All The Makeup Products You Need As A Beginner

As a makeup novice, trying makeup for the first time often comes with a lot more stress than people let on. You spend hours binging makeup tutorials, narrowing down the looks you want to try and jotting down the recommended beauty must-haves. But then, a simple trip to the beauty store turns into an overly complicated scavenger hunt for the right product. With so many brands and products to choose from, all targeting different areas of your face, the excitement of experimenting with makeup can start dwindling fast.

It took a lot of time to psych yourself up to start exploring makeup, so the disappoint of leaving empty-handed can feel like a huge setback. That makes it all the more important to keep things in perspective. Remember that all of your favorite beauty experts started as beginners, and experimenting with makeup doesn't have to be an intense, stress inducing process. It's entirely possible to stick with the basics and create jaw dropping makeup looks. Your first stop is stocking your makeup bag with these beauty staples that will pamper your skin, and help you expertly pull off the hottest makeup trends.

InStyle argues that a clean canvas lays the groundwork for your makeup look and pulls everything together, and we completely agree. Before you put on your makeup, Donni Davy, the Emmy-winning makeup director of HBO's "Euphoria," suggests using an oil-free facial cleanser like Aveeno's Positively Radiant Brightening Facial Cleanser for a fresh face. He also made a case for moisturizer and SPF, and stressed the importance of nourishing your skin regardless of your skin type. Davy swears by moisturizer-primer duo Embryolisse' Face Cream and Makeup Primer, and EltaMD's UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 (via InStyle).

Continue prepping your skin with foundation for a smooth surface. Just make sure you pick one up in the right shade and texture. Beauty and lifestyle blog Kindly Unspoken advises trying out test samples on your jawline before committing to a foundation so you can see which one best compliments your skin tone. If you're unsure where to start, Fenty Beauty's Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation was one of Sephora's top-reviewed products in 2021. Per Seventeen, concealer should also take up permanent residence in your makeup kit. It's perfect for hiding blemishes and any skin imperfections.

Having the right tools can make or break your makeup look. Per Byrdie, a blending brush is your best friend. You can use it to blend your foundation, and as an added bonus, it eliminates the need for separate brushes that target each part of your beauty routine. If you're willing to splurge, Artis' Elite Oval 8 Brush will work miracles. But if you're on a budget, Style Craze swears that e.l.f. Cosmetics' vegan Ultimate Blending Brush will also do the trick.

As far as brushes go, CoverGirl Makeup Expert Veronica Chu told Fashion Magazine that the material the bristles are made from makes a difference. "When applying dry products, use natural bristle brushes as they're more porous and will apply and blend the product more evenly." she explained. "When using liquid or crème products, opt for synthetic bristles, as they'll absorb less. The best multi-purpose brushes are a blend of natural and synthetic bristles — ideally synthetic on one side and natural on the other. These brushes will provide the best of both worlds so they can be used with any product."

We're forever in pursuit of good brows, and according to InStyle, CoverGirl's cruelty-free Micro Fine Fill + Define Eyebrow Pencil is the magic wand we need. Per the product page, it comes with an easy-to-use spoolie brush to fill in sparse areas. For thicker brows, add Anastasia Beverly Hills' Brow Powder Duo and NYX's Control Freak Clear Eyebrow Gel to your cart (via Seventeen).

With your face prepped, use makeup to play up your best features. Per Brit+Co, bronzer, blush, and highlighter are the makeup dream team. A good bronzer and highlighter will bring out your skin's natural glow, though they accomplish this in different ways. While bronzers add depth and slim down your face, highlighters give your skin a sun-kissed look. Before you pick up highlighter, decide between a matte or shimmery one (via Brit+Co). For flushed cheeks, Donni Davy recommends using a combination of a cream blush like Makeup Forever's Ultra HD Cream Blush and Glossier's Haloscope Highlighter Stick (via InStyle).

Before moving on to your eyes, Cosmopolitan UK strongly suggests using eye primer as a base for your eyeshadow, because it'll help keep your makeup in place much longer. Base secure, pick an eye shadow palette in colors that complement your skin's undertones. The same applies for your lip color. Though we're firm believers in the fact that there is a classic red for everyone, don't be afraid experiment with lipsticks in less traditional shades. Makeup bag officially packed, go out and slay.