Get the Basics in your Kitty and Put your Best Face Forward

MAKEUP ESSENTIALS

Selecting the right Foundation is probably the hardest part of your makeup routine. You not only have to consider the type of coverage you want (i.e. sheer/natural, medium, or full), but also keep in mind your skin type and undertones. It is extremely important to match the Foundation with your skin tone to get a beautiful finished look. 

In this article, I am going to apprise you about the most important makeup products. Whether you are a beginner, a makeup connoisseur, someone who prefers the 'no makeup' look, or someone who is considerably nuanced in makeup techniques but looking to fill up some gaps in your collection, this piece shall be beneficial for you.

1) Moisturiser- Moisturiser plays an important role in terms of preparing the skin for makeup. The moisturiser we use regularly is usually different from the moisturiser we use for makeup. The moisturiser for makeup keeps the skin hydrated even after the application of a heavy foundation. It keeps the makeup from cracking.

2) Face Primer- The main purpose of a face primer is to keep your skin looking smooth and your makeup looking fresh all day long. Regardless of your skin type, there is a primer for you. So whether you are looking for a formula to control oil and/or acne, moisturize, smooth out uneven texture or colour correct there is something specific for you.

3). Foundation- Selecting the right Foundation is probably the hardest part of your makeup routine. You not only have to consider the type of coverage you want (i.e. sheer/natural, medium, or full), but also keep in mind your skin type and undertones. It is extremely important to match the Foundation with your skin tone to get a beautiful finished look.

4). Concealer/ Corrector- To get a more professional touch it is very important to have a good concealer or corrector. It covers the dark circles and other blemishes. You must have good knowledge in terms of the specific correctors that are available and that will suit your requirements.

5). CC cream- To get a nice and easy everyday look one must have a CC cream which gives a flawless look to the skin and also protects it. Instead of using a Foundation on a regular basis one can use a CC cream to get the ideal natural look and this also protects the skin. There is one major downside to BB and CC creams- they usually come in limited shades in India and do not cater to darker skin tones.

6). Blush- Putting on blush can have a huge effect on your overall look, and I personally never leave it out of my makeup routine. Blush is especially necessary if you are wearing a Foundation with good coverage, which can sometimes leave your complexion looking a little flat. Blush comes in powder, gel and cream formulations, with powder being the most popular. Recently, cream and gel blush have become very popular as well.

When choosing a blush colour, pick something that will give you a natural look. Regardless of your skintone, be careful not to go for a very bright or heavy blush as these things can make you look clownish. In general, pink and peach tones work best on fair-to-medium skin, while mauve, purple and maroon shades work best on darker skin tones. A blush will not only give your face a healthy splash of colour, but it will also serve to emphasize your cheekbones and highlight the natural contours of your face. Applying a blush all over your face makes it look more natural than simply applying it only to the apples of your cheeks. However, the trick is to blend it really well.

7). Highlighter- One cannot leave a highlighter off this list! Like many other beauty products, highlighter comes in various different forms: powder, cream, liquid, stick and powder/cream hybrid. Each of these forms has its own unique benefits, but for beginners I recommend either powder or stick, as they are the easiest to work with. The proper method for applying highlighter is to lightly apply it along the bridge of your nose, the top of your cheekbones, your cupid's bow and just below your eyebrows. You can even use your highlighter as an eyeshadow! Just like the perfect shade of Foundation for finding the right shade of a highlighter you need to match it with your specific skin tone and undertones. Therefore it is a good idea to test out different colours in person if possible.

8). Bronzer- If you are trying to get a sun-kissed look, using the right shade of bronzer is essential. I recommend going no darker than one or two shades deeper than your natural skin tone. Either lightly dust it all over the high points of your face for a healthy glow or simply apply it in the hollows of your cheeks for a glamorous look. As for matte vs. shimmery, this really depends on the rest of your look: If all the other products you are using on your face are matte and you want to add some radiance, go for something with a bit of sparkle. But, if you are already using other shimmery products, stick with a matte formula to avoid an overload of shine.

9). Setting Spray- Much like a face primer, setting spray works to keep your makeup in place all day. There are different formulations depending on what type of finish you are looking at (e.g. matte, radiant, etc.). If you want your makeup to last, though, do not skip this step!

10). Eye Primer- Eye primer has been a lifesaver. A good eye primer should not only prevent your eye makeup from sliding off, fading and creasing, but should also be that veritable formulation that keeps the colours looking the way they are supposed to, all day long.

11). Eyeshadow- Along with highlighter, eyeshadow is my favourite makeup product, simply because it comes in so many different colours and finishes, and can be used in so many different ways! Personally, I prefer to buy single eyeshadows rather than palettes, as then I do not have to worry about wasting money on shades that I won't use.

12). Mascara- Mascara has a magical way of pulling your eye look together and comes in countless different formulas that lengthen, thicken and curl your eyelashes. Black is fine for most people, but if you have very light-coloured lashes, you may want to look into getting a brown mascara instead for a more natural look.

13). Eyeliner- Eyeliner, like mascara, can also add the 'little extra something' to enhance the beauty of your eyes. While black eyeliner is often considered a staple, consider giving brown or dark gray a try if you have lighter skin. There are countless ways to apply eyeliner, but my favourite way is to simply draw a thin line at the lashline and wing it out just a touch beyond my eye.

14). Eye Pencil- You can also demarcate the waterline if you want to make your eyelashes look thicker. In fact, there are eye pencils and kohl products that are made specifically for this sensitive area.

15). Eyebrow Powder- If you want to give your face a complete look, there are lots of different eyebrow products out there. Eyebrow products come in various formulations, including pencil, powder, mascara, pomade, wax and gel and the one you choose will depend on your needs.

Whether you are going for a natural look or are going for something a little more dramatic, be sure to use a light hand and slowly build up intensity to avoid the artificial, drawn-on look. Also, dramatic fades and sharp edges can often be too much for real life, so when in doubt, simply follow the shape of your own natural brows.

16). Lip Gloss/ Lip Balm- Lip gloss recently has been able to capture the market, with many trendy brands. Use lip gloss when you are in a hurry, do not have access to a mirror (it's hard to mess up), or when the rest of your look is more dramatic and calls for a subtler lip.

17). Lipstick- You cannot deny that lipstick is having a major moment since ages. Whether you go for a liquid or bullet formula; a glossy, satin, or matte finish, there is definitely a lipstick out there that will meet your needs! For beginners, I shall recommend starting off with a colour that is close to your natural lip shade, as this is the easiest to just put on and go. It is always a good idea to find a classic lip colour as it goes-with-everything. So, red is a must have for almost everyone. Experiment with a glossy formula or a lip balm for a softer look, or a matte formula for a more glamorous look. Apart from this the market is full of mauves, pinks, nudes and many more.

18). Brushes- Be sure to look for high-quality brushes from good brands as they should last you years with regular cleaning and proper storage. Brushes to look for include a face brush (for applying foundation), a smaller, fluffy angled brush (for applying blush and/or bronzer on the cheeks), a fan brush (for applying highlighter), a fluffy powder brush (for applying finishing powder or bronzer all over your face) and a basic eyeshadow blender brush, lip brush, eye liner brush and also a brow brush.

Now that you have got all the essentials, you need someplace safe to store them! For all brushes and makeup products, simple makeup bags/pouches work well. Remember that brush rolls are great for storing and are also great for traveling.

Writer: Juri Saikia

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