I wear a lot of makeup. There. I said it. However, not everyone has to wear a full face of makeup every day. Heck, I don’t. Even though I have a ton of makeup to choose from. And when I do put on a full face of makeup, I use a ton of products. But that’s not necessary. Makeup is a personal experience for every single person. Some people don’t need a lot of makeup. Whereas others don’t want to wear a lot. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with people who like a ton of makeup either. But no matter who you are, there are a few makeup necessities that I think everyone needs in their makeup bag.

For those of you who don’t wear a lot of makeup, are interested in makeup but don’t know where to start, or want to learn more and up your game – this post is for you. I’m here to share the basic makeup necessities you need to create both every day and special occasion makeup looks. Honestly, this has been a very challenging post for me to write. Because as a product junkie, I kept finding more and more products to add to the list. However, I wanted to keep this super light and just the basics. So I’m going to give you just the “minimalist” / pared down version of everything you need in your beauty routine.

First, let’s start with the basics. The one thing you need to do to make your makeup look and feel amazing is… drumroll please… SKINCARE! Yep. I said it and I have no regrets. If you don’t feel good in your skin, you won’t be happy with your makeup. Happy skin will help your makeup apply, look, and wear better. Although you can buy crazy expensive products like my beloved Drunk Elephant skincare (more about that here), you can also find equally amazing budget friendly options like Good Molecules and Neutrogena. Ultimately, you should be using a moisturizer and eye cream at night, and a moisturizer and sunscreen during the day. I love a great multi use product like Good Molecules Silicone Free Moisturizing Primer that will prime, hydrate, and prep your skin. And I’m a huge fan of Supergoop Every Day SPF 50 Sunscreen.

Now that your skin is hydrated and you’re wearing sunscreen, we can move on to the fun stuff. Ultimately, makeup is meant to enhance your already beautiful features. With that in mind, this list can be customized (and even minimized) further depending on your likes and dislikes. First, I recommend something to enhance your skin. Personally, I prefer a full coverage longwear foundation like Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Longwear Foundation. However, there are a lot of great lightweight or medium coverage foundations, as well as BB/CC creams as well.

Next, let’s talk color. They say “the eyes are the windows to the soul”, so it’s no surprise most of my makeup necessities focus on your peepers. One thing every makeup bag needs is a great quality eyeshadow. Not only can you find eyeshadows to compliment your skin tone, but you can also find palettes with a variety of colors to suit your needs. I love the Too Faced Shake Your Palm Palms palette (more about that here), and the Natasha Denona Mini Nude palette (more about that one here). Both of these palettes are so cute and tiny and have the most incredible formulas. Of course if you want more choices, you can always go with a larger palette. However, I was trying to keep this as minimalist as possible as to not scare anyone.

Along with eyeshadow, you should have an amazing mascara and something for your brows. Honestly, mascara is one of those products that can be just as amazing from the drugstore as from a prestige brand. It all depends on your preferences and what you want your mascara to do. I love a lengthening/volumizing mascara that doesn’t get clumpy or spidery. Lately, my prestige favorites are Hourglass Caution Mascara and Marc Jacobs Beauty Velvet Noir Mascara. On the drugstore side, I love L’Oreal Lash Paradise Mascara with the L’Oreal Lash Paradise Mascara Primer. Together with mascara, brows are another thing that can totally change your makeup game. Although you can go all out with a brow pencil, sometimes you just need a bit of tinted brow gel (like this one).

Last but not least, we have my two favorite splashes of color – blush and lipgloss. Although blush can sometimes seem like an unnecessary step, you really need something to bring a bit of flush and dimension to your skin. Just make sure you keep your application light and the color natural to your skin tone. (I can’t let any of you run around out there with splotchy red cheeks, now can I?).

In addition, my favorite way to finish off a look is with a swipe of lip gloss. Although you probably already know about my Pat McGrath Lust Gloss obsession (if you don’t, you can check that out here), but there are SO many amazing glosses out there. Actually there are even amazing tinted balms like this one from Innisfree. Honestly there are at least a half dozen glosses just hanging out in my handbag right now. In fact, I’m kind of surprised I don’t have a lip gloss keeping every hidden emergency hair tie company. (Does anyone else do this? I have a handbag hair tie, a gym bag hair tie, a car hair tie, a kitchen hair tie, not to mention the one permanently attached to my wrist…)

Of course, if you already have all of these makeup necessities and want to up your game, or maybe you’re just a product addict like me and feel the more makeup the merrier, there are a few additional basics you can add. First, if you want your makeup to last longer, add an eye primer (I love my MAC Paint Pot in Painterly) and a makeup setting spray (I’m a big Urban Decay fan). If you want your eyes to pop more, add in some eyeliner (I’m obsessed with felt tip liners like this one from Haus Labs) and if you’re adventurous and love a great wing, you totally have to try the Kaja Wink Stamp Kit (full review here). Last but not least, you can add more dimension to your face with a dusting of highlighter and/or bronzer/contour.

No matter what your makeup necessities, or what products you have in your bag, all you really need to be beautiful is to love yourself. Take pride in who you are and what you bring to this world. Makeup or not, there’s only one of you. And that is your beauty AND your super power.

TL;DR – Here’s a list of all of my makeup necessities:
– Skincare
– Sunscreen
– Foundation
– Eyeshadow
– Mascara
– Brows
– Blush
– Lipgloss

Tier 2 if you need a little more makeup in your life:
– Eyeliner
– Eyeshadow Primer
– Highlighter
– Bronzer/Contour
– Setting Spray

What are your makeup necessities and beauty routine must haves? Share them in the comments below!

XOXO,
Tiffany

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