without adding much color)
8. LIPSTICK (RED, everyone should own a good blue-based red lipstick – Ruby Woo and Russian Red both have a vintage look to them that I adore)
9. GLOSS (Nymphette by MAC looks good on anyone, as long as you don’t mind sticky)
There you go! That leaves one more product that I’d leave up to the individual – Something fun and frivolous 🙂
I feel ya, Dusty… that’s the same way I am — I’m like, well, WHO? What’s their budget? What’s their style? All neutrals or love shimmery shades?
I’m glad I’m not alone 🙂 It’s something about me that bothers most people. I was always making teachers mad in school because I always seem to answer a question with a question 😛 LOL!
This is off topic, but I just wanted to say I adore your videos Dusty<33 You've inspired me to play with color once again and I love your understated humor 🙂 love youu!
Trust me…that doesn’t make your teachers mad. If it does, they suck as teachers 😉
–A teacher
Brushes
– Ecotools Brush kit
Eyes
– Maybelline Sunbaked Neutrals palette
– Covergirl Lash Exact Mascara
– Urban Decay Primer Potion
–
Cheeks
-Revlon Matte in Blushing Berry
Face
– Covergirl Fresh Complexion Compact
Lips
– Revlon Super Lustrious lip gloss in Cherries in the Glow
– Revlon Super Lustrious Lip Gloss in Pink Afterglow
– Maybelline Moisture Extreme lipstick in Wine and Roses
Skin
– Merlot Grape Seed Moisturizer
Why spend a ton of money?
For Eyes:
-MAC Paint Pot
-Urban Decay eyeshadow palette
-MAC 239 Brush or 219
-Stila Kajal liner in onyx
-Cover Girl lashblast mascara
-an eyelash curler
For Cheeks:
-MAC Instant Chic or Nars Deep Throat
For Lips:
-MAC Nymphette Lipglass
-MAC Honeyflower Lipstick
-MAC Hot Gossip Lipstick
-Victoria Secret Beauty Rush lipgloss
For Skin:
Moisturizer + Sunscreen (Shiseido has a good ones and b/c it’s going on to treat/protect your skin, fork over the money for a good one.)
Clinique Cleanser
Oops How like me not to read the rules. I had 13 .___.
Ok start over!
For Eyes:
1) MAC Paint Pot
2) Eyeshadow palette (I prefer the Urban Decay ones)
3) Mascara (Cover Girl)
For Cheeks:
4) MAC Instant Chic or Nars Deep Throat
For Lips:
5) MAC Nymphette Lipglass
6) MAC Honeyflower Lipstick
7) A good lipbalm! (Clinique is my favorite high-end one but I generally stick to drug store ones. The best I’ve come across are Bert’s Bee, Kiss my Face, and EOS. Can’t stand softlips and my lip stuff they smell to strongly, leave a bad after taste in my mouth that doesn’t go away, and my lips are chapped again in 30 mins!)
For Skin:
8) Moisturizer + Sunscreen (Shiseido has a good ones and b/c it’s going on to treat/protect your skin, fork over the money for a good one.)
9) Clinique Cleanser
For Tools: (B/c I now only have 9)
10) A brush set of some kind to actually put your makeup on.
SKIN
Shu Uemera Brightening Oil
Clinique DDMG
FACE
MAC MSF Natural
Studio Sculpt Concealer
CHEEKS
Benefit Coralista
MAC Dainty BLush
EYES
UDPP
Blacktrack Fluidline
Plushlash Mascara
LIPS
Urban Decay Pocket Rockets
so many people love Well Dressed blush, but I can’t see how it would show up on my pale skin (NC20). Does it take a lot to build up & actually be noticeable?
I wear it from time to time (NC25), and it’s light on me, but it’s great for those with cooler skin tones since the natural pink undertones amplify Well Dressed more, IMO.
I’m trying to figure out what I used to use when I first started using make-up. Anything that looks good even if it is smudgey. 🙂
For Skin:
* tinted moisturizer with spf, I just started used KISS tinted moisturizer. It’s a drugstore brand and the beginner can go up as she gets more experienced.
* N.Y.C. loose translucent powder (I would recommend CornSilk Translucent Powder but it doesn’t seem like they make it anymore)
*Physician’s Formula bronzer
For Cheeks
* cream or stick blush
For Eyes
* maybelline lash discovery mascara
* L’oreal eyeshadow Wear Infinite Made For Me Naturals Eyeshadow Quad in Desert Sunrise
For Lips
* Wet n Wild lipliner in 666
* CoverGirl Wetslicks Lip Gloss in Candy
Wet n Wild lipliner in 666! I used that exclusively for YEARS and I still fall back to it when I can’t find another that quite works with what I’m wearing. It’s perfect, and completely underrated.
