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Building an expertly curated makeup collection in the modern beauty age can leave you feeling like you need a wheeled suitcase to haul everything around in. But it needn’t. Whether you’re wondering which makeup kit is best for beginners, or you simply want to refresh your tools with the best beauty products of 2023, here’s what you require if you want to be ready for anything – adding the extra bells and whistles to your makeup set is up to you!
Face
From top and left: Too Faced Born This Way Ethereal Light Concealer, $47, from Mecca, L’Oréal Paris Infallible Longwear Powder Foundation, $40.99, from Chemist Warehouse, Revlon Illuminance Skin-Caring Foundation, $48, from Farmers, Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Luminous Liquid Foundation, $23, from Chemist Warehouse, Clinique Even Better Pore Defying Primer, $71, from Life Pharmacy, Clinique Even Better Light Reflecting Primer, $71, from Life Pharmacy, Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream, $167, from StrawberryNet
Skin prep or primer
Priming your face is a great way to create the perfect canvas for your makeup. There are several types of primer you can choose from depending on your skin, but here’s a little secret – good skincare can be just as effective. A beauty splurge loved by celebrities, Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream, $167, tones down redness, plumps skin and improves skin texture for makeup application. Clinique Even Better Light Reflecting Primer, $71, instantly evens out imperfections. Oily types love the brand’s Even Better Pore Defying Primer, $71, for its pore-minimising and oil-controlling ingredients.
Concealer
Concealer comes in many textures and coverage levels, but the main places you’ll be using it are under the eyes and on blemishes to help tone down redness. High-performing foundation/concealer hybrid formulas are a great choice and don’t require a brush or beauty sponge – just your fingers. Too Faced Born This Way Ethereal Light Concealer, $47, is a serum-light formula that effortlessly glides on to camouflage and cover imperfections for 24 hours, while improving the appearance of dark circles.
Foundation or tinted moisturiser
This is where you get to choose the base that best suits your skin type and lifestyle, as well as the level of coverage you like to apply to feel your best self. Revlon Illuminance Skin-Caring Foundation, $48, combines the power of makeup and skincare for a glowy finish that lasts and lasts, while Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Luminous Liquid Foundation, $23, delivers a naturally luminous look. Alternatively, L’Oréal Paris Infallible Longwear Powder Foundation, $40.99, is a liquid-to-powder formula for a matte, full-coverage finish.
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Eyes
From left: Kosas Air Brow Fluff & Hold Treatment Gel, $44, from Mecca, Nars High Pigment Longwear Eyeliner, $44, from StrawberryNet, Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Liner, $21.99, from Chemist Warehouse, Revlon ColorStay Micro Brow Pencil, $28, from Chemist Warehouse, Kosas The Big Clean Longwear Volumizing + Lash Care Mascara, $47, from Mecca, MAC Connect In Colour Eyeshadow Palettes, from $83, from Adore Beauty, Fenty Hella Thicc volumising mascara, $39, from Sephora
Brow pencil or gel
Your eyebrows are one of the most important features on your face, but many of us have over-plucked, waxed or experienced thinning hair, all of which can create a less full-looking eyebrow. With a pencil, you can easily shape the arch and fill in with light strokes to create a hair-like appearance. Or try a tinted gel for a plumped-up look. We love Revlon ColorStay Micro Brow Pencil, $28, which comes with a precision pencil tip to easily create ultra-precise strokes, and Kosas Air Brow Fluff & Hold Treatment Gel, $44.
Eyeshadow
Whether you prefer powder or cream-textured eyeshadow, have a few shades on hand to create beautiful looks whenever you
feel the need. Palettes are a good idea if you like to play with a few different shades and MAC Connect In Colour Eyeshadow Palettes, from $83, are a great place to start.
Eyeliner
Eyeliner will define your eyes and comes in many forms, pencil and liquid being the most common. Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Liner, $21.99, is quick to dry and bold in colour, while Nars High Pigment Longwear Eyeliner, $44, is a pencil option that glides on easily and doesn’t move all day – or night!
Mascara
Wake up your lashes daily with mascara, which is the best product to use for an instant lift. Fenty Hella Thicc volumising mascara, $39, gives light, fluffy lashes to love, while Kosas The Big Clean Longwear Volumizing + Lash Care Mascara, $47, is an environmentally friendly choice that’s a fave with makeup artists.
Lips
From left: Aleph’s Cheek/Lip Tints, $58, from Aleph Beauty, Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Heartbreaker, $27, from Chemist Warehouse
Lipstick or lip gloss
You can never have enough lipstick and depending on what lipstick finish you want, there’s plenty to choose from in every category imaginable. From pops of colour such as Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Heartbreaker, $27, to Aleph’s Cheek/Lip Tints, $58, which double as a blush, the possibilities really are endless!
