Want to learn how to create a basic makeup kit for beginners on a budget?! Learn how you can create the best makeup kit without breaking the bank.
Learning how to apply makeup for the first time can be fun.... but scary. If you're a beginner to this whole new world of makeup, you may not even have the products you need to achieve a complete makeup look. Don't stress... it's totally okay. Everyone starts somewhere.
I know when I started doing my own makeup 10 years ago I was completely clueless with what makeup products I needed, and which were just a waste of money. Yet, with years of practice and trying different products, I was able to create a basic makeup kit with my fav products-- without spending tons of $$$.
In this article, you'll learn how to build a basic makeup kit list for beginners that's affordable and filled with plenty of quality products. After this article, take some time to do your own research to create your own makeup kit filled with products you LOVE.
This post is all about how to build a basic makeup kit for beginners on a budget.
*Basic Makeup Kit For Beginners Guide*
How To Build The Best Makeup Kit For Beginners
Before you go out and buy a bunch of random makeup products with cool packaging, follow these 4 tips to save money & buy quality products you actually need.
Know What Products You Need
There are varying levels of makeup beginners. If you don't have any makeup at all, then you'll likely need quite a few products. However, if you already have mascara and foundation, unless those products have expired or you dislike those products, consider not buying another one of that same product to obviously same some $$$.
Research, Research, Research!
As always, do your own research to find the makeup products that best work with your skin type and personal lifestyle. Be sure to read reviews for products before purchasing. While researching, if you find an expensive product you really like, try looking for a dupe of that product that's similar to the product you LOVE, at a fraction of the price.
Price Check
Price checking/comparing is another major way to save money. Often, a product will be sold at multiple stores (i.e. Amazon, Ulta, Target, Sephora). Therefore, by taking a quick search to compare prices between stores for the same product can save a few bucks which can add up over time.
Wait For Discounts/Promo Codes
Another tip is waiting for discounts or store promo codes. This way, at least you can get a percentage off your total purchase. Though this may seem insignificant, percentage discounts can add up for major savings!
For instance, Ulta often has promo codes where if you spend X amount, you get a certain amount off. Also, sometimes there are percentage discounts. With these savings at makeup stores like Ulta, it's important to check if any "luxury" makeup brands are excluded from the discount code. Brands excluded from the sale will often be written on the coupon or somewhere on the promo code area itself.
Ulta also runs a rewards program where when you can collect points for every dollar you spend. These points can then be redeemed for future purchases for money off your total purchase.
There's nothing better than checking out your large makeup order to find you have points to deduct from your total!
Basic Makeup Kit For Beginners On A Budget
Makeup can quickly add up. However, you don't have to spend hundreds of dollars on makeup to have a great makeup kit. Here are the top 10 types of makeup products you'll need to complete your basic makeup kit for beginners on a budget.
1. Foundation
Foundation acts as the base of your makeup that gives you coverage to even your skin and cover any imperfections/ redness.
There are a variety of foundations from low, medium, to high coverage. Depending on your use will determine what coverage you get. For instance, if you are looking for an everyday, light foundation, go for a low coverage foundation.
However, if you are doing a full glam look, consider using a mid to high coverage foundation.
There are also two types of foundation consistencies: dewy vs. matte. If you naturally have oily skin, consider getting a matte foundation to prevent your face from looking greasy.
Foundation Recommendations For Beginners:
AFFORDABLE OPTION: L'Oreal Parish Makeup Infallible Up to 24HR Pro-Glow Foundation
This foundation by L'Oreal is hands down one of the best drugstore foundations out there.
Sometimes, cheaper foundations can really do a number on your skin and cause breakouts.
Yet, this foundation I personally didn't experience much breakouts at all after wearing. And, this matte foundation is especially good for those who struggle with oily skin.
PRICIER OPTION: Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Foundation
If you are willing to spend more for a high-quality foundation, this Estee Lauder foundation is my holy grail. It doesn't look too cakey and effortlessly blends into your skin. And, it doesn't cause your skin to get crazy breakouts after!
