Top products from r/MakeupAddiction

(Edit: heh maybe not the best choice of a first picture to go along with a post titled "tons of goodies", oh well lol)

So I picked up a bunch of stuff tonight and I’m super excited! I wanted to share all the goodies I got, and I’d love to hear any comments that you might have on anything.

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Picked up some Pixi Glow Tonic, L’Oreal True Match in Light Ivory W2, and WnW Photofocus foundation in soft ivory. I’m not 100% pleased with how my Revlon Colorstay is sitting on my skin, so I wanted to try a few more drugstore items before jumping to something higher end. I’ve heard great things about the glow tonic, but tbh I’m a little nervous to start it!

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Got a few items from Amazon, this brush set that has a 4.8-star review with over 6,200 votes (for only $14!) and this liquid nail tape to make painting my nails easier, since I’m getting into that a little more. I haven’t used the brushes yet, but they’re super fluffy and soft!

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On the third try, I finally managed to get the “buy 5 random shadows for $4” from Juvia’s Place last week. Can’t believe how quickly it shipped! I got Taj, Carlota, Nia (three shimmers), Empress, and Ethiopa (two mattes). I’m glad I didn’t get any duplicates, and while green isn’t something I’d normally wear, I think the colors are all pretty and I’m excited to try out the formula (this is my first time getting their shadows).

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I couldn’t resist getting the $20 mystery box from Too Faced last week. I got a sample of BTS mascara (already have one, unfortunately), a Perfect Eyes eyeliner, a Size Queen mascara (the picture doesn’t do it justice, the wand is flipping huge), La crème lipstick (in a neon hot pink lol), and the peanut butter and jelly palette. Given that the palette alone is $36, I’m pretty happy! I would have liked to have received the Just Peachy Mattes palette, but that one’s $46, so it might not even qualify. Plus I’d rather have the jelly palette than the honey one. 😊

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Ipsy bag this month – unknown brush (very fluffy!), INT cosmetics shadow in Goddess Gold (not magnetic?? Kind of a bummer lol), trufora triple action exfoliator, and a Tarte Sex Kitten liner sample. I see what people mean about black eyeliner and subscription boxes, I got one from Ipsy last month lol.

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Boxycharm this month – PUR eyeshadow palette (check out that blue!!), The Vintage cosmetic company smokey eye brush set, South Mane eye gel packs, Butter London double decker mascara (so much mascara lol), Pretty Vulgar blush in Blush Hush. I see what people mean (again lol) about Pretty Vulgar packaging; it’s cute, but pretty bulky!

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Colourpop – I’ve been hoping for a “sorry shipping took so long here’s a free gift”! The red metallic lipstick is pretty bright red for me, but it might make a pretty good topper. I wanted to take advantage of the “get 4 single pressed shadows, get a free magnetic palette” deal, so I got (from left to right) Snake Eyes, High Strung, Glass Bull, and Tea Garden. I also got the “Passing Notes” super shock shadows set, since I don’t have any SSS yet and it was on sale. They feel so smooth, almost wet!

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I was chatting with someone from another sub and mentioned that I’d only tried one foundation. I guess she had a bunch that she doesn’t use anymore, and asked if I’d like to try them. I of course gratefully accepted, but was SUPER pleasantly surprised when the box had a ton of stuff in it, in addition to the foundations!! I don’t actually have any contour products yet, so that palette will be fun to try, and I’ve been meaning to try the WnW setting spray. Most of the foundations look to be about the right shade, though a couple are too light or too dark, so I might try mixing though.

Yay stuff!!! Now that I have so much stuff I haven’t tried, I have NO reason to buy anything else…no reason at all… 😊

Its really hard to tell what your makeup looks like in this shot because of the downward angle and the hair over the face. I'd recommend posting one where there are less shadows and we can see the eyes and eyebrows more since it will allow everyone to see things better to give you better feedback. Eyebrows in particular are essential for framing the face and one of the hardest things to get right but with the hair in the way there's no way to see them well to really give good feedback. The little bit I can see looks very light so you might want to look into getting into brow products to darken it up and shape it. For a cheap starter brow kit to practice with the ELF brow kit is really good and only $3. I still use that one because my brows are dark enough that I don't need too much but if you have lighter/sparser brows you might like something better. Right now the contrast between the light brows and dark hair is pretty stark. Here is a good tutorial for filling in/shaping brows for someone with fair skin and dark hair.

Again its hard to tell about eye makeup but it kind of looks like you've done some smudgy soft brown liner but again the angle makes it hard to tell. I can see that your eyelashes appear really light so I'd definitely recommend a black mascara. Maybelline has really good mascaras if you are looking for something cheap to start with. Curling eyelashes and applying mascara does a lot to open up the eyes and make your whole face brighter, especially if you have very light eyelashes (mine are blonde so I know the struggle).

It looks like you have a hooded eye shape which means that when your eyes are open most of your lid is hidden and tucked into the crease of your eye. Mine are slightly hooded so my eyelids don't show much. Its a bit tricker to work with but you can still do a ton.

Here's a good easy every day tutorial for a similar eye shape. I love the Shade and Light Eye palette that she uses in the video but its a more expensive item and while it is well worth it you might want to look for similar colors from the drugstore. But this should give you are visual for something you could do.

Liner is tough for your eye shape. I find that it makes a big difference on me but you have to be able to apply the line very thin or it will take over the entire lid space that is visible when your eyes are open. This just takes a lot of practice.

Having a good set of brushes helps too. I am in LOVE with this set from Lamora Beauty. They're cheap but great quality and have just about every type of basic eye brush you could ever need.

Your skin looks really beautiful. Only suggestion would be a bit of blush and maybe some color to your lips. The first youtuber I posted has similar coloring to you. She wears kind of mauvey tones for her more natural looks so you could try and find something similar to this, I think that would look nice on you.

If you like something more colorful then go for that too but its always good to master a neutral basic look and then branch out. Hopefully this helps.

No pics since I'm not at home.. but here's what I've gotten recently with reviews!!

• ELF Cream Eyliner in Black - This liner is AMAZING!! So pigmented, creamy, easy to use, and lasted all day. I was actually able to make a decent wing with this..which is a big deal for me!
  
  
• bareMinerals Eyeshadow in Nude Beach - This. Is. The. Most. BEAUTIFUL. Eyeshadow. Ever. Seriously amazing..wear it every day now!! IN LOVE GO GET IT NOW!
  
  
• real Techniques Starter Set - These brushes, like everyone says, are amazing. Great quality, super soft, no complaints at all!!
  
  
• NYX Makeup Setting Spray Dewy Finish - I used an Urban Decay MSS before this, but this one seems just as good as sooo much cheaper! I have dry skin, so this is great to keep my skin moisturized and not have dry, patchy areas.
  
  
• Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey - Since everyone and their mom has raved about this I thought I'd try it, and it is really great! The color is gorgeous and you can get so many looks from it. It looks really natural on me and not like I'm wearing anything on my lips at all, more of a stained look. I'm not a fan of the scent though..
  
  
• MUFE Aqua Eyes in Champagne 23L - This was a dud for me..not a fan of the color (very, very light..doesn't show up on my eyes at all), not very creamy, so I really have no use for it. Will be returned unfortunately!!
  
  
• Maybelline Great Lash BIG - I know people are 50/50 on this but I've always loved the regular Great Lash for bottom lashes or for very natural lashes! I really love this one..for me it works like Bad Gal Lash but about 1/5 of the price! Will keep wearing this! I also got Clump Crusher but haven't opened it yet :)

I think my best advice would honestly be to work on honing your skills. I used to be able to do pretty okay shadows cause I never really learned about blending and pretty much stuck to one colour shadow at a time. But now I live for blending. It honestly makes such a difference. Even with just one shadow, blending out the edges makes it look so much better. I like really fluffy brushes that really blur things dramatically, but it's really up to you. The Real Techniques eye set of 4 brushes is good for "tighter" blending brushes. The fluffy one I love is from a coastal scents 22 piece brush set, they don't sell it individually and it does not have a name printed on, unfortunately.

So yeah, I'd suggest working on skills more than anything. But I will try and answer what you actually asked for haha. My fave palettes are the too faced chocolate bar and naked basics 2. I also love inglot shadows because I like the customization they offer (you buy the shadows in singles and can build your own duos or palettes), and they make really good, blendable mattes. Mattes are notorious for generally being harder to blend than shimmery or glittery colours sort of across most brands, but the inglot matte ones are very good. Naked 3 palette might work really nicely for you as well, but I think the semi-sweet chocolate bar palette would be the best. Nice shadow quality, nice range of shades, but I think they would look especially nice with brown eyes and your skin tone. I would recommend naked basics for the purpose of having a nice set of strong, basic (ha ha) matte shades. But yeah, semi-sweet chocolate bar!

There's not a single makeup wearing person out there who didn't have to practice their eye makeup a LOT before finally getting the hang of it, so don't give up yet!! I have a few tips to offer that helped me improve my own eyeshadow skills. First things first, investing in a good quality set of eyeshadow brushes will make a big difference. There's absolutely no need to buy the most expensive ones available, just look for brushes with synthetic fibers and a set that offers a decent range of sizes and shapes. (an ideal starter set should at least include a medium/large fluffy blending brush, a crease brush, a lid brush, a shader brush, an angled blending brush and perhaps a small liner brush) I've bought great brushes on Amazon for super cheap that I happen to like even better than some of the more expensive ones I own. Morphe also has really nice brushes that are pretty affordable. Good brushes make applying eyeshadow effortless, and with a little practice and trial and error you'll be a pro! Next, make sure you're using something to prime your eyelids before applying any shadow. I find that a thin layer of concealer on your eyelid/brow bone, set with a little translucent powder, works great for this purpose. It's not really necessary to buy a primer just for eyeshadow, in my opinion (unless it's glitter based, you'll need a specific primer for that). Make sure you're starting with the lightest shades first and ending with dark shades. Apply a only little bit of shadow at a time with very light pressure, and blend, blend, blend it out good using small, circular motions. I like to clean my brush off on a dry towel before applying each new shadow color to prevent the shades from becoming muddy. While thorough blending is the key to gorgeous shadow looks, it is very possible to blend your eye makeup too much, so be mindful to not overdo it. You want each shade to look seamless among one another, rather than just solid blocks of color on your eyelid. I would try out some simple eye looks that use just 2-3 basic shades, and once you've mastered those, start experimenting with more adventurous shadow colors and textures. Now, on to eyeliner. It's important to know what styles of liner will flatter your eye shape the best. I, for one, have never been able to make winged liner work with my eye shape, despite many attempts (sadly). Try out different eyeliner formulas, like liquid, pencil or gel to figure out what you like the best. Always take your sweet time while applying eyeliner, rushing may result in uneven and shaky lines which are hard to fix without messing up the rest of your eye makeup. Lastly, just have fun with it. Makeup is all about creativity and self expression! Hope these tips help you, keep trying and I promise you'll see improvement!!

