1. A brush set that includes basically every tool you need to get started on your makeup journey. Reviewers say these are super soft and pick up product quite easily (with very little fallout!) so it's a cinch to get the right amount with just a few swipes.
The kit includes 18 brushes and a carrying case. Promising reviews: " The brushes come in a case which is easy to take on the go, and they are super soft! Not to mention it comes with almost every brush you might need. It’s perfect for beginners!" — McKenna B.
"I love these brushes!! Besides these, I have Morphe brushes, these are just as good, if not better! I was looking for cheaper general face brushes to try for a bride's makeup I was doing...
they worked beautifully! I love the smaller brushes as well. They are very soft, have little fall out of product, and little fall out of the hairs. I’ve washed them twice already, brought them to Texas for the wedding, and they have held up great.
I’m impressed! Would be an amazing set for beginners too." – Sherry J. Get the 18-piece set from Amazon for $8.
99+ (available in seven colors). 2. Or a set of makeup sponges to make you question how you ever spent top-dollar for a Beauty Blender .
You can get five of these for less than $10, and reviewers say they blend everything from foundation to concealer like a dream. Promising reviews : "Perfect for beginners and I love the colors!" — Amazon Customer "Don't hesitate, just buy these. I was using the Real Technique sponges for years and bought these on a whim after seeing several TikToks praising these.
I love these sponges and the price. I apply liquid foundation with a damp sponge and these work better than Real Techniques. They are dense but soft and 'bouncy.
' I wash mine between each use and these hold up very well and much better than the RT. Very happy with my purchase and the price. Will definitely continue to buy.
" — chris Get a set of five from Amazon for $5.94+ (available in five color sets). 3.
A lightweight foundation with medium coverage that reviewers say is super easy to blend, which is a huge plus for beginners (don't forget to work the product up into your hairline, down the neck, and on the ears — just give a few extra pats in those areas with your blender/brush!). It also has a semi-matte finish and glycerin for extra hydration, meaning it'll handle excess oil without looking cakey and making your skin look dehydrated. Promising reviews: "This was my first ever foundation and it was perfect for beginners.
" — Kelly "I’ve tried so many different foundations trying to find one that is lightweight and a good color match, and this one hit the mark! Color match is the best I’ve found. Feels light and not cakey on the skin. Very easy to blend and build up coverage and lasts for hours.
Highly recommend." — Delanie Get it from Amazon for $6 (available in 39 shades). 4.
Or an even more lightweight tinted hydrator if you need just a sheer wash of coverage. It goes on just like a normal moisturizer, but has just enough pigment to reduce redness and blur pores. Oh, and the hyaluronic acid and squalane will help make your skin feel soft and moisturized! Promising reviews: "This is a sheer coverage and buildable foundation perfect for beginners.
" — Fee fee mcgee "I’ve tried so many tinted moisturizers, and hated every single one. I was very surprised when I used this one, and it went on flawlessly. I used to love a heavy matte foundation with powder to finish it.
However being a teacher, I need to just be able to get ready for work and go and I needed something that would stay on all day especially on hot days. This tinted moisturizer is easy to apply, it only takes a minute, you can top with powder if you need to, but it literally has great coverage it stays on all day and I believe that it’s actually making my skin look better because of the hyaluronic acid , I’ve been using it for almost a year now and my skin looks great." — Allison K.
Get it from Amazon for $5.47+ (available in eight shades and also in packs of two). 5.
A Maybelline Dark Circles Treatment Concealer proving you don't have to spend a lot of money for high-end results. The lightweight formula is infused with haloxyl, a peptide complex that's meant to reduce dark circles and tighten skin. Many reviewers say it's easy to blend with just your fingers, so you can ditch the brush if you want to! Promising reviews: "I have some discoloration/hyperpigmentation and I am not usually good at using concealer.
This is easy-to-use and perfect for beginners and amateurs like me." — Marie "I am a 30-year-old female. I have extremely dark under eye circles.
Honestly, that is the only reason I wear makeup — to cover them. I've used numerous kinds of concealers. Tarte Shape Tape, Mary Kay, Estee Lauder (assorted kinds), IT Cosmetics Bye Bye under eye, Clinique, Laura Mercier, Mac, and Bobbi Brown.
