The world of makeup, much like fashion, is a fascinating one – starting with high-end avant-garde trends, which are presented at conceptual shoots and runways and make their way to everyday trends, makeup can be incorporated in various ways. Similarly, you have luxury and professional brands along with your everyday drugstore brands that make similar products at varied price points – which boggle one’s mind if you don’t follow it all.
If you’re just starting out in the world of makeup and are wondering where to begin or what to spend your money on, then look no further, I’ve got you covered.
The BaseThis is the most important bit. Most people love going eye-heavy and busting out that red lip, but in my opinion, it never looks polished unless you have a good base to begin with.
While skincare is an entirely different topic on its own, it usually starts from there. Hydrated skin, which you protect (by using SPF), will always give you an easier canvas to work with.
In terms of the base product, I would save when it comes to primers. The Nivea After Shave Balm for Men (excellent for longevity), the NYX Angel Veil (for hydration and smoothing), Maybelline Baby Skin Primer (silicone based for mattifying) or the Revlon PhotoReady Skinlights (for illumination) are all relatively less expensive and work just as well as their high-end counterparts. When it comes to foundation and/or concealer, I spend a little more. Sometimes, you get lucky enough to find your perfect shade match in less-expensive foundations (Maybelline Fit Me, Milani 2-in-1 Foundation and Concealer, L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte). Chances are, brands like Bobbi Brown, Estee Lauder and MAC will most certainly have your shade and something that will suit your skin type.
For powder, I’m a firm believer in professional brands such as RCMA (no colour powder), Ben Nye (banana powder) and Kryolan (anti-shine powder). These are often inexpensive but more utilitarian (so don’t expect cute packaging).
The EyesWhile I love brands like Charlotte Tilbury, Tom Ford and Viseart for eye shadows, Indie brands and more inexpensive brands such as Makeup Geek and Looxi Beauty make eye shadows as good as MAC and NARS (MAC Worldwide has slashed its eye shadow prices, so it might become a more affordable option soon). However, buying single eye shadows to put into a palette always works out far more expensive than a pre-made one. Zoeva’s Cocoa Blend Palette offers an incredible quality and quantity for the price, and rivals every overly famous palette with its perfect range of colours and textures for the Indian skin. Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette is equally good and well-priced (both are available on beautybay.com).
The LipsIf there was a place you could really save your money, it would be here. While luxury lipsticks look great on your dresser and make you smile while looking at them, you can find an affordable alternative for most high-end formulas and colours. Be it matte lipsticks, creamy lipsticks, lip oils or tinted lip balms, there are cheaper and sometimes as long-lasting alternative options. The Instagram account DupeThat is an excellent source of dupes for high-end makeup in terms of both formula and colour. My personal favourites are the ColourPop Lippie Stix and Liquid Lipsticks, Wet n Wild Lipsticks, Maybelline Matte Lipsticks and the L’Oreal Moisture Matte Lipsticks.
Remember, each person’s skin is different – what works for me may not work for you. Makeup is all about trail and error, so try, experiment, and have fun.