For eyes:
-urban decay primer potion
-mac carbon eyeshadow or espresso eyeshadow (black or brown)
-urban decay 24/7 liner in whichever color
-coastal scents 88 matte palette
For face:
-clinique spf 50 sunscreen
-mac studio sculpt concealer
for lips:
-mac creme cup (perfect nude baby pink)
-chapstick
for skin:
-lancome bi-facil double action eye makeup remover
-mac wipes
i’d keep it to MOSTLY inexpensive drugstore stuff for a beginner so they can experiment more….
skin:
oil of olay moisturizer/sunscreen
cetaphil cleanser
eyes:
88 warm palette
covergirl mascara (not lashblast just because the brush may be difficult for a beginner)
UD eyeliner in zero
UD primer potion
cheeks:
milani blush
lips:
mac angel or hue lipstick
mac underage lipglass
brushes:
essence of beauty eyeshadow brush set
For skin-
MAC Studio Sculpt
MAC Select Cover up Concealer
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural
Eyes-
MAC Paint Pot in Painterly
MAC Kohl in Smoulder
Chanel Imitable mascara
An Urban Decay palette- or as above, one of the Coastal Scents palettes
MAC 217 brush
Cheeks
MAC Blushbaby
Lips
MAC Plushglass in Ample Pink
P.S Yes Im a MAC addict! Almost went for Benefit That Gal primer but I needed to squeeze in another MAC product instead haha
Ooooh, I’ve got almost everything under the eye category! I’m just missing a good shader brush, but I want to want one that’s not quite as expensive as MAC.
MAC MSF natural
Black eyeliner
Covergirl lashblast waterproof
MAC bare canvas paint
MAC Viva Glam V L/S
MAC Viva Glam V gloss
Sephora Brand Brush set (the pink one)
Benefit Coralista
Kat Von D Pallette
Lush Cosmetic Lad moisturizer
Plus a cute bag to put it all in 🙂
oh man, this is hard! I guess it depends on their level of “beginnerness”. I mean, you’re including cleanser and sunscreen, so does that mean they don’t even know facial care? Or are you talking just cosmetics? And I suppose it would also depend on their level of needing coverage for their skin.. like, if they’re young, you could skip foundation, but if it’s like, my mom, an older woman with rosacea, she might need more coverage.
Sorry. I’m totally overanalizing this!! ROTFL!
I’d say:
Face –
*a Bare Escentuals starter kit (2 foundations, bronzer, setting powder, 3 brushes)
Eyes –
*Mac 239 brush
*Too Faced Neutral Eye Shadow Collection (6 shadows, 3 blushes)
*DiorShow in black
*Urban Decay Stereophonic 24/7 Set (with eyeliners in Zero, Gunmetal, Underground, Crash and glitterliner in Midnight Cowboy)
*Urban Decay Primer Potion
Cheeks –
*Nars Orgasm Blush
Lips –
*Mac Lipstick in Hue
*Mac Lipstick in Girl About Town
*Mac Lipglass in Nymphette
Although I think I may have bent the rules with the palettes. But I love palettes.
Chanel Vitalumiere foundation- This is always in my kit and is amazing esp for photoshoots
Bobbi Brown creamy concealer
Nars bronzer in Laguna- very universal shade and not too orange
Shu eyelash curlers- no MUA would be without these babies although the Suqqu ones are great for big eyes
Benefit Coralista
Benefit posietint
UD 24/7 in zero
mac 217 brush
Bobbi brown gel eyeliner
Origins Mega Mushroom face mask- love this stuff and so do my clients!
I’d throw in penultimate liner from MAC
ya gotta, just gotta own:
MAC Russian Red
MAC Girl About Town
MAC Up The Amp
GIRL POWER!!!
For Eyes:
– Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream (befor you use concealer)
– Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer
– MAC Prep + Prime Eye
– MAC Brush 239
– MAC Brush 217
– MAC Eyeshadow Satin Taupe
– MAC Eyeshadow Crystal Avalanche
For Skin:
– MAC Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder
For Cheeks:
– NARS Penny Lane Creme Blush
For Lip:
– MAC Lustreglass Venetian
Face:
– Smashbox Photo Finish Primer (Original if you have dry skin, and in Light, if you’re oily)
– Lise Watier Portfolio Concealer Colourwheel (all the colours in one, green, lavendar, salmon, different skin tone colours…)
– Smashbox Tinted Moisturizer (It feels very nice on the skin
– Revlon Photo Ready Foundation (for medium to full coverage)
– Maybelline Dream Matte Powder
Cheeks:
– Jane Blushes (any shade is fine, in my opinion, they are all lovely colours)
– Tarte Cheek Stains (not oily at all, has a pretty nice gel consistency)
Eyes:
– L’Oreal Hip Shadows (any of them)
– Maybelline Eye Studio Eyeshadows (any of them)
– Annabelle Eyeshadows (very little fall out, and there are some MAC dupes too)
– NYX eyeshadows (any of them)
– MAC Woodwinked
– MAC Vanilla
– MAC Sumptuous Olive
– MAC Satin Taupe
Lips:
– Clinique Lipsticks (any of them)
– Benefit Lip Tints
Tools:
– EcoTools Brushes
– Essence of Beauty Brushes
– Everyday Minerals Brushes
Urban Decay Ammo Palette
Sephora retractable eyeliner in Black
MAC dazzleglass in Baby Sparks
Fresh Supernova Mascara
Too Faced Pink Leopard Bronzer
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
Stila Tinted Mosturizer
Korres Pomegranate Lip Butter
MAC lipstick in Myth
MAC paint pot in Rubenesque
1.Neutrogena light tinted moisturizer
2.maybelline dream mousse concealer
3.Milani bronzer
4.lash blast cover girl mascara
5.Avon/meet mark make up brushes great for starters or those on a budget
6.Jane blushes
7.Aubrey organics cleanser/olay foaming face wash
8.Sally’s beyond belief eyecream
9. Queen helene Mint julep scrub or apricot
10.Water
christine, sorry for being OT. but im super curious about something, what is the difference between MAC’s A Little Folie and Folie e/s?
to make it on topic: FOLIE IS A MUST!