Just to repeat bc its true - you are a beautiful person :) Your makeup should be totally about you! Experiment! Play around! Go with colors you like and products you love! For example, I've found that I adore wearing long lasting liquid matte lipsticks in crazy bold colors. But I hate wearing foundation. So I wear lipstick and no foundation (maybe I'll wear a little pressed powder though for my oily T-zone).

I am 22 and have taught myself a lot about makeup in the last year. My advice to you is to focus on what you love about your face (what are your favorite features?) and learn what you can do to draw more attention to those parts. Ex.) I like my mouth! So I wear bright reds to draw attention to my mouth.

I am also a big research person. Youtube is filled with so many tutorials. I really liked these books. I rented them both from my local library :)

So be open! Experiment! Shop from new companies when they have sales or when you have coupons for drugstore makeup! I have my favorite foundation from a sale at BH Cosmetics. My favorite red lipstick is from a sale at NYX. My favorite mascara is from a coupon I had for covergirl lash blast mascara. Find what you like and what you don't to build up your personal tastes. My favorite finishing powder is $3 and from Wal-Mart.

But most of all, it is you that makes you beautiful. Makeup is like the cherry on a gorgeous sundae. You are a beautiful sundae. Add as many cherries or sprinkles as you want. A little or a lot, whatever you find you are comfortable with :)

My recommendations for a starter kit:

Category | Products
---|---
Foundation | this is very dependent on skin type but there're good options in the drugstore for any, the big brands being L'Oreal and Maybelline; I have dry skin and prefer the True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous from L'Oreal
Concealer | Tarte Shape Tape OR the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer - the Tarte Shape Tape is more expensive but a much better bang for your buck
Bronzer | Physician's Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer
Blush | Luminoso by Milani OR a Tarte blush
Eye Primer | Milani Eyeshadow Primer
Eyeshadow Palette | Kat Von D Shade + Light Eye (neutrals are best for a starter kit, but you could also get an eyeshadow palette from Juvia's Place or ColourPop)
Gel Eyeliner | Infallible Gel Lacquer Liner
Mascara | L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara or Lash Paradise
Brows | Anastasia Beverly Hills - this brand is the brand for brow products; I prefer their dipbrow but they have powder and pencil products
Highlighter | ColourPop Super Shock Highlighters (Lunch Money, Glazed, Flexitarian, Wisp, Monster are best-sellers); Essence Pure Nude is also a very popular highlighter now
Lipstick | ColourPop Ultra Satins or Lippie Stix
Lip Liner | ColourPop Lip Liners
Beauty Sponge | Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge; two is more than enough
Eye Brushes | I will never not recommended this Lamora brush set. It's what I mostly use on my eyes.
Face Brushes | brand-wise, Real Techniques and EcoTools
Makeup Remover | hands-down, Pond's Cold Cream; for spot cleaning, Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water
Brush Cleaner | EcoTools Makeup Brush Cleansing Shampoo


In regards to what you're thinking about buying - do not buy a silicone sponge. Silicone beauty blenders have very poor reviews - search 'silicone sponge review' on YouTube and you'll find a pretty concrete consensus that they're terrible. They do a poor job of actually blending out your foundation and they make your foundation "sit" atop your skin in a pretty unflattering way. Stick with a regular beauty blender, they're fantastic multitaskers (blend foundation, concealer, cream blush, cream bronzer, liquid highlighter, etc).

For makeup bags, does your sister travel a lot? If not, there's really no point in buying her a makeup bag since it's going to sit in her bathroom gathering dust until the off chance that she needs it. A lot of brands provide complimentary makeup bags with your order (Glossier and Milk Makeup come to mind) so there's really no immediate need to get her a makeup bag unless she travels often.

Congrats on getting into makeup! It's going to change your life!

Since you're just starting, I would go and get my brows cleaned up a little so you know what shape you're working with. Read reviews of brow places and such before you go - I personally prefer threading over waxing, and make sure to communicate that you don't want them thin, just cleaned up. I can't tell from the picture, but you may also want to get your lip threaded if it's noticeable. I like to have a clean look in this regard because then the makeup looks even better.

I would also look into a quality moisturizer and facial cleanser if you don't have those already. Also makeup remover and makeup brushes. All that good stuff. I recently bought [this set of brushes] (http://www.amazon.com/Coastal-Scents-Piece-Brush-Set/dp/B005UBN5AQ) from Coastal Scents which are pretty good quality in my opinion.

When I really started getting into makeup techniques I watched a bunch of youtube tutorials. I lurked MUA as well for product recommendations inspiration, but watching videos made it easier for me to get the techniques down. At first it will be a lot of trial and error and figuring out what's "too much," etc, but you'll develop the skills over time with practice and feedback. Don't get discouraged like I used to. It just takes time. Luckily it will take less time with the right resources, which I unfortunately never looked into years ago!

I included a few links to some youtube tutorials below. Not saying you should replicate any of these particular looks exactly, but they will help you get used to what you should be doing. I'm not sure which foundation is best for your complexion, so I can't really give advice on that. I have been using Makeup Forever HD Invisible Cover Foundation for years because it just seems to work for me. I also like the Hello Flawless powder from Benefit. For eyeshadows, brow powder, and liner, I first tried those out with cheaper makeup, from ELF or the drugstore, and then researched and bought the better ones once I got the hang of it and had more of an idea of the right colors for me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvKymDP85JI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC0NiHiZ3n8

https://www.youtube.com/user/MichellePhan/videos?sort=p&view=0&flow=grid

Hope this helps!

Edit: formatting

I NEVER would have guessed your age - so never fear, you look much more mature than you think! :)

Pale girls of the world, unite! As far as foundation goes, I'm a huge fan of Skin79 Hot Pink BB cream; it goes on super easily and never looks cakey or foundationey (yes I made up that word). Since you have fairly clear skin, a BB cream could be a good thing to try. Skin79 also has a sampler pack available to find the one you like best. If you buy through Amazon, be careful to check seller reviews for someone near 100% - you don't want a fake.

For my undereye circles, I use the Maybelline Dark Circle Eraser in the Brightening shade (all the others are too orange for me, but this one is perfect).

I would also recommend getting a translucent powder to help control shine; I use Rimmel Stay Matte, but feel free to play around with this.

For bronzer, try NYX Taupe blush, it does a great job of contouring for pale folks. Others really like NYC Sunny bronzer, but I find it's a little too orange for me.

And my all-time favorite blushes are Milani's baked blushes - Luminoso is fab. NYX also makes great blushes, and ELF's are decent too.

This is just what I do so obviously you don't have to listen to any or all of my advice.

If your looking for good brushes but not super expensive then I'd recommend this Real Techniques brush set. It's on sale right now on Amazon or I think Ulta is doing some type of buy 1 get 1 50% off something or other. If you want individual brushes I'd go for Morphe or Coastal Scents. For simple looks I think an all over lid brush, a crease brush, and a blending brush is great to start with. I feel like with those three you can use them for a lot of looks until you're ready to build up your collection.

For shadows you can pick up E.L.F, Coastal Scents, Nyx, and BH Palettes are nice starters. Some shades aren't the greatest quality but if your practicing and don't want to spend a lot then it'll go far. They have palettes for several different styles depending on what color you want to go. Or if you don't want tons of shades and want singles you can try MakeupGeek or Coastal Scents. They sell single pans so you only have what you want in your collection. I'd also pick up a primer if you have the funds. You can get Nyx eyelid primer for about $7.00 and it'll help your shadows stay on your lids without creasing.

For eyeshadow tutorials I feel like picture tutorials are best. Videos for me are awful because I hate pausing to finish my step to get to the next step because they're faster than me. Picture tutorials are great because I can pull it up on my phone in my bathroom zoom in on the step and move onto the next one. Not saying I only use picture tutorials because I watch Youtube videos to learn blending techniques etc. You can always search Pinterest for picture tutorials

Typically what I do for the pics you linked is:

(For this example let's say I'm using Twilight, Prom Night, and Sensuous from [This MakeupGeek swatches]) for hopefully an easy follow through)

1: Prime the lids and let it sit for a moment unless it states otherwise. Some things like glitter glue etc need to be tacky.

2: Take a crease (or similar brush) and take a light color like Twilight and put it in your crease. I'd swipe the brush back and forth on your crease until you've reached the opacity you like. You can always bring it higher than your crease if you like that look as well.

3: Take an all over lid brush (or similar) and put another color such as Prom Night all over the lid but not above the crease. Again put on as much or as little as you want until you've reached the opacity you'd like.

4: I like to go back with a crease brush and apply more Twilight to the crease and blending them together so there's no harsh line.

5: If you want to take the look further you can take the crease brush once more and apply Sensuous to the crease from the outside of your eye towards the inside until about halfway or your desired spot.

6: Blend it out so there are no harsh lines and apply more Twilight to your crease if necessary.

I hope you find what your looking for and hopefully this helped a little bit!

Hm, I don't know if I am the best person to answer this since I'm not nearly as experienced as some of the ladies here, but maybe that will give you a better "beginner's" perspective...

• Skin : I find starting with a prime canvas to be best! This means look at your skincare routine first before checking out makeup. I'd rather combat blemishes and other issues naturally instead of covering them up. Getting that under control is a big help!
  
  I've seen BB Cream described here as like a "gateway drug" to the world of makeup. Seriously, it's so easy to use. I'd suggest starting with some kind of sample set to test out what you like, but before that I suggest What the Heck is BB Cream, and Why Should I Care? as recommended reading.
  
  
• Lips If color is scary and you just want something to make your lips look shiny, I personally feel there's nothing better than good old vaseline; you can get a tube in Target for like a buck, and it's easy as pie.
  
  
• Eyes If "popping" eyes are something you're interested in, I personally would suggest (keep in mind I'm not some seasoned pro) learning to curl your eyelashes and apply mascara first. I think these two little things can make a world of difference. Eyeliner is great and all, but I personally feel it doesn't quite have the same impact!
  
  If you feel like you want to move on and check out eyeshadow and just want to start experimenting, I think Wet N' Wild's Walking on Eggshells is a great starter neutral palette. It's cheap, they're one of the more pigmented drugstore lines, and having a basic lid/crease/corner color to start is a fantastic way to learn what looks good and how to apply it.
  
  Since you're just getting started, I'd focus on the "how" rather than the "what"--makeup can get expensive, and I started out with really basic drugstore items first and worked my way up as I grew more comfortable.

