BUILD AN AGE-APPROPRIATE MAKE-UP KIT

I have received an overwhelming response from my MAJOR MAKE-UP BLOG SALE, and I have realized that most of them are students and newbies to beauty who are starting to build their make- up essentials kit.

One thing that holds them back from purchasing is that they are completely clueless on what to get. Some of them are quite honest and said that they were tempted to buy a particular item just because of my review, then they’d stop and think: “Do I really need this? Is it an essential?”

Building your first- ever make- up kit shouldn’t be a life-and-death matter because you will only need the basics. Basics are comprised of the following essentials: powder, lip balm, lipstick, concealer, lip and cheek tint, powder blush, eyebrow pencil, mascara or eyeliner, and eyelash curler. Leave the primer, lip sealers, eye sealers, contour powders, palettes, etc. for your adventure later on in beauty.

I felt a bit compelled to help my fellow readers who are starting to discover the awesome world of cosmetics. So as a way of taking a break from all my readings in Phenomenology and Method Acting, I created this entry. I hope this will help you all out!

AGES 14-16

In my experience, I’ve been interested in make-up as early as 8 years old. I assume that the need and impulse to take care of one’s self starts at the puberty age. I remember my first- ever make- up when I was 13 or 14, Johnson and Johnson’s Pure Essentials face powder. But if you’re 14, and don’t feel the need to wear make-up, don’t think that there is something wrong with you. The urge to discover and wear make- up depends on a person. And for me, I was destined to be kikay, hence my fascination with cosmetics at a very young age. :p

For tweeners, start ONLY with these:

I stressed on the word ONLY because at 14, you don’t need much, really. You’ll only need two things: A face powder and a Lip balm. Let your youth shine while you still have it. By the time you get old, you’ll be using more than what you thought you’ll ever need.

LIP BALM (Chapstick and Nivea)

These are cheap and mild lip balms that you can try. Chapstick comes in a variety of flavors sans the tint, while Nivea lip balms provide a nice, sheer hue on young lips. They’re cheap and they practically do their jobs.

Johnson’s and Johnson’s Pure Essentials face powder is your best and ONLY bet. It’s mild and it’s not jam- packed with chemicals. It’s your regular baby powder—only with a tint. It comes in a variety of colors ranging from white to beige. It keeps your face shine free and fresh all- throughout the day.

AGES 17-19

By this age, I was already wearing foundation. But for girls in this age, a more advanced face powder will do the trick. A lip and cheek tint will now come handy for that blushing look. And don’t forget the lip balm too to keep your puckers soft and smooth. Also, an eyelash curler will be another addition to your kit. Just be careful (especially for first- time users) because it can pinch the thin and sensitive skin on your lids and it can cut your lashes if you press it too hard!

Here are some recommendations:

Lip Balms- stick to the drugstore ones or you can opt for branded ones

SAVE: Drugstore brands (Carmex, Nivea, Chapstick, Lipice), The Body Shop

SPLURGE: Kiehl’s

Eyelash Curler- always get the traditional curler. It’s easier to use than their chunky counterparts

SAVE: Fanny Serrano

SPLURGE: Shu Uemura, Shiseido

Lip and Cheek Tints- when you don’t want to worry about finding the right lipstick and blush shade, lip and cheek tints are your best bets.

SAVE: Bench, Ever Bilena, Revlon

SPULRGE: Benefit, The Balm

Maybelline Clear Smooth powder- comes in a variety of shades, provides more coverage than face powders such as J&J, and it has SPF too.

SAVE: Fashion 21, Avon, Careline, NYX

SPLURGE: MAC, Laura Mercier

AGES 20-23

I am stopping at this age because I’m only 23 and I don’t want to appear presumptuous. By this time, I assume that ladies in this age have already done a ton of reading and researching about make- up and skin care. Your make- up kit should consist of the following essentials: Pressed powder or Powder Foundation, concealer, mascara or eye liner, lipstick, powder blush, eyebrow liner, lip and cheek tint, eyelash curler, and a handy make- up brush.

