Drugstore Makeup Starter Kit

 

 

When dipping that toe into the colossal pond that is the beauty world, it can be terrifying and I mean terrifying. There are so many brands out there that range from the budget friendly to the mortgage breaking ones. There are so many different products that do so many different things. Primers. Foundations. Powder Foundations. Powders. Blushers. Bronzers. And that's just to name the a few of the basics! Where do you even start to begin? How do you know which is best for you? Do you take your time and go into that pond one bit at a time or just dive straight in and hope for the best? I'm here to share what I've learnt from how I started my own makeup collection and from the copious amount of YouTube channels that I watched before taking my first step

 

I first became interested in makeup in May in 2014 and I think that I started to start my collection in the June of that year. I had next to no clue as that what I need to start a collection. I didn't know what was what or what the different between a liquid foundation and a powder foundation was - well, aside from the actual consistency - one being a powder and all that. But I had no clue about what goes on first or last or what order everything went in. No clue. So, cue YouTube. I had no idea that YouTube was such an incredible source for makeup tutorials. I know that it had guitar tutorials as I had been teaching myself guitar for about nine months by that point. For weeks I marathoned YouTubers and took everything that they said onboard, all of their favourites and tips and tricks. I soaked it all in and then ventured to my local Asda and the solitary Rimmel stand that was only one bay wide. 

But here is what I've learnt about everything and a few of my recommendations.

Let’s start at the very beginning – it’s a very good place to start (had to say it!). Primers basically do what they’re called – they prime the skin for the makeup that you’re going to put on. They fill in pores and create a seamless canvas. Not everyone needs a primer. People with dry skin tend to not need them. Those with oily skin need a primer more often than not for their skin to stop their makeup from slipping on the oils that their skin creates. I personally prefer to use a primer when I’m doing my makeup as I feel that it gives me a better surface to work with.

Naturally, there are hundreds of primers on offer out there. There are ones that promise poreless skin, a matte finish and this and that. Which do you choose? I find that it’s all down to personal preference and what you’re wanting it to do.

Rimmel’s Fix & Perfect primer - £6.99

This is a white cream that primes the skin with a nice, unoffensive fragrance. It absorbs well into the skin and helps makeup to stay put. This was the very first primer that I ever used and I loved it and I really liked its smell. I’ve repurchased it a couple of times. My only niggle with this is that it runs out very quickly and the squeezy bottle isn't the best at getting all the product out.


Maybelline’s Baby Skin Poreless Primer - £7.99

This has more of a gel consistency. You merely need to dot this over your skin or where you want it and massage it in. It’s a great alternative to Benefit’s The Porefessional primer. I think that it’s a very good primer to start off with and I’ve used this off and on and have liked the results.


L’Oreal Paris Infallible Mattifying Primer - £7.99

This bad boy is what I have been reaching for constantly when I’ve been doing my makeup. Its consistency is very much like the Baby Skin one but I find that this one leaves a not as oily a texture to my skin.
 

Foundations are a very daunting thing to look into for the first time. Not only are there so many shades to choose from, but there are different levels of coverage that they offer. Will it offer a sheer cover to my skin? Or will it have a more intense coverage or will it fully cover everything? Those are the questions we need to ask when looking for a foundation. What do we want it to do? Here are my favourite foundations that are all medium coverage.


Rimmel’s Match Perfection - £6.99

This is a tried and true favourite. I have been using this foundation since I first became interested in makeup and I have it used it for practically every look that I’ve ever shared on my blog. It’s a light-medium coverage foundation that can be built up to a more full coverage base. It applies easily with a brush or can be blended in with your fingertips.


L’Oreal True Match Foundation - £9.99

True Match has been gaining in popularity over the recent months and I can see why. It’s a lovely foundation that feels light on the skin but gives you the coverage that you want. It comes in a variety of shades so it will suit everyone. I haven’t used mine in a little while because my skin tone has changed with the Spring months. It will make a lovely, light foundation for the warmer months.

L’Oreal’s Infallible Foundation - £9.99

This foundation has been the one (or two since I have to mix shades) that I’ve been reaching for every time I’ve done my makeup. It’s a fuller coverage than a medium one. It’ll cover those blemishes and pigmentation issues but it won’t quite cover that mother on your nose. It’s a bit more on the pricier side than the other two but for the coverage, it’s definitely worth it and I would highly recommend it.
 

The saviours of the makeup world. They’re the little tubes that we reach for when you need that little extra help.


Maybelline’s Fit Me Concealer - £5.99

I have been this in my makeup collection for a while. It wasn’t until recently that I realised that they did a more cool toned version than the one I had. Since that moment, it’s been a staple in my makeup routine. It has great coverage for those dark circles and those pesky pimples. It only comes in a few shades. 10 is warm toned and 15 is cool toned for those of a paler complexion.