Usually with BB creams, they tend to oxidize after a couple of minutes after you put it on your skin, so that being said, I'd still say to swatch the colors to see which would match your skin tone. Sephora/Ulta carry a few BB creams, so you can always go in one day to swatch the different colors.

As for Asian BB creams, they tend to have more coverage and are higher in SPF (thus a bit more ~beneficial~). I personally own 2 Asian BB creams (the Skin 79 Hot Pink BB and thefaceshop BB emulsion (oil cut dual... i can't find a link for this) as well as "American/Western" BB creams like the L'oreal Youth Code and the Garnier.

From my personal experience, I've found the Asian BB creams to have too much of a grey-cast (despite being of asian skin tone myself) and sometimes, quite thick (especially the Skin79 one) while the American/Western BB creams to be too light. My current personal favorites are the Dr. Jart Water Fuse BB cream and the Mixa Expert Peau Sensible BB Crème Unifiante (which I bought in France). Both are not too dry on my face and give a good medium-ish coverage that doesn't feel too heavy. Additionally, both of them match my skin tone better as well.

Now, if you're looking for something light, I'd say definitely swatch/test out the Western brands one because most of them definitely have a lighter coverage in my opinions, but if you're looking for BB creams that have more "benefits," I've heard good things about the Etude House, and I personally know a lot of my friends like Missha (although imo it still gives too much of a grey cast...). You can also always order samples of diff Asian BB creams before making any purchase, and if you don't have any Asian cosmetics/beauty stores around your area too like these or these. I'm sure there are more selections online as well! Good luck finding your perfect BB cream!

**PS: these might help you out, asian bb creams vs americans also there are a lot of youtubers who do comparisons, so check those out as well!

I would start out with mastering the natural look. When doing makeup, it's always better to start off light and then build!

Start with a pressed powder to even out your skin a bit. The best thing about pressed powders are that you can wear them alone and build it to a medium coverage if you so desire. Once you're comfortable enough to try foundation, you can use the pressed powder to set the foundation as well. Your skin looks good as is, so you'll most likely only need a sheer cover of pressed powder. Clinique makes a good one for beginners: http://www.sephora.com/stay-matte-sheer-pressed-powder-P122748.

I'd go for a rosy blush to highlight the apples of your cheeks. Just smile into the mirror and apply! You can also apply your blush to the hollows of your cheeks from your hairline and blend out toward the center of your face. Nars' Orgasm is a pretty universal shade that's a peachy pink color that flatters everyone. http://www.sephora.com/blush-P2855

Then, get an eyelash curler and curl your lashes. I would get a soft black or black mascara and apply. I personally like Maybelline's The Falsies Flared mascara because of the curl it can sustain. http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod3490143

Then, top it off with a light pink or even clear lip gloss of your choice. Or, even a beigey pink lipstick would do.

If you're comfortable with that, you can try an eyeshadow. The shade All that Glitters by Mac is a pretty universal and lovely shade that flatters most skin tones and eyes. Apply some on your lid and blend outward into the crease and a bit past your crease. You can smudge some on your lower eye as well for more definition.

Also, Kevyn Aucoin's book, Making Faces, is a great reference for beginners. http://www.amazon.com/Making-Faces-Kevyn-Aucoin/dp/0316286850

Hi, I have pretty similar coloring to you (very fair skin with strawberry blonde hair) to you so here's stuff I like to use:

• Urban Decay Naked Basics palette - I love this palette as the shades look beautiful on anyone. I use the Real Techniques Eye Brush set, I do a layer of Foxy all over my lid first (makes blending super easy), then Faint on my outer socket, then blend it in with Naked 2 over the rest of the lid. I finish it up with Venus under my eyebrow arch. Personally I love the Real Techniques brushes, I think the eye set is great as it makes smokey eye really easy.
  
• For primer I use Benefit Porefessional, however I'm pretty sure this L'Oreal one is a dupe for it and is half the price. However if your skin is oily I'd recommend No7 Beautifully Matte, my mum has super oily skin and this is the only one that works for her, it's almost chalky in consistency and really sticks to the skin. Primer makes the world of difference, I even wear it when I can't be bothered to do actual makeup as it smooths my skin out.
  
• I just bought some L'Oreal BB Powder and am loving it, it works with or without makeup. Everyday I use it over primer and it also makes foundation look natural over the top.
  
• I shape my eyebrows myself (it's turned into an obsession) and when I fill them in I use Benefit Brow Zings in light. It works amazingly well for my hair colour, however yours is a bit darker so you might want to look for a specific redhead brow product. If you are using a powder product I love the brow brush in the above mentioned Real Techniques Eye set.
  
• For blush I use Benetint, if you have reddish hair I think it looks amazing.
  
• Have you ever tried contouring? It's something that has changed my life. I use the contouring brush from the Real techniques core collection with Hoola. A lot of bronzer has shimmer in it which isn't great for contouring. I learn't how to do it via youtube videos, Pixiwoo and Lisa Elridge are the ones I seem to remember being good.
  
• I agree with the other comments about the lower lid liner, I think just the flick on top looks better. I say this as a former kohl addict. But if you want to continue wearing it i'd thicken the line a tiny bit so it's not just on your waterline.
  
• Lips wise there's a Nide range by L'Oreal, the Julianne Moore one is for redheads and is the only nude I've found that works with my hair.
  
  Hope all or some of these are helpful and i'm sure the other addicts here will have some great advice. Also I love your piercings, especially your septum, it's one i've always wanted but i'm not sure that my nose is a good shape for it. Yours looks rad.

I'm not quite sure if what you bought from Amazon was real/decent or not, since I don't know the actual products you bought.

What I can say is, when I'm buying products on Amazon, I read the reviews and look at the seller. If many people in the reviews are saying that the product or the seller is shitty, than I will skip it altogether. I usually just buy products that are sold from Amazon.com (not to be confused with 'Fulfilled by Amazon').

Personally, I would suggest these Real Techniques brushes. I know you said you bought an Elf brush set, which is a great starter for you, but these brushes are relatively cheap and will last you a long long time. Many people on here recommend them and I have a bunch of them as well.

I'm not quite sure what your budget is, but I would definitely invest on a decent palette. In my opinion, it's better to go for higher end palettes that will last you a long time and are of better quality. You can find this palette here on Amazon, called the Lorac Pro Palette. Again, from Amazon.com, so no worries there. I bought my Lorac Pro on Amazon and had no issues with the shipping or anything. The eyeshadows are buttery, pigmented and there are many many color combinations with this palette, specifically neutral colors (if that's what you're into.)

Lastly, I would recommend looking into a lot of NYX products. They have a wide variety, which you can look through here. Many of their products are decent for the price and probably one (if not the best) of the best drugstore brands out there.

So basically, I would suggest looking at items that say "Ships from and sold by Amazon.com". In my opinion, that's the best way to know you're getting the real deal. If you want to take the chance, I would look up the sellers and at the reviews to see if what you're getting is good.

Stalk her makeup collection to see what she already has, so you don't buy doubles.

If you want to go for fancy presentation, I think you should get a few types of product, like brushes, some lip things, and some eye things.

Real techniques brushes are great, and you can get them in stores or on Amazon; here's a couple [sets] (http://www.amazon.com/real-Techniques-Core-Collection-Set/dp/B004TSFBNK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1397668617&sr=8-3&keywords=real+techniques+brushes).

The Sleek palettes are well thought of and cheap, and I don't think she'd object to getting this.

Lipstick is based a lot on skin tone, so if you want to get anything like that you should try to figure out what her undertones are. Before you panic, an easy way to guess is if she wears

gold
yellows/oranges
warm, autumnal colors

She's probably got warm undertones. You can also take a peek at her foundation to see if it has anything on there like "warm" or "neutral" or "cool" - then you can maybe take a look at the lipstick labels and compare. If a red says "true red" it's may have some blue undertones.

Ideally, you'll be able to ask a sales rep somewhere, and maybe you can bring pictures taken in natural lighting for them to get a good idea.

If you don't want to do all that, a nice assortment of tinted lipbalms (people here seem to like the baby lips ones, and they're at basically all drugstores/makeup sections in stores that have makeup sections)

And you can't go wrong with a good primer. Go to Sephora or something and pick up one of the travel size Smashbox photo-finish face primers (the travel size is a better deal, ounce per ounce) and add a few things of chocolate for good measure.

You have monolids and as stated by other redditors there's communities on reddit that specifically deal with that.


I find using Asian brands helps because likely they address such issues related to monolids. I keep peddling this product but Kiss Me Heroine Mascara is great for short Asian lashes. It's waterproof and really lengthens. I have cried, sweat, taken a shower, and even swam with this mascara and it does not budge. A waterproof eyeliner is also ideal and I like Dollywink eyeliner and Kiss Me Heroine eyeliner. When you're applying make sure it dries fully and you keep steady and try not to blink.


If you are willing to take a drastic step other people deal with their monolids by using eyelid tape or glue to create "double eyelids". I find it unnecessary because there are other makeup techniques that are specific to monolids. Good luck!

Acrylic storage boxes are the absolute BEST. Here are the ones I use:

• every day makeup used
  
  
• [cubes for storage] (http://www.amazon.com/InterDesign-3-Drawer-Multipurpose-Storage-Container/dp/B004KKXA58/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1425492778&sr=8-2&keywords=acrylic+storage)
  
  The boxes I place side by side, 3 next to each other can support that first one on top of them, which is how I used to do it before I ended up buying more cubes........
  
  
  It's great because that will give her 9 drawers for storage and then the main top part to house her every day brushes, lipsticks and like a powder or something. Whatever she fancies. And I LOVE the look of acrylic because no matter what you decide later on, it will always match.
  
  edit: Wanted to mention how much each drawer can hold! Which is a very impressive 15 or so ORIGINAL package MAC pigments....or like 20 ish lipsticks or 20ish lip glosses. Heck. I have an entire drawer dedicated to lip tars and easily have like 15 in there. Or like, 14 boxes of lashes.

Many brands have come out with a men's version, but I think the main difference is the scent & the price, but I don't know if the formulation is any different.

My boyfriend loves my skin79 BB cream in hot pink but it doesn't have much coverage though it is great at evening out skintone, hiding redness, and making skin soft. My boyfriend also has pitted scars from acne that seem to be neutralized with the BB cream; it doesn't hide it, but it definitely brings less attention to it. The scent isn't strong so it doesn't bother him. I should also note that it is amazing at adjusting to your skin tone! I'm southeast asian tan (~NC30) and he's caucasian and pale (~NW15) and it somehow magically works for both of us, but it does take longer to adjust to my skin than his.

