Building a natural makeup kit from scratch? This can get a little out of hand. We’ve created a list of must-haves that can save you any day. And no, this time your “basic makeup kit” isn’t gonna end up with 25 different products you don’t even need. This blog covers those super important essentials that can transform your look from everyday natural basic makeup to flawless glam.
What are basic makeup products?
They’re basically the essentials you can create a complete makeup look with. Basic makeup products should include items that can help you create a flawless base, fix imperfect spots, define your features and create a full-face look for an occasion. Before you start to get confused by those never-ending options, we’re classifying what you actually need. Let’s get your basics right!
10 Ride-or-Die Makeup Products Every Beginner Needs
1.The Flawless Base: Foundation or Skin Tint
Every makeup look starts coming to life with the base. You have a LOT to choose from. A foundation will give you more coverage and a polished, even complexion. A skin tint or cream keeps things lighter and lets your natural skin show through. What should you pick? That’s on your mood, your skin and the kind of coverage you want for the day.
The real trick is finding a formula that feels right on your skin. You don’t wanna spend the entire day trying to keep your makeup in place. The right foundation makes you forget that you’re even wearing any.
Goes without saying: please get your shade right! Test it near your jawline and see if it disappears into your skin, without looking patchy. Start with a thin layer and add coverage in areas that need it. Build it based on the look you’re sure you can carry the entire day.
2.The Spot-Fix: Buildable Concealer
The foundation does most of the job, but don’t expect it to cover those stubborn spots that need extra attention. That random breakout that shows up before a date? The under-eye situation when you’re sleep-deprived? The redness or dark spots that refuse to go away? The answer to all is a concealer.
A buildable concealer lets you decide what exactly to fix. Keep it light and only spot-fix. Add more only when more help is needed. For under-eyes, less is usually better. A thick line can settle into fine lines, and the area looks heavier when not moisturized. Our Hide It All Cover Concealer has shea butter infused in it that deeply nourishes without feeling heavy. Dab it wherever needed and blend out the edges.
3.The Blur: Setting Powder
If you often see your makeup disappearing by lunch or struggle with too much sheen, setting powder is your hero product. It helps lock your base down and takes care of all the sebum. Your T-zone will probably be the first area where you’ll need it. You see any creases appearing? Apply some powder, and everything looks smoothed and blurred.
It brings that soft blur, but you don’t need to powder your entire face. Press the powder into oily areas instead of piling it all over. Especially if your skin is dry, go easy. You want your makeup set, not sealed tight.
4.The Frame: Eyebrow Pencil
You ever get your eyebrows done and can’t help but notice how it changes everything? You can skip a full face, and the brows can still make that difference. A few strokes in the right place will make them look fuller, cleaner and more defined.
You need an eyebrow pencil with a spoolie to brush them up first. Then fill in the sparse bits with pencil with small, natural hair-like strokes. A brown or lighter brown shade of brow pencil can look even more natural. Our Brow Artist Eyebrow Pencil comes in three shades that stay waterproof all day. Add definition around the arch and tail, then brush through everything with the pencil’s spoolie. Soften them if needed.
5.The Sculpture: Contour Palette
Makeup doesn’t mean just highlighting. Sometimes it’s in the shadows. You don’t wanna look like a flat wax statue, so here’s where you add more dimension to your face. It’s about cheekbones, jawline, forehead or nose; wherever you want more shape and definition.
But here’s the catch. Contour shouldn’t really show. You don’t need two huge stripes under your cheekbones. You have to start small and blend well. See it this way: people should be noticing your cheekbones, not the contour itself.
Our contour palette gives you room to play around with different shades and intensities and to know what works for your face. Keep it subtle for everyday natural makeup; turn it up when going full glam.
6.The Warmth: Blush
Your face has perfection and shape, and here you give it life. Pick a shade you love according to your skin tone, undertone, and the overall look. You can literally see the freshness on your face as you put on some blush.
Most importantly, don’t underestimate a tiny amount of blush. A little goes a long way. Our Quick Cream Blush is so easily blendable that it melts effortlessly onto your cheeks. Its dewy finish lasts all day, and the six shades are made especially for Indian skin tones.
Tap it onto your cheeks and blend it upwards. Want those cute, round, blushy cheeks? Apply it to the apples of your cheeks and blend. Want a lifted look? Take it higher towards your temples.
7.The Eye Essential: Eyeshadow Palette
If you feel confused when you see twelve shades on a palette and think what to do with all, relax. There’s a shade for each occasion, each mood. Our Play n Blend Eyeshadow Palette gives you options to create a pretty daytime look and turn it up on days you want it more dramatic.
Start with a neutral shade across the lid. Add a deeper one across the lash line and outer corner. For a touch of whimsy, add some shimmer to the centre. You can also use some dark shades as eyeliner with an angled, sharp brush, running it across your lash line. An eyeshadow palette is basically one product with many personalities. You will surely have two favourite shades that you use on most days.
8.The Lifter: Mascara
A swipe or two and you look more lifted, more awake. Mascara is a non-negotiable in basic makeup products. It makes your lashes look longer and fuller, and your eyes look more open.
Start at the roots of the wand, wiggle slightly and pull upwards. On days when you’re running late, mascara, blush and lip colour are sometimes enough to carry a makeup look.
9.The Lip Secret: Long-Wear Lip Liner
Can we have a moment to give lip liner some more credit? It defines your lips, gives lipstick a clear finish and helps the colour last longer and stay in place.
For an everyday makeup look, pick a shade of your natural lip colour. Trace your lips’ outline and fill in colour. If you want that ombre effect, pick a darker shade of liner. For extra volume, try overlining the centre of your lips. A long-wear formula is handy and a go-to saviour if you don’t want to keep checking your lipstick. Whatever the lip combo is, a lip liner adds so much definition.
10.The Saviour: Setting Spray
You’ve made the base. You defined all that you like. The last step is to lock it all together. It helps your makeup stay in place and makes it look seamless and smooth.
When you’re doing a full-blown makeup face, you can do sandwich setting, i.e., spritzes of a setting spray between the layers. If not, a fixer at the end locks it all. Hold the bottle a little away from your face and spray evenly. A few spritzes are enough. Let it dry fully.
Basic Makeup Products for Beginners:
A Full Kit Vs. A Small Starter Kit
The products we discussed above are just enough to build a perfect makeup look, no matter the occasion. If you want a kit that’s even more compact, with just the quick saviours on the go, here’s a list of five products that can save the day without any hassle.
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Foundation or BB Cream: Your base sets the tone for the whole look. It evens out your complexion while feeling like a second skin.
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Concealer: For dark circles, surprise breakouts and spots. A dab in the right place can make all the difference.
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Cream Blush: The quickest way to look fresh and lively. It adds warmth that makes even a minimal makeup look feel complete.
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Mascara: When you want your eyes to pop without adding too much depth, mascara is a game-changer.
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Lip Combo: A lipstick and liner combo helps create that fuller-looking pout. A long-wear formula gives great payoff for the entire day.
Conclusion
Try the must-have list of products, choose your favourites, and slowly you’ll know that you didn’t need to carry all the products to all the places. These basic makeup products are just enough for any look, any mood.
Start with products you’ll actually use. Find formulas and finishes that work for you. Your natural makeup kit should make getting ready easier for you, not confusing. And hey, it’s always okay to have an endless number of favourites, but knowing what you really need makes your routines faster. The next time you’re obsessed with another new shade, at least you’ll know your basics are already covered. Now go and rock those looks with your little all-in-one kit!