I believe A Little Folie is a lighter and redder, but it’s similar.
For Eyes:
Urban Decay Primer Potion
MAC Club Eye Shadow
MAC Shale Eye Shadiw
Any soft black liner
For Face:
Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation
Sigma Foundation Brush
BE Bare Radiance (bronzer)
BE Fruit Cocktail Blush
For Lips:
MAC m.a.c. red Lipstick or any juicy tubes
For Skin:
ProActiv Three Step System (for acne prone)
Day Moisturizer: Aveeno Postively Radiance Spf 30
Night Moisturizer: Neutrogena Oil Free Sensitive Moisturizer
These are MY top picks. Hopefully even one product interests you!
Oh what a fun question! Okay, assuming this person has normal skin and doesn’t require too much coverage:
1. CONCEALER – MAC, MUFE, Bobbi Brown
2. PRESSED POWDER – MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural (can be used to blend out any eyeshadows as well)
3. BLUSH – MAC Peachykeen or Blushbaby
4. MASCARA – Covergirl Volume Exact is really easy to use, not the BEST formula but a great starter mascara
5. EYESHADOW – Coastal Scents 88 Matte Palette
6. PRIMER – Urban Decay Primer Potion
7 – 9. BRUSHES – MAC 217 Brush, MAC 266 Brush, Quo (drugstore) blush brush
10. LIPS – an everyday lip colour (Rimmel Vintage Pink Lipstick, MAC Nymphette Lipglass, MAC Viva Glam V, etc.)
Ten products. I didn’t include anything for skin b/c I consider that a different area altogether – basic skin care should be practiced by everyone, not just those who wear makeup. All of this, of course, depends on the kind of person you are and what kind of look you’re going for. No matter what, though, investing in good brushes and a good primer will make a world of difference 🙂
well a makeup beginner probably can get by on drugstore products
If they were acne prone, I’d recommend either the Murad cleanser or Neutrogena cleanser for acne and/or a gentle cleanser like Cetaphil. I’d definitely recommend a moisturizer w/ SPF in it and an eye cream like Clinique’s All About Eyes. For foundation and concealer, I’d recommend Revlon Colorstay. I personally prefer the Active Light foundation because it has SPF, it’s not too heavy and it really does last. For subtle eyeshadow, I like to wear MAC’s Blanc Type w/ Wedge in the crease. They might also want to get something like Phloof! or Shroom. I’d probably also recommend Teddy eye liner, a black brown mascara from the drugstore, a light pink or nude lipstick from MAC like Angel or Creme d’Nude. If they preferred lipgloss, I’d go with something like Underage or Oyster Girl. I’d also recommend Benefit’s Sugarbomb for blush.
-Neutrogena 3-1 Concealer
-MAC Face & Body Foundation/ or Prescriptives
-NARS blush in Orgasm
-MAC Mineralize Skin Finish
-Urban Decay Primer Potion
-Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner (black)
-Nars ligloss Supervixen
-Urban Decay Big Fatty Mascara
-MAC Clear lipglass
-MAC Ruby Woo red lipstick -can’t go wrong.
Eyes:
Urban Decay eyeshadow palette
Elf eyeshadow brush
Mascara (MAC Plushlash)
Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil in Zero or Bourbon
Lips:
Viva Glam 5 or Viva Glam Cyndi
Face/Skin:
Concealer
Powder – type depending on the coverage needed – and brush
Sunscreen
Moisturizer
Cleanser
This would be maybe warm toned skin – since that is all i really know..
Primers Eye and Skin:
1. Too Faced Shadow insurance it oily Lid or Mac Paint Pot if more Dry Lid
2. Korres Face Primer
Cheeks:
3. MAC Margin for Warm
4. MAC Pink Swoon
Lips:
5. Benefit’s Jing-a-Ling
6. NYX Smoky Look Lip Gloss
Eyes:
7. MAC BlackTrack Fuildline
8. Lorac, Nyx or MAC Eyeshadow Palette
9. Sonia Kashuk Large Shadow Brush
10. Rimmel Sexy Curves
I’m a makeup beginner, and I use these the most:
1) facial cleanser (Clinique Liquid Facial Soap)
2) moisturizer with (at least) SPF 15 (Olay Complete)
3) a great foundation for spot concealing and/or evening out skin (Revlon ColorStay)
4) under-eye concealer for dark circles/tired eyes (Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer)
5) blush (Tarte Cheek Stain or MAC Margin)
7) eyelid primer (Urban Decay Primer Potion)
8) black or brown pencil eyeliner that can also double, if you’re on budget, as a brow filler (MAC Technakohl, Urban Decay, Milani Liquif’eye)
9) waterproof mascara (CoverGirl Lash Blast)
10) a lipliner like your lip color, but better (for lining and filling in lips)
Great question!
foundation: MUFE HD foundation
concealer: MAC studio finish concealer.
Lips: Korres lip butter in mango, NARS dolce vita lipgloss, chanel coco rouge lipstick in Camelia
Eyes: UD eyeliner in 24/7, Dior Diorshow Mascara, Eyeshadow palette from UD.
Blush: MAC Pinkswoon blush, NARS Orgasm blush.
