Beauty for Newbies

Beauty for Newbies

We all remember our firsts—and if you're new to the world of makeup, that includes the first time you tentatively applied foundation while wondering if it was really your skin's perfect shade-match, or if you should ditch the brush and go for a beauty sponge instead (we'll get to that later). Fact is, while trying on makeup for the first time can definitely be exciting, finding the right makeup products can also be a challenge.
With so many brands and formulas to choose from, it's fairly easy for any beauty novice to get overwhelmed. So to help get you started, we enlisted the expert advice of Jessica Kendall—hairstylist, makeup artist and owner of Beauty Asylum—to give us the DOS, don'ts, hows and whys in our guide to the ultimate makeup essentials for beginners.

Which Makeup Products Should a Beginner Buy? 

(1) While you may be tempted to fill your shopping carts with the beauty world's latest obsessions, any seasoned pro will tell you that the road to makeup mastery starts with a good understanding of the basics and knowing what each product can actually do for you. Below, we list down the absolute makeup must-haves for beginners.

Primers tend to go overlooked, especially by makeup newbies, but it's definitely one that your makeup kit should never be without. Think of it as Photoshop for your skin. It smoothes out your complexion by filling in large pores, lines and other blemishes, leaving you with a flawless and even base to ensure your makeup application is a breeze.
(2)
When it comes to foundation, there are two things that are absolute musts: finding the right shade for your skin tone and avoiding the dreaded “cakey” look. You may need to test out different products before finding the correct colour for your complexion, so research is key. Luckily, plenty of brands today carry a wide range of shades that complement every skin tone. For the latter, Kendall recommends applying foundation using a beauty sponge. It absorbs product, allowing you to gradually add the ideal amount of foundation. 
(3)Concealer is a must-have staple in your beauty routine,” says Kendall, and we couldn’t agree more! It’s a versatile product that not only hides discoloration, fine lines, age spots and other blemishes around your eyes, but it can also serve as a base for your eye shadow or lipstick and even as a contouring product. 

“The two main differences we want to look for when buying a concealer are face concealer and eye concealer,” explains Kendall. “Typically we want a hydrating concealer to go under the eye and soften the look of any fine lines. Concealer for the face tends to be more dense and drying and this is perfect for covering up that pesky blemish or discoloration.”

(4). Concealer is a must-have staple in your beauty routine," says Kendall, and we couldn't agree more! It's a versatile product that not only hides discoloration, fine lines, age spots and other blemishes around your eyes, but it can also serve as a base for your eye shadow or lipstick and even as a contouring product.

"The two main differences we want to look for when buying a concealer are face concealer and eye concealer," explains Kendall. “Typically we want a hydrating concealer to go under the eye and soften the look of any fine lines. Concealer for the face tends to be more dense and drying and this is perfect for covering up that pesky blemish or discoloration.”
(5)No makeup kit is ever complete without a neutral eyeshadow palette that can take your look from day to night. Taupes, bronzes, browns and cream-colored shadows are not only great for all eye colours and skin tones, but also for creating natural, barely-there daytime looks and nighttime makeup that's both subtle and glam.

Kendall breaks down how to get the natural look with just three simple tools:

Eyeshadow brush: This is the staple for applying powder loosely on the lid.

Smudge brush: This brush is usually packed together with dense bristles to apply a heavier amount of product. Look for a dome shape the size of a pencil eraser to provide more application control.

Blending brush: This gives the option to apply a soft amount of colour in the crease and/or buff the shadow above the crease.