Eyebrow liner- defining your brows will enhance your facial features. Know what best brow shape will suit your face by reading 'how to's' online or by visiting eyebrow salons such as Browhaus.

SAVE: Love and Beauty by Forever21, Muji, Avon, Ever Bilena, Fashion21, NYX

SPLURGE: Chanel, MAC, Bobbi Brown, Benefit, Make- Up Forever

Make-up brush- you should invariably have at least a powder brush and a blush brush. Powder blushes are good to use if you want a softer look, and blush brushes are handy just in case your powder blush does not come with a brush. But if your powder blush has a brush, you may skip the blush brush. You don’t have to buy the whole kit. There are brands that sell individual brushes.

SAVE: Charm, Suesh, ELF, Love and Beauty by F21, Marionnaud, Bdellium

SPLURGE: MAC, Nars, Laura Mercier, Bobbi Brown,

MASCARA OR EYE LINER- some people prefer mascara over an eyeliner and vice versa. Regardless, both make- up products will make your eye appear prominent and defined. As the old saying goes, ‘The eyes are the windows to the soul". So draw them in!

SAVE: Maybelline, ELF, The Face Shop, Etude House, Tony Moly, NYX, Avon, Covergirl, Majolica Majorca, L'oreal

SPLURGE: MAC, Bobbi Brown, Make Up For Ever, Lancome, Chanel

Lip Balms- tinted or clear, just make sure it has SPF

SAVE: Nivea, Chapstick, Carmex, The Body Shop

SPLURGE: Kiehl's

Powder blushes- go for peach and pinks. These colors will make you look pretty and polished without looking over the top.

SAVE: Maybelline, Avon, Tony Moly, Etude House, The Face shop

SPLURGE: Nars, MAC, Benefit, Bobbi Brown, Shu Uemura, Chanel

Lip and Cheek tint- be more adventurous with colors by trying berry, pink, and orange tints

SAVE: Ever Bilena, Bench, Tony Moly, Etude House, Avon

SPLURGE: Benefit, The Balm

Eyelash Curler- always get the traditional curler. It’s easier to use than their chunky counterparts

SAVE: Fanny Serrano

SPLURGE: Shu Uemura, Shiseido

Lipstick- young adults will fare well with pink and coral- toned lipsticks. Go for the ones with satin or glossy finishes, as matte lipsticks can make you look older than your actual age.

SAVE: NYX, Maybelline, The Face Shop, Tony Moly, Covergirl

SPLURGE: MAC, Chanel, Shu Uemura, Make Up Forever, Paul and Joe

Concealer- by this time, I know that you’re now conscious of those dark circles, eye bags, and fresh zits. If you feel that you still need to educate yourself on the different colors of concealers, a yellow concealer will always do the trick, especially for us because of our yellow- toned skin.

SAVE: Maybelline, ELF, Avon, Etude House

SPLURGE: MAC, Laura Mercier, Benefit, Chanel, Shu Uemura

Pressed Powder or Powder Foundation- you can use any of the two. Some don’t like the cakey look of powder foundation, while some feel that they need more coverage than what a regular pressed powder can provide. Know what your needs are before purchasing anything.

SAVE: Maybelline, Fanny Serrano, Fashion 21, L’oreal, Revlon, ELF, Etude House, Tony Moly, NYX, The Face Shop

SPLURGE: MAC, Chanel, Shu Uemura, Shiseido, The Body Shop

Put all of your essentials in a spacious make-up kit, plus pop in a handy mirror. Choose the scent that fits your taste and you’re good to go!

Photo Credits:

the-cosmetic-campus.com/perfumezilla.com/montpellier-beauty.co.uk/instyle.com/shopcoholic.blogspot.com/magicpotion.com/cariocabaiana.blogspot.com/pinksith.com/pandyshop.blogspot.com/philamfood.com/best-makeupbrushes.com/needle-exchange.ca/wholesalemakeupbrushes.com