Makeup buys for every beginner

Whether you’re a complete beginner with makeup, or are looking to upgrade from your trusty tinted moisturiser and mascara combo – here’s everything you need to kickstart your kit. Next thing you know, you’ll be nailing stunning eye looks and contouring better than a Kardashian.

BASE

There are only three things you need to create the perfect base (on top of a good skin care routine of course) – foundation, concealer, and powder. The most important thing to note when choosing these products is your skin tone. In order to get the perfect match, you should always test the product on your face, so it’s best to select these in-store with the help of a beauty assistant. Here are some that won’t break the bank:

Top tip: Your skin tone can change between the seasons depending on how much time you spend in the sun, so keep this in mind when going from summer to winter and vice versa, as you may not use the same shade all year round.

ENHANCERS

Once you’ve got the goods to make your base look #flawless, the next step is to find some friends that will make your complexion come alive: aka bronzer, blush and highlighter. These three products will help you on your way to a rosy, sun-kissed and glowing complexion. Again, skin tone plays a major part in your choice of shade for these products. If you’re warm-toned, go for a deep berry shade of blush and a deep copper bronzer. If you’re cool-toned, go for blushes with an apricot or peachy undertone (so they don’t look Barbie pink on your skin) and a more honey-toned bronzer. (Don’t know which tone you are? We explain it all here.) Highlighters are more versatile and depend more on the finished look you’re after, but for an everyday glow, a pearlescent shade is ideal. Here are some good options of all three to get you started:

EYES

The first beauty product for many is a reliable, lash-plumping mascara. But there are a few others you should know about to truly enhance your eyes. For starters, filling in your brows can help to frame your entire face and while there are plenty of options for styling them – if you’re just starting out, a pencil is your best bet. It’s easy to control and often comes with a spoolie on the opposite end to brush them in place.

As for eyeshadows, while it can be tempting to go straight to black or navy for a traditional smoky eye – try starting out with some neutrals first. They’re a lot more forgiving when it comes to mistakes, making them great for practice! And of course, no eye kit is complete without an eyeliner. Try using a pencil first so you can slowly build up the colour and easily smudge any slip ups you make to look like intentional shading. You can always upgrade to a liquid or gel once you get the hang of it. Start out with these beauty buys:

RELATED: Become a total eyeliner pro

LIPS

Every great lip collection starts with the perfect red, nude and natural lip colour (one that simply enhances what you’ve already got). Finding the right shade of each can be a tricky process, but swatching is half the fun! Cool tones should look for blue-based reds and nude lipsticks with a pink undertone. Warm tones are more suited to orange-based reds and nudes that are more on the brown side of the spectrum. For a natural lip colour, try a clear gloss for some sheen or a tinted balm for a natural flush. Lip colours are the easiest way to dress up any make-up look and are pretty straightforward to apply, so once you get the basics right, you may find it hard to stop! Here are some of our favourites:

APPLICATORS

Fingers are incredibly handy (see what I did there?) and can be used to apply the majority of beauty products. But having brushes and sponges nearby can help speed up the process, allow for more precise application and are also fun to use! A big powder or kabuki brush is essential for newbies when applying make-up powders – simply use circular motions to buff the product into your face, down your neck and onto your décolletage. Your second choice should be a contour/blush brush, which is a little smaller and angled, making it great for applying bronzer and blush to the cheeks. And the third on your list should be an eyeshadow brush, which can not only be used to apply and blend eye colours, but also to apply powder highlighter to the high points of your cheekbones, browbones and inner corners of your eyes.

Some may also prefer to use sponges, which are great multitaskers. Try using throwaway ones to begin with and if you like the finish and handle, a high-quality one is worth investing in.

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