Hi there....
I must say 'Americanclassic' nailed it. (kudos to your suggestions)
My two cents:
1) start with a good skin care routine. I use Olay complete or Total Effects 7 in 1. I have sensitive skin so the complete really works for me but when I want a slight scrub I use the Total Effects Citrus cleanser. I wasn't a huge fan of the total effects moisturizer so I stayed with the complete moisturizer. I must admit I tried to Wal-Mart brand that was similar to Olay, well it didn't compare. I would highly recommend Olay (and only Olay) products because they are awesome. Don't cut corners like I tried. lol. My face did break out.
* a really good DIY scrub i found useful for breakouts was 1 tbs Raw Honey, 1 tsp of Lemon (it was cheaper to buy a whole lemon and have my fiance squeeze it for me), and 1 tbs of Raw Sugar ( i used what i had in the kitchen mixed with in the Raw Sugar). After a few batches you can learn what consistency you like and begin to tweak it a bit. I read this in an article and tried it and haven't had breakouts ((kudos to essence for the article)). If you have an Ulta near you, they run regular sales on Olay or their fliers are always $3.50 off $10. I use this all the time. DON'T FORGET TO MOISTURIZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is by far the most important step, of course after cleanse.
2) When I began my collection I went straight for the best, MAC Cosmetics, one because their artists suggested great products and two the products lasted a really long time. I started out with my favorite colors (or what looked good on me, eyeshadow wise). However that shot me in the foot because I started out with good products so now anything I use its not similar to MAC. I have noticed while I'm branching out to other brands that Sephora, Tarte, and Urban Decay are among other brands that are really nice. Tarte has really good concealers and blushes, UD has the naked palette's that are amazing! *I suggest to start there, but its a bit costly $50/palette), and Sephora brand seems to do well too. Its kind of a hit or miss with some of their things.
- foundation/base : definitely start with mineral makeup and branch out from there. Mac has mineral foundation that is very sheer but build-able.
- concealer : if you need one than I suggest the Tarte maracuja crease-less concealer. I use tan only because sometimes I don't have to use foundation with it, but I do need to set it with a powder. I hear great things about Cover-Girl's trueblend, its just not my cup of tea.
- eye-shadows: **here's the fun part** because its so many options its like a playground. Remember one thing, makeup is like art. if you don't like it, wash it off and start over. but if you love it, it will be your most prized asset/masterpiece.
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[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> I would advise to stay away from Ulta brand eye-shadows. they don't show up! Try to begin with a palette that way you can learn what fits you best. I hear great things about BH Cosmetics. Try others too: UD, MAC, TARTE, STELLA, SEPHORA... just to name a few. The only way to know if it works for you is to try it. So dig in! **you'll have fun too**
- eyebrows: DON'T NEGLECT THEM. Gossmakeupartist on youtube has great tutorials. I used a eye pencil by MAC (spiked), but realized I was buying them every month so I switched to a liner (mac Dipdown) and an angle brush. I'm still learning how to perfect them but I also watch YOUTUBE tutorials for help. I also like NYX brow duo to set them or to fill them in. I watched itsjudytime on youtube and decided to give it a try.
- lips: gloss or stick. just make sure you moisturize them too. I'm a 'liplube'aholic so any chapstick out there I've tried. I really like the Euros lip balls in the summer but in the winter I try to use a lip scrub (the DIY scrub works wonders on this) but to moisturize I like the Josie Maran Argan lip treatment. I get samples from Sephora, lol a little goes a long way. Eventually I will buy the full size but at the moment I have two samples that have lasted me over a month.
- misc: you can use a bronzer just be careful on something too shiny. I haven't found a good one worth mentioning, I've had the Mac mineral bronzer but I got bored with it. So I've been trying different things. A great setting powder is Makeup Forever I got it for $10 at sephora and its a small size but that too goes a long way because you don't need much.
- brushes: my first kit came from walmart after holiday sale. I've had these brushes for several years (< 8 yrs). They were synthetic but cheap. I take good care of them with a shampoo or bath and body works foam soap. Brushes are brushes and they will all do the job. I prefer synthetic ones because they last longer and don't hold makeup inside the brush. Don't be afraid to buy cheap one (Target sells Elf brushes for $1 or $3). Its good to a powder brush, a blush brush, a few medium eyeshadow brushes, an angle brush to begin with. You'll begin to know what brushes you will need after a few practices. Start basic with brushes and work your way up.
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hope this helps you (and any others that read this). Happy makeup hunting. You're in for a real treat. Don't get overwhelmed when making a choice. Ask for help if you don't understand anything. Just be careful with some counters because they try to sell you anything. You will know what looks best on your skin and if you like what you see. Only purchase what you like not what they think looks good on you.
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