How to Build a Basic Makeup Collection, According to Makeup Artists

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A Product Collage of Various Beauty Products
Design by Michela Buttignol .

"This product will change your life!" If you've ever heard this sentence on social media, you know that more than half the time you don't actually need that product. No matter how good the contour stick is, it's ultimately not going to change your life. Whether you've been using makeup for years or are somewhat of a newbie, finding those must-have products can be tricky. After all, it can be confusing to weed through all the options on the market.

Some products, such as concealer and mascara, seem like an obvious must-have. However, more specialized items, like setting powder or a specific eyeshadow brush, may not feel so clear-cut. We've all seen trends come and go (jade rollers, anybody?), so what are the products you actually need in your makeup collection?

We tapped three professional makeup artists to find out exactly what types of products every makeup kit should have. Below, find the expert-approved picks they say are absolutely necessary.

Meet the Expert

  • Brittany Whitfield, a New York City-based celebrity makeup artist who works with clients like Queen Latifah, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Zion Moreno.
  • Tim Mackay, a celebrity makeup artist who works with clients like Yara Shahidi, Brittany O'Grady, and Samira Wiley.
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Foundation Primer

Priming your face for whatever is going on top is a great way to create the perfect canvas for your makeup. There are several types of primer that you can choose depending on your skin type, but we're here to let you in on a little secret: good skincare is just as effective at priming the skin as some primers are. Try Embryolisse's Lait-Crème Concentré ($29) — it's a makeup artist staple and works well with all complexion formulas.

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Liquid Foundation, CC Cream, or Tinted Moisturizer

There are a myriad of complexion products to help your skin look like the best version of itself. Whether you want a barely-there tinted moisturizer, like Laura Mercier's Natural Skin Perfector SPF 30 ($55) or a full-coverage option, like the Make Up For Ever HD Skin Matte Velvet Foundation ($43), there's an option for your skin type and desired look.

Byrdie Tip

"I recommend applying foundation with a sponge or at least going back with your sponge to really press in the foundation to the skin," says Mackay. "It ensures that it will last longer on the skin and won’t transfer as easily as it would if applied with a brush. Plus, it can look much more natural."

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Concealer

Concealer comes in many textures and coverage levels, but the main places you'll be using it is under the eyes for dark circles and also on blemishes to help tone down redness. Whitfield loves Covergirl TruBlend Undercover Full Coverage Concealer ($8), which she says can also be sheered out with moisturizer for use as a foundation.

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Eyebrow Pencil or Gel

The eyebrows are the frames for your face, but too many have fallen victim to the thin eyebrow craze of the 90s. Thankfully, eyebrow products help restore shape and density for fuller-looking brows. Eyebrow pencils, such as Patrick Ta's Major Brow Defining Pencil ($27) or Revlon's ColorStay Brow Pencil ($8) help draw on hair-like strokes for a natural-looking effect. To keep unruly brows in line or create that soap-brow effect, eyebrow gels like ILIA's In Frame Brow Gel ($24) will comb each hair and lock it in place.

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Eyeshadow

Whether you prefer powder- or cream-textured eyeshadow, we know they create beautiful eye makeup looks. Eyeshadow doesn't need to be overwhelming; start with something geared toward everyday wear, like Makeup by Mario's Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette ($50).

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Eyeliner

Eyeliner is a great way to define your eyes and comes in many forms: pencil and liquid are the two most common kinds on the shelves. Creamy pencils are easy to apply, and some formulas, like RÓEN's Eyeline Define Eyeliner Pencil ($26) , set down to a budge-proof finish. "[They] dry down quickly, so don't mistake them for a kohl or an eyeshadow base, unless they're blended immediately," warns Whitfield. If it's cat-eye or bust for you, Mackay recommends the Stila Micro Tip Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner ($24) as a beginner-friendly, high-precision option.

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Mascara

There's nothing quite like mascara to open the appearance of your eyes and give them an instant lift—it's one of the many reasons they're such a makeup staple. Plus, there are a plethora of formulas (lengthening, volumizing, tubing, curling, waterproof, etc.) to choose from depending on what you're looking for and your lash's natural curl. Maybelline's Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara ($13) is a great choice to start with as it creates super-long length and volume that stays put all day.