* mac select moisture cover concealer
* laura mercier translucent loose powder
* mac paint pot in bare study
* mac eye shadow in black tied
* benefit hoola bronzer
* mac tinted lip conditioner in fuchsia fix
* mac powerpoint eye pencil in engraved
* estee lauder double wear lengthening mascara in black
* mac powder blush in pink swoon
* mac cream colour base in pearl
Skin- primer by lancome, most people have there cleaning routine down so I’ll skip that
Eyes- UDPP, Hey & Embark & Saddle eye shadow, liners feline pencil smashbox cream liner,any mascara
Lips- Bronzilla & c-thru, by MAC.
I wouldn’t go too expensive for begginers. Colors are wearable for everyone.
1. A basic neutral palette- LORAC palette or CARGO Essential Eye Palette (4 neutral shades with satin-y finish)
2. Make Up For Ever Eye Brow Corrector Cream
3. MAC Pearlglide Intense in Black Line (or any black pencil liner)
4. L’Oreal Lineur Intense Felt Tip Liquid Liner
5. Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss in Aura
6. Urban Decay Primer Potion
7. Prestige My Biggest Lashes Mascara
8. Smashbox Blush Rush in Paradise or Chiffon/NARS blush in Gilda or Orgasm (something peachy coralish and pinky)
9. MAC Honeylove lipstick (one of my fav. basics!)
10. Moisturizer + Sunscreen
Goodness I hope I’m never limited to just 10!
I agree. Being limited to 10 was hard.
For eyes:
mac black track fluid line ( to line your eyes)
SMOLDER is a must have! ( for your waterline)
MAC 223 brush
Paint pots in soft ochre or painterly depending on your skin type
Mascara: Givenchy Extension black ( curls your eyelash upwards without using an eyelash curler)
Brows: Mac impeccable brown pencil in Taupe or Dirty blonde
For Dark or light hair
Mac Brown set in Show off( light strokes) For dark brows/ Light brows Beguile
lipstick:
Mac Fleshpot ( ultimate nude lipstick!)
Lorac baby Doll ( a more wearable version of fleshpot)
Mac Tribalist ( for amazing dark plum lips!)
1.ELF eyeshadow primer
2.Mac Ricepaper eyeshadow
3.Mac Tempting eyeshadow.
4.N.Y.C bronzer in Sunny
5.Mac Zoomlash mascara
6.Mac Blushbaby blush
7.Mac Hue lipstick
8.Mac Snob lipstick
9.Mac Love nectar lipgloss
10.NYX French kiss lipgloss
NYC- Concealer wand and doubles as an eyeshadow base
Milani- HD concealer
Oil of Olay SPF 30 moistureizer
Armani Liquid foundation
Hard Candy baked blush in Doll
Milani Liquid liner
Diroshow Mascara (Waterproof)
MAC Lipgloss in Purrrr
MAC lipstick in Brick O LA
120 Eye Palette from Costalscents or ebay
Ecotools brushes
1. Mac’s Studio Finish Concealer, since they have a wide range of colours to suit most skintones.
2. Silk Naturals Deluxe Sample Kit. I know it is cheating, since it is several products, but the mix and match concept is really helpful for a beginner trying to figure out what skintone they have without trying tons of different foundations. Plus, it is one of the better mineral foundations on the market, and I believe a light powder is the best to start with.
3. The Bodyshop kabuki brush.
4. Ecotools concealer brush.
5. Ecotools blush brush.
6. Silk Naturals Lady blush (clone of Mac Dame). It is a rather pigmented, pinkish blush but I think wearable by most skintones since even someone like me paler than NW15/NC15 can wear it if we are very light handed and it would probably show up even on very dark skintones.
7. Bodyshop Warm Shimmer Cube Palette, a brown/golden palette that will suit most complexions, and can be applied with fingers and q-tips without looking bad.
8. Too Faced Shadow Insurance.
9. Tweezerman lashcomb. Really, with this, you can use any mascara, just brush it out and you will have nice lashes.
10. Urban Decay 24/7 liner in zero.
For a total beginner, I would recommend:
Brushes: EcoTools powder, blush & brow grooming kit
Blush: Laura Mercier Second Skin or Shu Uemura Glow Ons
Brows: Anastasia Brow Powder duo
Mascara: Maybelline Full’n’Soft (perfect starter mascara, in my opinion)
Lash Curler: Koji (whichever one fits your eye shape best, they have 5)
& SUNSCREEN (and powder for the sunscreen if necessary)!! (I think these two are pretty skintype dependent though, so I hesitate to make a general suggestion.)
There’s so many great products; this was kind of hard! I’m going to consider brushes and skincare separate for purposes of including all the products I love =]
Face:
Revlon Colorstay Foundation
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural
Benefit Coralista
Benefit Hoola
Eyes:
Loreal Volumious Mascara
Urban Decay 24/7 liner in Zero
UDPP
Urban Decay Ammo Pallette
Benefit Speed Brow
Lips:
MAC Hue lipstick
MAC lustre glass in Love Nectar
I actually made one for my cousin for her birthday. Although I didn’t give her ten items, I gave her four. I’ll do ten here.