You should also take into consideration what kind of skin your brother has (oily/dry/combination) and what kind of benefits he wants to gain. BB cream isn't really a miracle cream but I have noticed an improvement using certain brands. If all else fails, you can get him various samples from different brand or a sample pack like this. Also, make sure to read reviews from whichever seller or website you're buying it off to ensure that it's genuine.

Skin79 is a cheap and easy order on amazon, this kit samples their popular BBs and allows you try which one is best, for only $5! . I ordered it several months ago, and still have some leftover, even in the ones I have used a lot!

I recommend if you want to try US drugstore BB cream, go for Revlon Photoready. I've tried almost all of the ones on the market--L'Oreal was literally useless, and Garnier is on the same level. Maybelline Dream BB worked pretty well too. But honestly, the Skin79 is extremely reasonably priced and head and shoulders above the rest in both coverage and staying power!


Good luck trying them out! BB cream forever altered my beauty routine for the better!

I have 32 of them, and overall, they're my favorite lip product. I really, really love them. I love the ability to mix my own colors, and I love their staying power when applied in a specific way.

Some of the cons are: relatively high price point, tendency to dry lips, accentuation of lip lines, inconvenience of reapplication, and questionable staying power that seems to vary between colors.

Some of those problems can be ameliorated pretty easily. You can avoid the high price by buying them on eBay and /r/makeupexchange. You can avoid the drying effects by using a balm or primer underneath. You can stop the bleeding with a clear lip liner around your lips. You can reapply them using a retractable lip brush when you're on the go. You can help their lasting power depending on how you apply them. One thin coat, blotting, another thin coat, and more blotting seems to help transfer for most people.

My favorite OCC lip tar tips:

• Buy samples instead of full tubes since it's nearly impossible to use a full tube as an individual.
  
  
• Use Lip Cote Lipstick Sealer to increase wear time and prevent transfer.
  
  
• Check out this post that swears by ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS
  Beauty Genius Clear Waterproofing Gel to seal the product.

You definitely don't have to go for a full face everyday. As stated below, most people here love makeup, so they tend to go all out for their FOTD. I, on the other hand, never wear any foundation/blush/bronzer/etc and only stick with concealer, eye makeup, and the occasional lip.

I find brushes make a huge difference for me in terms of makeup application, Real Techniques is a great affordable brand that you can easily find on Amazon. Their [core set] (http://www.amazon.com/real-Techniques-Core-Collection-Set/dp/B004TSFBNK/ref=sr_1_1?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1416153636&sr=1-1&keywords=real+techniques+brushes&pebp=1416153637537) has some good face brushes, and then the [Starter set] (http://www.amazon.com/Real-Techniques-RLT-1406-real-Starter/dp/B004TSFE28/ref=sr_1_2?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1416153636&sr=1-2&keywords=real+techniques+brushes) has a good variety of eye brushes.

For lips, Nyx is great, as are products from Revlon (particularly their lip butters and super lustrous lipsticks). I haven't found a good drug store product that doesn't need to be touched up every 3 or 4 hours though. I personally rarely wear lipliner unless its with a bright shade or a liquid lipstick, so I think if you're starting out with easy to use colors you can probably skip it for now. I haven't found a great drug store lip liner, but my holy grail is the [Sephora Brand clear liner] (http://www.sephora.com/universal-lip-liner-P379324) which is only $10.

For mascara, it is definitely up to personal preference, but some of the most popular drug store items are probably [Maybelline's the Rocket] (http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4950087) or [Cover Girl's Clump Crusher] (http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4690213).

As far as eyeliner, it depends on what kind of formula you want. The only drug store eyeliner I really use is [Revlon's ColorStay] (http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=VP10744) which is a basic twist up pencil liner.

As someone else mentioned, we can't really suggest any color products without seeing a picture or at least knowing you skin tone.

Summary of this horribly long reply:

1. What I use to remove ridiculously waterproof mascara easily - Garnier Micellar Water (waterproof mascara version?)
   
   
2. How I do it
   
   
3. Heroine Make Long and Curl waterproof Japanese mascara
   
   
4. Better Than Sex waterproof even though mixed reviews
   
   Once you make peace with not having it easy to wash off, the mascara options widen a bit. However there are many ways to ease off mascara, such as coconut oil or other oil based cleansers (but some people don't want to put oil on their face, understandably).
   
   Personally, I use Garnier Micellar Water (the one that says it can take off waterproof mascara), and it definitely does work well and fairly easily. It is oil/alcohol/fragrance free, so it shouldn't aggravate sensitive skin.
   
   Bear with me here: My technique in using it is to soak a bit on a paper towel and bring it to the side of the lashes that get coated with mascara. Instead of just holding it there for a while, I move it as if I am trying to coat the lashes with mascara again, except I'm holding the soaked paper towel, careful not to let it touch my eyes. I do that until they are clean, which does not take long. I see many people removing mascara by holding wipes or whatever directly over the eye without distinguishing which side of the lashes get covered in remover. I hope this makes sense, I haven't really seen many videos on mascara removal, maybe I'm not the only one, but I just kind of did it one day and realized I had been taking off my waterproof mascara the harder way. I also rip out way fewer eyelashes this way!
   
   At the moment I am almost done with a tube of Heroine Make Long and Curl waterproof mascara, and it is Japanese and super-waterproof; most people say it is a beast to remove, but I find it easy with the micellar water. It holds the curl beautifully and survives through crying and rain, and I even took a shower with it on, and there were no smudges, and the curl was still breathing, miraculously. It has fibers that actually do lengthen your lashes, but you may want to add another mascara for volume or purposefully clump lashes together with the brush then only separate a little. I will repurchase, though the shipping takes a few weeks from Amazon.
   
   I also have Better Than Sex waterproof, but that one has many mixed reviews and may not work for you. Also clumpy, but I find that adds drama to my lashes, so I keep it.
   
   Other than that, I don't notice how hard mascaras are to remove anymore, and I've used plenty of drugstore ones, like Loreal Telescopic, many Maybelline ones, and CG Lashblast (all waterproof versions)

I bought the Coastal Scents 22 piece set from Amazon a while back and I really like it, great variety. I've never used high end brushes like Sigma so I can't compare but I haven't had a major problem with shedding or anything like that. Real Techniques is great too and they're on sale on Amazon right now. I also really like Sephora's Daily Brush Cleaner Spray, super convenient!

I'm loving the suggestions here, and that everyone is being so awesome and helpful to this fellow!

So, good, sir, for a recommendation that I don't think I've seen yet, look into a lighted makeup mirror. You mentioned in another post that she may be pressed for space and that she has a 1.5'x1.5' desk as a battlestation. Does she apply her makeup here, or just store it? If she does apply there, is it close to a natural light source (window)? If she does not, does she apply in the bathroom?

I also have minimal space, and therefore have to apply at my bathroom mirror. Bathroom lighting is not ideal for makeup application, though. I will personally be investing in this, an Ott-Lite Natural Daylight Makeup Mirror to help me out in that respect. There are others on the market, though, and perhaps the ladies with more experience here can be of better assistance with this. :D

Good luck!

For my makeup table I have a 3 way mirror that both sides move, that way i can see all sides (behind when I do my hair). This is mine- http://www.amazon.com/Bobkona-Croix-Collection-Vanity-Stool/dp/B005CWHY7I/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1421524863&sr=8-3&keywords=vanity Mine dosent have lighting, but if it did I would want normal light bulbs and not the yellow off color that the lights that save on electricity use. That way your lighting is true to the outside lights.
I wish mine had more storage. Id suggest maybe doing like the picture and having some on top that hold the stuff you use all the time. Mine has drawers that I keep everything else in. To clean it, because mine gets dusty and left over makeup (powder), I use cleaning wipes. Hope this helps!

This isn't quite what you've asked for, but I've always heard great things about the Isehan Kiss Me Heroine Make waterproof formula in terms of holding a curl on very straight lashes. If you're located in the US I don't think you'll be able to walk into a drugstore and pick it up, but if you're willing to order online the price point is comparable to drugstore.

*edit: I should mention that amazon has a well-documented problem with selling cosmetic fakes and since I've never used this mascara I don't know what the listing is supposed to look like. The link I provided does appear to be from Heroine Make and has lots of good reviews but do your own research before purchasing.

I just bought this set from amazon, and I really like them. I don't own very many high-end brushes, so maybe I don't know what I'm missing, but this set has good variety and they're soft and easy to clean. Also, they cost quite a bit less than your budget and are eligible for super-saver shipping!

I also like the eco tools brushes from the drugstore; they're so soft and nice, and don't cost an arm and a leg :)

thank you so much for the reply! I think my blending is ok? I feel like I see other people blend on youtube and it looks smoother than my blending. I have to spend a long time on blending. It's good to hear a brush can help with that! I will look at that brush incase I ever catch the chance to buy it. I'll go look into the IT cosmetic brush line now :)!

edit: Are they these?: https://www.amazon.com/Makeup-Eye-Brush-Set-Eyeshadow/dp/B00MNMQKPC?th=1#customerReviews
They have amazing reviews!! I think I might have to get them if they have such a great quality for that price.

I have my makeup desk set up by a window, but I still don't get as much light as I'd like, so I use a lighted mirror in addition to the natural light I get. This is the mirror I use, and I really like it. It's not the most attractive thing in the world, but it gets the job done, and the additional mirrors on the side make it really easy to see everything I'm doing. I will say that the light is not bright enough if you are looking at that to be your only source of light while you're doing your makeup. But in addition to the sunlight (or ceiling lights at night), it works great. It also has different light settings depending on where you are/what time of day it is, and that really helps too.

I'll start off : not exactly drugstore but cheaper than Sephora. I have my holy grail eyeliner and mascara so I'm never tempted to buy anything else at Sephora or drugstore. I'm at more than 15 repurchase for both of these are $10-11 per item

Kiss Me eyeliner

Kiss Me mascara

Look around Amazon for cheaper options (with slower shipping). I value no-smudge as most important for eye makeup. Staying power is second. With any other eye makeup, I have to constantly wipe under my eye from smudge/flake. With these two, I can confidently go all day without checking for smudge. Every time try new stuff, I end up coming back to these two. These are the only eyeliner/mascara that I've paid for for about 5-6 years. Others were obtained as samples/gifts only

Kat von D tattoo eyeliner has been comparable but didn't perform any better than kiss me eyeliner to justify paying more than double. Haven't tried stila eyeliner

I have yet to find mascara that will make me give up on kiss me (Marc Jacobs, UD, Nars, Bobbi Brown and countless others have failed). The only one I am interested in trying (and have no comparison for) would be better than sex

Edit: hyperlink fixed

Making Faces by Kevin Aucoin I feel like he covers a lot of the basics really well here and also does a great job of showing some fun/dramatic stuff.

