FGW: Makeup 101 “The Basics”

Okay, everyone always talks about making sure you have your “Basics” and about what products you should get to supplement your “Basics”. The thing is, if you’re just jumping into cosmetics, or if you’re looking to branch out a little, you may not be sure where to start. In a (possibly misguided) attempt to be helpful I give you: “Mo’s Rough Guide to The Basics.”

“The Basics”, in this case, refer to cosmetics only, not skincare. We’ll assume you have a decent regimen that includes good cleansing and moisturizing, because pointers on those things are a whole post on their own. Well cared for skin really is the first step to great makeup.  For simplicity sake, in this discussion we’re starting at a washed and prepped face. Everyone’s basics are different but similar. Personal preference, skin type, budget…all are factors and I’ll try to be as broad as possible to help you get an idea of what your basics should be. I’ll start with a very general category and then break it down a little to explain.

1)  Foundation.

Some people are just blessed with beautiful, blemish free, glowing skin. I am not one of those people. But the coverage and products I need can vary depending on hormones, environment, and just plain finicky skin. Maybe you prefer something light, like a tinted moisturizer. Maybe you want foundation, concealer, and finishing powder. Maybe all you really feel like is a spot of concealer here and there. Either way, your base makeup is your foundation. This is the product(s) you use to get your face ready for the fun stuff. All foundation types, tinted moisturizers, concealers, and pressed or loose finishing powders fall into this category. I prefer a foundation that is buildable so that I can also use it to conceal blemishes, eliminating some of my “extra”products if I’m in a hurry or on the go, and I use powder or carry some with me to help control my oily skin.

2)  Blush.

This includes all types of blushes (gel, liquid, cream, powder), bronzers, and highlighters. Whatever it is that gives you a nice bit of healthy color or a touch of a sunkissed glow. These help give dimension and balance out your look. They also help you to avoid looking like one of those kids who you see wandering the mall looking like death warmed over, particularily if you’re pale, like me. If a Goth girl points you out to the sales clerk and says “I wanna look like HER”, chances are you could use some color.

3)  Eye Color.

Pretty much everything else fits into this category. Eye shadows of all types and textures, shadow primers, eye liners of all types, and brow products. This is one of those areas where it all really amounts to personal preference.  Some of us consider eye liner an essential item, while some of us can’t stand it. I personally call my brow pencil a basic, because without it something just looks a little ‘off’ about me, but many women have never even used one. What you’re looking for here is something as simple as a primer to even skin tone on the eyelid, or as complex as a 3 color stack with contouring and winged liner. Your eyes are the thing people WILL notice when they speak to you, so even a little bit of care and attention here can make a big difference. Including….

4)  Mascara.

This gets it’s own section because this is a make or break category imho. If you chose only an eye primer or liner, no eye color, or the whole shebang, this is one thing you should always have. If you are one of those rare people with beautiful, long, thick, dark lashes, skip on ahead. The rest of you, stay with me. Mascara is an amazing product. It can make you appear seductive or fun, mysterious or friendly. If eyes are the window to the soul then eyelashes are the things that frame a whole world of possibilities. Give your frames some impossible to ignore window treatments and make a statement. The statement you make is up to you.  If you aren’t into deepest black mascara then the resurgence in popularity of black-brown and the decent offering of natural brown mascaras on the market are great alternatives. Finding just the right formula for you can sometimes be a challenge, but the difference that this one product can make is SO worth the effort.

5)  Lips.

I think this one’s pretty clear. Glosses, lipsticks, liners, balms, stains…if you put it on your lips, it counts. At any given moment I have at least 3 lipcolors in my bag, another 3 in my car, and several balms and glosses scattered throughout the house. You really don’t have to go big in this category either, a simple moisturizing balm can do wonders to perk up your face. If that’s your type of product then consider trying a tinted balm or sheer gloss in it’s place. A simple step that can remind you what a beautiful thing it is to smile.

6)  Tools.

You really don’t need every fancy, fluffy, new-fangled thing under the sun, but there are a few thing you should own. Like some good shadow brushes if you’ve chosen to  wear eye color. These brushes don’t have to be expensive to do a good job, e.l.f. has thoroughly passable brushes for super cheap, and Target sells a no name medium shadow brush that I use everyday. For setting powders and powdered cheek color a good powder brush is in order. I really recommend spending a little extra money to get a high quality brush that will last for years with proper care. I’m in love with my super soft, super smooth Taklon brush and years after purchase it’s as shiny and perfect as the day I bought it, definitely worth saving your pennies. If you’re on a budget, poke around the cosmetics counters to find something you like and then seek out it’s mass market counterpart at your favorite drugstore. If you’re ready for more, then start with something like an eyelash curler or kabuki brush and work your way into lip brushes, eye liner brushes, contouring brushes, and all those other lovely things you can’t help but want to touch when you walk by them.

My Basics:

foundation (plus concealer when I have time/energy), powder, blush, brows, mascara, lipstick

I can do it all in 15 minutes or less if I need to. Often two or more things from that list have been thrown on in the parking lot right before an appointment!  Once you get your basics perfected adding other things becomes easier and faster.

And because I know how much everyone loves pictures….

It’s like a cosmetics Where’s Waldo in there. “How can she possibly use all that?” you ask, but if you knew me it wouldn’t seem such a far fetched thought. In my defense, I know lots of people who have way more than this. By “know” I mean I met them online and by “met” I mean I lurk on their beauty blogs. I’m pretty good at avoiding temptation and passing things to my friends that I don’t need or won’t use so I can usually keep my collection under control. Keep in mind that this stash doesn’t include my skin or hair care either, just makeup. This case is definitely NOT “Basics”.

This is my usual travel assortment. Brushes, foundation, concealer, loose powder, eye primer, eye shadow palette (lots of colors in very little space), some extra shadows for variety, a couple eye liners, lip gloss and mascara.  Plus my skin and hair care, deodorant, and contact solution with handy contact case. The little menagerie in front is the stuff that is usually floating around in my purse and I suppose I count it as part of my kit.  This is a standard size train case and I still have room left over in the event that I want to throw in some perfume or other various sundries.  You could probably call this my “Basics” if you remove the skin and hair products.

So let’s hear your thoughts on the subject.  What do you consider your cosmetic basics and why?