Eyes:
UD Primer Potion
Pop Beauty Day to Play or purminerals eye shadow palette
UD 24/7 glide on eye pencils box set
MAC plush lash mascara
Face:
Prescriptives personalized foundation and
personalized powder
Pop Beauty double duty bronzer
Napoleon Perdis Light Patrol Luminizer Pallet
Lips
Burt’s Bees lip balm
Viva Glam lipstick by MAC
That would make a very happy face 🙂
1) Too Faced Shadow Insurance
2) Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer
3) MAC Soft Ochre or Painterly Paint Pot or NYX Jumbo Pencils (as long as there is a base for the eyeshadow)
4) Wet ‘n Wild Brow pencil
5) Revlon Photoready Foundation or Colorstay (depending on skin type)
6) Ecotools brushes
7) Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow Quad in Natural Smokes
8) Covergirl Lash Blast
9) Shu Uemura eyelash curler
10) Rimmel lipsticks
For lips
MAC Nymphette Lipglass
Mac Plink lipstick
For face
Mac studio fix
mac concelor
NYX irridescent powder
Cheeks
Mac pink swoon
Eyes
MAC Nylon
MAC Black Tie
Givenchy phenom eyes mascara
Molassass eyeliner
For Skin:
Clinique 7 day scrub
Neutrogena foaming cleanser
Cetaphil Moisturizer
Eyes:
Bronze e/s
concealor
Cheeks:
Blunt for contouring
Cantaloupe or Margin
Lips:
MAC Polished Up L/S
MAC Mahogany lip liner
Face:
L Oreal true blend foundation
Eyes:
*MAC Paintpot (Rubenesque, Paintlery, Soft Ochre, Bare Study) or Urban Decay Primer Potion or Too Faced Shadow Insurance (depending on packaging)
*Sigma SS239 Brush and Sigma SS224 Brush
*MAC Shroom Eyeshadow
*Drugstore Mascara, or MAC Plushlash Mascara, or if you want to splurge Estee Lauder More than Mascara Mascara
*MAC Brownborder Technakohl Eyeliner
Skin:
*Really, nothing if you are of a younger age because you don’t want your skin to age
*People in Senior Highschool or College or up I would recommend:
*MAC Studio Finish Concealer
*Any tinted moisturizer (MAC, Laura Mercier, Benefit, Kiehl’s etc)
*MAC MSF Natural
Cheek:
*MAC Plumfullery Blush
Lips:
*Any MAC Lipstick that is a “My Lips But Better” shade
*MAC Bare Necessity Dazzleglass
Shu Uemura lash curler
UDPP
UD 24/7 liner in Zero
UD Lovechild lipstick
Covergirl lashblast wasterproof
Neutrogena Healthy Skin liquid foundation
MAC Mineralized SkinFinish Natural
Benefit Coralista blush
Kat Von D tattoo concealer
NARS Albatross highlighter
Pretty basic stuff that could work for many IMO. Ran out of room to list any eyeshadows but I love the really natural fresh look anyway so eyeshadows aren’t that important to me xD
UDPP
Urban Decay Deluxe Shadow Box
MAC 217 brush
MAC 239 brush
MAC Dollymix blush
Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara
Urban Decay Zero Eyeliner
BeautyBlender sponge
foundation or tinted moisturizer closest to skin color
MAC Love Nectar lipglass
On second thought I would replace Dollymix with NARS Orgasm blush
1. Clinique Even Better Foundation (or any kind of clinque foundation this is just my favorite especially for getting rid of sun spots or a dark spot from a pimple)
2. MAC Studio Fix + Foundation Powder (or MAC Translucent Powder just depends on your coverage preference)
3. Moisturizer ( I use Cetaphil since its gentle and was recommended by my dermatologists.
4. Concealer- (I currently use MAC studio finish but i would recommend studio scuplt since its easier to work with)
5. Mascara-Loreal Voluminous (curved brush), CG LashBlast, or Dior Show
6. Cream or Pencil Eyeliner (Black or Brown )
7. Eyeshadow – Neutral Palette (Mac, Urban Decay, or Nars Singles likes Galapagos which is gorgeous)
8. Blush (Cream or Powder) I like Nars Multiple in Palm Beach
9. Lipstick (MAC Viva Glam V / Honeyflower )
10. Lipgloss -I love Viva Glam V and in drugstore I like Maybelline Color Sensational
FACE:
1. a moisturizer to suit their skin type
2. a great foundation (can mix with moisturizer to sheer out, but can use as concealer or a fuller coverage if needed too!)
EYES:
3. MAC Paintpot in Rubenesque (can be layered over or worn on its own for a great neutral wash of color)
4. Mascara! Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes is my favorite right now
5. MAC blacktrack Fluidline. Great for lining, smudging, and using on the waterline
6. MAC 217 brush
CHEEKS:
7. Benefit Hoola Bronzer
8. Tarte Cheek Stain. I like Tipsy, but so many great colors to suit different skin tones
LIPS:
9. A lip pencil a few shades darker (but still nude) than skin tone
10. YSL gloss Pur in a shade to suit them (my favorite is 05!!!)
1) MAC MSF Natural
2) MAC Painterly paintpot
3) MAC 217 brush
4) MAC Shroom e/s
5) MAC Satin Taupe e/s
6) UD Zero 24/7 liner
7) Benefit Brow Zing
8) MAC Mascara X or Plushlash
9) MAC Underworld lipstick
10) MAC Nightmoth lipliner
I’d definitely say Blackground is a must but Fluidline might be trickier than a pencil if someone is just starting to do eyeliner. 🙂
Face:
Jojoba Oil (excellent for moisturizing and removing makeup)
Sofina Perfect UV sunscreen
Revlon Photoready Foundation
NYX Concealer in a Jar
Eyes:
UDPP
Wet’n’Wild Black Creme Liner
NYX Apricot Moose e/s
Lips:
Mac Bare Slimshine
NYX Natural l/g
for eyes:
* coastal scents palettes
* UD 24/7 eyeliner
* UDPP
for cheeks:
* NARS Orgasm
for face:
* body shop loose powder
* bare escentual mineral foundation (starter kit at sephora)
* body shop vitamin E moisturizer
I wouldnt recommend they start with Mac brushes
skin: bobbi brown creamy concealer
lips: co bigelow mentha lip shine , pick a color
eyes : sonia kashuk brushes
a neutral eyeshadow quad
lashblast fusion mascara
loreal hip liquid pencil eyeliner in black
jordana eyeliner – pick a color
I wish I had this when I was beginner. It would have been a lot of help!