FOUNDATION HACK: For everyday wear, consider using a tinted moisturizer. This will give you a light coverage look that won't clog your pores, while also giving you some coverage like you're wearing foundation.
My go-to tinted moisturizer is EltaMD SPF 44 Tinted Moisturizer. Not only is it a moisturizer with SPF, but it gives a nice blendable tint to even out your skin for a natural, light coverage look.
2. Concealer
Concealer is similar to foundation; however, it's only used in certain "trouble" spots on your face, not as a overall facial coverage. You can use concealer to hide dark circles under your eyes, breakouts, and more imperfections.
Often, concealer is a shade/tone lighter than your foundation/natural face shade to help hide any imperfections. It's essential you apply concealer over your foundation.
Concealer Recommendations For Beginners:
AFFORDABLE OPTION: NYX Professional Makeup HD Studio Concealer
This NYX concealer is a great concealer option that blends effortlessly into your foundation while still covering up any imperfections.
PRICIER OPTION: Tarte Shape Tape Full Coverage Concealer
If you're willing to splurge, this tarte concealer provides the BEST coverage. If you're going for a really minimalistic makeup look, you can even just apply moisturizer and then this concealer for a clean look.
3. Bronzer
Bronzer adds warmth and dimension to your face for a sun-kissed look. We're OBSESSED with a bronzed makeup look. You can even use bronzer for contouring your cheekbones, nose, and jawline.
There are two common types of bronzers: powder bronzer and cream bronzer.
If you're looking for a more natural, dewy look, a cream bronzer is an easy, buildable option. However, if you want a more matte, glam look, a powder bronzer is the way to go.
Bronzer Recommendations For Beginners:
Benefit Hoola Matte Powder Bronzer
The Benefit Hoola Bronzer is another absolute go-to basic makeup kit for beginners on a budget essential item!! Although it's on the more expensive side, you'll surely have it for at a year or two.
Fenty Beauty Match Stix Contour Skinstick
If you want a cream bronzer, this Fenty beauty bronzer contour stick works great to both contour and give a bronzed, sun-kissed look.
BRONZER HACK: You can use some bronzer on your eyelids for a natural eyeshadow look!
4. Blush
Blush is another essential for your basic makeup kit for beginners on a budget. Blush adds a hint of color to your cheeks to give you a radiant, sun-kissed look. Similar to bronzer, blush enhances your face for a flushed pop of color.
Blush Recommendations For Beginners:
AFFORDABLE OPTION: Covergirl Trueblend so Flushed Blush
This cost-effective blush option is a staple drugstore blush that gives a pretty pop of color to your cheeks.
If you're willing to pay a bit more, this Nars Blush is STUNNING. Not only is the color beautiful, but it's long-lasting so you'll have rosy cheeks all day long.
{RELATED POST: How Long Does Blush Last?}
5. Highlighter
HIghlighter is a type of makeup product that brightens and attracts light to certain features of your face. You can apply highlighter to the high points of your cheekbones, tip of your nose, inner corner of your eyes, and your cupid's bow.
The highlighter helps lift those specific features for a bright, dewy look that gives you an added uumpth to any makeup look.
Highlighter Recommendations For Beginners:
AFFORDABLE OPTION: Use A Bright, Shimmery Eyeshadow Color
This highlighter makeup hack is super affordable because you don't even have to buy a separate highlighter product! Instead, if you have an eyeshadow palette with a bright, shimmery eyeshadow, you can use this as an alternative highlighter product.
PRICIER OPTION: Smashbox X BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter
If you want a designated highlighter product for your basic makeup kit for beginners on a budget-- consider this Becca Highlighter. It has a beautiful shimmery color that lights up your face for a gorgeous pop of shimmery goodness.
6. Eyebrow Products
There are so many eyebrow products to style and shape your brows exactly to your liking. There are several eyebrow products including eyebrow gel, pencil, pomade, and powder.
No eyebrows are the same. Therefore, if you have thinner eyebrows, you may want to consider getting an eyebrow pencil to fill your eyebrows in.
