When I'm reading comments on fb pages/blogs people asking about the must haves they should have in their makeup collection. I decided to make a list of my own. :)
1. Eye Shadow Primer:
Every MUE (Makeup Enthusiast) should own a eye shadow primer. This helps with creasing, fading, and even can affect how the shadow is applied.
My Picks:
Elf Shadow Primer ($1), Urban Decay Primer Potion ($12-$20), and NYX HD Shadow Primer ($7.00).
2. Eyeliner:
I dont feel like my looks are complete now without a eyeliner. I find that black liner can go with many eye looks. Its my most used liner color. I like color liners usually for the waterline or to use as a base for eye shadows. They also can bring a punch to a more neutral look. Brown eyeliner is good for more neutral looks and white is good to put on your waterline to make your eyes look more awake/open. I thinkyou should at least have a black and a brown liner.
Pencils: I'm not a big fan of the pencil liner. I prefer to use this type for the waterline or as a shadow base. I find many pencil liners tug, more prone to smudging, and harder to get that perfect smooth straight line.
My Picks:
UD 24/7 Liners and NYX Eye Liners
Gel Liner: This would be my goto type of liner. I find that they last longer, apply darker, less smudging, easy to apply, etc..
My Picks:
Elf Studio Cream Liner, Mac Fluidline, and Tarte EmphasEyes Clay Liner.
Liquid: I have a love/hate relationship with liquid liners. If I had to choose my favorite look of liners, it would definitely be liquid. I like how smooth, bold, and shiny it can look. I find though my eyes can be sensitive to them and this either means bleeding in the inner corners or fading in the outer corners. I prefer the markers to the brush applicators since they are easier to apply. Theres a difference of one stroke compared to multiple strokes. Many artists also use liquid liners for their more artistry looks. (Lime Crime Uniliners are used a lot for this.)
My Picks:
Elf Liquid Liner, Essence Beauty Waterproof Eyeliner Pen, NYX Studio and Glam Liners.
3. White and Black Shadow Base:
White shadow base is good for making colors pop. Black shadow base is good for duo chrome shadows.
My Picks:
White - NYX Jumbo Pencil Milk and NYX White Shadow Base
Black - NYX Jumbo Pencil Black Bean or UD 24/7 Liner Zero
4. Blush:
I think you should have a blush in pink, peach, and a bronzer shade. I didnt use to wear blush for years and now my face isn't complete without it. I find a little swipe of color can bring a nice color/glow to your cheeks. It can also be used to make your face look slimmer. I find that different colors need a different color of blush. For more cooler colors (white, black, silver, blue, purple) i prefer to use a pink blush. For warmer colors (brown, orange, yellow, pink) to use a peach shade. I like red shades more for the more natural days to make it look like I got some sun. Bronzer can also bring a glow. I like to use it when I want to warm up my skin a little. I've yet to try the number 1 blush which is Nars Orgasm.
My Picks:
Pink - MAC Tippy (Dolly Mix)or Be a Bombshell Cosmetics Sweet Cheeks
Peach - Sally Hansen Poppy Love, Bourjois Lune d'or 35, or Covergirl Trublend Shimmering Sands
Bronze - Too Faced Pink Leopard or Benefit Hoola
5. Neutral Palette/Set
A neutral palette is good for everyday looks. When your on the go and need to do a 5 minute look, these are perfect. They are also good to make a eye look for a job interview/work.
My Picks:
Urban Decay Naked Palette and BFTE Coffee Shop Set
6. Colorful Palette
These have a wide selection of different colors. Along with your neutral palette, you will have all the colors you need. These palettes have shimmer, matte, satin shadows depending on which palette you choose.
My Picks:
BH Cosmetics 120 Palette 2nd edition, Elf 100 Pc Palette, BFTE 16 Pc Sample Set, Coastal Scents 88 Shimmer Palette, or Coastal Scents Original Palette.
7. Lip Balm
I find this is important to keep lips moist and healthy. I use one of these before I apply a matte lip product since they can be drying. Its also something easy you can slip into your purse. They arent that pricey so if you end up losing it, you know you wont have to pay an arm and a leg to replace it.
My Picks:
Chapstick or EOS
8. Lips
Just like Blushes I think you need certain shades in your collection.
Nude shades are typically worn when your having a dramatic look and you dont want to overpower your eye look with a bold lip color. It should be one level darker than your natural lips to create a subtle contrast. For fair skin use rosey hues to bring warmth, peachy beiges to play up medium tones, and more coppery shades to make darker complexions sparkle.
My Picks:
Urban Decay Super Saturated Gloss Glinda
Reds can just add a little punch for an everyday look when applied lightly or heavier for a more glamourous look for a night out on the town. Berry reds flatter fair skin, a true red works great on medium tones, and a deeper orangey rouge pops on darker complexions
My Picks:
Revlon Cherry Ice or Mirenesse Lip Bomb 02
Coral colors add a nice glow to your skin. Fair skin tones should use rosy corals, medium complexions should try vibrant melon hues, and darker skin tones look best with a gold-flecked version.
My Picks:
Shiro Cosmetics Why Not Zoidberg or Revlon Just Bitten in Flame
Pinks i find to be a lot of fun to wear. I tend to go bold with the hot pink shades. I wear pink more then any other product. It will pair nicely with a bronze eye look for these summer months. It also can be used to add a punch to a more neutral look. When choosing a lipstick, you’ll want to select one with blue undertones if you have cooler skin, and if you have warm undertones, then you’re better suited for something more orange or red-based. Check out here for tips on finding the right pink shade.
My Picks:
Revlon Just Bitten Passion, MyGlam Gloss, Revlon Colorburst Lip Gloss in Hot Pink
9. Makeup Brushes
I think every girl should invest some money into makeup brushes. You will find a huge difference using them compared to applying your makeup with those cheapy applicators that come with a lot of products. Some of them can be quite useless. I think you should have a shadow, crease, pencil, smudger, eyeliner, foundation, concealer, blush, and powder brush. A lot of makeup artists you see online normally use Sigma Beauty or MAC Cosmetics Brushes. I've yet to use these because they are kind of on the pricey side, but I hope to one day invest in these.
My Picks:
Ecotools, Crown Brush, E.L.F. Studio Brushes, Everyday Minerals, and Real Techniques.
10. Mascara
A eye look will never be complete without it. Mascara can darken, lengthen, curl, and/or define your lashes. I tend to like ones that arent very clumping, give length, and give my lashes that fake lash look.
My Picks:
Maybelline Colossal, Maybelline Falsies, Clinique Natural Glossy, and Tarte Lights Camera Lashes.
11. False Lashes
I'm not the greatest at putting these on but they can really polish a look. Also they can just be fun to wear and make you feel more glam.
My Picks:
NYX, Red Cherry, and Ardell
12. Glitter
Want something fun to add to a look, how about some eye glitter. You can never go wrong with glitter. I think its good for artistry makeup looks, also for festive and going out looks.
My Picks:
Eye Kandy Cosmetics, TBN Eye Glitters, NYX Glitter Mania, and LA Splash
I hope you found this list to be helpful.