I usually spend anywhere from $25–30 on one tube of concealer and still feel unsatisfied with the coverage. Or it looks too heavy and thick by the time I sit with a damp makeup sponge and powder (accentuating my under-eye fine lines). This little gem is great.
I use this concealer every day instead of all my high end brand concealers. It's full coverage, buildable, lasts all day, not drying and not too liquidy. I'm so happy I gave this a try, will definitely be keeping this baby in my every day makeup bag.
" — Brittney Get it from Amazon for $8.49+ (available in 21 shades and various pack sizes). 6.
A foolproof stencil kit for anyone way too intimidated to freehand their brows (relatable). Just place one of the stencils up to your brows, use the included stamp to fill in the outline, then use the brow brush to disperse the product. Voila! You'll have perfectly filled-in brows before you can even say "I don't know what I'm doing!" The set comes with 24 reusable stencils, a brow stamp, and brow brush.
Promising review: "This is perfect for beginners! I have almost no makeup knowledge, but I’ve recommended it to a few makeup friends who are waiting to try it out! If you make any mistakes or want to change your mind about the shape, it’s super easy to quickly wipe it away and start a new style. I’m really excited to try these out more." — Maxx Get it from Amazon for $8.
99 (available in six shades). 7. A bestselling Maybelline eyebrow pencil with a helpful double-ended design.
Many reviewers say this one is thin enough to make perfect hair-like strokes, yet still super sturdy (raise your hand if you've ever had a brow pencil break on you 🙋♂️), while others say it blends seamlessly and is great for brow beginners. I personally use this one and love it. The actual pencil itself has never broken while using (I've had many a brow pencil from other drugstore brands snap in half before I even use it two times), and the spoolie at the end is softer and smaller than similar pencils, allowing for more precise application and less irritation.
Promising reviews: "Spent years using a brow pomade but got tired of it drying out in the little pot so quickly. I avoided pencils since I could never find one that went on as saturated and with a creamy sort of consistency that I was used to. Tried this on a whim since I'd seen a few positive reviews via YouTube and thought the angled tip was pretty neat.
I don't know if I'd want to use anything else ever again because I love it so much! Easy to apply, goes on smoothly, and the little brush on the end is great for evenly brushing product through the brows once they're filled in. Looks so natural and precise. So very happy to get out of my comfort zone and try something new.
" — Shannon M Slape "I finally found the perfect brow pencil for a beginner like myself. This is my go-to pencil!!" — Nequa Get it from Amazon for $8.54 (available in four shades and packs of two and three).
8. An eyeshadow palette that has more shades than you'll know what to do with, so you can let your creativity run wild! You'll get a whopping 40 shades for under $10, so it's a great bang for your buck if you're trying to figure out if super colorful or neutral looks are more your style. It also looks strikingly similar to a makeup palette by an influencer whose name rhymes with Chames Jarles 👀.
Promising review: "First of all, be aware that these shadows are about the size of a nickel. I thought it was the size of the 350B palette but for < $8 I'm not disappointed. I haven't worn it for a super long time but it seems to stick pretty well.
The pigmentation is out of this world for the price, I'd say comparable to Morphe or NYX, and there's a great selection. A couple of the shimmer shades are kind of multi-dimensional bordering on duochrome which is cute, but honestly I'm here for the mattes. This is perfect for a beginner or someone who's seasoned but looking for a bunch of shades to play with.
" — Allan Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in colorful and neutral styles). 9.
And a pack of eyeshadow patches to catch any powder fallout from getting on your cheeks and ruining your concealer and skin tint. Just peel the adhesive strip and place it over your under-eye area — then get to blending! Promising reviews: "My prayers were finally answered. I’ve been looking for something like this for a long time.
It keeps eye shadow from getting on the cheeks which tends to happen every time I apply eye shadow. These strips catch all the falling eye makeup. I’m glad I found them.
Highly recommend." — Frequent shopper "This changed my eyeshadow and liner game!!!! Love, love, love — perfect for beginners." — Audreanna Get a 120-pack from Amazon for $6.
99 . 10. A game-changing Patrick Ta blush duo so you can experiment with cream and powder blush in one convenient compact.