Collection’s Lasting Perfection Concealer - £4.19

This concealer is one that practically has cult status. It is an amazing little concealer and it works better than some it’s more high-end counterparts. It covers and it can also brighten under the eyes and cheeks and act as an eyeshadow primer. When I use this, I like to take the excess on my brush up onto my eyelid to cancel out the discoloration there. 

 L’Oreal’s True Match Concealer - £6.99

It's not the most used in my collection but it is effortlessly blendable and can rival Collection’s concealer. It has excellent coverage and can help brighten the undereye area.

 

Once you have your base perfected, it’s time to set everything into place so that it doesn’t break up or crease as you move your face around during the day because you won’t be staying still all day like a monument. Like foundations, you can have varying degrees of coverage with the pressed powders. You can find pigmented powders or translucent powders or loose powders. It again depends on preference.


Rimmel’s Stay Matte Translucent Pressed Powder - £3.99

Stay Matte has been a firm favourite of mine since I began my collection. It sets the T-zone of the face without making it feel like you have layers and layers of makeup on your face. It’s translucent so it won’t add anything extra to your face or clash with the shade of your foundation. It’s a great powder for those that don’t feel confident with trying a pigmented powder.


L’Oreal’s True Match Pressed Powder - £8.19

I’ve been experimenting with this one for a few weeks and I’ve been really liking it. The packaging is beautiful and it comes with a handy little puff and concealed mirror which are fantastic for touch ups on the go. This powder is designed to correspond with the foundation of the same shade. I have the Rose Ivory shade and it goes beautifully with the foundation.


Bourjois’s Healthy Balance Powder - £8.99

On the blogging circuit, this little powder has been making frequent appearances and I can see why. It has a slight pigmentation to it but it’s not overpowering as long as you have the correct shade. It sets everything that needs to be set and it’ll do that whilst having the most heavenly perfumed scent. A powder that smells heavenly? You better believe it!


Maybelline Fit Me Powder - £5.99

Like the L'Oreal powder,, this is another powder that corresponds with the foundation of the same shade – or you can get a shade a couple of shades darker and contour with it. It adds a little bit of extra coverage but for the under eye area, I can always use the extra help. It’s a great one and it comes with a handy concealed mirror too.

Bronzers aren't for everyone and it took me a while to be converted to them. I was hesitant to use them because I am so fair skinned and rather heavy handed to be honest. Whenever I apply bronzer, I always feel like I look like I should be sending my resumé to Willy Wonka when I’ve finished. But with some practice and a lighter hand, I’ve found two bronzers that are my favourites and I would recommend.

The Honey Bronzer by The Body Shop - £13.00

This is my all time favourite bronzer. It’s a gorgeous matte bronzer that will add that healthy hint of warmth to the skin without being too orange looking. The honeycomb pattern is so cute, too. 

 

 

L'Oreal Glam Bronze Duo - £10.29

I’ve recently fallen in love with L’Oreal’s Glam Bronze Duo. I have the Blonde shade and it is very pigmented and you only need the smallest of dabs into the pan to get the pay off. It’s also matte but it also comes with a nifty highlighter on the other side. You can swirl them together to get a fairer shade but I prefer not to. This one comes with a little applicator that will help you warm up your face or contour with the hidden mirror underneath. It’ll be great for travelling with because you have so many things in such a compact little thing.

Blushers are probably my favourite beauty products out there, closely followed by eyeshadows. I have very few blushes that are actually budget friendly. Because I love blushes so much, I tend to treat myself with the more pricier ones so if I have a blush from the drugstore, you know it's a good 'un. So here are my top three that I would recommend to anyone starting out with makeup.



L'Oreal Le Blush - £7.69

These blushes are gorgeous. They're beautifully pigmented and you can't really go wrong with them as they're buildable and blendable. I have the Peach shade and it's a great alternative to Benefit's Majorette cream to powder blush. They look very similar but L'Oreal's one is a fraction of the price. Plus, it also comes with an applicator and a hidden mirror. 

 

 

Max Factor Creme Puff Blush - £8.99

These guys have been getting some air time in the blogosphere lately and I definitely know why. They are incredible little blushes. They're so pigmented, especially the darker shades, and they're a combo highlighter at the same time. They're a great dupe for the Hourglass Ambient Blushes that have the same marble design. The Creme Puff Blushes add a glow to the cheeks without being too over dramatic. They're gorgeous and I've been reaching for 05 Lovely Pink rather frequently.

Sleek Blush - £4.49

I have this blush in Rose Gold and you've probably seen it appear in one of my previous favourites post and a tutorial or two. It's probably my favourite drugstore blush that I own. It's a glorious blush that is a great dupe for the NARS Orgasm blush if you're wanting a more budget friendly alternative to the cult blush. It has the slightest hint of shimmer that adds a great glow to the complexion. It's a great little blush.