Meanwhile, if you have thick, but unruly eyebrows, you may only need a brow gel to shape and lift your eyebrows to your desired look.
Eyebrow Product Recommendations For Beginners:
L'Oreal Paris Waterproof Eyebrow Pencil
This L'Oreal eyebrow pencil is an affordable, go-to eyebrow product that helps easily fill in your brows for a fuller-looking appearance.
Anastasia Beverly Hills- Mini Clear Brow Gel
If you're looking to shape and clean up your brows, this eyebrow gel from Anastasia is AMAZING at slicking your brows for a super sleek, clean look.
EYEBROW HACK: Spray hairspray on a spoolie and brush your eyebrows to your desired shape. This is the perfect solution especially if you don't want to buy eyebrow gel.
7. Mascara
One of the most essential basic makeup kit for beginners on a budget items (or anyone for that matter!) is mascara. A mascara can truly make or break your makeup look.
Mascara is applied to your eyelashes to give a voluminous, lengthening appearance to help make your eyes pop. However, it's essential you apply mascara carefully. Start at the root of the lash and gently work the product upwards into your lashes to the tips of your lashes.
Ensure you evenly distribute the product AND don't use too much. Otherwise, your eyelashes will have clumps of mascara.
Mascara Recommendations For Beginners:
AFFORDABLE OPTION: L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara
If you are looking for a super affordable, drugstore mascara, the Lash Paradise mascara is it. This mascara provides great volume to your eyelashes to truly make your eyes pop.
PRICIER OPTION: Benefit Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara
Willing to spend a little extra on mascara?! This mascara by Benefit truly is worth every penny. It provides both length and volume, without being too clumpy-looking like other mascaras that provide volume.
8. Eyeshadow
Eyeshadow adds dimension to your eyes to make them pop. There are all sorts of eyeshadow looks from a natural eyeshadow look, smokey eye, or cut crease eyeshadow look. The great thing about eyeshadow is you can do as little or as much as you want.
Eyeshadow colors range from neutral tones to more pops of bright colors depending on your preference.
Eyeshadow Recommendations For Beginners:
NYX Professional Eyeshadow Palette
This NYX eyeshadow palette has staple neutral tones to achieve many classic eyeshadow looks. Whether you're looking for a natural eye makeup look, or more a smokey eye look, this palette has many great shades to choose from at an affordable price.
9. Lip Products
Lips products undoubtedly enhance your lips for a more hydrated, plump lips you'll love. There are all sorts of lip products from lip liners, lipstick, lip plumpers, lip gloss, and more to achieve your desired look.
If you are just starting out, consider using a clear lip gloss so you don't have to worry about messing up an intense red lip look.
Also, we LOVE using lip glosses with plumping effects just to add a bit of plump and volume to our lips while keeping them hydrated.
Lip Product Recommendations For Beginners:
Every beginner should have some form of go-to lip balm to keep your lips hydrated and nourished.
GrandeLIPS Hydrating Lip Plumper
This lip glass is AMAZING. Not only does it provide the perfect glossy look for any occasion, but it also has lip plumping ingredients that give your lips a little extra volume.
10. Setting Spray
Last but certainly not least, setting spray helps lock in your final makeup look for hours without worrying about your makeup fading. After all, when you put a good amount of time and energy into your makeup, the last thing your want is your makeup to wear off quickly.
We love using a setting spray because it's quick and easy to just spritz a few pumps onto your final makeup look to lock it into place.
Setting Spray Recommendations For Beginners:
MAC Prep + Prime Fix + Primer and Setting Spray
This MAC setting spray is a staple makeup item. It's super easy to apply, effectively locks your makeup into place, and leaves your face feeling nice and hydrated.
Makeup Tool Essentials For Your Makeup Kit
Now that you know the best basic makeup for beginners, it's time is discuss types of makeup tools you'll need to complete your makeup kit.