The Beauty of Color by Iman Was the only book I could find that did a good job talking about makeup specifically for women of color.

Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual: For Everyone from Beginner to Pro this is the only Bobbi Brown book I'd recommend, it does a great job of basics and tends to focus on more everyday makeup.

Not familiar with that brand, but there are more well known brands in that price range that would be a great gift.

I'd get:

this real techniques set

Along with this one

And maybe add their version of the beauty blender here

**I linked from Amazon UK since I'm assuming that's where you are. You can also get them in Superdrug.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00I3VHKVK/ref=mp_s_a_1_sc_1?qid=1450500276&sr=8-1-spell&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&keywords=bbsmall


Go for it! What's to lose?! It's life changing lol. The link I sent you is AMAZING. I've never tried "high end" brushes but bought these and they are honestly amazing. They're so soft & are definitely well made!

I have it, and I use it for makeup storage, but to be honest, it's not my favorite. The drawers are really small. You can fit about 5 regular lipsticks in one drawer. For things like pencils and liners, you have to place it in diagonally, and then you can only fit 1 or 2. As I've been destashing I've been moving things out of this into my other storage containers. I mainly use it for hair ties/bobby pins and sample sizes of lotion and sunscreen.

If you want a better storage container for a good price, I swear by these.

I made a shopping list. Pick one substitute instead of a splurge and you come in under $250. The splurges I picked are well worth the cost, though. Note also that the chocolate bar palette is the only one I listed because it's pretty much the be-all-end-all of palettes for its simultaneous pops of flattering colors and neutrality. I also believe everyone should have a gorgeous red lippie. Enjoy!

Brushes:

• Real Techniques Starter Set - $13.49 on Amazon, normally $17.99
  
• Real Techniques Core Collection - $13.49 on Amazon, normally $17.99
  
  Foundations:
  
  
• Maybelline New York Baby Skin Primer, $5.99 on Amazon
  
• Pond's Luminous Finish BB Cream, $8.95 on Amazon, normally $10.00
  
• Splurge item: Too Faced Cocoa Powder Foundation, $34 at toofaced.com
  
• Strong Substitute: ULTA Mineral Powder Foundation, $14 at ULTA
  
  Face & Contouring:
  
  
• ULTA Baked Bronzer, $10 at ULTA
  
• theBalm Bahama Mama $14 at Amazon
  
• Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush Pink Plum, $5.59 at Amazon
  
• If you don't like cream blush, NYX Powder Blush in Desert Rose, $6 on Amazon
  
• e.l.f. Shimmering Facial Whip LILAC PETAL, $5-6 on Amazon, but I think it's like $3 at Target
  
  Eyes:
  
  
• Splurge item: Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette, $49 at toofaced.com
  
• Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, $12 sample size at urbandecay.com (the sample size has lasted me forever)
  
• Splurge item: Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, $23 at toofaced.com
  
• Substitute: Rimmel Scandal Eyes Mascara, $6.99 on Amazon
  
• NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil set with Black Bean,Milk, and Yogurt, $13 on Amazon
  
• Splurge item: stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner, $20 on Amazon
  
• Substitute: NYX Felt Tip Liner, $8 on Amazon
  
• NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder, $6 on Amazon
  
  Lippies:
  
  
• Splurge: MAC Russian Red, $16 at MACcosmetics.com
  
• Substitute: Revlon Really Red - I couldn't find this on Amazon reliably, but check drug stores.
  
• Basically any NYX lippie is great to start out and they range from about $4-8. Find one in your fave color at target or ULTA.
  
  
  Edit: Forgot eyebrows. Darn. Still can come under $250 with the right substitutions.

I bought Making Faces from a Barnes & Noble as a clueless 14 year old and tried to recreate each look judiciously (in the ancient time before the internets). Kevyn was unbelievably talented at bringing out the best in each client and is the reason I learned to love makeup in the first place. His step by step guides are still the best learning tool for application I've seen. He was [contouring before contouring](https://www.google.com/search?biw=1440&bih=796&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=kevyn+aucoin+men%27s+step+by+step&oq=kevyn+aucoin+men%27s+step+by+step&gs_l=psy-ab.3...154254.158775.0.158995.20.18.0.0.0.0.328.1666.0j9j0j1.10.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..10.0.0....0.gVajOkwgqQ0#imgrc=QU89QNU8qNcA5M:). I lived for his smokey eye in highshool along with the Marilyn - that's Lisa Marie Presley BTW. If you haven't read it, it is bible makeup education- absolutely mandatory!!

I like Real Techniques for their face brushes, but I think their eye brushes are a bit wonky-shaped. If you use Amazon, Lamora is super cheap and high quality. I love their eye brushes. I have both the 7 brush kit and the smokey eye kit. I've had them for over a year and they've survived washing once a week without shedding and they're just as soft as when I got them.

Lipcote helps, but it's not a miracle worker. I find it works best on formulas that are already great for staying power, particularly mattes, but this just makes it even better. A lot of people don't like it because it smells like nail polish and leaves a tingly feeling for a minute, but I use it regularly and don't mind.

I think rampant destruction is one of the things that you just have to be prepared for when you decide to have pets or small children, it comes with the territory :-) No matter how careful you try to be, the best you can do is plan on the fact that something will get destroyed, and try to make sure that it doesn't end with a trip to the emergency vet/hospital.

I have a very curious Great Dane who's now 16 months old. Even in his puppy days he was big enough to reach my vanity table-top and/or knock the table over. A few months ago I solved the problem entirely by moving my battlestation into my master closet, which is a walk-in. Dexter is afraid of the bathroom (which is between the bedroom and closet), so he won't go near it at all. It didn't sound like you have a place to put your stuff that's off-limits to the cats, so here are some other things I've done in the past to pet-proof my valuables-

• Make everything as inaccessible as possible. Do you have free wall-space where you could mount a shelf that the cats can't get to? It would have to be high enough off the floor and far enough away from launching points for the cats to jump to, so it depends on how agile they are :-)
  
  
• Make everything as stationary as possible. Velcro picture-hanging strips (like this) are great. Just put one side on the bottom of anything you don't want to be knocked over and the other side on the surface where it sits. Mirror, lamp, storage containers, etc.
  
  
• Don't leave things dangling. I'm thinking primarily of lamp cords, but really anything that might make a tempting toy or get snagged when pets get the zoomies. Cords can be tacked down with cable clips or even taped down with duct tape.
  
  
• Regarding lights - lamps with flexible necks might be a good option. If they're secured to the table, a cat hitting them should just move the lamp head instead of knocking the whole thing to the floor. LED lamps might also be a little more resistant to bulb breakage.
  
  
• Don't leave any small items lying around. Containers for everything, seriously. I store my makeup in acrylic drawers like this and this. Both are pretty difficult to open without opposable thumbs. I got mine from Amazon, but they're really generic and you can find the exact same things on ebay. They're fairly light and could get knocked over, so I'd recommend the picture-hanging strips to secure them to the table/shelf/whatever. I bet you could also use adhesive-backed velcro to rig up little 'latches' on the drawers.

Heroine Make Long and Curl Mascara Super Waterproof 01 Super Black for Women, 0.21 Ounce, 1 Count https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00INJ7TWW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_k9miDbMB9KRJP

I kept hearing about Kiss Me Heroine mascara and how well it holds a curl... let me just say, I’m blown away.

I have pin straight lashes and use a heated lash curler every day. Typically by the time I’m done my lashes are droopy and barley lifted. Not anymore! I tried it last night and they kept their curl in hot humid weather until I washed my face.

Now my new worry is making sure both eyes are curled the same, since I know they won’t budge!

This video is where I first learned to contour. Also, all of her videos are brilliant. On the recommendation of a few folks in here, I bought NYX blush in Taupe for contouring. It works pretty well. Very matte, nicely pigmented...might be a little brown for my skintone, so I just use a very light hand. And you can't beat the $6 price tag. I also use matte bronzer sometimes too. (I have "warmth" from bareMinerals. If you can get a sample somewhere, get it. It might be the best bronzer ever)

Here's a couple good options for palettes: http://www.amazon.com/theBalm-Balm-Jovi-Rockstar-Palette/dp/B0096OBH4Y/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1416330457&sr=8-3&keywords=makeup+rockstar

http://www.amazon.com/theBalm-NUDE-tude-Eyeshadow-Palette/dp/B00OSNMWJW/ref=pd_sbs_bt_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0N2YFE65FM6P51GASP2F

and brushes- the ELF aren't so bad, some are better than others, but I really like ecotools. Real Techniques are also good but will cost you a little more.

http://www.amazon.com/EcoTools-Piece-Essential-Eye-Brush/dp/B0030HMQTS/ref=sr_1_1?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1416330506&sr=1-1&keywords=ecotools

http://www.amazon.com/Real-Techniques-RLT-1406-real-Starter/dp/B004TSFE28/ref=sr_1_22?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1416330506&sr=1-22&keywords=ecotools

I have the rockstar palette and love it.

I recently got brushes these off amazon after reading tons of reviews and they’re great it’s a smaller set but you do have some essential eye brushes in there, they blend shadows like a dream also great price point. However if you’re looking for a bigger set BH is good for that

I know you said cost isn't a factor, so it might seem silly to link a $12 set of brushes, but I ordered these a few weeks ago because if they ended up sucking I was only out a whole $12 and I actually really love them. They're really soft, they wash well, and overall I've just been really pleased with them. Well, the face brushes more so than the eye brushes. The face brushes were why I ordered this set and I only use 1 or 2 of the eye brushes. The eye brushes aren't bad, I just have plenty of other eye brushes.

http://www.amazon.com/BS-MALL-Synthetic-Cosmetics-Foundation-Blending/dp/B00I3VHKVK

Face Kit: http://www.amazon.com/real-Techniques-Core-Collection-Set/dp/B004TSFBNK/ref=pd_cart_rp_1_p?ie=UTF8&refRID=0SMWEKQY24VEQNQYR303

Eye Kit: http://www.amazon.com/Real-Techniques-RLT-1406-real-Starter/dp/B004TSFE28/ref=pd_cart_rp_2_p?ie=UTF8&refRID=0SMWEKQY24VEQNQYR303

Pretty good price, too! Definitely cheaper than Ulta. I've been using them almost every day since I got them about a week ago and I love them; they feel so nice, and my makeup looks SO much better. I've been using the bareMinerals brushes I got with my startup kit and I don't think my mineral powder foundation EVER looked this good.

I asked for and received a lighted makeup mirror for christmas, sadly it came shattered so we have to return it and get a new one. I now have a say in which one we get, so I thought I'd ask for advice.


