Makeup Must-Haves: A Complete Makeup Guide for Beginners
If you’re new to the cosmetic world (welcome, by the way!) and want to level up your makeup game, it’s common to have no idea where to start. Even if you just want to learn how to create an simple makeup look for every day, the product offerings out there are seemingly endless, making it hard to narrow down what makeup essentials you actually need to buy. Understandably, this can leave you with a lot of questions: Is contour makeup only for the pros? How do I achieve that airbrushed look? What’s a beginner-friendly lip product? We’re here to help you get started with this ultimate list of beauty products for beginners, plus makeup steps to help you easily create stunning-as-e.l.f., simple makeup looks like the best of ’em. Pro Tip: Before you even begin shopping your makeup product list, arm yourself with the necessary tools to help you achieve the perfect makeup application every time. Our Complexion Perfection Makeup Brush Set is the ideal starter bundle, featuring 10 of our bestselling face makeup brushes, sponges and tools for blending, contouring, buffing, concealing and sculpting your complexion into a beautiful finish.
Foundation Makeup Must-Haves
A gorgeous-as-e.l.f. makeup look all starts with a smooth base. First things first: always apply a face primer to help grip your makeup for long-lasting wear. Our best-selling, super-sticky Power Grip Primer (/power-grip-primer/82846.html) works to lock makeup in place, turn your complexion into a smooth canvas and keep skin hydrated with a long-lasting, dewy finish. Plus, the translucent finish works well on all skin tones. If the idea of choosing a makeup base is sending you into overdrive, start by adding Halo Glow Liquid Filter to your makeup product list. It’s the perfect choice for makeup newbies—it’s not as full-coverage as a regular foundation, but it will give you that light coverage finish that enhances your complexion while imparting a dewy glow.
You’ll also want to add a concealer to your makeup routine to help cover up any blemishes and under eye circles. Hydrating Camo Concealer is crease-resistant and features a large doe-foot applicator for an even and precise makeup application.
To nail that airbrushed finish, use a finishing powder like Halo Glow Powder Filter to help blur the look of pores and reduce any excess oil for a soft-focus finish.
And don’t forget about the essential tools (or in this case, just one) to make it all happen! Our 2-in-1 Concealer & Foundation Complexion Duo Brush features a larger end for applying your foundation, plus a smaller end that’s ideal for an on-point concealer application.
Blush, Bronzer & Highlighter Makeup Must-Haves
Yes, even makeup beginners can highlight and contour! For a sun-kissed, simple makeup look, Camo Liquid Bronzer & Contour has a highly blendable formula that makes it so e.l.f.ing easy to create gorgeous definition. To create that naturally glowing radiance with ease, Halo Glow Liquid Highlighter Wand features a cushion-tip applicator that lets you easily apply highlighter to the high points of your face and seamlessly blend it out for instant illumination.
Ready for the perfect flush of color? A liquid blush like our Camo Liquid Blush is great for both beginners and experienced artists—the buildable formula blends out into a soft-focus finish, and it comes in a wide range of 12 shades.
Choosing your ideal blush, highlighter and bronzer really comes down to preference. At e.l.f., we also offers an array of user-friendly powder formulas to help you enhance your natural features and lock your liquid formulas in-place.
Mascara and Eyebrow Makeup Must-Haves
Eye makeup can be very overwhelming to navigate as a beginner. With so many different products and options (there’s curling mascara and tubing mascara?), you may be asking yourself, “what are my ride-or-die eye makeup must-haves?” Let’s break it down:
- A mascara: If you want the look of lash extensions, opt for a tubing mascara like Lash XTNDR Tubing Mascara, which delivers instant buildable length. For lifted lashes and that eye-opening effect, opt for a curling mascara like Lash 'N Roll Mascara.
- An eyebrow duo: First, go in with a tinted eyebrow pencil like Instant Lift Brow Pencil to help fill-in sparse areas and create definition; next, use a strong-hold, clear-drying brow gel like our Brow Laminating Gel to sculpt, shape and set your brows to perfection.
For a full beat, all-out glam makeup look, feel free to use all these products as a step-by-step routine. If you’re going for more of a “no-makeup, makeup” vibe, pick and choose a few eye makeup products for that low-key, natural finish. It’s up to you!
Lip Makeup Must-Haves
We encourage you to play around with your lip makeup and have fun with it—with e.l.f., you will discover a never-ending array of different lip products to try, not to mention a wide range of colors. But it’s always best to start with your makeup essentials (especially as a beginner)—so here are four lip must-haves to add to your basic makeup list:
- This is your sign to jump on the lip oil train. Our non-sticky, Glow Reviver Tinted Lip Oil slicks lips with an addictive wash of high-shine and sheer color, plus lip-loving oils to nourish your pout. The XXL doe-foot applicator is also a fan-favorite and very beginner friendly.
- Finally, a tinted lip balm, like Hydrating Core Lip Shine, which has a heart-shaped core that moisturizes lips while adding a sheer tint of color.
Setting Sprays and Go-To Makeup Bundles
Finally, it’s time to lock down your makeup look with an essential setting spray, like Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray. This bi-phase makeup setting spray with a shockingly fine mist, features a makeup-gripping water phase and a moisturizing oil phase to give you long-lasting makeup with a dewy finish. If you’re looking for more ways to really take the guesswork out of your routine, check out our wide selection of makeup and skincare bundles. Ideal for beginners, our makeup kits and beauty bundles come with perfectly paired products that let you create complete looks without having to sift through and select individual products. Plus, they are an e.l.f.ing great value!