11. Eyelash Curler
An eyelash curler is an absolute MUST when it comes to achieving long eyelashes. Carefully rest the curler in between your eyelashes (getting as close to the root without touching your eye) and squeeze & hold a few times
Curl your eyelashes right before you apply mascara. This will ensure your eyelashes are curled and lifted prior to applying your mascara.
Most eyelash curlers will do the trick. I've had this eyelash curler from Revlon for YEARS (at least 5 or 6) and it's worked great.
12. Makeup Brushes
Makeup brushes give you the ability to blend your makeup products for a natural, flawless makeup application. Every beginner needs to have at the very least a small wand brush to apply eyeshadow and a rounder, fluffy brush to blend face makeup.
However, many websites and makeup stores offer whole makeup brush kits for affordable prices
And.... don't forget to regularly wash your makeup brushes a couple times per month. Otherwise, you risk exposing your skin to unwanted bacteria from your used & dirty makeup brushes.
To clean your brushes, get a cup of warm water and put a couple pumps of dish soap into the warm water. Then, let the brushes rest (bristles in the water) for about 10 minutes. Rinse dry with a paper towel and scrub off any excess makeup product on the brushes.
Makeup Brushes BS-MALL 14 Pcs Brush Set
This makeup brush kit provides 14 brushes for endless makeup application possibilities.
13. Beauty Blender
A makeup sponge, or beauty blender, helps blend and apply any cream or liquid makeup products. This ensures the products are seamlessly blended into the skin and don't look too uneven or cakey.
Real Techniques 4 count Beauty Sponges
I always like to have a few beauty blenders on hand because these after daily use can wear/ get gross fast! The Real Techniques beauty sponges provide 4 different sponges so when one starts getting worn, you can easily replace with another one.
14. Makeup Remover
Makeup remover is an essential part of your makeup kit. This is because you need to be thoroughly washing and wiping off ALL your face and eye makeup.
Otherwise, you risk clogging your pores and getting breakouts.
Personally, I find wiping my face makeup off at the end of the day with a gentle cleanser and towel to be the best for my skin. Especially if you find face makeup remover wipes to be irritating on your skin.
For eye makeup remover, simply dab a little product on a cotton round and carefully wipe off your eye makeup.
Be sure to remove your eye makeup first before washing your face makeup off if you choose not to use face makeup remover wipes!!
Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover
This eye makeup remover by Neutrogena I SWEAR by. It's an absolute must-have basic makeup kit for beginners on a budget essential!
It gets the job done at removing even the most stubborn eye makeup. And, it doesn't irritate or dry out the skin around your eyes.
15. Makeup Bag
Your basic makeup kit for beginners on a budget isn't complete without a makeup bag! The last thing you want to do is have all your makeup products scattered throughout your room.
You can easily order a cheap makeup bag on Amazon. Or, you might already have one lying around your house.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makeup brand is best for beginners?
There is no "best" makeup brand for beginners. That being said, with plenty of trial and error you'll come to learn what makeup products work with your particular skin type, and which ones don't.
Some staple makeup brands that are affordable include:
- NYX
- Maybelline
- Lancôme
- E.L.F. Cosmetics
- L'Oréal
- Revlon
Although there are other top makeup brands we are OBSESSED with (Glossier, Benefit, Urban Decay... to name a few), often these products are more expensive.
What should we apply before foundation?
Before applying foundation, make sure you've washed your face with a gentle cleanser and apply a moisturizer with spf. We like using the Cetaphil Face Moisturize with SPF 35.
This moisturizer is hydrating, affordable, and has SPF which will protect your skin from any unwanted skin damage.
Next, you can also apply primer; however, I personally haven't had the best of luck with primer. Soooo if you find your face breaks out using primer or simply don't see effective results, you can skip this step and jump straight to foundation!
What is face primer used for?
Face primer preps the skin to prepare for whatever type of makeup you put on your face afterwards. Although primer is an optional makeup step, some find this step to work well at making the makeup last longer on their skin without fading off.
This post is all about how to build a basic makeup kit for beginners on a budget.
Other Posts You May Like:
Quick Guide: Simple Makeup Routine For Beginners
