Make Up Kit Essentials: Building a Fabulous Make Up Kit *Part Two: The Very Basics

Now that you have cleaned out you current kit I am going to start with what I believe are the absolute make up essentials to have in your kit. These items are for a simple, fresh look and excellent for people who don't want to spend very much money on their kit or time applying make up. The most basic kit I feel contains 6 items; a pressed powder foundation, a highlighter, mascara and 3 brushes (one for foundation, one for highlight and a brow comb). Allow me to explain...

1. Pressed Powder Foundation

Pressed Powder Foundations provide a light to medium coverage. They are excellent if you have generally good skin and just want to even out and liven up your face. Since it is a powder it is most easily applied with a brush (when I want more coverage I will use my finger tip as well).

Here are some powder foundations I would suggest:

• MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural 
• MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation 
• AVEDA Innerlight Mineral Dual Foundation 
• NARS Powder Foundation 
• BOBBI BROWN Illuminating Finish Powder Compact Foundation SPF 12 (Bobbi Brown products are excellent for dark skintones) 

     2. Highlight

Highlight is used to create a glow and emphasize areas on the face that are high points (where the bones protrude forward). Think of areas of the face that the sun naturally hits and light reflects. My favourite places to highlight are the cheekbones. Highlighting the cheekbones can act as a mini face-lift and make you appear more awake and alert.

Here are some highlight products I would suggest:

• MAC Powder Blush in Gana *LIMITED EDITION PRODUCT* 
• MAC Iridescent Powder Loose *for lighter skin tones Silver Dusk is an excellent shade
• AVEDA Eyeshadow- 492 Illumination *will suit most skin tones 
• BARE ESCENTUALS All-Over Face Colour- Radiance *different shades for different skin tones
• NARS Highlighting Blush Powder *golden sheen good for darker skin tones
• SMASHBOX Soft Lights in Shimmer *2007 best of Sephora Nominee

Note: For cooler skin tones (pink undertones) use a highlight that also has a cool undertone. For warmer skintones (tan/yellow/oranger undertones) use a highlight that has a gold undertone for the best, most natural results.

     3. Mascara

I have one suggestion. Maybelline's Great Lash Mascara. It is the number one selling mascara, it was the first mascara ever made and it is sold for under ten dollars (I saw it at Wal-Mart for just under $5.00). This is the mascara I always suggest but I encourage to find one that you like best... just try this one first!

     4. (also 5. & 6.)

A powder brush, an angled highlight brush and a brow comb. Start with inexpensive brushes to learn how to use them but be sure to invest in a good set of brushes later on. High quality brushes make a huge difference in your application results. They are generally softer (nicer for your face), longer lasting and less likely to shed.

These products are an excellent starting point for a make up kit. Go out an test the products I suggested as well as other brands to find what you like best. Before you buy take the time to test different products; see how long they stay on, feel the texture, see how well it compliments your skin. Remember you are now making an investment on you appearance, you want to make sure to find what best showcases your beauty.

Now go and start shopping! Please post comments and suggestions about great products you find!


Did you find this post helpful? Questions, comments, feedback? I would love to hear them! Please comment or email me for more specific questions at karleigh.johnstone@gmail.com, or find me on facebook (Karleigh Johnstone, I am the only one).