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Eyelash Curler

If you are one of the mythical few whose eyelashes are naturally curly, we congratulate you. For the rest of us commoners, we have to rely on the straight-up medieval-looking lash curler. There are mechanical, clamp-styled, and heated, mini-curling-iron types; the lift a good curl provides makes a huge difference in making the eye appear bigger and more open, whether or not you're going to put mascara on top. Whitfield says her ride-or-die curler is Kevyn Aucoin's ($24) as it "really gets close to the lash line."

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Setting or Finishing Powder

Modern setting powders aren't your talc-filled dust that your grandma used to beat on with a powder puff. Using a setting powder can help lock liquid products into place, extending wear, smoothing texture, and controls excess oil. For a skincare-makeup hybrid, try the Supergoop! (Re)Setting 100% Mineral Powder SPF 35 ($35) as it locks your makeup in place, helps protect your skin from the sun, and won't look cakey on your face.

Byrdie Tip

As a general rule, all of your liquid and cream products should be applied before any powder products. Powder on top of cream helps lock things in place; cream on top of powder will cause chunks and separation.

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Bronzer

Bronzer is an essential step for injecting depth, dimension, and natural color into the face so you can further enhance with blush and highlighter. Whitfield swears by the Fenty Beauty Sun Stalk'r Instant Warmth Bronzer ($35) as it's matte and comes in many warm and cool shades.

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Blush

Blush puts that glow back into your cheek after your foundation has stripped your face of excess color, but it's not a one-way ticket to Clown Town. There are plenty of great natural colors to sweep gently across the apples of your cheeks; Mackay recommends Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Blush ($42) as "it's soft, natural, and comes in various shades for different skin tones." For an on-the-go option, try Nudestix's Nudies Blush Stick ($35) which comes with a makeup brush on one end for seamless application.

Byrdie Tip

Speaking of on-the-go, there are a few things that Whitfield and Mackay agree should be in any going-out clutch or party purse: lip balm for hydration and a sheen of highlight in a pinch, q-tips for easy cleanup, and some lip product: pencil, lip color, or put your cream cheek product on double-duty.

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Highlighter

Highlighting the high planes of the face (anywhere the sun hits) is a surefire way to have people asking what your skin secrets are. Whitfield says that flexible formulas, like Saie's Glowy Super Gel ($28), are a kit staple. Powders like the Hourglass Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder ($45) may seem counterintuitive—a powder, glowy?— but Mackay promises they "can look dewy with a hydrating mist."

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Lip Liner

Before there were lip fillers, there were lip liners. These OGs of reshaping define lip lines, create sharp, crisp edges, and help prevent creamy lip products from migrating outward throughout the day. Mackay's go-to is the KVD Vegan Beauty Everlasting Lip Liner ($23) as it has "beautiful shades that last on the skin." In a pinch, you can fill in your whole lip for a quick lipstick substitute.

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Lipstick or Lip Gloss

You can never have enough lipstick, but which formulas are the most comfortable and longest-lasting? Depending on what lipstick finish you want, there's definitely plenty to choose from in every category imaginable. For a highly-pigmented matte lipstick, try MAC's Matte Lipstick ($22), and for a glossier finish, MERIT's Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil ($24) comes in a variety of long-lasting shades and also nourish the lips.

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Setting Spray

If you want your makeup to last all day or through a special occasion, pick up a setting spray to spritz on after you're done applying to set it. The spray will form a film that keeps your products sealed into place on even the sweatiest of dance floors. For a 2-in-1 option, try Morphe's Continuous Prep + Set Mist+ ($19).

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Makeup Brushes

Leonardo da Vinci didn't paint the Mona Lisa with his fingers, and good tools for your face canvas are also a must. Especially for eye products, makeup brushes provide precision that your fingers cannot. The basics include a flat, stiff brush for packing on the product; a fluffy brush for blending and soft washes of color; and a smaller, more detailed brush, like an angled or pencil style, for precision work. We recommend getting an affordable brush set to start, like e.l.f.'s 19-Piece Precision Brush Collection ($42).

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