I would definitely recommend:
Skincare
1. Cleanser
2. Moisturizer
Brush Set:
3. Sigma Brushes Kit
Makeup for Face
4. Foundation: MAC Mineralized Skinfinish Natural (great finish, buildable coverage and very natural finish).
5. MAC True Romantic Blush
Makeup for Eyes
6. Too Faced Shadow Insurance
7. Coastal Scents 88 Matte Palette
8. MAC Plushlash mascara
9. MAC Feline Kohl liner
Makeup for Lips
10. Victoria Secret Sweet Nothing lipstick
Kiehl’s tinted moisturizer, soft brown eyeshadow, urban decay bourbon eyeliner, any mascara really, MAC hue lipstick, MAC melba blush, benefit boi-ing concealer
Wow a beauty newbie..hmmm….
Skin:
NARS Hydrating Freshening Lotion
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream
MAC Moisturecover concealor
Cheeks:
NARS Casino Bronzer
NARS Exhibit A Blush
Eyes:
Blacktrack Fluidline
Imju Fiberwig Mascara
MAC Paintpot in Rubenesque
Lips:
Gosh Darling Lipstick
NARS Turkish Delight Lipgloss
I consider myself a makeup beginner (really just started this year) and here is what I have right now:
For eyes:
1. Too Faced Shadow Insurance
2. eyeshadow — MAC Naked Lunch and MAC Kid
3. MUFE Aqua Eyes eyeliner in brown (though I have yet to master eyeliner so I don’t actually wear this yet!)
4. MAC Studio Fix mascara in black
For cheeks: NARS Orgasm
For lips: MAC Viva Glam V and MAC Nymphette. I know lots of people really like Nymphette, but I prefer the look of Viva Glam V.
For skin:
1. Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, only if wearing foundation
2. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer for everyday, MUFE HD Liquid Foundation for when I want to look more polished
3. Loose powder — I have both the Laura Mercier powder and the MUFE powder
4. MAC cleansing wipes
Brushes:
1. MAC 109 for liquid foundation
2. MAC 134 for loose powder
3. MAC 116 for blush
4. Bobbi Brown Eye Sweep Brush for all over color
5. MAC 234 for crease color
Ten things I would recommend to a makeup beginner like me? Hmmm…
Face
1. VMV Armada sunblock
2. Moisturizer – haven’t found my HG but Clinique’s pretty good
3. Leyende Face Canvass (primer from a local, organic brand)
4. Revlon Colorstay or Bobbi Brown Natural Finish
Cheeks
5. NARS Orgasm/Laguna duo – blush and bronzer in one palette
Eyes
6. All Dolled Up Barbie Stila eyeshadow palette – bang for your buck
Lips
7. Carmex (mix with blush for tinted balm)
Tools
8. MAC 187
9. ELF eyeshadow brush
10. Tweezers
1. UD Primer Potion
2. UD 24/7 eye liner
3. Nars Orgasm Blush or Laguna Bronzer
4. Covergirl Lashblast mascara
5. Nars Honolulu Honey lipstick
6. Sonia Kashuk Brush set (cheap and not bad to work with)
7. Benefit concealer kit
8. Mac Florabundace lip gloss
9. Mac Fix +
10. Smashbox double feature (highlight + concealer)
I have a question Christine, my eyelids still crease even if I put on TFSI (or UDPP for that matter)! Yes, it did make my eyeshadow stay for maybe 1-2 hours longer, but my eyelids are crazy oily!
Sometimes, I even layer my UDPP with my paint pots, and they might even stick for another hour or so. I use mac eyeshadows. I have also tried Laura Mercier’s eyebrighteners and they still dont work.
What other primer can you suggest, or a more long lasting eyeshadow? Is Chanel or other makeup brands any better? By the way, MUFE aqua eyes or Urban Decay eyeliners still crease one me in 4-5 hours 🙁
Hey!
Have you tried lightly dusting your eyelids with translucent powder *before* applying an eyeshadow base? What about PP over UDPP? Or TFSI under PP or over PP?
Queen Supreme,
I had the same problem with lid primers.I tried all that you listed. I may have had some luck with a few for a few weeks then it would b down hill. It was so frustrating. I have been using Lorac’s new lid primer for 2 months now and it is great!
Hello Christine & Felicia!
I have tried PP over and under the primer, and they might stay a little bit longer on a good day. I live in a tropical climate, and I only put makeup on when I know there’s A/C involved!
Hmm I haven’t tried Lorac’s eye primer, but thanks for the heads up, Felicia!
Any face primers you guys can recommend? Smashbox doesn’t work on me 🙁 I sometimes use Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation, but it’s too thick on a non-fancy party day!
