Now that we have our brushes, we need products. I remember when I first started makeup, I wanted everything! There’s a point where you feel like you have no makeup and then suddenly you have too much makeup. There’s literally no in between. When I realized I had too much makeup, I also realized I had to take stock of my makeup bag unless I wanted to see money in my bank account. (lol)

Becoming a makeup artist forced me to be more conscious of my purchases and what was essential to achieve my signature look. To do this, I referred to my makeup process, which is something you’ll see me encourage often on this blog because developing one is so important to achieving confidence in your makeup looks.

Here are the essentials I determined are ultimate must-haves for your makeup bag:

SKIN PREP

1. Serum/Hydrating oils
2. Primer
3. Corrector

FOUNDATION

4. Foundation (liquid or matte)

5. Foundation powder

6. Foundation tint/bb cream

EYEBROWS

7. Brow pomade or pencil

8. Brow wax

CONCEALER

9. Natural shade concealer

10. Another concealer 2 shades lighter

11. Setting powder

12. Concealer powder

CONTOUR

13. Contour cream/powder

HIGHLIGHT

14. Highlight cream/powder

15. Blush cream/powder

Also, if you haven’t realized, this is a checklist as well as shopping list. If you’re a beginner or novice, use this to get the absolute essentials. If you’re intermediate or professional, use this as a checklist to ensure if you have these essentials.

Confidence in makeup is so important at all levels. In makeup, it can be easy to think things like, “well maybe if I had XYZ product, my makeup would look better” but through experience I’ve realized while having essential products add to your makeup looks, having confidence is where the magic happens.

Leave a comment below if this brought clarity to your makeup world!