Makeup Virgin

Aug 10, 2012

Shenell J.

I'm 16 and new to makeup. So what are some things that I should have as starters for affordable prices?

Aug 10, 2012

Kelly G.

To Terra's list I would add concealer, tinted moisturizer, and good shadow pallete. 

Aug 10, 2012

Kaitlin K.

E.l.f is a great brand to start off with. You can buy online at Eyeslipsface.com or some products are also available in stores like target :)

Aug 11, 2012

Shelly T.

IMO, what Terra listed is, pretty much all you need. I'd also suggest starting a skincare routine if you've not done so.

Aug 11, 2012

Heidi C.

All of the above is excellent advice. I'd just to add if you're going to go for a shadow palette, ELF brushes all the way! I prefer some of their regular brushes over their studio brushes (for eyeshadow) because they're smaller at the tip and have shorter handles, making them easy to control.

Aug 11, 2012

Kelly G.

I'm going to second Heidi that ELF makes darn good brushes for a beginner. Eco tools and sonia kashuk make good drug store brushes as well.
Wet'n'wild makes awesome shadow palletes. They are dirt cheap and great quality. 

Aug 11, 2012

Millie B.

Thanks I'm also kinda new to the makeup thing ( did it a few times) this was very helpful :)

Aug 12, 2012

Joanna M.

When I first started using makeup, I went through my mom's makeup drawer and used some things in there! [Back then, I only used eyeliner and some eyeshadow, I'm not a big lipgloss fan] Experiment with what your mom may have and then go out and buy some things based on that! NYX Cosmetics has a lot of great products at even greater prices! [although its kind of hard to find their products in stores, they're mostly online] And as everyone else has said, ELF is a great drugstore brand if you can't order things online. Try your local Target or Wal-Mart! Good luck, Shenell! n___n

Aug 12, 2012

Lameka F.

Mascara is a must, a good lip balm, eyeliner, and lip gloss (:

Aug 15, 2012

Atiyah Y.

ELF & Wet N Wild. ELF has good brushes but some of their eyeshadows are hit & miss. I love Wet N Wild products. They have 3 & 8 palette eyeshadows with very good color pay off. I love their matte lipsticks, blushes & bronzers. I would definitely browse the ELF website because they ALWAYS have sales going on. & keep a look out at your local drugstore for sales they have on different brands. 

Oct 13, 2012

Shenell J.

Thanks everyone for your answers!

Oct 13, 2012

Stephanie A.

FYI, this is my personal list of essentials. You don't necessarily need all of these things, but I just got into makeup about a year ago and this is what I use on a regular basis. My style tends to lean towards bold colours, so keep that in mind. If you're looking to stay neutral, you could probably get by with just my drugstore essentials, plus a good mascara.

Drugstore essentials:
- e.l.f. brushes (The Studio Line C-brush is a really great basic shadow brush, and their Kabuki brush is really great if you're planning to use any powder face products. It totally changed the way I apply pressed powder, and it gives a really nice, subtle, natural finish.)
- Wet N Wild Color Icon palettes (Comfort Zone is my #1 neutral palette, so essential and it's only, like, $5.)
- Wet N Wild Megalast lipsticks (You can find these on sale a lot, and they're a great way to experiment with colours you might not want to spend a ton on, but they're still high quality. My go-to colours are Cherry Picking and Red Velvet because I adore reds.)
- You can find some decent tinted moisturizers at the drugstore level - I actually really like the Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream (although it's not really a BB cream, it's just a tinted moisturizer). Decent coverage and it's the only drugstore tinted moisturizer that doesn't break me out.
- e.l.f. Cream Blush (I use Flirt and it's layerable and blendable.)

Indie essentials:
- Meow Cosmetics mineral foundation (This is the ONLY foundation I use, and the only one I'd recommend to a beginner. You absolutely do not need to wear foundation, especially since you're relatively young. Even if you have problems with acne, most foundations will just make you break out more. This one is an exception, at least for me - it's nice and light, and full of really high-quality ingredients that don't irritate my skin. I use their Pampered Puss, which is medium coverage, and apply with my e.l.f. Studio Kabuki. They also have lighter and heavier coverage foundations. They also have a RIDICULOUS shade range - almost 80 colors, I think. $1 samples will help you figure out your shade. So so so nice.)
- Meow Cosmetics i-prime (This is a decent shadow primer, which is essential if you have oily lids or want to get really intense color payoff. The main reason I like it is the price, which is much cheaper than high-end, cult shadow primers you might hear about, like Too Faced Shadow Insurance or Urban Decay Primer Potion. If you want bright colors, shadow primer will change your life. I've also heard good things about e.l.f.'s mineral shadow primer, so that might be one to check out as well.)
- Fyrinnae loose eyeshadows (These are AMAZING, incredibly pigmented, glittery, bright shadows in unique colours and finishes. I couldn't live without them. Their shadow 'minis' are $2 each and will last a long time, plus they come in little jars instead of baggies so they're easy to use. If you like neutrals, Te Amo is my holy grail shadow for a simple wash of colour - it's a medium taupe with a rose gold highlight. I also love Arcane Magic Faerie Glamour and Steampunk, Rapunzel Had Extensions, Bitey Tyrannosaur, Digital Faerie, Freya, Wicked, and the list goes on... Great colors, great value, cheap shipping, and they're all cruelty-free and vegan.)
- Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy (This is a must if you want to try out their glitter shadows. It's a sticky base that helps to prevent glitter fallout, and can also be used for a foiled effect.)

High-end essentials:
- LUSH Cosmetics Eyes Right mascara (This is expensive for what it is, but was totally worth it for me. Finding a mascara you like is pretty much trial and error, though, I've found.)
- Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar (THE cult lip product, and one of the best places to get eye-bleedingly bright lip colors. I'm still figuring out how to wear the one I have to get long wear out of it, but they're pretty well known for being long-wearing, so ymmv. Other places to get unusual lip colours are Morgana Cryptoria and Portland Black Lipstick Company, both online indie companies that I haven't tried but have heard great things about.)

As I write you a novel, haha. In the last year, makeup and nail polish have become one of my favourite hobbies and they're a great source of creative expression for me. I hope you find some products you truly enjoy!

Oct 13, 2012

Nicole G.

wetnwild. farely cheap but good quality for a while for its price. than hop onto nuetrogena or bare minerals/essential. than finish up at clinique or some product at ulta