Skin(a perfect canvas starts with a clean and well taken cared of face):
Cleanser (Cetaphil for your specific need)
Moisturizer(specifically with sunscreen)
MAC MSF Natural
MAC Viva Glam V L/S or L/G
Ecotools Brush Set
MAC Eversun Beauty Powder (I think its versatile & simple as a blush)
Maybelline Full N Soft Mascara
Revlon Eyeliner in Carbon Black
Either a Fuschia l/s (MAC Girl About Town or Revlon Fuschia l/s) or a Red l/s (for your skintone)
CS Eyeshadow Palette (that person should pick based on their likes: matte, shimmer, warm, neutral so many to decide from especially for beginners)
I’m more inclined to say what beginners should avoid. Beginners shouldn’t worry about primer, cream shadow or liquid eyeliner just yet. They should save that for when they have the other stuff down well enough.
I love that you divided people into cool and warm. People so rarely do that. Well done guys!
Since this is for makeup I am only going to name makeup items. No haircare or skincare.
For Eyes:
1. MAC Paint pot in Bare Study (perfect for beginners since they always work with shimmer! hehe)
2. MAC Retrospeck e/s or Urban Decay Maui Wowie e/s
3. Maybelline Lash Stiletto Mascara
4. Maybelline Define-a-brow
5. Urban Decay eyeshadow palette (these have helped me so much!)
For lips:
6. MAC Lipstick in Creme D’ Nude
7. Lorac Lipgloss (New 3D glosses- all colors are amazing!)
Cheeks:
8. NARS Blush in Orgasm (works on everyone)
Face:
9. Mary Kay concealer
10. MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation
Cheeks:
-Mac Studio Finish Concealer (This bad boy can cover up ANYTHING!)
-Studio Fix Powder (Serves as both a setting powder and a foundation)
-Make up for Ever Aqua Eyes Eyeliner in Black (For a subtle waterline shade)
-Mac Eyeshadow in Scene (A wonderful wash of color for the lid)
-Covergirl Lashblast
-Fix +
-Sonia Kashuk Brush Set
-Nars Orgasm Blush
-Mac Lipglass in Perennial High Style (LE)
-Nars Bronzer in Lagunaasojhnnjmhbdl;abkjbkjb kj kjn vd
Ok, Typing interrupted my a 16 month old! Let’s try this again!
-Mac Studio Finish Concealer (This bad boy can cover up ANYTHING!)
-Studio Fix Powder (Serves as both a setting powder and a foundation)
-Make up for Ever Aqua Eyes Eyeliner in Black (For a subtle waterline shade)
-Mac Eyeshadow in Scene (A wonderful wash of color for the lid)
-Covergirl Lashblast
-Fix +
-Sonia Kashuk Brush Set
-Nars Orgasm Blush
-Mac Lipglass in Perennial High Style (LE)
-Nars Bronzer in Laguna
Skin:
– a good concealer mac moisturecover or benefit boi-ing
– chanel loose or pressed powder
– mac blush in well dressed or blush baby
Eyes:
– mac allthatglitter e/s
– a cheaper shadow palette like costal scents for experiments
– a good dark liner like urban decay 24/7 or mac powerpoint
– Lancome mascara (hypnose or l’extrme)
– a lash curler
Lips:
– lancome juicy tubes or victrias secret beauty rush gloss (the smell is divine and you can’t make any mistakes with them)
– a signature red lipstick like mac russian red, o rubi woo depending on skin tone
smashbox foundation kit (complete with halo loose powder, photo finish primer, concealer, foundation…the foundation doesn’t settle into crater sized pores, so i can only imagine what it would do for younger skin…i would trade the halo powder for lancome’s mineral foundation….i have tried every mineral loose powder, and BE breaks me out and lancome doesn’t settle into my crater-sized pores even after sweat or a 12 hour work day)
revitalift make up remover wipes and bi facil and philosophy purity made simple…make up wipes are great for wiping off fall out from your shadow prior to putting on your foundation, which is what i do…shadow first…bi facil for evening clean up, and purity made simple is the only thing that wiped six-ten years of brown age spots off my left cheekbone…
mac 239
lid primer like UDPP or nyx pearl for shimmer white on browbone or lemonade by benefit if you need color correction
any and all UD eyeshadow…better than mac in my book…
clinique almost honey for your soft flush of red looks and lancome’s souffle color fever plumper for your nude looks.
benefit sugarbomb for apples of your cheeks and macs enough said as your bronzer and oh my gosh this is too hard…i haven’t done mascara of hilite….ughhhh…
is that more than 10?????? lol….it’s 10 thoughts anyway…lol
Assuming this beginner has no special needs and can make substitutions/modifications to their routine after they are no longer a beginner:
-for skin:
1) Clean & Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin (A great all around gentle cleanser that also removes makeup; I also use a wash cloth.)
2) Paula’s Choice Essential Non-greasy Sunscreen SPF 15 (For daytime use, also provides a good dose of antioxidants.)
-tools:
3) ecoTOOLS Bamboo 5 Piece Brush Set (Provides a blush brush, eye shading brush, eyeliner brush, lash & brow groomer and concealer brush.)
-makeup:
4) Revlon Colorstay Makeup with Softflex SPF 15 (*I use a little extra foundation applied and blended with a concealer brush for extra spot and under eye coverage –> fool-proof color match!)
