Makeup Essentials: 8 Products Every Beginner Needs In Their Kit

Building up your makeup collection or, indeed, starting it from scratch can be an overwhelming process. We’re often led to believe that we need tonnes of expensive products in order to achieve the results we so desire. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. You can start creating amazing looks with just a few key products.

I believe that there are eight items each beauty beginner needs. So here are my makeup essentials and how I suggest applying them:

1. Primer

Primer is the base layer of your entire makeup look. It serves to smoothen out the skin and reduce texture so that your foundation goes on flawlessly and stays put all day.

In the past, I must admit, I was always a bit of a primer skeptic. I mean, how much could one product really improve the finish of your makeup? I tried different brands, different bases, different price points. But I often felt that my skin looked worse than if I had just gone without! Little did I realise that all this time I had been choosing the wrong primer for my skin type.

For dry, dehydrated skin you’ll want to go for a gel or oil-based primer. This will compliment your moisturiser and make sure that your skin stays fresh and glowing. For oily skin, I’d recommend a silicone-based cleanser which has a mattifying effect and absorbs excess sebum throughout the day.

2. Foundation

Choosing the right foundation can seem like an incredibly daunting task at first. You’re faced with so many different shades and formats – without any advice or guidance it can feel kind of overwhelming. That’s where I come in!

Once you’ve figured out your skin type, picking the perfect foundation will become a whole lot easier. Like primers, foundations with a matte finish generally look better on combination or oily skin. For dry skin, you’ll want something with a satin or dewy finish. This will not only hide any imperfections or flaky patches, but also keep your skin looking hydrated and radiant.

The format of your foundation – whether it be liquid, powder, stick or cream – is another thing to consider. While some consistencies tend to work better with certain skin types, I don’t think it makes a dramatic difference. To start with, it’s best to choose a format that you feel the most confident and comfortable applying! For me this is a liquid or cushion foundation.

When it comes to shade-picking, you’ll first want to figure out what your undertone is. Choose your foundation accordingly and, if possible, try to sample the product before buying it. These days you can even upload a photo to sites like NARS and Maybelline so you can virtually test out different shades to see which is a match!

3. Concealer

Concealer is probably the one product in my makeup routine that I cannot go without. It hides almost everything; dark circles, redness, blemishes, hyperpigmentation. You name it, concealer has got it covered (quite literally).

I tend to use this after my foundation, as I find that it blends out better this way. However, there are plenty of people who swear by applying concealer first. It’s really down to personal preference. Try it both ways and see what you think!

As with foundation, you’ll want to find a shade that suits you best. I generally recommend buying two concealers; one that matches your foundation (for spot-correcting), and another that is a couple of shades lighter (for under-eye highlighting).

4. Setting powder

If, like me, your skin tends to get shiny throughout the day, this is an absolute staple. Powders are designed to absorb excess oil and keep your makeup in place. They also help to reduce the appearance of pores and fine lines – all in all, they’re a good all-rounder.

Setting powders usually come in two varieties: translucent or tinted. The type you choose will depend on the amount of coverage you want to achieve. Translucent powders are more sheer and, as the name suggests, they don’t offer any additional colour correction. Tinted powders are great for adding a little more coverage, but – for this very reason – they can sometimes cause your makeup to look heavy or cakey. To avoid this, it’s best to apply sparingly. A light dusting across your T-zone should be more than enough to keep the oil at bay.

5. Bronzer

After applying your base, you’ll probably notice that your skin seems kind of one-toned and flat. Bronzer helps combat this by adding warmth and dimension to the face.

Again, you really don’t want to be heavy-handed with this. Simply dab your brush into your compact, tap off the excess and lightly sweep it along your cheekbones and jawline. I’d also recommend buffing it in small circles across your hairline to help blend in your foundation and avoid any harsh lines.

Bronzer essentially adds a slight glow to our look. It’s different to contour in that we’re not aiming to sculpt our face, rather we’re trying to emulate the warmth we would naturally get from the sun.

Because of this, it’s really important to choose a bronzer that suits your skin tone. Since I’m very pale, I normally go for cooler colours that don’t look too incongruous with the rest of my makeup, like Benefit’s Hoola Lite.

6. Blush

Loaaads of people skip this step, but for me blush is something that you just can’t go without. I mean, who doesn’t want to look rosy-cheeked and radiant all the time? I certainly wouldn’t pass it up!

It’s quite easy to go overboard when you first apply it. Even now I have days where I fear that, no matter how much blending I do, I’ll look like a clown when I step out into natural light. Luckily, there are a few ways to avoid this.

The first is to choose the correct place in which to apply your blush. The two main features you want to target with this product are the apples of your cheeks and the tip of your nose.

The next is to choose the correct shade. Make sure that your blush isn’t too dark or too light for your skin, as anything too stark will definitely look unnatural.

7. Mascara

Mascara really is a miracle product. It has the ability to instantly make you look bright-eyed and more awake (even if you’re running on coffee not sleep). For this reason alone, I’m sure that most makeup enthusiasts would put this at the number one spot on their list of beauty must-haves.

Mascara works by coating the lashes to make them look thicker and more defined. While there are many different formulas that offer varying benefits, like greater length or volume, it really just depends on preference. After trying a couple, you’ll soon work out what suits you best!

For a beginner, I would definitely recommend starting with a brown (or even clear) mascara. These look a little less intense than the standard black alternative, and are more forgiving if mistakes are made.

8. Lip product

When it comes to lip products the options are endless: lipsticks, glosses, liners, balms … the list just keeps on going. A well chosen lip shade can make all the difference to your makeup look, that’s why you really want to get this one right.

Start with a neutral lipstick, then work your way up to brighter or darker colours. By that stage you’ll be a pro at application!

If you’re still unsure, you can always opt for a tinted balm or gloss which still looks effortlessly glamorous, but is a little lighter and more natural.

Overall, makeup is something to enjoy and have fun with. Don’t be afraid to try out different products or different looks, your skills will improve each time you do! Let me know what your makeup essentials are and how you apply them!