If you’re looking for a guide to building an essential makeup kit for beginners, this post is for you and great to have you here.
With all the tutorials flooding your feed and new products launching almost every other day, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
One person is teaching a new technique, another is raving about a “must-have” product, and you’re thinking to yourself — I’m still yet to start building my kit.
Beginner Makeup Products
You don’t always have the budget (or patience) to hire a makeup artist, and you want to be able to do your own face for everyday looks. The good news? As a beginner, you don’t need 50 products. You just need the essentials that cover all the key steps without draining your wallet.
Let’s break it down step-by-step.
Face Moisturizer (First Step in Your Essential Makeup Kit for Beginners)
If you don’t already have one in your skincare stash, this is your first must-have.
Makeup sits better on well-hydrated skin, and skipping this step can leave your base looking patchy.
First, look for a moisturizer suited to your skin type, such as lightweight and oil-free for oily skin, or richer creams for dry skin.
Primer
This is the “grip” your makeup needs to last all day. The type you choose depends on your skin type:
Oily skin: a mattifying primer (e.g., Rimmel Stay Matte, Fenty Pro Filt’r Mattifying) will help control shine.
Dry skin: a moisturizing or illuminating primer (e.g., e.l.f. Hydrating Primer, Black Opal True Color Illuminating) adds glow.
Oily but don’t want matte? Go for a hydrating, water-based primer. It keeps skin fresh while controlling excess oil.
Think of primer as prepping the canvas before you paint — it makes everything smoother and longer-lasting.
Basic Brush & Tool Set
While it’s tempting to buy a 20-piece brush kit, beginners can start with just a few essentials:
- Foundation brush and sponge: for blending liquid products smoothly.
- Powder brush: for applying compact powder evenly.
- Eyeshadow brush set: one flat brush for packing color and one fluffy brush for blending.
- Flat angled brush: perfect for filling in brows, creating soft eyeliner effects, and using concealer to clean up your brow shape after filling them in — a true multitasker for beginners.
Look for soft bristles that don’t shed, and remember that good tools make your products work better.
Foundation
A good foundation should match both your skin tone and undertone, and suit your skin type. If you’re just starting, you don’t need a luxury brand — drugstore favorites like Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless or Fenty Eaze Drop Skin Tint are great.
Not sure about your shade? We have a full Foundation Shade Guide that walks you through testing in natural light and matching to your chest (not your hand).
Compact Powder
Forget about loose setting powders for now as baking and heavy setting can wait until you get a grip of the basics.
For beginners, a pressed compact powder is perfect for a quick touch-up and an even finish. Just make sure it matches your tone and undertone.
Eyeshadow Quad
Don’t overwhelm yourself with a 30-shade palette. Start with a quad that has a mix of everyday neutrals and maybe one or two bolder shades.
– Neutrals for work or casual days.
– A touch of gold, bronze, or burnt orange for a pop of color.
Juvia’s Place quads are amazing for this.
Mascara
If you can’t apply falsies yet, mascara is your best friend.
– For shorter lashes → choose a lengthening wand.
– For long lashes that lack fullness → choose volumizing formulas.
Check out our Mascara for Curly Lashes post for more tips.
Eyeliner (Optional, but a nice touch)
Eyeliner isn’t a “must” when you’re just starting — it’s more of an “extra spice” for when you want to define your eyes a bit more. If you’re new to it, start with a pencil liner rather than liquid. Pencils give you more control, and you can smudge them for a softer look if you make a mistake.
Brown eyeliner is perfect for a softer, everyday vibe, while black gives that bold, classic definition. Winged liner? That’s a skill for another day — trust me, it’s better to master the basics first before you go chasing perfect flicks.
Concealer (Optional — but you’ll probably love it)
Concealer can be a beginner’s best friend… or it can overwhelm you if you jump into advanced techniques too soon. If you want to keep things simple, I recommend just two shades:
– Your exact skin tone → for covering blemishes and evening out specific areas.
– One shade lighter → for brightening under your eyes or the center of your face.
Skip heavy color correcting for now — that’s more of an intermediate skill. When you’re ready, you can learn how to use peach, orange, or green correctors to cancel out discoloration. But as a beginner, just focus on blending your concealer well and setting it lightly so it doesn’t crease.
Lip Products
Your lip kit doesn’t need to be a whole drawer of products. With just a few smart picks, you can create endless looks:
Brown lip liner – works with almost every lipstick or gloss.
Nude lipstick – choose a shade that flatters your skin tone.
Red lipstick – instantly dresses up your look.
Gloss or lip oil – for that juicy, everyday finish.
A quick beginner-friendly combo? Brown liner + nude gloss = instant everyday slay.
Setting Spray
Think of setting spray as the “seal” on your masterpiece. It keeps your makeup in place so you’re not reapplying halfway through the day. Go for something lightweight — Milani Make It Last, Skindinavia, or e.l.f. Matte Magic Mist are great starting points.
Final Tip: Keep It Simple
The biggest mistake beginners make is thinking they need everything. You don’t. Start with these essentials, practice with them, and then slowly add new products and techniques as you grow more confident.
We’ve got a full library of beginner makeup guides, from Everyday Makeup Essentials to Mascara Tips for Your Lash Type.
Bookmark them, experiment, and enjoy the process; makeup is supposed to be fun, not stressful.