If you're looking for a sheer and glowy look, dip your brush (or fingers!) into the cream formula and tap it in. Want a more soft, airbrushed look? Go for the powder instead. Or try layering them to channel your inner-Hannah Montana and get the best of both worlds.
Promising review: " It doesn't turn orange on the skin and gives such a beautiful, healthy shimmer. Both the powder and creme blend really nicely and don't disappear as you blend. The creme especially is sooo buttery! This makes it really easy to work with and perfect for beginners to creme products.
" — Ourwildbeauty Get it from Sephora for $38 (available in 12 shades). 11. Or a liquid blush that easily blends out to give you just a sheer hint of color.
Remember: Start small with blush, just a few dots! Fortunately this has a sponge-tip applicator that makes perfectly-sized dots, and will also totally remind you of those dot markers that used to be the MVP of arts and crafts time. Some reviewers say this is a perfect alternative to the Rare Beauty blushes — so I suggest you keep an eye out for Selener 👀. Promising reviews: "The blush is perfect for beginners and it’s a wonderful natural look.
" — Kennisha F. "I love the applicator!!! The product is so easy to blend and it’s very buildable, so even a beginner can find it easy!" — anon Get it from Amazon for $6.29 (available in 20 colors).
12. A popular long-lasting eyeliner stamp which will be a life-saver for all my fellow peeps with shaky hands. You can use the curved wing side to effortlessly apply liner to the outer corner of your eye, then flip over to the regular fine tip to define the rest of the eye.
It comes in a pack of two, one for each eye. The Flick Stick comes from New Zealand-based brand and small biz Lovoir Beauty . Promising reviews: "Perfect for a beginner! Amazing product! I’ve never been good at making a wing and this product has changed the game! The stamp goes on wonderfully and then the pen applies a smooth line as well.
Great color pay off as well." — Helena P. Get a set of two from Amazon for $14.
98 (available in three sizes and a combo pack). 13. A buttery soft bronzer that'll give you a subtle sunkissed glow and is easy to apply thanks to its cream-to-powder formula.
Apply it along your cheekbones, temples, and hairline, then lightly blend for a bronzed glow — reviewers say just a few sweeps is all you need! Promising reviews: "This bronzer has the most luxurious feel to it. It’s perfect for beginners as well as experienced users. You can’t put on too much.
The first application is just right or it can be built upon. The color is foolproof. I won’t use any other now since discovering this.
" – Stef "This bronzer doesn't disappoint. It's a beautiful, warm color with a bit of shimmer in it. It gives me a sun-kissed glow with no orange tones at all.
The texture is velvety smooth and feels really nice on my skin. I also have acne-prone skin, but it doesn't make me break out. Definitely recommend.
" — Jheneya Get it from Amazon for $8.79+ (available in nine shades). 14.
Fenty Beauty's Match Stix Matte Contour Skinstick , which makes contouring seem way less scary. Reviewers say the pigment is sheer yet buildable, so you won't have to worry about over-applying. It also starts as a cream for easy blending, the dries down to a powder that should last all day long.
Promising review: " Incredible. As someone who has zero experience with contour, this stick has me wondering why I haven't tried it before. It's so complimentary to my fair skin.
I absolutely love it and I love how easy it blends. It's the perfect contour for a beginner because you can build slowly until you figure out what the heck you're doing. " — dishofpretty Get it from Sephora for $32 (available in nine shades).
15. A finishing powder that not only helps set your makeup so it lasts all day long, but also adds a blurring, filter-like effect that reviewers rave over. The translucent shade is a perfect place to start if you just need something to finish your look and take away excess shine, but there are also some tinted options if you need a little more coverage.
The powder also contains tea tree and witch hazel to minimize the appearance of pores and reduce redness, and vitamin E and chamomile extract to soften skin. Promising review: "This pressed power is PERFECT for beginners! I thought it was initially gonna be too light, but it ended up being a perfect matte powder. Apply it with a brush or powder puff.
