Makeup essentials will enable you to craft natural and flawless looks that protect your skin all day long. From daily natural beauty regimens to special occasions, these items will become part of your makeup expertise and help create beautiful looks without overdoing it.
An effective mascara and lash curler will make you appear wide awake and more youthful, and you should keep a blush brush handy for adding subtle yet attractive cheek color.
1. Makeup Brushes
One of the essential makeup items you should have on hand is a makeup brush set. Not only will they make applying foundation and concealer quick and efficient, but they’ll also create an effortlessly flawless finish by buffing the product into the skin instead of dabbing it directly.
Though traditional foundation brushes can work well, makeup sponges like the Pretty Puff are even better for covering hard-to-reach areas with ease. Their teardrop shape reaches even hard-to-reach spots, while their flat edge presses product into skin for an airbrush-esque effect. Plus, unlike many porous sponges out there that collect product in their porous pockets instead of staying put on your face! They feature hydrophilic foam, which keeps makeup where it belongs rather than sitting idly in your bag!
Powder brushes are essential tools for applying and blending foundation and blush. Beauty expert Kathleen Lights suggests looking for one with bristles that are dense yet soft as well as a rounded, fluffy brush head to avoid too much powder being applied at one time.
Your eyeshadow brush arsenal should also include several different-sized eyeshadow brushes for blending purposes. If you prefer more dramatic or smoky eye looks, consider investing in a crease brush, which is longer and thicker than standard blush/powder brushes and can add darker tones to the outer corner of your eyes.
2. Blotting Paper
Blotting paper can be an invaluable beauty product for anyone prone to excess oil production. Simply dab a sheet across areas where additional mattifying is necessary—like the T-zone—and excess oil will be quickly soaked up, leaving your skin more matte than ever.
Blotters can be found at many stationery supply stores, department stores, and general stores that carry an array of products, as well as through companies that specialize in skincare or makeup supplies online.
Blotting papers are essential tools for women with oily skin. But these handy sheets of paper can also benefit those of all skin types to remove excess sweat and shine without disrupting makeup application. Simply apply one gently over your face for several seconds, let it set, then lift away. This simple process creates a matte-looking complexion perfect for any special event or social gathering—especially during warmer weather when lipstick reapplication might become necessary more frequently!
3. Lipstick
Lipstick is a timeless cosmetic that adds just the right amount of color to define lips and enhance smiles and is also used as a fashion statement or rebellion against social norms and expectations. Lipstick has long been used as an expression tool and linked with everything from music subcultures to political movements.
Lipstick has come a long way since its first recorded use in 3500 BCE by queens of ancient Ur, who used a mixture of white lead and crushed red rocks as lip colorant. Today it comes in numerous shades and finishes; some contain moisturizing ingredients, while others may be free of allergens, parabens, and phthalates; the important thing is finding one that fits both your skin tone and personality!
Most lipstick contains alcohol, which serves as a solvent to transport polymers with color pigments across polymeric layers and blend them onto lips evenly and smoothly. Some formulas may even add fragrance for flavor or smell; natural fragrance is generally recommended over synthetic ones that can disrupt hormones or cause cancer.
Essential accessories to enhance the natural beauty of your eyes include mascara and an eyelash curler to amplify their natural charm, instantly making them appear bigger and more awake in just seconds.
4. Sunscreen
Sunscreen is an essential beauty essential that protects against damaging sun rays that cause skin damage and premature aging. There are various products on the market claiming to offer sun protection, such as makeup with SPF included or moisturizers with sunscreen ingredients; while these cosmetics may help, they should never replace full coverage lotion with SPF 30+ coverage; usually these types of sunscreens are oil-free and noncomedogenic to avoid clogging pores and promote healthier skin.
Johnson suggests using makeup with SPF in your routine by selecting sunscreen designed specifically for facial application, which typically features lightweight textures with non-heavy finishes that can easily be worn under makeup. She also advises using setting powder with SPF to protect the makeup against wearing off throughout the day.
Most people do not apply enough foundation with sunscreen in it to achieve the level of sun protection desired, making reapplying an SPF product difficult throughout the day. For optimal results, apply a nickel-sized amount of broad-spectrum sunscreen every morning before applying any makeup—be sure to cover neglected but sun-sensitive areas such as necks, ears, and hands!