I know "natural light" is recommended so my mom grabbed the [ott-lite] (http://amzn.com/B004DN8F4S) and it seems nice, but the mirror seems to spin on it's own between the 5x and 1x (reviews say this is a pretty common problem...) I can deal with it, but I also saw the [jerdon] (http://amzn.com/B0000AFUT3) for around the same price and thought it might be better.

Anyone have any experience with both? Which lighting is better? The Jerdon is quite ugly, but I can hide it away if it is amazing :) The ott-lite isn't much nicer on the eyes, but I can deal with the spinning mirror if it's the best in that price range.

I received these brushes for Christmas as they had good reviews and it remember they were well loved on here as well. They so have quite a strong chemical smell however -- any tips on getting rid of this smell? So I need to wash them all? It's so strong that my entire car trunk reeks after them being in them for a car ride home. :)

This isn't what you asked for but, I recently bought this mirror on Amazon and I love it! It's got four different light settings. I really recommend it :)

I have this sucker and it's great. I have a station set up that I use it on, but the base is so small that I can pull it right to the edge of the table and get it really close so I don't really need the magnification side. If you had one of those "breakfast in bed" trays you could set it up on that and do your makeup in your bed if you really wanted to haha.

Is there room for a small table in your living space? This might be a viable solution as to a table, but doesn't provide storage. This however would give you a small drawer and has a small table top space as to not take up too much room.

Hope this is helpful!

Hey guys! So I've been building my vanity for a few months and just needed some good lights. I had a lot of product and it was disorganised, and now everything is within reachable distance, thanks to your suggestions.

I wanted to share it since in case someone else needed inspo for a custom vanity that didn't cost an arm and a leg. It cost about $250 for everything, and I'll list the products, prices, and where I got them below:

Vanity: ($169.00)
https://m.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/art/10203610/

Mirror: ($19.99)
https://m.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/art/20320312/

Lights: ($22.99)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075XLRHNQ?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

Acrylic Cosmetics Organiser: (about $40 for 2)
I could find the original, since I picked them up at TJ Maxx, but identical products can be found on Amazon
www.amazon.com/dp/B06XSLNQKX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_cLtTBbN42P12C

EDIT: Thought I'd add some pros and cons as well. The downside of the vanity is, there are about 3 inches of drawer space that don't pull out, so I use them to store boxed lashes in the back, as well as my boxes of rings and chokers since I don't wear a lot of jewelry.
The Morphe palettes I have are large, so you can see I've placed them on top of the organiser, since I reach for them a lot.
The vanity also has a glass top, so it's good because it's easier to clean and you can slide photos under it of you want. It's also great because the wood doesn't get damaged from wear and tear or spills.
I also keep my brushes organised by face/eyes - they're just all dirty right now 😭
I also have a separate rack where I keep my serums and liquid foundations/primers since I like to keep them upright (it's just to the side so the area remains decluttered).

Real techniques has a great set of eyeshadow brushes! I have this set, and it is awesome. The bristles are soft, they don't shed, and they are great for blending. And only $20 :)

A lot of the bigger drawers that you'll see on this sub with some of our users are Muji drawers. They're reasonably priced compared to a lot of other options out there and are made well. They're out of stock on a lot of the bigger selections right now, but are supposed to be restocking shortly. I also like these drawers for a smaller option from amazon, so I can see what I'm looking for, as well as the handles. Hope that helps!

Are you looking for a starter kit? It's always more cost effective to buy separate brushes in my opinion but as far as budget friendly starter kits go, I hear many good things about the Coastal Scents 22 piece brush set. While I don't own the set, I hear it's very good for the price.

I love this brush set. Cheap and really nice quality for a brush set off ebay...

My favorite make up related gift was one of these, I use it daily and don't think I could live without it. Good luck! (:

For the record I have very long but very straight lashes (I'm white). I use Maybelline Volum Express The Colossal. It's not blow your socks off amazing, but it's the best I have found so far.

This is def on my list to try, though:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007152I9S?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_sfl_title_10&smid=A1DB6AICR559XB

I got this [Mirror](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000AFUT3/ref=sr_ph_1_s_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1467672167&sr=sr-1&keywords=Jerdon+Tri-Fold+Two-Sided+Lighted+Makeup+Mirror+with+5x+Magnification%2C+White+Finish
) on Amazon for $25. right now it's 30, but you can wait for the price to drop. i love it and i love that i can see all the sides to my face..really helps with applying my winged eyeliner.

I’ve been using the Heroine Make, you can find it at pretty much any Asian Beauty store if you’re in a city. It’s a lot thinner than most American formulas and made my Better Than Sex mascara look sooooo sad. Top one is Heroine Make and bottom is BTS. It is a waterproof one so you’ll need coconut oil or a separate makeup remover for eyes+waterproof makeup like the one from Simple or Garnier, after the mascara dries it seriously doesn’t budge at all. Here’s a photo I took of the wand. The curve is really nice in getting the little hairs by the corner of your eyes and the bottom lash line too!

I agree with the Youtube suggestion; there's a lot on there. Lisa Eldridge is a true high fashion makeup artist who posts videos, and I find her advice very sound and realistic, too. I also adore pixiwoo, petrilude, and gossmakeupartist.

One of my favorite resources is, to this day, Kevyn Aucoin's book Making Faces. There is a lot of discussion of types of products, and ways of achieving naturally pretty or dramatically different looks. http://www.amazon.com/Making-Faces-Kevyn-Aucoin/dp/0316286850

Oh man! That is pretty pale. I'm on the "darker" end of "light" shades, so I don't know much about foundations for the very fair. But my friend who is very pale recommends mixing in a white foundation (she uses this one). Maybe try that? Sorry I can't help very much xD

I purchased these brushes on Amazon and honestly love them. They're inexpensive yet pretty good quality. There's also a black and silver set.

Nooo I have moderately long lashes, but no volume or curl at all so they are barely noticeable without mascara. This mascara is a godsend, it's a Japanese brand and super underrated :) I bought mine at Olive Young, but Amazon has it too.

I have THIS ONE from Jerdon and I really like it. I use the daylight setting and it really lets me see how my makeup looks in bright light.

I bought it after initially purchasing the Simple Human mirror - which I loved at first, nice lighting, design, and it's cordless! BUT it stopped working because of a faulty sensor and there is no way to just manually turn it on and off for the light. For that price and after reading reviews of many people having the same issue, I returned it. I do hope they improve it or make one that just turns on and off because it was a great mirror for makeup.

Looks gorgeous!

I would recommend this lighted mirror:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000AFUT3/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

I bought it after a ton of research and it's pretty much perfect.

Could not recommend this mirror highly enough. The light is super bright so if your makeup looks good in that light, it will look good anywhere. And you can angle the side mirrors to see how your makeup looks like from the side.

I share your woes as a pale girl. I just bought the Manic Panic Foundation/Corrector in Virgin White off of Amazon and am very happy with it:

http://www.amazon.com/Manic-Panic-Virgin-Dreamtone-Foundation/dp/B004SUGXWC/ref=sr_1_14?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1407865966&sr=1-14



I mix it with my liquid foundation through, so if you're looking for something a little more pigmented that would blend better with a mousse, it looks like the Life's Entropy Foundation Elixir in white would do the trick. (Disclaimer: I haven't tried it yet):

http://shop.lifesentropy.com/collections/764502-face/products/8198466-foundation-elixir-white

Hope that helps! :)

I bought these lights to put on my vanity and they’re amazing! Super bright and mimics natural lighting really well! I also have a ring light mirror from Vanity Planet that has 3 different light settings which I like a lot, but I have to get up kinda close to it to be as bright as I want. It works well along with the Vanity lights though!

EcoTools are very nice, but aren't my favorite (I think this is mainly due to the shape of the brushes that I got, rather than the quality). Real Techniques, Bdellium Tools, and Elf Studio Line brushes are my favorite brands for both eyes and face.

Two favorite faces brushes: Bdellium Tools 957 and ELF's Powder Brush

My favorite eye brushes: Real Techniques eye set and Bdellium eye kit and ELF's Angled eyeliner

I really like Japanese drugstore mascara. They don't flake at all for me, add length and volume for me and don't bother my contacts at all. I wear contacts pretty much every single day too. They are also usually waterproof! It's a fiber mascara though.

You can get it on Amazon and it's about drugstore mascara price


I use a gel pencil to tightline, liquid pen for eyeliner and the mascara with no issues too.

I've tried so many that flake, Maybelline ones, UD, bobbi brown, YSL, they all have flaked and smudged.

Another one that I found that was pretty decent at a low price point is actually Sephora's Lashcraft. I was surprised at how well it worked! It didn't flake until maybe like 12 hours and held up really well on my lower lashes.

link to lashcraft!

I'm a happa with dry/sensitive skin. I personally love the pink and the gold SKIN79 BB's.

They provide solid, buildable coverage and don't make me feel all dry and ashy-like after I pat it into my face. It does come in kind of greyish undertones, though, so definitely look into the mini sample set.

The price for the full bottle isn't so bad if you get it from certain retailers. I got mine from Amazon. Prime is the best!

You'll want 2 things, good and bright lighting, and good quality mirror- typically it will flip and be magnified on one side, standard scale on the other.

For the best lighting at that price point, try the OttLite, they sell it at Target and JoAnn Fabrics.

I actually used to own one of those old-school lighted mirrors. It was a Remington with 4 different light settings, 2 mirror magnifications and was easily adjustable in the back. Looked like this -- I think it would be perfect for you. :)

I have an Ott! It's fantastic, and has great "daylight" bulbs in it. Plus the magnifying side is perfect for eyebrow plucking and up close eyeliner precision.


This is the one I have: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004DN8F4S

Real Techniques and EcoTools both have lovely brushes that are affordable and easy to find, so you can't go wrong with those. This set from Coastal Scents is also very nice and has great reviews. When I really started getting into makeup last year I got this set for around $25 on sale and have been very pleased so far. I only had one brush fall apart on me, but that was after I cleaned it improperly and got water in the ferrule. I have brushes from all three brands and would recommend any of them.

I have a MALM Ikea desk that I purchased solely for school/regular desk stuff. Since then I've become more invested in makeup and have transformed it into a half vanity half regular desk hybrid. I fit a lot of makeup (like palettes, primers, and large highlighters and bronzers) in drawer organizers in the top drawer of the desk and use the large bottom drawer to store school stuff. On top of the desk I have two Ikee acrylic containers from Amazon here and here that I use for eyeshadow, eyeliner, lipstick, foundation, blush, concealer, and basically everything else. I also have a couple Sonia Kashuk brush holders on top of my desk as well, along with a lighted makeup mirror. I also hung a larger mirror on the wall in front of the desk.

