“The expert in anything was once a beginner!”
Hello baby dolls!
Welcome back to my blog!
Are you interested in makeup but don’t know where to start or what to buy?
Well if that’s you then you’ve come to the right place, this post is dedicated to you!
Trust me, I know it can be overwhelming! There’s so many makeup brands out & new products that are constantly being released almost everyday. To a beginner it can become extremely difficult or discouraging even to get started. I even find myself getting overwhelmed at Ulta sometimes!
I’ve constructed a list of all DRUGSTORE essential makeup items for beginners along with some tips that I find will be extremely helpful if you want to dive into the wonderful world of makeup.
The reason why I chose all drugstore items is because I personally don’t feel like anyone should spend a shit ton of $ on luxury brand items when they’re just starting out. It’s best to buy cheaper but still really good quality items instead until you’ve mastered the specific makeup skill. Then move onto higher end!
Without further a due let’s get this party started!!!! 😉
#1. Moisturizer/Primer!
You must always prep your skin before makeup, ALWAYS! Prepping your skin is essential in ensuring that your makeup lasts long & applies as smoothly as possible. Skipping this step is not an option people, we need to have a smooth canvas!
I recommend the SkinActive 3 in 1 Moisturizer by Garnier, retails between $7-9. This stuff is BOMB! I have the hydrating one. It is is exactly that, hydrating AF! It comes in 3 different options depending on your skin type & what you’re looking for. This moisturizer can be used day, night, & also as a mask!
Elf’s Mineral Infused Primer has been duped with Smashbox’s Photo Finish Primer. It runs at about $6. I have tested this dupe out personally & it it spot on! The primer has a silicone-y feel & fills in your pores perfectly helping create a smooth base for your makeup.
#2. BB Cream or Foundation/Concealer!
The BB cream I started out with was the Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream, priced between $7-8. It evened out my complexion, it was lightweight, & super easy to use! I still use it til this day!
If you want a foundation an option would be Maybelline’s Fit Me Foundation, retailed between $6-8. Great beginner foundation! Comes in a matte or dewy finish depending on your skin type or preference, & it offers a great shade range!
*Tip* Always match your makeup base to your neck, not your face!
My all time favorite concealer is NYX’s HD Photo Concealer. It’s a dupe for the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer, so you know it’s good!
It retails at $4.99 & it is life changing!
*Tip* Remember to always choose a concealer 1-2 shades lighter than your skin tone!
#3. Contour Kit!
I love contouring palettes because of the convenience of having both products in one compact. Takes up less space!
The Wet n Wild Mega Glo Contouring Palette is perfection.
It comes with a powder to set your face & a bronzer to contour & bronze up the skin. It is available in only 2 different shade options, womp, but if either of the 2 work for your skin tone pleasebuy it! It is only $4.99!
Both powders are super buttery & pigmented. I’ve used& abused this palette, I love it so much!
If the Wet n Wild palettes don’t work for you another contour palette option would be the NYX Highlight & Contour Palette! It retails for $24.99 BUT you do get 4 highlight shades & 4 bronzers, its a great mix of shades for all skin tones. The blendability is top notch!
#4. Blush/Highlighter!
Wet n Wild has some amazing options for blush! They have an assortment of colors suitable for all skin tones ranging from pinks, to peachy tones, to neutrals. Priced at $4.99 you can’t beat it!
I have 2 highlight recommendations, one for a subtle glow & one for that bling blang glow.
The Elf Baked Highlighter retails for $4 & it gives that glow from within kind of look.
*Tip* Scrape off the top layer of the product to get maximum pigmentation.
Maybelline’s Master Chrome Highlight is a gift from the heavens. Its retailed between $8-9. The texture is like no other highlight I own. The pigmentation on this product is amazing & perfect if you want your highlight to be seen from space!
#6. Brow Pencil/Pomade!
If you haven’t been blessed with perfect thick brows, like I wasn’t, then a brow pencil or pomade is necessary. Brows just really pull a look together!
If you prefer a pencil I would go for Maybelline’s Total Temptation Eyebrow Definer. The pencil is priced between $7-$8. This has become my holy grail eyebrow product. It has a teardrop point which is perfect for defining & filling in sparse areas. It also comes with a fluffy spooly on the end that distributes the product perfectly.
If a pomade is more your style I would suggest Ulta’s Brow Pomade. It has a super creamy formula that allows you create sharp, bold brows that a lot of us loveeee. I like this pomade better than the ABH dip brow. It doesn’t dry out as quickly as the ABH in my opinion.