 

 

Naturally I would follow my favourite product up with my second favourite, eyeshadows. I love eyshadows. If I'm not looking at blushes, I'm looking at eyeshadows because they are so many to choose from with a plethora of finishes and tones. But what should you get when starting out? Here's what I recommend; start with the basics. Get your neutral tones first. Don't jump into the most colourful eyeshadows you've ever seen. See they're gorgeous to look at but if you don't know how to use them, you'll look that Great Aunt that has crazy blue eyeshadow plastered onto her eyelids that does nothing for anyone.

Maybelline Color Tattoo - £4.99

These are cream shadows that you can apply with your finger and then blend out using your finger or a brush. They're pigmented but not overly pigmented in that you're left with an eyelid full of colour. They're easily blended so if you do go a little heavy handed with them, just keep blending it out and it'll look great. They come in a variety of neutral tones, On and On Bronze and Pink Gold are two of my favourites.There are also more daring shades out there for those that are a bit more adventurous.

L'Oreal Mono Eyeshadows - £5.49

Beautifully pigmented shadows that come in a variety of shades and range from matte to shimmery to nude. There is a shade for everyone and I usually reach for one of the shades that I have for any eye look that I do. They're gorgeous and so soft and blendable. I love using these.

W7 In The Nude Eyeshadow Palette - £9.99

If you don't want to spend money on tons of different individual eyeshadows, then eyeshadow palettes are the way to go. W7 offer up a variety of different eyeshadow palettes that are neutral based and kind to the wallet. In The Nude is pink toned palette and In The Buff is more brown toned. They're excellent alternatives to the Urban Decay Naked palettes but are a fraction of the price. Each palette comes with 12 shades and a brush (which I don't personally use). There are equal amounts of matte and shimmer shadows in the palettes that will see you through any day or night time look that you're wanting to do. You can get them from W7's website. I personally bought mine from eBay.

Wet N Wild Color Icon Mono Eyeshadows - $0.99

I only have two of these in my collection but they are firm favourites. I use 'Panther' to draw out my cat eye flick when I'm doing that as it is a strongly pigmented black eyeshadow. The other eyeshadow that I have is always beautifully pigmented and if the others are like these two then I'll definitely be getting more. They're so easily blended.

L'Oreal La Palette Nude - Rose - £14.99

It's on the pricier side but for what you get, it's a great deal. You get 10 eyeshadows in this palette that are all on the pink side of the colour chart. I've had this palette for a couple of weeks and I've been lifting it practically every time that I've done my makeup. It's shades are fantastic for achieving a no-makeup-makeup look by brightening the eyes or they can be used to achieve a full on smokey eye. It's a versatile little palette. The shadows are so buttery and I've had zero fallout from the pan or my eyes from these shadows.

 

 

ELF Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner Pen - $2.00

My sister sent me this for Christmas and it quickly became my favourite liquid eyeliner. It is blacker than black and it stays put and doesn't fade. The nib is soft on the eyelid - it doesn't pull or pinch at the skin. The hourglass shape of the pen makes it very comfortable to hold and easy to control. I haven't managed to go wrong with this yet *touch wood*. For the price, it's an amazing little eyeliner.

The Body Shop Eye-Definer - £9.00

I got this in a promotional gift reward for spending over £20 in store. I didn't really think much of it when I first saw it but since I didn't have any kohl eyeliners, I thought I'd give it a whirl. I've been using it ever since and I've never really found the need to buy any other black eyeliners. I do have another one but I don't reach for it as much as I do this one. It's soft against the eyelid when lining the upper lashline and gentle when going along the waterline and tightline as those are pretty sensitive and vulnerable areas of the eye - you do risk poking yourself there! It glides along the waterline and I love lining my eyes with this.

Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner - £5.99

This was my favourite liquid eyeliner before I got the ELF one but it's still a goodie! The nib has a marker texture but it's very thin so it makes that flick easier and lets you get close to the lashline. The liquid isn't as pigmented as the ELF liner but it is buildable so when you're doing your small strokes, you can build it up.

 

 

 

I do have a love-hate relationship with mascaras. Love them with I have my contacts in, hate them when I have my glasses on. As I've said in a previous post, I'm not a lover of lengthening mascaras when I have my glasses on because they look insane under the magnification of my lenses. It's ridiculous. However, I do love some dark lashes so here are my pick of the bunch for a beginner.

