Makeup Kit Essentials

For centuries, society dictated who should and shouldn’t wear makeup. Travel back to Ancient China, and it was men who wore makeup, while in Ancient Rome, both men and women wore cosmetics consisting of a variety of exotic ingredients. Fast forward to the 20th century, and makeup became a strictly feminine product. Any man caught wearing makeup out in public was shunned, meanwhile, all women were expected to apply a full face of makeup before leaving the house.

Fortunately for all, the social parameters regarding cosmetics have shifted towards an era of unprecedented inclusivity. Gender and sexual orientation no longer matter; makeup is for anyone who wishes to use it, and those who don’t want to wear makeup don’t have to because society says so.

Yet, people change over time. It’s becoming more common for someone who didn’t wear makeup for decades to begin using cosmetics for the first time. Whether you’re making a transition, interested in a makeover, or simply curious to discover how cosmetics can enhance your appearance, using makeup for the first time comes down to two things: the techniques you apply and the products at your disposal.

We can’t offer much in the way of technique suggestions since every face is unique, and the same can be said for personal style, but when it comes to the products, we can certainly offer guidance. The following are six essentials for your first makeup kit:

Palettes

One of the most iconic components of the classic makeup kit is the palette consisting of several shades of powdered makeup. Eyeshadow and cheek palette kits provide a way for individuals to mix and match various pigments in order to achieve the ideal contours and shading. With a little bit of creativity, you can use eyeshadow and cheek palettes to create a variety of different looks and styles.

Eyeliner

Our eyes are perhaps our most distinctive feature. As a result, cosmetics meant to define our eyes are key components of any basic makeup kit. Eyeliner – whether liquid, powder, or other – is used to highlight the eyes and set a baseline for additional cosmetics meant to enhance their appearance. Popular eyeliner styles include winged, cat eye, and tight lining.

Mascara

When it comes to creating an eye-catching effect around the eyes, mascara plays a central role. Applied to the eyelashes, mascara adds color, substance, and volume to the hairs around our eyes. By wearing mascara with eyeliner, one is able to essentially illuminate their eyes due to the high contrast. Modern mascara comes in one of three forms: cream, liquid, and powder. Like most cosmetics, consumers have the choice to wear mascara containing organic ingredients instead of harsh chemicals.

Concealer

As the name suggests, concealer is meant to help hide blemishes and other imperfections of the skin. As a result, concealer should match your natural skin tone in order to achieve the maximum effect and avoid looking cakey. It’s not uncommon for first-time makeup users to experiment with several different concealers before finding the right one for their complexion and skin tone.

Foundation

Once again, the name gives away the function. Foundation is a cream, liquid, or powder-based makeup meant to provide a consistent baseline for the skin’s complexion. One can then add contouring makeup and shading techniques on top of the foundation and highlight tightened skin after chemical peels, botox, or other treatments you have done to your skin.

Primer

A makeup primer acts as a way to prolong the effect of applied cosmetics. It generally works by making the skin more receptive to powder-based cosmetics as well as those containing emulsifiers and emollients.

Are you thinking about wearing makeup for the first time? If so, you’ll need a kit containing the essentials. While the list of makeup options far exceeds the six examples mentioned above, these serve as a core set of makeup products that will provide the basis for an endless variety of styles and looks.

Julie Steinbeck is a freelance writer from Florida. She enjoys covering topics related to business, fashion, and travel.