It's a pretty big desk so I can fit a lot on it and it works well for multi-tasking with all of my school stuff.

I use this heroine curl mascara that is really waterproof and sweat proof on my bottom lashes! It's doesn't clump at all for me

Link: Isehan Kiss Me heroine make | Mascara | Long & Curl & SUPER WATER PROOF Mascara 01 Jet Black 6g by Ise half https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00INJ7TWW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_JUCExbXE2K4EG

That's actually really affordable. I ordered these off amazon. There's not the sturdiest but, for the price, they're pretty great.

[Here is a starter set of the Real Techniques brushes] (http://www.amazon.com/Real-Techniques-RLT-1406-real-Starter/dp/B004TSFE28/ref=sr_1_2?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1417781916&sr=1-2&keywords=real+techniques+brushes)

[Here is a nice set too, with good reviews] (http://www.amazon.com/Coastal-Scents-Piece-Brush-Set/dp/B005UBN5AQ/ref=sr_1_6?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1417782384&sr=1-6&keywords=sigma+brushes#customerReviews)

Both sets are selling for incredibly good prices too :)

I love the manic panic one! People don't think much of manic panic when it comes to makeup but I found out about it from some pale girl blog and a lot of pale girls swear by it. It allows us to buy the correct undertone and then just lightening it instead of having to wear something yellow to get the Right shade or pink etc. it also make expensive makeup last longer and doesn't really mess with the formula at all. I just mix a little on the back of my hand or on a glass ashtray I bought as a mixing palette. here's the best link to it

I LOVE my mirror. It provides a trifold mirror experience and a magnified and normal mirror as well. It shifts between daytime, home, evening, and office lightings with the shift of a switch and it even has an outlet in it for me to plug in my curling iron. It's superb. http://www.amazon.com/Jerdon-JGL9W-Tabletop-Two-Sided-Magnification/dp/B0000AFUT3/ref=sr_1_1?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1404695287&sr=1-1&keywords=jerdon+mirror

I have this Jerdon makeup mirror for on my desk and I absolutely love it. It has a daylight setting, as well as an office, evening and home setting, which is great for when you want to see how your makeup which translate all around, especially for a nighttime going-out look.

Super straight Asian lashes here too. Waterproof mascara changed my life. My favorite is Isehan Kiss Me Heroine Make Long and Curl (Japanese brand you can get on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00INJ7TWW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_D1NNybQRKQZVM), but I've also had decent results with L'Oreal ones. It also helps to find a curler that really fits your eye shape and gets all your lashes.

You might just need a better liner and some primer. I'd suggest the MUFE Lip Line Perfector, it's another reverse liner that works fabulously. Goes on clear and stays all day. I think it's a must when wearing darker colors, and it seems to be one of the best reverse lip liners out there.

A primer like Too Faced Lip Insurance could also help, and if you really want to keep that shit on lock, you could throw on some Lipcote Lipstick Sealer. Dita Von Teese claims it keeps her lipstick on even through BJs.

It's a Japanese brand but readily available on amazon: isehan kiss me heroine make long and curl (also available in volume and curl)

http://www.amazon.com/Isehan-heroine-Mascara-SUPER-WATER/dp/B00INJ7TWW

My parents bought me this one last Christmas, and I love it! It comes with different light settings too. It's a little small but I don't have space in my room for those instagram worthy trifold mirrors so this does the job :) you can find it cheaper in Walmart or Target though

Girl save your knife and get a beauty spatula! they're awesome for all containers and even getting into foundation bottle corners :)

thank you! and i got it here! it's only 15 right now! I love it. I actually might buy another and put it on the other side of the mirror haha

As a makeup enthusiast, something I've always thought would be cool to own is makeup books (perhaps I should note that I also like books). I imagine that they would be useful for reading about techniques and drawing inspiration. I've never seen them in person myself, but I have heard good things about the Nars book and the Kevin Aucoin book on youtube before.

Edit: formatting

Ottlite! I bought this one almost 4 years ago, and it's still going strong! I find that the bulbs do a pretty decent job at mimicking daylight. I rarely walk outside and feel surprised by what my makeup looks like.

I got mine in black from Amazon and I looooooove it! It comes with a cute little stool as well.

Edit: Forgot the link. oops!

Here's where I got mine. It's a few dollars more, but if you have Amazon Prime - free shipping! Woooo!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005CWHY7I/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

DUDE. $34 22 Piece Coastal Scents brush set also comes in a bitchin' carrying case. Has all your basics that you'd ever need, you can get it from Amazon. Has a few face brushes but primarily eye and a couple of lip ones. Mine just came in a few days ago and I am in love. Haven't used the brushes yet but they seem to be of solid quality.

For what it's worth, I also have experience using Real Techniques, Ecotools, ELF and Sigma. For the price, this package can't be beat.

Link: http://www.amazon.com/Coastal-Scents-Piece-Brush-Set/dp/B005UBN5AQ

All of Kevyn Aucoin's books regarding makeup and style are fantastic for beginners and those who just need a kick-start to their makeup journey. I am particularly fond of Making Faces and Face Forward. He also includes very sweet personal anecdotes.

I got this brush set on Amazon for super cheap and it's been perfectly adequate so far: https://smile.amazon.com/Makeup-Eye-Brush-Set-Eyeshadow/dp/B00MNMQKPC/

Hard to gauge how soft would be soft enough for you, though. The fluffy blending brush is very lightweight! But, I mean, duh. It's a fluffy blending brush.

i use these, specifically the first and fourth ones. i especially enjoy the first one. the angle is perfect for my face and i’ve had these brushes for 5 ish years and they’re still going strong! the brushes also have a good density, not too dense, but not too fluffy, which is perfect for my foundation application! i know it comes in a set and that’s inconvenient, so i’ll try to look for some single brushes that have a similar shape.

I have this mirror and I love it. the lights mimic daylight, so it portrays makeup very accurately. I’ve had it for 3 years with no issues, and have yet to need to change the bulbs. I like the super magnified side of the mirror for plucking my eyebrows. The mirror sometimes wants to swivel, so I wedged a piece of paper in the crack and it works fine.

Don't forget shipping. The nice thing about Amazon is that if you have problems with any seller, they're going to handle it for you. Their customer service is pretty great.

I have these. They're cheaper, sold by Amazon, and you can buy them in a 4 pack.
http://www.amazon.com/InterDesign-35300-Drawers-Clear/dp/B004KKXA58/ref=sr_1_1/180-9599345-7255569?ie=UTF8&qid=1406084431&sr=8-1&keywords=interdesign+drawers+clear

I'm finally really happy with my makeup organization. Almost everything is in the top drawer of my 4-drawer Ikea Malm dresser. In the drawer, things are separated by item type (eyeliner, single shadows, brows, etc.) into these, except for palettes, which are in a mail organizer in the drawer. On top of my dresser, everything else fits into one of these except for my brushes which sit in a cup. Then I hung a mirror and a light over the dresser and have a great standing vanity that still has three drawers for clothes and other stuff!

I got these three -
[Acrylic with drawers] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004KKXA58/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1), Acrylic lipstick storage (you can get this one a few bucks cheaper from another seller if you don't mind waiting for shipping), and this acrylic organizer

Here's a (maybe not too great) picture of them on my shelf! photo

If you have Amazon Prime you can get free 2 day shipping. I purchased all three for a total of $47.58 so a huge saving over buying just one original beauty box.

They're all sturdy thick (but not TOO thick) plastic. No fogginess or scratches on the surface or anything!

Welcome! If you like it here, of course you should be here! Don't be afraid to post a picture if that's what you'd like to do, mostly everyone is very nice and any criticism is usually very constructive!

What size organizer are you looking for? Do you want one organizer to house everything, or are you looking for different pieces?


I have this for everyday products: http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/richards-homewares-clear-19-compartment-cosmetic-organizer-with-drawers/1041660133?Keyword=cosmetic+organizer


This (x3...) for my blush collection and other powders:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F5ABBS0/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_img?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2615JMDEZ1HR0&coliid=IQW8D8UL2SFDR&psc=1


This for lip glosses and certain concealers:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IM0FSCA/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2615JMDEZ1HR0&coliid=I1H3H4YTFIVLA8&psc=1


This for lipsticks:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E00X3VO/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2615JMDEZ1HR0&coliid=IVD2LSZM1SWAF&psc=1


And two of these for miscellaneous storage:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004KKXA58/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2615JMDEZ1HR0&coliid=I4YKTNPQG42SM&psc=1



I think Sephora is great, but drugstore brands also have a lot to offer! Check out Ulta.com for drugstore brands and more mid-range brands that Sephora doesn't carry (Lorac being a major one!)

I second ELF - super soft and inexpensive. I also ordered this eye set off Amazon a few weeks ago and am loving them. I'm an eyeshadow newbie and they've really upped my blending game!

There is an excellent layout on contouring in "Making Faces" by Kevyn Aucoin

http://www.amazon.com/Making-Faces-Kevyn-Aucoin/dp/0316286850

This book was my makeup bible, and continues to be useful...I highly recommend it :)

iirc, they're readily available if you're in the UK, but you can purchase it off amazon

I haven't personally used it, but it sounds like a pretty solid product!

Here's the link to the vanity lights for those who are interested! I am personally super happy with the quality and price.

Very clean and pretty! You have beautiful skin and I like that you aren't caking on product to cover it up. The touch of color to your cheeks is really nice.

If you want your lashes to show up more, I would suggest using an eyelash curler in addition to the mascara. I have also heard that some people like this specific brand of mascara for holding a curl, but I have never tried it personally.

My ex's mom got me a makeup mirror seven or eight years ago (hooooly shit it's been that long...) and I love it. The light settings are pretty awesome, it's a double sided mirror, and I haven't had any issues with it yet. Here's a link to it on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Jerdon-JGL9W-Tabletop-Two-Sided-Magnification/dp/B0000AFUT3/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1370799226&sr=8-2&keywords=makeup+mirror

(Sorry, on my iPad >_< )

If you're interested in Asian BB creams (which work better IMO) my friend linked me to 2 sample packs on amazon and if you have prime they'll still get to you in 4 or 5 days.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002HPBF32/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_nGN9ub0ZMA8YM

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LEVMTHQ/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_wIN9ub041MH0G

!!! You have to get this, I did and it changed my life. It's a Japanese brand Kiss Me| heroine make long and curl "super waterproof". Keeps the curl like magic and it stays on for about three days ( washing my face daily and all) -I'm on mobile and don't know how to link but here's the link on amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00INJ7TWW/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1405958111&sr=8-1

Edit* link

This is amazing. I love mine!