Maybelline The Rocket Mascara - £7.99

A cult favourite. When I first started becoming interested in makeup, this little mascara was all the rage. Everyone used it in their videos and I naturally found it in my shopping basket. This guy gives you the blackest of lashes. Whenever I wear this, I have the darkest lashes, the thickest lashes and I look like I have false lashes on. I love the way that this seems to magically give me insane lashes. I do reserve this mascara for when I'm wearing my contact lenses. The wand is a bit on the chunky side though. I don't mind it but my lashes tend to meet at the outer corner or my left eye and it can be tricky but that's just personal preference.

Revlon Lash Potion - £9.99

This is my 'My Lashes But Better' mascara. I have the Blackened Brown shade and I tend to use this on days when I'm doing the no-makeup-makeup look. It will coat your lashes and separate them and give them volume, even with glasses on, without looking like you've coated your lashes in a dozen layers.

L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes So Couture Mascara - £10.99

You've probably heard me go on and on about this mascara. It is one of my favourites in my collection because it looks great when I'm wearing my lenses and when I have my glasses on. It gives me the lashes that I want without making them look fake or heavy. None of these mentioned mascaras are heavy so that you feel like your lashes are weighted down by lead. I love the wand on this mascara as it lets me get right to my lash root. One of my favourites.

 

 

Filling in your eyebrows has only recently become a major things. I had never ever thought about filling in my eyebrows or known that it was a thing that you had to do when it came to a makeup routine. I barely had a routine about maintaining them, nevermind a routine about their appearance between waxing sessions. But these are my picks from the drugstore.

ELF Clear Brow & Lash Mascara - $2.00

If you aren't fussed about sparse spots on your brows and you just want them to stay put during the day, they this will be your saviour. It's a simple clear mascara that sets your brow hairs in place without looking oily or like you have anything in your brows at all. Just remember to use the correct end!

Rimmel Brow This Way - £3.99

If you're wanting something that will give your brows a bit more oomphf, then this is for you. It's a tinted gel that you come through your brows. I like to use this when I don't feel like filling in my brows and just want to give them a bit more colour. I use light strokes with this one as one side always tends to be heavier handed than the other.

Soap & Glory Archery 2-in-1 Eyebrow Pencil - £8.00

This is the drugstore answer to the Anastasia Brow Wiz. It comes in a handy pencil shape. One end has a comb to tame the brow hairs and ease them into place. The other end has a soft pencil end that you use to fill in the sparse parts or define your brows. The pencils come in a variety of shades to cater for various brow colours. I'm BlondeShell. I like using a pencil at the moment. I know that there are creams and pomades out there for brows but for the moment, I like the control that I have with a pencil and feel comfortable with it.

 

 

Lip products are probably the most subjective, next to foundations - everyone is looking for something different and they all want something different - What I love in a lipstick is not necessarily what someone else will want in a lipstick. So where do I begin recommending lip products to you guys? Here's what I've come up with. I'm going to recommend types and you can look for what shade that you want. How does that sound? Like the entire post, pretty much. Yeah, I suck, sorry!

Revlon ColorBurst Stains - £7.99

These little crayon like lip stains are insane! The balm stains feel so moisturising on the lips that you aren't even sure if you're wearing a lip balm or a lipstick. It's a win-win! Revlon have so many of these crayons; the Balm Stains, Lacquer Balm Stains, Matte balm stains - there's something for everyone. Honey is my favourite from the Colorburst collection.

Maybelline ColorSensational - £6.99

Maybelline makes up a large chunk of my lip product collection and they're all from the ColorSensational line. I love these lipstricks and they come in so many shades that you can spend 30 minutes easily looking at the selection, nevermind swatching them. They have neutrals, nude, brights, bolds, reds and shimmers. The formula of these lipsticks is wonderful. It doesn't feel drying on the lips at all and I love picking up a new one. My favourite is Velvet Beige.

NYX Butter Gloss - £5.00 also available at Next.

If you want an amazing lip gloss, pick one of these up! They are so creamy and moisturising on the lips and they have great colour pay off. They also smell incredible. Tiramisu is one of my favourites and half the time, I want to eat it.

Rimmel Moisture Renew - £6.49

Rimmel makes up another larger chunk of my lip product drawer - it doesn't help that my place of work stocks them. However, unlike with Maybelline, my Rimmel Moisture Renew lipsticks are on the brighter side. These would be my spring appropriate lipsticks as I have bright pinks and orangey-reds from this collection. The formula feels moisturising as the name suggests. They're like butter on the lips and glide effortlessly. I would say that I would use a lip brush in partner with the lipstick so that can get a most accurate application.

There you have. It's not exactly like any other kind of makeup starter kit that gives you specifics but we all know that makeup is very subjective and it's a very personal thing. I may love all of the above products and you may not and that's okay. There is nothing wrong with that. It's all part of the learning process and I'm sharing thar part of my journey with you all. I hope that this helps you out and if you have any questions or comments, let me know.