You’ve pretty much nailed the whole “I woke up like this look” and, girl, you are rocking it. But, for anyone who’s ever tried to start dabbling in makeup, it can be slightly intimidating to navigate through the endless product pages on Sephora.com. From angled brushes and heated eyelash curlers to fluorescent highlighter and eyeshadow palettes as big as your countertop, some things are better left to the pros. That’s why we created a quick cheat sheet of the 12 essentials that every grown woman should have in her makeup arsenal.
What Every Makeup Newbie Needs in Her Kit
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Published Jan 8, 2018
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Ulta
Moisturizer
Look for a lightweight but hydrating face cream to create an even base that won’t cake or peel throughout your day.
Clinique ($39)
Dermstore
Foundation
Try a formula that is both thin and moisturizing, so you can build upon for less or more coverage depending on your needs. (A little SPF never hurt anyone either.)
Tarte ($39)
Ulta
Concealer
To erase under-eye circles, unwanted blemishes or any imperfections with one quick swipe.
Urban Decay ($29)
Dermstore
Black Mascara
A miracle, face-brightening tool that will breathe life into tired eyes.
Kevyn Aucoin ($28)
Ulta
Black Eyeliner
For nights when you want a more dramatic look. This tapered felt tip is super easy to use to help beginners perfect the technique.
Stila ($22)
Ulta
Eyebrow Pencil
Brows are having a huge moment because of how defining they are for the entire face. But don’t get intimidated by all of the varying techniques, a simple pencil that fills in any gaps will do the trick nicely.
Anastasia Beverly Hills ($21)
Ulta
Blush
For adding a lovely glow no matter what kind of winter cyclone is blowing outside.
Nars ($30)
Ulta
Nude Lipstick
A universally-flattering hue that can pull your entire face together. Look for a shade that most closely matches your skin tone for a flawless look.
Clinique ($18)
Dermstore
Red Lipstick
On the flip side, a red lip is a total game-changer that can make a major statement even with very little other makeup on. Stick to shades with blue undertones—not orange—to keep it flattering for all skin tones.
DuWop ($22)
Ulta
Simple Brush Set
There’s no need to break the bank on a massive set of brushes. Keep it simple with a set of five: one for face powders, one for blending and contouring and three varying sizes for different eye looks.
EcoTools ($13)
Ulta
Beauty Blender
No matter how many knock-offs pop up, there’s a reason pros still trust the OG version. Use it to flawlessly apply foundation and concealer no matter how new to the makeup game you are.
Beautyblender ($20)
Amazon
Cotton Swabs
Pro tip: Dip into lotion or makeup remover to fix minor errors and stray eyeliner.
Q-Tips ($5)
