Just Diving In

These are my recommendations for those who may just be getting into makeup this year and some key products from each category, plus a few I’ve pulled out that are more affordable and indulgent.

• Eyes:  Anastasia x Mario Master Palette ($45), Sephora Favorites Lashstash ($45), Smashbox 24HR Eyeshadow Primer ($21)
• Lips:  Sephora Favorites Give Me Some Bold Lip ($28), Smashbox Light It Up Lipstick Set ($29), Jack Black It’s the Balm Set ($25)
• Cheeks: Tarte Color Wheel Blush Palette ($44), Hourglass Luminous Light Travel Size Ambient Lighting Powder ($22), Sephora Favorites Glow For It ($30)
• On a budget:   Sleek Makeup Palette ($9.99), Essence Pure Nude Highlighter ($4.49), NYX Turnt Up! Lipstick Set ($11.99)
• Limitless luxury:   Urban Decay Vice Lipstick Stockpile ($325), Wayne Goss The Anniversary Brush Set ($225), Viseart Eyeshadow Palette ($80)

Everyday Blushes

You’ll find my picks for more “everyday” kind of blushes for different skin tones here, and then a few budget-friendly and luxury indulgences as well!

• Light skin tones:  Surratt Beauty La Vie En Rose Artistique Blush ($32), MAC I’m a Lover Pro Longwear Blush ($28), Urban Decay Indecent Afterglow Blush ($26)
• Medium skin tones:  Clinique Black Honey Pop Cheek Pop ($21), Urban Decay Rapture Afterglow Blush ($26), MAC Make You Mine Pro Longwear Blush ($28)
• Dark skin tones:  NARS Impudique Blush ($30), Clinique Cola Pop Cheek Pop ($21), NARS Oasis Blush ($30)
• On a budget:  Makeup Geek Loveletter ($10), Makeup Geek XOXO ($10), Sleek Pomegranate ($6.99)
• Limitless luxury:  Tom Ford Love Lust Cheek Color ($55), Chanel Jersey Joues Contraste ($45), Marc Jacobs Beauty Lush & Libido Air Blush ($42)

Highlight & Shine

Like the blushes, you’ll find three recommendations by skin tone, then three options that are more budget-friendly and three that are totally indulgent.

• Lighter skin tones: MAC Soft Frost Extra Dimension Skinfinish ($30), Urban Decay Aura Afterglow Highlighter ($26), LORAC Daylight Light Source Illuminating Powder ($22)
• Medium skin tones:  Laura Geller Ballerina Illuminator ($24), Laura Geller Gilded Honey Illuminator ($24), Makeup Geek Rekindle Highlighter ($20)
• Dark skin tones:  Makeup Geek Firework Highlighter ($20), Becca Topaz Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed ($38), ColourPop Sticky Sweet Super Shock Cheek ($8)
• On a budget:  ColourPop Lunch Money Super Shock Cheek ($8), Essence Pure Nude Highlighter ($4.49), Catrice Stardust Highlighting Powder ($5.99)
• Limitless luxury:  Laura Mercier Highlight 01 Matte Radiance ($40), Kevyn Aucoin Starlight The Celestial Powder ($44), Tom Ford Skin Illuminating Powder Duo ($80)

Eyes on the Prize

It’s easy to get lost in a sea of palettes, but here are my top picks depending on the type of look you’re going for or your budget!

• Smoky:  The Estee Edit Gritty & Glow Magnetic Eye & Face Palettes ($58), Viseart Chroma Theory Palette($45), Viseart Cool Mattes Palette ($80)
• Neutral:  Make Up For Ever Nudes You Need Artist Palette ($44), Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette ($42), Viseart Neutral Matte Palette ($80)
• Bold:  Kat Von D MetalMatte Palette ($60), Make Up For Ever Colors You Crave Artist Palette ($34), Viseart Bijoux Royal Palette ($80)
• On a budget:  LORAC Pro Metal Palette ($28), Sleek Makeup Palette ($9.99), ColourPop Studio 1400 ($18)
• Limitless luxury:  Estee Lauder x Victoria Beckham Eye Palette ($95), Urban Decay Naked Vault Vol. III ($300), Wayne Goss The Eye Set ($148)

Let’s Talk Lips

Here are some of my set and shade recommendations based on the kind of lip color you’re after, as well as some budget and luxury favorites.

• Cooler: MAC Nutcracker Sweet Pink Lipstick Kit ($35), Bobbi Brown Uber Rose Luxe Lip Color ($35), Bite Beauty Spritzer Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26)
• Neutral:  MAC Nutcracker Sweet Nude Lipstick Set ($35), Urban Decay Rapture Vice Lipstick ($17), Too Faced Honey Bear La Creme ($22)
• Warmer: Bite Beauty The Perfect Bite ($25), NARS Get Real Lip & Eye Set ($49), Bite Beauty Gold Creme Lip Gloss ($22)
• Bold: Bite Beauty Best Bite Redux ($25), MAC Nutcracker Sweet Red Lipstick Kit ($35), Bite Beauty Kale Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26)
• On a budget:  ColourPop Dopey Ultra Satin Liquid Lipstick ($6), Maybelline Touch of Spice ColorSensational Creamy Matte Lipstick ($7.49), Maybelline Shocking Coral ColorSensational Vivids Lipstick ($7.99)
• Limitless luxury: NARS Audacious Lipstick Coffret ($125), Urban Decay Vice Lipstick Stockpile ($325), Tom Ford Lip Set ($212)