Makeup, a girls best friend...
Like your style evolution with clothes, makeup too, has an 'evolution' we all go through. Whether you started off wearing foundation 10x darker than your skin tone, or wearing lashes that could touch your eyebrows, I can guarantee you we all went through some phase in our life where we look back and think WTH?
I know I'm guilty. However, like age, we tend to grow out of the old and into the new. The secret between all these layers is finding your true style and essence. What best describes you. This isn't only communicated vocally. In fact, it shouldn't be. Your fashion, your choice of makeup, nails, even your perfume, are all different instruments that are harmonised and play your own unique melody.
When you look at someone dressed in all black, platform boots, baggy jeans barely sitting around the hips, some hardcore band on their t-shirt and hair over the face with plenty of piercings, you start to hear loud, rock n roll, hardcore music. That's just the melody this person is playing, simply by looking at them.
On the other hand, you see someone dressed in classic attire, clean makeup, proper manicure and smells fabulous, they're giving classic music you would hear at a restaurant or wedding. Do you see where I'm going?
So the idea here, when choosing makeup, is to find what most resonates with who you are. Whether you like the intense makeup look or the classic look, if you like trending items, or want to invest in higher-quality long lasting items. The list may be endless, but if you can figure out what it is you most gravitate towards, then stick to that niche until you can develop a broader knowledge base.
Below, I've listed the most important beauty products you should start off with to build your collection. When you feel you've accumulate a sufficient amount, you can start to expand and research deeper.
The only Beauty Products You Need
Face
Face beauty products consist mainly of primer, foundation, setting powder and setting spray. They're the most important you need to know for now, especially if you just want to start with a simple collection. Considering your skin type is VERY important for this part. A lot of people aren't completely aware of this, but your skin type and the products you choose determine how it sits on your face. It's crucial to know your skin type first, then shop accordingly. You can find out more about this here.
Primer
I'm a sucker for moisturisers, and this multipurpose product is a 4-in-1. Moisturiser, primer, hydrating mask and cleanser. So not only can you use it on it's own, you can use it beneath makeup for a glowy base, overnight as a hydrating mask or used to remove the very makeup you applied! And it's only $27!!! A beauty product you need to do the most.
Foundation
This foundation consists of 60% charged water and seaweed, means your applying a beauty product that also acts as skincare, as it deeply hydrates and nourishes your skin. With arnica, aloe and chamomile, these ingredients work together to soothe sensitive skin and calm irritation. Furthermore, rosemary, green tea and rice bran help boost the skin's immune system and prevent oxidation. Despite the buildable medium to full coverage consistency, this foundation provides a natural and dewy finish.
Setting Powder
The Huda Beauty setting powder is known for it's extraordinary 'filter like' capabilities once used to set makeup. With its extremely light and silky texture, it blends seamlessly into the skin leaving a matte finish with a subtle sheen.
*Tip: use a round blending brush to gently apply in areas you want to set for a more natural finish.
Setting Spray
If I had to choose one product from ANY product I recommend, this has to be the one! The d'Alba First Spray Serum is a triple-function serum mist that brightens, improve fine lines and wrinkles, while delivering important nutrients to the skin. Enriched with White Truffle, Avocado Oil, extracts from Giga White & Lotus, this dryness-fighting mist provides long lasting moisture and nourishment to the skin without leaving any greasiness. Trust me when I say, if you love glowing skin, this product is GOLD!
Eyes
Eyes are an important feature to understand on your face. We all have different eye shapes, which you can learn more about here. Determining your eye shape helps you better understand how to apply your makeup in ways that suits you best. As someone who's worked at Sephora, a freelance makeup artist and is self-taught, it took me quite some time to realise this. Learning more about your eye shape makes applying makeup so much more fun and a LOT easier. It also allows for you to create your own signature look without fail every.single.time.
Concealer
Pat McGrath may be one of my favourite brands, amongst MANY. She understands the quality of makeup and it's application on a level I believe not many have conquered - luxury brands included. This concealer has to be my no.1 favourite. It's smooth. Easy application. Gives a nice dew, so it isn't too drying under the eyes. And works beautifully on ALL skin types. She also has an extensive range of colours, making it inclusive to all skin tones.
Eyeshadow
An essential beauty product for your makeup bag. I believe this should be the first eyeshadow palette any beginner should own if they want to start slow. It's perfect for all skin tones and can be used for both night and day. The eyeshadows are so smooth to apply, and blend seamlessly. No chalk-like consistency 🙅🏼♀️. You can use this palette for a soft liner application, as well as your brows, without having to purchase too many items.
Liquid liner
Liquid liners are great for the classic 'Marilyn Monroe' look. Or that's what I like to use it for. Unless you're a liquid liner fan, I personally prefer eyeshadows to create my liner for a softer look. However, compared to many liquid liners on the market, this one in particular has proven to tick all the boxes. Easy application, not flimsy considering the tip is quite firm, and the perfect intense black. Everything you need in a liquid liner.
Mascara
Coming from someone who has owned and tried MANY mascaras, I have to say this one tops the list. The BADGal Bang is the only mascara with a wand that actually combs through your lashes without weighing them down (my experience). I've tried mascaras with similar brushes and they just didn't my lashes give justice like this one. They also come in travel size if you wanted to trial it out without having to spend too much.