(I use a brush and lightly tap it under my eyes and cheeks, almost like an inverted triangle, then I brush the excess off). I only use concealer on a normal day, since my skin is somewhat clear, but this powder had my skin looking smooth clear and BLURRED TO PERFECTION!! 😍 " — ULoveMarixoxo Get it from Amazon for $3.28+ (available in four shades).
16. An applicator tool more than 13,000 reviewers swear by for super simple lash application. It has a curved tip that's designed to minimize the effets of hand shaking, and you can also use it to remove lashes at the end of the day.
Many first-time wearers say these perfectly apply lashes on the first try! Need lashes? Amazon reviewers swear by Ardell Wispies and the i-Envy adhesive ! Promising reviews: "Perfect for beginners. If you are new at putting on fake eyelashes, you NEED these! They are perfectly sized and shaped to assist with putting on falsies. The tweezers push the lashes onto the glue evenly, so you don't have to worry about smudging your makeup or getting glue everywhere.
10/10, would buy again." — Kelsey Get it from Amazon for $4.98+ (available in five colors).
17. A massive palette filled with tons of powder formulas for your whole face so you can try a little bit of everything at once. You'll get 80 eyeshadows, two highlighters, two blushes, two contour shades, and 15 brushes! Reviewers say these are great to play around with before finding your go-to full-sized products.
Promising review: "I couldn't wait to dive in and use it. My daughter has the pink one and I now have the purple. These are awesome they are so bright and well pigmented and very minimal fallout.
I didn't even need to pile it on like I do with my Too Faced palettes. There are so many colors I'm in love with [in] these palettes. So many options and so much bang for your buck.
Perfect for beginners and seasoned makeup wearers. The brushes aren't great but I already had my own softer set. 10 out 10.
" — Chris Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in three styles; also available with additional products and a kit with a smaller palette). 18.
A Bondi Sands self-tanning foam that smells like delicious coconuts instead of nauseating chemicals — and reviewers rave over it for providing a streak-free tan that's super easy to apply. Just apply in upward motions (preferably with a tanning mitt !), let it sit for an hour, then wash off! Everyone will think you just spent your entire summer on a luxurious island, when you were actually just cooped up inside watching Love Island . Promising review: "This was my first time using a self tanner and I chose this brand after watching many positive youtube reviews.
It was very easy to use and smells amazing! I used the Bondi Sands glove to apply and it went on evenly and gave me a very natural looking tan. Perfect for a beginner!" — Leigh Get it from Amazon for $16+ (available in three shades and two sizes). 19.
A dip powder nail kit , which may seem intimidating, but reviewers say the directions are super easy to follow! The kit comes with the base, powders, activator, and everything else you need to get started on your dip nail journey. It'll give you a glossy sheen like gel polish, but there's no need to cure under a light with these. The kit includes 20 dip powders, bottles of base and top coat, activator, brush saver, cuticle oil, and various tools and accessories.
Promising review: "Great value, perfect for beginners. Nail art has changed so much the last few years. I used to do my own acrylic, then did gel, used nail stamping, makeup sponges for an ombré effect, etc.
..yet I had yet to try nail dip powder until now.
I’ve never done it before and I’ve never even had it done at a salon. Total beginner to this method. The directions are easy to follow and the result is awesome!! I did two layers and that was totally sufficient.
Highly recommend this product and I will likely buy it in more colors!" — Dayna Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in four color options). 20.
Or a gel nail kit reviewers love for including basically everything you need to let out your inner nail Picasso (except a UV LED lamp — make sure you grab one of those)! The kit comes with the base coat and two top coats (one for a matte finish and one for a glossy sheen), and 20 colors to choose from. Just apply the base, then your color, cure it under the lamp (and apply more layers as needed!) then apply your top coat and cure once more. Promising review: "Perfect for beginners.
I’m new to the whole nail scene but I figured I’d make an investment of $100 on gel nail polish, led light ect. I tried using this polish on my natural nails after prepping then and I’m pretty happy..
. The colors are beautiful!! I was a little surprised by the smaller size, but for $20 you can’t beat it!!! Such a good variety and have a beautiful deep pigment. I10/10 would recommend.
👏🏼" – MiKayla C. Get it from Amazon for $16.13+ (available in 15 color varieties).
