You want to start doing your own makeup and don’t know where to start or what to buy? This post is for you. I’ve included some inexpensive products you can use to get a simple soft glow.

*Always start with a clean, moisturized face. I like to use a moisturizer with SPF: Neutrogena or Aveeno are my go-to brands for moisturizer.

The basics

Primer is the foundation of your makeup. It is the foundation for your foundation. For a matte, long-lasting look, I’ve found Sacha mattifier primer works best. For a light, soft look, the fundamental radiant primer by col-lab is a good primer. That brings me to NYX can’t stop won’t stop foundation. It’s full coverage and glides easily on the skin. For the application of the foundation, a beauty blender is my tool of choice. One of my favourites is the Fenty beauty sponge. It is extremely soft, easy to use and excellent for blending.

*Make sure not to get a shade that is too dark or too light for your skin tone, and don’t buy foundation online if you don’t already know your exact shade.

Concealer

LA girl pro concealer is an old faithful of mine and is the concealer I used most of the time. If you’re using concealer to bring out the brighter areas of your face, get a shade or two shades lighter than your complexion. Real Techniques Expert Concealer Brush is a good multi-purpose concealer brush.

Protip: Dampen beauty blender when applying foundation and blending in concealer.

Brows & Liner

I used Sephora retractable brow pencil when I just started doing my own makeup, the fine tip allows for precision. My all-time favourite brow pencils are the Anastasia brow wiz & brow definer. I like to use liquid eyeliner for my top lid, Maybelline master precise liner is an affordable liner that stays on all day.

Blush

The first blush I bought was from the Sephora collection as well. The shade was date night, it’s a bright magenta colour which is great for darker skin. The blush brush I use is the wet n’ wild brush, which is extremely inexpensive, (only $3.49 !) & it does the job.

Highlighter & Gloss

The highlighter I use the most is the Fenty match stick. My favourite shade is ‘rum’. A more cost-effective option is the Revlon PhotoReady Insta-Fix Highlighter. Gloss is a simple and easy touch to finish off the look, (Pro budgeting tip: Vaseline and, or a little baby oil works as well). You can also use LA Colors Shea butter lip gloss or Fenty gloss bomb.

Set the face!

Green marble selr spray is my favourite setting spray, especially if I know I’m going to have a long day or be in a hot place. It has a strong alcohol scent, but it is long-lasting & most importantly will set and seal your face. It works! This product is perfect if you have oily skin.