False Mink Lashes
Unless you curl your natural lashes, or apply extensions these are the best lashes to purchase, especially for beginners. They're affordable, great quality and come in an array of styles. If you want to start slow, I recommend choosing a more natural style pair of lashes. These ones in particular are half a lash, which means they're applied on the outer corner of your eye, giving a 'cat like' effect. These are my go-to's, however you can take a look at their website and choose the ones you like best!
Eyebrows
Sometimes forgotten, yet have the biggest impact! Have you ever applied a full face of makeup and forgot to enhance your eyebrows? Have you ever seen someone without their eyebrows? It's like having no hair. Instead of a bald head, you kind of have a bald face. There are many ways eyebrows can be approached. Some like to completely draw them in creating a different shape, others like the laminated brow, while some like a natural looking brushed out brow. For the sake of this blog post, we'll be referring to the more natural looking brow.
Eyebrow Pen
There are many forms of eyebrow products. From eyebrow gel, eye brow powder, eyebrow pencil/crayon to eyebrow pens. This one is the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Pen which consists of a fine tip pen that creates hair like strokes for the most natural looking brows. I've watched @nikki_makeup use this product and haven't gone back since.
Eyebrow Gel
A simple yet effective beauty product. I am guilty of having my eyebrows turn in any direction they please. It makes me look sad. Don't ask why. Yet this product has saved me on multiple occasions. Think of them as hairspray or hair gel, but for your eyebrows. It tames the fly aways, making you look neat and put together for the longest time. Are they important for everyday use? Probably not. But they do come in handy when you've had your makeup done and need to ensure the brows behave and stay in place.
Lips
My favourite part! If I ever have an "everyday makeup routine", the main product used asides from moisturiser and concealer would be lip liner. Like eyebrows, the influence they have on your face when complete is breathtaking. They automatically elevate your makeup look from blazé to WOW! Yep. I believe the lips can do just that. Otherwise, they just blend in with your skin tone. They're also fun to apply because you can make smaller lips appear larger if you're strategic with the over-lining application. I've seen many people 'over-line' their lips, and some can look gorgeous and so natural, whereas others can appear a little too much. Here is a great tutorial on how you can line your lips to achieve a natural, poutier look.
lipliner
One of my most recent purchases. What a colour! The perfect nude shade if you like a deeper tone. Highly pigmented and a very creamy application. Not many lip liners have this quality, making it rare to find a perfect lip liner that lasts all day.
Lipstick
Lipsticks come in matte, satin or sheer finishes. All are beautiful depending on the look and effect you want. However, matte lipsticks are longer lasting and can always be blended in with a nice lip gloss for a shinier finish. This Pat McGrath lipstick is the a universal mauve nude, suitable for all skin tones. Highly pigmented and doesn't make your lips feel dry. It's unique, oil-infused powders in the formula ensure it feels featherweight and ultra-comfortable on lips, while also making application effortless.
Lip Gloss
I love a creamy, extra shiny lip gloss, and Anastasia does NOT disappoint. The ultra-smooth and non-sticky formula glides across lips with ease and instantly gives the appearance of fuller-looking lips with comfortable wearability. Available in a wide variety of colours, you're guaranteed to find the tone that suits you best.
Cheeks
The category that helps accentuate your face, bring it to life and give it a little zazz. Enter contour, blush and highlighter. Whether you wanted a slimmer nose, higher cheekbones, a sculpted face or some colour, this is the category you focus on. Contour or bronzing can be used wherever you feel you want to 'slim' a designated area. Blush is used to appear as though the face is 'healthy' and highlighter is used to reflect light from your face, giving the illusion of healthy skin. Ladies, nothing gives a healthy glow than healthy skin and a healthy body. Focus more on what you consume than trying to cover it up with makeup. In saying so, here are some products I think you girlies will love and give you the look you're after.
Cream Bronzer
This Chanel cream bronzer is lightweight, hydrating and instantly refreshing, composed of 75% water. Created with micro fluidic technology, micro-droplets of encapsulated pigments melt into the skin on contact creating a radiant bare-skin effect. The perfect product for a natural looking sun-kissed glow. It applies effortlessly on the skin and blends seamlessly with other products. A must-have beauty product in your makeup collection.
Bronzing Powder
I first seen an international makeup artist use this product on her clients. A beautiful product that can also be used with or without a cream bronzer. It's also the perfect crease shade for eyeshadow. Makeup is subjective, and just because it's marketed one way, doesn't mean it's the only way to be used. Get creative.
Cream Blush
A skin-loving, dewy blush that provides fresh, sheer colour for cheeks, eyes, and lips. I love using this product on it's own on my cheeks when I want to look a little more 'alive'. It gives the perfect flush look without sitting too heavy on the skin. Add a powder on top to last all day!
Powder Blush
Blush is used to give you an overall healthy glow, brighten up your face and contour your features. This specific blush by Rare Beauty has a luminous effect, giving a radiant finish. Blushes like this don't necessarily require you to add a highlighter, acting as a 2-in-1 product.
Highlighter
With all the products that have glowy finishes, a highlighter is the one that enhances that natural glow. Applying it on the highest points of your face attracts that light and reflects the most beautiful, yet subtle shimmer. Available in an array of shades, a champagne hue is the most classic.
If you loved this article, be sure to check out my blog post,
'20 Unique Spring Perfumes You Need To Add To Your Collection'
You can find me on Instagram posting a lot more glamorous content
@lama.dweik