21. A full set of E.l.
f. Skin sample sizes so you'll have everything you need to start a skincare journey right away. From the cleanser to the face cream, everything in this set is infused with hyaluronic acid to give you a nice dose of moisture.
Reviewers say it's the perfect place to start before committing to the full sizes, and it's particularly great to have on-hand for travel! The set includes sample sizes of a daily cleanser, cleansing balm, eye cream, face cream, and booster drops. Promising reviews: "Perfect kit for beginners. It’s perfect for starting a skincare routine, the instructions are very clear and easy to understand.
" — Karen E. "E.l.
f. is a must have when starting skincare. These products do it well every time and are gentle on the skin, they don’t have much scent and are good if you have sensitive skin.
" — Yayreeeeee Get it from Amazon for $19.97 . 22.
A hydrating Cosrx repairing essence with 96% snail secretion filtrate, which provides a gentle dose of moisture that won't overwhelm skincare newbies. Reviewers mention seeing a reduction in dark spots and acne, and even people with oily skin find that it absorbs quickly and doesn't clog their pores. Who knew snails had the secret to glassy, glowy skin this whole time?! New to essences? Try applying this after cleansing but before your moisturizer.
Applying it to clean skin and under you moisturizer will help lock in all that snail mucin goodness! Promising review: "This is a product that works for anybody! I apply it once I have washed my face on damp skin. It can be slightly slimy, once again it is snail mucin, but you only really feel it when you apply it to dry skin. I usually allow it to dry for a bit until it becomes slightly tacky before I put a moisturizer on.
I have combination skin. My forehead and chin tend to be oilly but my cheeks dry and this has really evened that out. I really recommend this because it isn't harsh to the skin and perfect for beginners.
" — Nelita H. Get it from Amazon for $14.50 .
23. A Good Molecules retinol cream for anyone looking to incorporate the ingredient in their routine without overwhelming their skin. This formula has 0.
1% retinol to help soften the look of fine lines while grape seed oil and allantoin soften and soothe, reducing any chance of irritation. Remember — retinol can be pretty intense, especially for sensitive skin! Start by using it just a few days a week, then increase or decrease depending on how your skin reacts. You should also wear it with SPF during the day, so be sure to pick up a good sunscreen while you're at it.
Promising review: ""Perfect for beginners! I have oily, acne-prone skin and this product has done wonders for stopping my hormonal acne! A must-try for beginners trying out retinol!" — TP Get it from Ulta and Amazon for $8. 24. The ever-popular Revlon one-step hair dryer and volumizer with over 246,000 5-star ratings from Amazon customers.
It'll dry your hair as you comb, meaning you can stomp fumbling around with a blow-dryer in one hand and a brush in the other. You'll basically go from beginner to pro hairstylist in just a few swipes! Reviewers with type 1 and 2 hair say it helps to add a bit of volume when using a curling motion, while those with type 3 and 4 hair say it's also great for straightening. Promising reviews: "This is a must have! Dries my curly/wavy hair in about 20 minutes.
I’m not at all a person that knows how to blow-dry their hair correctly, but this is perfect for beginners like me. The only thing is that it is a bit heavy for my short arms, but no biggie." — Bucatronic01 Get it from Amazon for $29.
99+ (available in two styles and various colors). 25. And finally, Flexible curling rods that are so easy to you use, you can literally do it in your sleep.
These rods will do most of the work for you — just wrap sections of your hair around the rod, twist it into place, then head to bed and unroll it in the morning! They're soft and lightweight (no headaches!), and you can use them on wet or dry hair. Promising reviews: " I was pleasantly surprised at the value and quality of these and like the storage bag too. For the price, I'd expected them to be of a poor quality, but they are just as good as others I've bought for 5x the price.
These are perfect for both the beginner and professional hair stylists and you cannot beat the deal offered." — Kerry "I haven’t put curlers in my hair in YEARS. Saw this on TikTok.
Thought it would be great, especially because I’m so lazy when it comes to styling my hair. Dried my hair about 60%–70%, put curlers in, slept on them (not uncomfortable to sleep in), and voila-hair is curled and ready to go in the a.m.
" — lapiper21 Get a 42-pack from Amazon for $14.99. You nailing your new beauty routine immediately: Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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