The greyest one here is NYX Taupe, with NYC Sunny on the left. Sunny looks very warm/orange here esp compared to Taupe.

I don't know what Amazon's international shipping policies are like, but here's a link for NYX Taupe for $7.50 with free shipping!

Try Lipcote. It's about £3/4 and it works a charm. I always forget I have lipstick on but Lipcote over the top stops it from smearing all over my chin and hand. I would suggest waiting for your lipstick to dry or set a little first otherwise you'll fetch the product straight off. Also wipe the wand off before you put it back in the tube unless you want the entire tube to pick up the colour of your lipstick!

lol! Anyone can do this, I promise. Mine were way overplucked like five years ago. I let them grow a bit and then followed the advice in Kevin Aucoin's book Making Faces. He discusses different eyebrow shapes and just general makeup technique, along with classic and avant-garde looks alike. It's worth a look.

Believe me, my brows have not always looked this great. And even then, I changed them last night from the advice in this thread! They are now plucked away from my nose a bit more, which has made a huge difference.

I had these recommended by a couple friends and finally ordered. They are great. https://www.amazon.com/BS-MALL-Synthetic-Cosmetics-Foundation-Blending/dp/B00I3VHKVK

I'm not OP, but I got mine from Amazon and it had the best price that I found anywhere:

http://www.amazon.com/Bobkona-Croix-Collection-Vanity-Stool/dp/B005CWHY7I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413818914&sr=8-1&keywords=vanity

I use a tiny rubber spatula intended for getting the last drops of product out of bottles. It's like this but a different shape. Love it!

If you can get ahold of it in time, Heroine Make Long+Curl looks fabulous and is bulletproof. I usually get it via Amazon Prime here

The Ottlite Natural Daylight mirror, hands down. It's excellent for preventing the "did my makeup inside then went outside/to work to a huge surprise" look.

As the reviews say, it does rotate on its own which is annoying. But I just stuff something in there and go about my day. The lighting is worth it, in my opinion.

This baby is currently on sale. MUA seems to like Coastal Scents.

If you're looking for light coverage with a moisturizer I would recommend a BB cream. There are many samplers you can try to find the best one.
Sephora Dr. Jart
Skin79
Retro Wombat's Sample Store (Closed now but will be open soon)

On brows, I really can't give you much advice because I personally don't like filling them in much. I just have a little NYX brow kit.

There are many other eye palettes you can get but the Coastal Scents one seems to be pretty good for its price.

Just a note about BB creams, they do not replace your sunscreen or moisturizer. You need about a dime sized sunscreen spot on your face, and you're not going to use that much BB cream.

If you're not sure about a product you can always buy/swap/resell at /r/makeupexchange. Just make sure the user is verified.

As a final note, there are no "must haves". Every body has different needs something that is a "must have" for some is a waste of money for others.

I am a bit obsessed with the Skin79 hot pink. I highly recommend buying 4 sampler set from Amazon and trying each one out.

The link bellow is for other people that sell the product as it is not shipped through Amazon. I ordered mine from the seller "Katie the Babe" and the included a bunch of other korean beauty samples as well as a Skin79 orange sample that was not included in the set.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B002HPBF32/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new&qid=1376522529&sr=1-4

Oh OK. I've been eyeing them forever....I will eventually bite the bullet. I heard the icing brushes are dupes for the it cosmetics. I also have these brushes that are on the smaller side but super soft. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MNMQKPC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00

Ott-lite makes a makeup mirror! I have one and it's pretty much perfect, especially because it doesn't require a whole lot of space.

Is it this one? KissMe Heroine Make Impact Frame & Curl Mascara https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007KTF4QY/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_yD4.ub1D88X1H
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007KTF4QY/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_yD4.ub1D88X1H

I've been looking at Japanese brand mascaras and also saw that this one is also really recommended. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007152I9S/ref=ox_sc_act_image_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A9AN7OIELNBGB

They're like all so similar it's hard to decide and pick. Any thoughts?

My maid of honor got me this for my bridal shower and it's amazing.

• Foundation: My hands... (the shame)
  
• Powder: Ecotools kabuki brush
  
• Bronzer/Contour: The brush that comes with Benefit blush boxes.
  
• Blush: Ailunce Rounded Dome Kabuki brush, fourth large brush from the left in this photo. Side note, these brushes are super soft, I like them a lot. The eye brushes are a little large for my eye unfortunately.
  
• Brows: Small black angled brush from elf gel eyeliners and nameless spoolie.
  
• Eyeshadow: Ecotools flat shader, crease brush, highlighter brush, pencil brush, smudger, etc.
  
• Lips: Ecotools retractable lip brush

Bought from here. Supposedly quality can be a bit hit-or-miss, but they're all so nice and soft, and they're great for the price!

Also!! Whenever I use a higher coverage foundation that doesn't quite match, I mix the foundation with manic panic's white foundation. This makes pretty much any foundation workable :)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004SUGXWC/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1453692096&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=manic+panic+white+foundation&dpPl=1&dpID=31nTKQJvUtL&ref=plSrch

I live in NY and Ricky's NYC stores carry Mehron & Ben Nye. Tbh, I'm lazy so I get everything from Amazon. Here's everything w/ free shipping:

• Kiss Me Heroine Mascara
  
• Mehron Setting Powder
  
• Mehron Toner

Lipstick dries me out, finds it's way into every cakey crevice on my lips & it never stays through drinking, eating, etc. Does lipstick "sealer" really work? Something like this. Can I put lip-gloss/balm over it?

If the magic is real, any suggestions on which one? Something cheap (like under $15) would be fabulous.

I have never tried Skin79, but I have this bookmarked for when I want to try the different kinds. I don't know if that has both orange and pink, I'm not too familiar with the brand. I'm sure there are other sample packs like this gold one.

[GIRL I GOT YOU] (http://www.amazon.com/Lipcote-Lip-8471-Lipstick-Sealer/dp/B003RVV82S)

I couldn't find it in stores but you can get it on amazon pretty cheap!

Ott-lite Natural Daylight Makeup Mirror, White/Chrome (26 Watt) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004DN8F4S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_h.eQzbZAHH0A6


I guess it's out of stock straight from them, I wonder if they are making a new version or something. I've had mine for a bit, but it looks like you can still get it on Amazon

The Real Techniques Starter Set and the Real Techniques Core Collection are some really great starter brushes. I have the Starter Set and I couldn't be happier with the softness and the quality of the brushes.

Those two sets will give you a pretty good start, but if you were looking at specific, high end brushes, you could try the MAC 217 blending brush or the Beauty Blender. Both of those have a bunch of dupes if you weren't willing to pay for more expensive brushes.

I got it from Amazon, and I know Ulta has a really similar one. I really like it, but it can be a bit bright some mornings and the stand in the back makes it so it does take up more space than you think.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000AFUT3/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

I use Heroine Make, no flaking, totally waterproof, no panda eyes, but it's a b to get off.

Amazon Prime Heroine Make

If you don't have your heart completely set on a round one, I just got this mirror about a week ago and I love it. The lighting does look very natural and it's in your price range.

I bought a set of similar drawers on Amazon for $16. It fits perfectly on my bathroom sink and I keep a brush holder on top.

Lipcote is the shit!

Super awesome at sealing lip products. I have big lips too, and chinstick is a pain.

I have nothing but good things to say about the Ott-lite. It is the best I have tried.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004DN8F7K/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Sorry, I know, things like this get posted all the time. But I really enjoy my new set up and thought I'd post it. Here a are links to the organization things I bought :

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004KKXA58

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00CWZ0BLE

The desk was from target and so was the small lighted mirror. The big mirror I absolutely love and have had since I was 3.

Inside are palettes laying flat, and the pink boxes in the back are sugarpill cardboard boxes that they send products in with the lids cut off. I keep my blush and lashes in those, but the drawers don't pull out any further so they are tucked underneath.

My favorite organizational thing is my brush holder. But I made that so I can't link anything for it unfortunately

I sure do! I've also seen very similar ones at Home Goods if you have one nearby you! :)

This is the one that I just bought a couple months ago. I use a plastic drawer set next to it to contain all the makeup though.

I bought mine in black, and it was shipped by amazon at the time, so it didn't have the ridiculous shipping cost, but it looks like the other two colors are still shipped by amazon.

If you're looking for something with more storage in it by default, this is one that I was also considering, that I've also seen some of the ladies on this sub with.

Sephora sells them (although apparently not online) for $6. They look pretty much like this: http://www.amazon.com/Every-Beauty-Drop-Spatula/dp/B0069VYSFM

Manic Panic Dreamtone is a nice white mixer that is affordable. I get it from Amazon. Works great! Link

You can pick up a beauty spatula in a ton of places - even walmart carries them in the US. In Canada, you can get them from Amazon (non affiliate link)

I have an Ott-Lite and I love it!

Manic panic white foundation! I bought mine on Amazon [try this! ](Manic Panic Virgin Dreamtone Gothic Foundation Vampire White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004SUGXWC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_5Vv7xb3CNP9EE) you could mix it with your current foundation to make it a lot paler or just go for the white foundation look to get a more original Harley look! Have fun!!

I'm 30, and when I was in my early teens and interested in makeup, I only had my mom who wasn't very into it. I remember one of the first things she ever told me was "Frosts and shimmers are awful" and she bought me Almay makeup in very neutral stuff. But I wanted COLOR!!! Metallic shades of nail polish were beginning to really show up. Hair color mascara, remember that shit? Haha. I remember going into Hot Topic (Hey don't judge. That's when that store kinda used to be super goth and I was into that stuff, we all have phases) and I saw this masterpiece on the shelf. http://www.amazon.com/Making-Faces-Kevyn-Aucoin/dp/0316286850 It was like Kevyn Aucoin's book was lit a little brighter than all the others and it called to me, the holy grail of makeup books. Making Faces changed EVERYTHING for me. Right after I got that book, I went to France and discovered Anna Sui's makeup. That was my introduction to high end. I visited a Nordstom's for the first time (I'm in Charlotte, we didn't have that fancy stuff yet) and was introduced to Urban Decay and Hard Candy. I started trying to copy the makeup looks that I saw in the movie Velvet Goldmine. I fear the time that is approaching when I will get too old for glitter. I've only just recently started using nude shades.

It's crazy how the internet has changed things though. It's great to look at a video and see how it's done, other than in my day where you had to read!!!

I've heard good things about Lipcote which is about 3x the size as the ABH one for like $6 less.

I use this. It works pretty well.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DUJEWDE/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awd_7NgBwb2NSHHKM

This is where I bought mine!

*edit: I didn't see the other comment with the same link so forgive the double post, but I highly recommend this organizer!

I use this one and the light is enough with a ceiling light going. I love it.