How to Build a Basic Makeup Collection, According to Makeup Artists (2024)

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Reviewed by

Makeup Artist

• Brittany Whitfield, a New York City-based celebrity makeup artist who works with clients like Queen Latifah, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Zion Moreno.
• Tim Mackay, a celebrity makeup artist who works with clients like Yara Shahidi, Brittany O'Grady, and Samira Wiley.

Foundation Primer

Prepping your face with a primer is a great way to create the perfect canvas for the makeup that you're putting on over top. There are several types of primer that you can choose depending on your skin type, but we're here to let you in on a little secret: good skincare is just as effective at priming the skin as some primers are. Try Embryolisse's Lait-Crème Concentré— it's a makeup artist staple and works well with all complexion formulas.

Liquid Foundation, CC Cream, or Tinted Moisturizer

There are a myriad of complexion products to help your skin look like the best version of itself. Whether you want a barely-there tinted moisturizer, like Laura Mercier's Natural Skin Perfector SPF 30 or a full-coverage option, like the Make Up For Ever HD Skin Matte Velvet Foundation, there's an option for your skin type and desired look.

Concealer

Concealer comes in many textures and coverage levels, but the main places you'll be using it is under the eyes for dark circles and also on blemishes to help tone down redness. Celebrity makeup artist, Brittany Whitfield, loves Covergirl TruBlend Undercover Full Coverage Concealer, which she says can also be sheered out with moisturizer for use as a foundation.

Eyebrow Pencil or Gel

Eyebrows are the frames for your face, but too many have fallen victim to the thin eyebrow craze of the 90s. Thankfully, eyebrow products help restore shape and density for brows that appear fuller. Eyebrow pencils, such as Patrick Ta's Major Brow Defining Pencil or Revlon's ColorStay Brow Pencil help draw on hair-like strokes for a natural-looking effect. To keep unruly brows in line or create the soap-brow effect, eyebrow gels like ILIA's In Frame Brow Gel will comb each hair and lock it in place.

Eyeshadow

Whether you prefer powder- or cream-textured eyeshadow, both allow you to create beautiful eye makeup looks. Eyeshadow doesn't need to be overwhelming; start with something geared toward everyday wear, like Makeup by Mario's Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette.

Eyeliner

Eyeliner is a great way to define your eyes and comes in many forms: pencil and liquid are the two most common. Creamy pencils are easy to apply, and some formulas, like RÓEN's Eyeline Define Eyeliner Pencil, set down to a budge-proof finish. "[They] dry down quickly, so don't mistake them for a kohl or an eyeshadow base, unless they're blended immediately," warns Whitfield. If it's cat-eye or bust for you, Mackay recommends the Stila Micro Tip Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner as a beginner-friendly, high-precision option.

Mascara

There's nothing quite like mascara to open up your eyes and give them an instant lift—hence why it's such a makeup staple. Plus, there are a plethora of formulas (lengthening, volumizing, tubing, curling, waterproof, etc.) to choose from depending on what you're looking for and your lash's natural curl. Maybelline's Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara is a great choice as it creates super-long length and volume that stays put all day.

Eyelash Curler

If you are one of the mythical few whose eyelashes are naturally curly, we congratulate you. For the rest of us commoners, we have to rely on the straight-up medieval-looking lash curler. There are mechanical, clamp-styled, and heated, mini-curling-iron types; the lift a good curl provides makes a huge difference in making the eye appear bigger and more open, whether or not you're going to put mascara on top. Whitfield says her ride-or-die curler is Kevyn Aucoin's as it "really gets close to the lash line."

Setting or Finishing Powder

Modern setting powders aren't the same talc-filled dust that your grandma used to pat on with a powder puff. Using a setting powder can help lock liquid products into place, extending wear, smoothing texture, and controlling excess oil. For a skincare-makeup hybrid, try the Supergoop! (Re)Setting 100% Mineral Powder SPF 35 as it locks your makeup in place, helps protect your skin from the sun, and won't look cakey on your face.

Bronzer

Bronzer is essential for adding depth, dimension, and natural color to the face. Whitfield swears by the Fenty Beauty Sun Stalk'r Instant Warmth Bronzer as it has a matte finish and there are many warm and cool shades to choose from.

Blush

Blush puts a pop of color back into your cheek after your foundation has evened out your skin tone. While there are plenty of beautiful colors to sweep gently across the apples of your cheeks; Mackay recommends Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Blush as "it's soft, natural, and comes in various shades for different skin tones." For an on-the-go option, try Nudestix's Nudies Blush Stick which comes with a makeup brush on one end for seamless application.

Highlighter

Highlighting the high planes of the face (anywhere the sun hits) is a surefire way to have people asking what your skin secrets are. Whitfield says that flexible formulas, like Saie's Glowy Super Gel, are a kit staple. Powders like the Hourglass Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder may seem counterintuitive—a powder, glowy?— but Mackay promises they "can look dewy with a hydrating mist."

Lip Liner

Before there were lip fillers, there were lip liners. These OGs of reshaping can define lip lines, create sharp, crisp edges, and help prevent creamy lip products from bleeding throughout the day. Mackay's go-to is the KVD Vegan Beauty Everlasting Lip Liner as it has "beautiful shades that last on the skin." You can also fill in your whole lip for a quick lipstick substitute!

Lipstick or Lip Gloss

You can never have enough lipstick, but which formulas are the most comfortable and longest-lasting? Depending on what kind of finish you want, there are plenty of products to choose from. For a highly-pigmented matte lipstick, try MAC's Matte Lipstick, and for a glossier finish, MERIT's Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil comes lots of long-lasting shades that also nourish the lips.

Setting Spray

If you want your makeup to last all day or through a special occasion, you'll want to reach for a setting spray. The spray will form a film that keeps your products sealed into place on even the sweatiest of dance floors. For a 2-in-1 option, try Morphe's Continuous Prep + Set Mist+.

Makeup Brushes

Leonardo da Vinci didn't paint the Mona Lisa with his fingers, nor should you be painting your canvas (face) that way. Especially for eye products, makeup brushes provide precision that your fingers cannot. The basics include a flat, stiff brush for packing on the product; a fluffy brush for blending and soft washes of color; and a smaller, more detailed brush, like an angled or pencil style, for precision work. We recommend getting an affordable brush set to start, like e.l.f.'s 19-Piece Precision Brush Collection.