A Beginner's Kikay Kit

photo from: http://fashion-beauties.blogspot.com/2010/05/makeup-kits.html

Time and time again I would be asked what are the make up essentials a girl should have. I have planned a lot of time to create a list, but most often than not, the list that I get to create feels too long for a beginner. Having said this, I went on a week long make up kit minimalism (which to everyone who knows me, is a very great feat!) and from there identified the barest minimum make up products I cannot live without.


FACE:

• Primer - This makes the application of make up even and easier to blend. Most primers also help make up adhere longer to the face. This is optional but is nice to have if you have oily skin.
• Foundation/Tinted Moisturizer - Since this creates the blank canvass for your make up, it is very important to note that among all make up products, this should be the one that you should invest in. For foundation, you could either use liquid, cream or powder, depending on the coverage you want to have and of course your skin type. If you feel that foundation is too heavy for you, you could opt for a tinted moisturizer, but only if you have dry skin or you do not oil up that much as the climate we have in our country is really not conducive to wearing tinted moisturizers as a skin base.
• Setting Powder - This could be in pressed or loose form. This as the name suggests, is used to set the liquid or cream foundation to your face, making it more polished looking and long lasting.
• Concealer - for under eyes, use a peachy pink/salmon colored concealer/corrector. This will neutralize the darkness. For spot concealing, make sure to use a shade that is nearest to your skin tone. Remember, a concealer conceals, therefore, it should never be obvious in person and in pictures that you are wearing one!

CHEEKS:

• Blush - This could be in powder, cream or liquid form. I personally prefer powder especially for newbies because for one, the life span is longer and easier to control. I also advise 2 shades, one on the coral/peachy side, and the other in the rosey/pinky tone.
• Bronzer - This is actually optional but a bronzer will really complete the look and make you look more polished if used correctly.

LIPS:

• Lipstick: Like blush, I would suggest one peach/coral, one pinky/rosey, one nude and one red. This could be your only lippies for the next year or two.
• Lip liners: This is optional for a beginner but if you should have only one, get it in a shade nearest to your lip color.

BROWS:

• Brow Pencil - make sure the color is a shade or 2 lighter than your hair color. try to look for cool browns and not the warm, reddish browns. don't ever use black unless you are portraying a villain character. =)
• Brow Powder -  same with brow pencil in terms of shades.
• Brow Gel -  Optional but makes a huge difference. It holds brows in place and the tinted ones lighten up brows in a jiffy, brightening the over all look of the face.

EYES:

• Eye Primer: Makes eye shadows and liners more vivid and adhere longer to the eye lids
• Eye shadows : You can start with matte neutrals. Basic colors will be, black, dark brown, a brown that is nearest your skin tone, and an off white/bone beige color for highlighting.
• Eyeliner : you can start with a black and a brown in either, pencil, lgel or liquid forms. For beginners, i think pencils will be perfect as starters.
• Mascara: a black mascara that is waterproof is all you need. and since you should throw it away after 3 to 6 months of use, it's perfectly okay to use drugstore brands. 

That's it! I cannot think of anything right now that I should be adding for a kikay kit for make up newbies. I will later post one with suggested drugstore/local brands for those on budget or just starting to play with colors. Till then! :)