Makeup 101: Drugstore Makeup Starter Kit

Starting out with makeup can easily get overwhelming and you may not know just where or what to start with. I put together a basic starter kit that are affordable budget friendly products that will help you achieve a natural makeup look, are easy to apply and if I were starting from scratch, these are the basic items I would use to do an entire face look with. A makeup starter kit is for someone who is just starting out with makeup and you’re not really sure what you should be getting and for people looking for specific products. These recommendations are all favorites of mine and things that work really well and that I would recommend to family and friends. Please note that I have combination/dry skin so my foundation recommendations might not work for you.

Prep the base: preparing your face before your foundation is very important for a flawless finish. Try L’Oreal Revitalift Miracle Blur, as this pore minimizer will blur the look of pores and leave your skin as a smooth canvas to the rest of your makeup. I did a blog post on drugstore primers that you can read here.

For base, depending on the coverage you are looking for, you may want to try either a BB cream or Foundation. I would recommend selecting something that has light to medium coverage as this will likely be the most comfortable for you especially if you are just starting out with makeup. Start with light coverage and build your way up as you get more comfortable with makeup. I recommend L’Oreal Paris Magic Nude Liquid Powder because it’s a great starter foundation and it provides light to medium coverage and has a satin finish that works well with dry or oily skin types. It also has great lasting power and is extremely affordable! I also recommend Bourjois Happy Light Foundation if you are a beginner because it is a sheer foundation and easy to blend and provides a natural finish. For all those who just need a product to even complexion with light coverage, I would recommend you go for a BB cream like the Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream.

If you have oily skin, a pressed powder may be essential. I have used and love the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder, as it helps to set my concealer or foundation and it also keeps me matte as well.

For concealers, I would recommend Maybelline Fit Me Concealer because personally, this is my go-to drugstore concealer. It works great to cover and hides imperfections incredibly well and I love that it is creamy and opaque and never cakey. It also hides any dark under eye circles you may have and highlights the under-eye nicely. I did a blog post on this that you can read here.

For the eyes, I love a simple eye look so the Wet n Wild Eyeshadow Trio in Walking on Eggshells is a great option as the eyeshadows are super buttery, smooth and pigmented as well. If you are into just wearing one product on the eyes, I absolutely love and recommend the L’oreal Infallible Eyeshadows. The color I constantly wear alone is Amber Rush, a beautiful rose gold shade and the perfect transition into eyeshadow. Winged liner never goes out of style so if you are brave and want to experiment with eyeliner, I suggest a kohl eyeliner or pencils as liquids can be tricky to work with (I still haven’t master a liquid liner as yet so I use pencils).

For mascara, I love using drugstore mascaras and about 70% of my mascaras are from the drugstore. At the moment, my favorite is Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara. I have used this a ton and plan on repurchasing when I’m all out. It is super lengthening, adds volume and gives a bold effect to your lashes. I did a blog post on this that you can read here.

For the Blusher & Bronzer, my favorite of all time are the Milani Baked Blushes and I highly recommend the color Luminoso. These are pigmented, blends beautifully and gives a beautiful glow to the cheeks. If you like cream products, they are best in achieving a natural look since it blends in the skin and leaves it looking like natural skin; plus application is super easy – you don’t need a brush, just your fingertips. Try Sonia Kashuk Crème Blush because they blend beautifully into the skin. For a sunkissed-look, you should consider obtaining a bronzer. Find a shade that suits your skin tone and looks as natural as possible and for that I recommend NYC Sunny Bronzer. It is a sheer matte bronzer that has a natural look and great for beginners. It has good pigmentation, is smooth and easy to apply and blend. Bonus, it is very inexpensive.

For the Lips, I recommend Revlon Lip Butters or the Maybelline Color Sensational Rebel Bloom Lipsticks. Both formulas are really creamy and smooth with great pigmentation and feels hydrating and comfortable on the lips. I did a blog post on a Rebel Bloom Lipstick that you can read here.

Tip #1: Don’t exaggerate, makeup is all about enhancing the beauty that is already there.

Tip #2: it’s better to go for neutral eyeshadow colors like different brown and taupe shades and never go to blues and greens and white unless you know how to use them because they will look unflattering.

What are your go-to drugstore makeup basics?