#7. Eyeshadow Primer/ Eyeshadow Palette!
Priming your eyes ensures that your shadows won’t crease & your shadows will appear more true to color!
*Tip* There’s no need to buy a primer for eyeshadow. You can use your concealer, set it with your powder & you’re good to go.
For a beginner I would suggest a neutral palette so you can practice applying & blending shadows. Neutral palettes in my opinion are easier to learn with. Once you’ve mastered this makeup skill you can move on to colors & GLITTERS!
The palette that I learned with was Makeup Revolution’s Flawless Matte Palette. There’s 32 shades in the palette & it retails for $15. Definitely worth the money honey!
If you would like to dip into some color, Wet n Wild has great palettes ranging from $3-5! They recently launched brand new palettes along with some older palettes that were reformulated. Go & get you some!
*Word on the street is that they duped the ABH Modern Renaissance 😉 yas!*
#8. Liner/Mascara!
NYX’s Matte Liquid Liner!!!!
I learned how to do a cat-eye with this liner & I’ve never bought any other liner since then. Super black, super matte, super easy to use. Runs at about $7-8!
L’oreal’s Lash Paradise is so good. Its a dupe for the Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara, the packaging is even super similar! Its priced between $8-10. It comes in a waterproof version too which is great! Really gives volume & length to your lashes!
#9. Lipstick/Liquid Lipstick/Lipgloss!
NYX, NYX, NYX!
Best drugstore lip products hands down! The have a huge selection of different products, colors, & finishes. You will definitely find something suitable for your skin tone & style within their lip products.
I would personally suggest all of their lip products lol but my top products are the Soft Matte Lip Creams, Lip Lingeries, Liquid Suedes, & Butter Glosses!
NYX’s lip products range from $4.99-$7.99. Super affordable for the amazing quality you get from them.
95% of my lip product collection is from NYX, they are THAT good!
#10. Setting Spray!
Setting sprays are crucial in keeping your makeup in place & melting all the products into one so you won’t have cake face.
NYX’s Dewy & Matte Setting Sprays both do a phenomenal job.
Again it’s all about your skin type or preference when choosing a setting spray.
*Tip* Spray after applying all face products to melt products into your skin then spray when your full face is done to set makeup in place!
Alright doll faces, there you have it!
Makeup is for EVERYONE & remember that even the pros started as amateurs!
Comment down below any products that you currently own that have been essential in learning how to do your makeup!
Stay tuned for part 2 of this series, I’ll be discussing essential makeup brushes for beginners!
As always sending love & good vibrations, xo
Inner-workings of my mind. 
LA girl pro concealers we’re a god send when I started !! & ofcourse, NYX everything 🙂
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Yes boo! NYX errthang😛😛
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I really like this! I like the premise of this as far as it being so simple that people like myself (who don’t like to put in a lot of time in make up) can do this too. Thank you! 🙂
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Makeup is for everyone, you really can do it! & no thank you! Means the world the world that you took the time to read! xo
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Great read for beginners or the generally clueless like me.
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I hope it helped! Articles like this helped me a ton when I first started out. Thank you so much for reading xo
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I have MUR eyeshadow pallete, it has really nice colors 🙂 And NYX’s lip products are amazing!
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NYX lip products are the best out in my opinion, drug store & high end! Thanks for reading lovieee💛
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This was awesome. I loved it. The tips were great. I also love that you recommend starting with affordable items. When I first decided I wanted to wear makeup, I went out and bought a bunch of MAC stuff, only to stop wearing makeup again just months later. Smh Whomp! Whomp!
My go to for mascara is L’Oréal Double Extend. I’ll have to try the Lash Paradise.
Also, newbie question, what’s BB cream? Does the B.B. stand for something?
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Thank you for reading! A bb cream is a beauty balm. It’s really light & it’s used to even out your skin tone, brighten, & smooth your face! It’s really great for light makeup days & during the summer!
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I love NYX products. All of the brands that you mentioned are great ones to start out with. My first foundation was actually the Fit me foundation. Great post!
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Thank you doll! NYX is definitely #1 for me!
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This very informative, thank you! I definitely need to follow this. You would probably cringe at my makeup collection or lack there of.
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Thank you for reading! We all start somewhere!💛 I’m glad this helped!
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Love your content!
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Thank you so much!
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These are some great recommendations! I love the Maybelline Matte and poreless Foundation, the nyx eyeliner, and the drugstore has amazing mascaras at the moment.
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Yes! The drugstore has definitely stepped up its game recently. So awesome
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