The first time I used makeup, I was an eight-year-old girl with nothing but glitter liquid eyeliner and a dream. I managed to convince my mom to buy me this sparkly, crazy monster for Christmas with the ever-persuasive line, “All the girls in my class are allowed to wear it.” I wanted to be a princess, a pop star, or both at the same time.
I can’t remember if my obsession with wearing an exuberant eye was more Britney- or Disney-inspired, but I do remember the butterflies of excitement as I dropped glittery silver beads onto my lids (in what was supposed to be a elegant movement ).
After that first sticky lid accident, things got better. In fact, I’d say I’ve gotten pretty good at makeup after years of trial and error. And, aside from improving my skills, not much has changed since then – I still use makeup as a confidence-boosting superpower!
So without further ado, here are my top ten makeup essentials for beginners (and I solemnly vow not to include glitter eyeliner).
Essentials in every makeup novice’s beauty routine:
1) Cleanser + toner (pre-makeup)
Think of it this way – you wouldn’t take your car on a long road trip without making sure it had enough gas, right? Well, the same idea applies to makeup. If you want to ensure your look goes the distance, you need to prepare your skin properly.
Cleansing, exfoliating (if you don’t have sensitive skin) and toning will keep your skin fresh, hydrated and ready for makeup. We recommend our nutrients Smoothing Cleanser Skin Cleanser – which gently melts away any dirt and ensures you start with a clean slate – and us Juicy Greens Exfoliating Toning Essencewhich acts as a gentle exfoliator as well as a hydrating tonic.
2) Moisturizer + primer (pre-makeup)
A good primer helps create a smooth canvas for the makeup you apply on top. Avoid dry patches, dullness or uneven coverage by using a specially formulated face primer or targeted moisturizer before applying your foundation.
Depending on your skin type, ours Skin Dream firming night cream (for dry skin), Skin Feast Nourishing Moisturizer (for balanced or combination skin), and Fresh Waves Balancing Moisturizer (for oily, blemish-prone skin) are all COSMOS-certified organic moisturizers that also work as perfect primers. Each of these not only works to keep your foundation in place, but also treats your skin to the natural beauty it deserves.
3) Basic brushes
No makeup routine is complete without some good, sturdy brushes. You might think that applying makeup with your bare hands is the most eco-friendly option – but it doesn’t have to be!
Our Eco Artist line of sustainable wooden makeup brushes are vegan-friendly, ethically sourced and expertly designed to ensure flawless makeup application every time. For makeup beginners, we recommend it Eco Artist Precision Face Brush for complexion, Eco Artist 3in1 Eye Brush for eyes and eyebrows, and Eco Artist Lip Brush for the lips. Et voilà, you are ready to paint!
4) Base makeup
A smooth, glowing complexion provides the ideal base for any makeup look. Whether it’s natural beauty or something a little more sophisticated, every makeup artist (beginner or pro) needs a capsule collection for their skin.
To make applying a flawless foundation as simple as possible, we’ve put everything you need in one place with Perfect Collection.Including Beauty Booster Sheer Foundation, Mining Foundation, Illuma Concealer that diffuses light and Kabuki Brush Full Coverage Eco Artistcontains everything you need for that long-lasting, flawless finish that looks like it’s been done by a pro.
5) Bronzers
Add a healthy glow to your healthy look with a few touches of a silky natural bronzer. We recommend ours Jet Set Pressed Bronzer to give you that “just back from the Bahamas” glow. Meanwhile, the formula’s coconut amino acids help condition and smooth your skin. Trust us, you don’t need the sun to warm up your skin tone!
6) A reliable makeup palette
Us Custom color palette is the golden key to your simple makeup. You can choose your own unique configuration according to your preferences, but we recommend choosing configuration B. Depending on your skin tone, choose two neutral Eyes On You Pressed Shadowsone bold and one neutral shade of it Kiss Me Quick Lipsticka Way To Glow Cream or Pressed Highlighterand one Blush Crush Cream or Pressed Powder. It really is the makeup kit of dreams for beginners and the beating heart of your new routine.
7) Eyeliner
Whether you’re opting for a statement winged liner or a more subtle eye look, our slippery eyeliner, Silk Gel Liner, promises easy and smooth application, bold lines and hours of wear. Plus, it comes in a wide range of richly pigmented shades so you can be as bold or demure as you want!
8) Mascara
Maybe you wear a layer of mascara with a textured base, or maybe it’s the cherry on top of a bright, playful look. Either way, there’s no denying that mascara is a staple.
If you want a mascara that you can layer and build on – to create a subtle look or a full flutter – the lengthening, intensely pigmented Fixing Gel Mascara is this for you. In addition, vitamin B5, candelilla wax and jojoba oil in the formula keep your lashes silky soft, while plant peptides ensure lashes become strong and elastic.
9) Eyebrow powder/pomade
Having a neat set of eyebrows is one of life’s little miracles. It lifts your face, makes you look younger and gives you that “I’ve got this” feeling of empowerment. That’s why we created ours Brow Boss Defining Powder and Pomadeso everyone can enjoy beautiful eyebrows.
It is made to thicken, shape and fill any gaps (using your Eco Artist 3in1 Eye Brush), Brow Boss also has pigments infused with coconut oil and shala tree resin, which soften hair and ensure a long-lasting finish. With six shades to choose from, redheads and blondes should choose Walnut or Willow Bark, dark blondes and brunettes will go with Cedar and Hazelnut, while Carob and Tazman Pepper will suit dark brunette or black hair.
10) Coagulating powder
Now for the final touch to ensure all your hard work lasts all day! We all love a good photo filter, but what if our skin could look smoother and more flawless in real life too? Well, that’s exactly what it is Soft Focus Perfecting powder does. Blended by hand, it mattifies the skin so you don’t get unwanted shine as the day goes on, while mineral microspheres ensure a natural finish. It blurs fine lines and pores, is lightweight and blends like a dream – you’ll love your makeup so much, using a filter won’t even cross your mind.
Why not put your new beauty knowledge to good use with our simple yet effective spring/summer makeup tutorial, “It’s only natural”? With fresh freckles, fluffy brows and a soft, healthy glow, This is for beginners who want an everyday look that boosts their confidence.
