Okay, real talk: I’m pretty sure that up until sophomore year of high school, my “makeup routine” was actually making me uglier. But what did I know? All my friends were getting into the makeup scene. All the YouTubers were doing it, so naturally, so did I. Unfortunately, my lack of coordination and artistic skills didn’t make things any easier, but practice definitely makes perfect! Over the years, I’ve gathered make-up staples that are so easy to use and perfect for any occasion that I’ve decided to share them and hopefully make someone else’s makeup journey a whole lot easier than mine.
- For Starters, Foundation
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A good foundation, I’ve found, is absolutely KEY, and L’Oreal Paris’s Infalliable Total Cover Foundation unlocks every door. It goes on super smooth and with such great coverage. A little goes such a long way, so this product definitely lasts a while. This has been my absolute lifesaver, especially when covering acne or scarring to the point where I don’t feel the need to use concealer. An absolute favorite!
And it’s only $7.79 at Target!
- Next, Powder
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I didn’t even understand the wonders of powder until last year. L’Oreal Paris’s True Match Loose Powder Mineral Foundation really ties everything together. It comes with this perfect fluffy brush for an easy application after you’ve applied your foundation. It provides a natural matte finish, and does a beautiful job of making even the oiliest of skin look flawless. I don’t even know how I was living without it.
It cost $14.99 at Walgreens.
- On Deck, Contour
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Learning contour was probably the scariest thing I’ve ever had to face, but I will always love Maybelline for guiding me into the well-defined light. Maybelline’s Master Contour palette not only comes with basic contour powder, blush, and highlighter, but it also comes with INSTRUCTIONS!!!! Flip it over to the backside and it comes with the easiest step by step instructions for learning how to contour with this palette. I couldn’t have asked for a better tutorial. However, the blush does come out very bold, so I would recommend treading with caution. Other than that, this palette has been my saving grace.
It cost $9.69 at Target.
- Coming Up, Eyeshadow
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Again, Maybelline came to my rescue with an eyeshadow palette, also with instructions! While they have several in this line with various colors schemes, I use The Blushed Nudes because I’ve been told that blushed tones are best suited for people with blue eyes, and I love to use this for just every day use. The instructions on the back of this is divided into three sections based on how much effort you want to put into your look that day: four shades, three shades and two shades. Again, very easy to use, it tells you where to put each color, and which colors go best together. Even when I’m not using this palette, I still follow these basic instructions every time.
It cost $11.99 at Ulta Beauty!
E.l.f. also has these mini eyeshadow palettes that are literally labeled where you’re supposed to put them and are super cute and affordable, which we LOVE on a college student budget!
It cost $13.13 on Amazon!
- Almost Done, Mascara
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Mascara is probably my favorite type of makeup ever, because it is nearly impossible to get wrong! Now, sometimes I find that a black mascara is too bold for those of us with fairer features. So, for a more casual look I love a brown mascara, especially Covergirl’s Clump Crusher, $8.99 at Ulta. It just goes on so nicely and usually only requires one coat to get the job done. But when I’m here to make a statement, Lancome’s Monsieur Big ($25 at Sephora) black mascara is the best way to do it. I find that so many different mascaras try to do too much in terms of their brushes that they just get annoying, but this one has quickly found its way into my heart.
- Last But Not Least, Lips
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While most of these can be found in a drugstore, my favorite lipsticks actually come from Amazon. Princessa Lipsticks are the best quality lipsticks that I’ve ever tried. They come in large packs, in various colors, and cost $6.83 on Amazon. The color will stay on considerably through any drinking and eating, but when it’s time to take it off at the end of the day, it removes with no struggle. These are honestly the world’s best kept secret.
Makeup can be absolutely terrifying, but these products will hopefully make it a lot easier for you to look your best without all the stress!