Makeup plays a big part in your feminine transformation. That means having a well-stocked makeup kit is a must!

Since I’m often asked about what makeup to buy – and since it’s easy to blow your budget on one Sephora shopping trip – I’ve put together a checklist outlining the must-have items for your collection.

I also created a downloadable shopping list that you can print out and take to the store with you. Download it here!

Makeup Brushes

First, a word on makeup brushes…

If you’re going to splurge on one thing, it should be a good set of makeup brushes. You’d be amazed how much better your makeup looks when you use proper brushes vs. those tiny applicators that come with your makeup.

You can find makeup brush sets at the drugstore or online for as little as $ 10-$ 20. Here are the brushes you should own:

• Angled eyebrow brush
• Eyeliner brush
• Flat eyeshadow brush
• Crease brush
• Bullet brush
• Foundation brush
• Concealer brush
• Powder brush
• Blush brush
• Lipstick brush

Tools

• Q-tips – Use to clean up under the eyes
• Cetaphil – Use to clean up mistakes and remove makeup at the end of the day
• Cosmetic wedge sponges

Eyes

• Eyebrow pencil or powder – Note: You can also use matte eyeshadow as eyebrow powder
• Eyeshadow base (optional) – Use to neutralize discoloration in eye area and help your eye makeup last longer
• Eyeliner – Either a gel eyeliner or eyeliner pencil
• Eyeshadow – Get a palette with at least 3 colors: light/medium, medium/dark, and a highlight shade
• Mascara – Get black unless you are a fair blonde (in which case, go for brown-black)
• Clear mascara (optional) – Use to groom thick eyebrows

Skin

• Primer (optional) – Use to smooth out your skin and help your makeup last longer
• Color corrector
  • Fair skin – Get a pink and green corrector
  • Medium/dark skin – Get a yellow corrector
• Foundation – Get medium coverage foundation that matches your skin tone exactly
• Translucent powder – Get loose powder that is the same or slightly lighter than your natural skin tone
• Foundation powder (optional) – Use if you need additional coverage in the beard area
• Light/dark cream concealer (optional) – Use to contour the face. Get a concealer that is one shade lighter than your skin tone (to highlight the face) and a concealer that is one shade darker than your skin tone (to contour the face)

Lips

• Lip liner pencil
• Lipstick
• Lip gloss – Choose a thick clear gloss to seal your lipstick

Cheeks

• Contouring powder – Use to contour the cheeks, jaw, etc. Get translucent powder or a no-sheen bronzer that is one shade darker than your skin tone
• Blush – Choose a powder or cream blush

While this list might look long, the good news is that you DON’T have to go out and spend a bunch of money on expensive cosmetics. In fact, you probably already have most of what you need. And what you don’t have, you can find inexpensively in any drugstore.

Let’s talk makeup!

The great thing about makeup is that no matter what your skill level, there are always new techniques to try and colors to play with. And as Coco Chanel said, on a bad day, there is always lipstick!

So let’s hear from you…

What are you favorite must-have makeup essentials? Do you do most of your shopping in drugstores or are you a Sephora-kinda gal?

Please share in the comments below!

Love,
Lucille

P.S. While the right tools are essential, good makeup is all about technique. Learn how to master your makeup skills with a pro makeup artist Chris Scott in Makeup Magic: The Ultimate Male to Female Makeup Program.

Learn more here!