5) e.l.f. High Definition Powder
6) Nars Orgasm blush
7) Mac Technakohl liner in Graphblack
8) Cargo Essential Eye Shadow Palette (*The dark brown also doubles as a brow powder using the eyeliner brush to fill.)
9) Bobbi Brown No Smudge Mascara (*I lightly smudge petroleum jelly on my lashes and let set for a few minutes before washing my face to remove waterproof mascara.)
10) Smith’s Rosebud Salve (A good lightly tinted lip balm. I use ChapStick Moisturizer SPF 15 when I’m outside.)
We are talking makeup… so..
Face:
-Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer
-Mac Studio Sculpt
Eyes:
-Makeup Palette from Urban Decay (make sure it has a lid, highlight, crease, and fun colors),
-Urban Decay Eyeliner in Bourbon for brown; or Zero for black
-Maybelline Lash Stilleto mascara
use your concealer for eye primer!
-Mac 239
Lips:
-Mac Angel Lipstick
-Mac Speed Dial Lipstick
-Chanel lipgloss in your choice of color
-Kiehls Lip Balm
cleanser,
good cream/tinted moisturizer
mineral powder
mascara (opinions and tastes may vary. i like great lash or eyelights by covergirl)
blush ( i love orgasm by nars or two faced blushes)
two or three eye shadows that compliment your features, or even better an eye pallette
brush+contour+blending brushes.
oh and for lips i love to use softlips vanilla spf 20 moisturizer
Eyes:
Urban Decay Primer Potion
Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner pencil
Covergirl Lashblast Fusion
UD Palette
MAC 217 brush
Lips:
YSL Golden Gloss in #7
MAC Viva Glam Cyndi
Cheeks:
The Balm’s Hot Mama blush
Skin:
MAC Make Up Remover Wipes
Clean & Clear’s Eye Make Up Remover
So I’ve thought about this a lot before answering. (Hey, that’s my personality type!)
Anyway, my top 10 for the average makeup n00b:
1. A good moisturizer. Depending on the skin, though, it’ll be different for everyone. In the summer, I use Neutrogena tinted moisturizer instead of foundation. <3
2. Monistat chafing gel. Perfect primer, srsly. Get this and use it right after moisturizing.
3. A good matte foundation. I know it's not a fav for everyone, but I actually love Bare Minerals SPF 15 matte foundation. (Bonus: can be used lightly as a finishing powder. <3 double-duty makeup!)
4. One of the MAC MSFs with 3+ colors (redhead, blonde, brunette, smooth merge, triple fusion, etc.) Redhead, at least, can be used as a contour, blush *and* highlight and is extra versatile. (Petticoat is my fav, but not as versatile, so get one of the multiple-stripe ones.)
5. Urban Decay 24/7 liner in Zero or Underground. Perfect liner that acts like a gel liner and is easy-control like a pencil.
6. Eco tools set of brushes. For <$20, you can't go wrong.
7. One of the Coastal Scents 88 palettes — shimmer, warm, matte, don't care. Just get one. 88 shades to play with for <$25. Perfect for a beginner or anyone who wants an economical way to experiment with color.
8. LashBlast mascara. Must have.
9. MAC Viva Glam V for perfect nude lip
10. Soap and Glory's Sexy Motherpucker lip gloss in clear or plum juice. Best lipgloss ever — and seriously, gotta love the name!
For a darker complexion I would recommended
1)MAC SPF 35 concealer
2)MAC foundation to suite skin type/preference-I prefer liquid
3)Bronzer-powder or liquid (estee lauder bronzing liquid)
4)MAC Eyeshadows-Antiqued,Amber Lights, Humid, and Brule
5)MAC Eyeliner-Coffee, blooz, and smolder
6)MAC Lipglass-Love Nectar,Beaux,and Instant Gold
7)Loreal Voluminous Mascara
8)MAC lipstick-creme’ in your coffee/sophisto
9)Mac Blush-Sweet as Cocoa
10)Clinique 3 step facial system
1. MAC Fix+
2. UDPP or MAC Paint in Bare Canvas
3. Too Faced natural Eye Palette
4. Any UD BOS
5. MAC Blush Ombre – Ripe Peach or Azlaea Blossom
6. MAC Select Cover Up
7. MAC Viva Glam Gaga
8. MAC Ruby Woo
9. MUFE Smoky Lash Mascara
10. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer
How do you know if you’re cool or warm?
Warm = green veins, cool = blue veins
For Eyes:
– UD Primer Potion
– Nars Coconut Grove or MAC Espresso
– Mac Eye Khol
– CoverGirl Lashblast in Very Black
– MAC Impeccacble Brow Pencil
For Cheeks/Face:
– Bobby Brown Blush in soft pink
– NARS bronzing powder in Laguna
– Liquid foundation (Smashbox, MUFE, NARS or Revlon depending on skin type)
For Lips:
– Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss in Pout
– Burts Bees Beeswax Lip Balm
EYES:
1) UPDD
2) Bare study paint pot
3) 217 brush
3) Neutral Eye Palette (any brand Urban Decay, Wet N Wild, MAC Quad ect ect)
FACE:
4) Tinted Moisturizer (I like macs)
5) Concealer (Select Moisture cover is my fave)
6) Dainty Blush
7) Powder foundation (Studio Fix Powder or Bare Minerals)
LIPS:
8) MACS Full for you plush glass
SKIN:
9) Moisturizer (I like aveeno products)
10) Cleanser
*UDPP not UPDD
ha ha