(Part 3) Top products from r/sugarfreemua

How awesome are you! The big question is: what's your budget!?

A couple reactions to your list: honestly if she is just starting out, this brush set is OK (not great, but OK). It does seem to have a lot of eye/detail brushes and not a lot for base. The thing is, she won't know what brushes she's in love with until she tries out a bunch. If she's into it, then she might want to buy better quality brushes in the kind she likes. I'm saying this also because I'm a mua and I use brushes kind of unconventionally and I find a lot of mu enthusiasts/pros are the same way (example--it might say "crease" brush, but I'll use it for buffing out concealer or smudging eyeliner). She won't know until she tries a bunch of different kinds, so I think getting a variety of inexpensive brushes isn't a bad idea. It also depends on the face she's working on?

You might want to splurge on one kinda decent set, too, though if you're saving a ton of money getting a more inexpensive set. This one might be good to start BUTTTTTTT if you have a TJMaxx near you DEFINITELY go check it out. You can get surprisingly decent brush sets there for a great price--you also might be able to feel them before buying to check them out. I got that RT eye brush set for, like, $7.99 or something.

The brush/sponge cleaner--If I were you, I'd save some $$ by just getting a baby shampoo or Dr. Bronner's soap. (Not to say that Eco Tools one is super pricey, but if she's washing her brushes as much as she should, she may run out quick). In my kit, I use Parian Spirit or Cinema Secrets, but it's kind of $$$. If I'm running low, I'll use baby shampoo because it's super gentle. For lip brushes or special fx makeup stuff, I'll even use Dawn. The silicone brush cleaner is a cool gadget, but be warned it can wreak havoc on brushes (esp. cheap brushes!)

The organizer is a good idea and it's cute, but the only thing is that type are kinda tricky in that they don't really hold that much. If she is really getting into it, maybe something more versatile? I'm obsessed with Muji organizers, but $$$. WAIT, just checked and they're having a sale: http://www.muji.us/store/health-beauty/makeup/makeup-storage-box.html

They are wonderful because they are SUPER versatile and all kind of fit together, so you can make your own little set up.

What about a cute vanity mirror? https://www.amazon.com/Daylight-Detachable-Magnification-Convenience-Definition/dp/B06XDNCV4M/ref=pd_sim_201_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=KZM8NMHW9YNTDREEHZDN

Brush holder? https://www.amazon.com/Quality-Acrylic-Makeup-Cosmetic-Holder/dp/B0098TKSLU/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1505883877&sr=1-4&keywords=makeup+brush+holder

An amazing book that still has an insane amount of relevant information even 20 years later: https://www.amazon.com/Kevyn-Aucoin-Making-Faces-1st/dp/B00HTJY1KU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1505884083&sr=8-4&keywords=making+faces

I use this guy for if I know I'm only doing one client. Would be great for personal use, too: https://www.amazon.com/Travelmall-Professional-Cosmetic-Organizer-functional/dp/B01ELDCK9A/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1505691979&sr=1-4&th=1

OK, I'm going to bed, haha! Have fun, you are an amazing sister and whatever you get her will be cherished.

1. Concealer or BB cream
   
2. Brows
   
3. Mascara
   
4. My Lips But Better
   
5. Blush
   
6. Powder
   
   If I HAD to choose only 3 products: Concealer or BB cream, brows, powder.
   
   A 6 product face would add color (blush, MLBB) and thickened/longer lashes (mascara).
   
   *
   Drug store products - Under $20**
   
   

• Concealer:
  
       L'Oreal True Match
  
       NYX
  
       Maybelline Instant Age Rewind
  
  
• BB Cream:
  
       Revlon Photoready (heavy)
  
       L'Oreal Studio Secrets (medium)
  
       Maybelline Dream Fresh (light)
  
  Asian BB Creams
  
       Missha M
  
       Skin 79 Hot Pink
  
       Skin 79 Super Plus
  
       Holika Holika
  
  
• Brows:
  
       NYX Powder
  
       CoverGirl Pencil
  
  
• Mascara:
  
       CoverGirl Clump Crusher
  
       Maybelline Colossal Volume
  
       CoverGirl Lash Blast
  
  
• MLBB:
  
       NYX Pops
  
       Revlon Pink Truffle
  
       CoverGirl Heavenly
  
       Burt's Bees
  
  
  
• Blush
  
       NYX
  
       Milani
  
  
• Powder:
  
       Rimmel Stay Matte
  
       L'Oreal True Match
  
       Neutrogena Mineral Sheer
  *
  Mid-end products $20 - $30**
  
  
• Concealer:
  
       NARS
  
       Benefit Bo-ing
  
       KVD Lock It
  
  
• BB Cream - under $40...these run expensive
  
       IT Cosmetics ($38)
  
       Tarte Amazonian Clay ($34)
  
       Tarte Tinted Treatment ($35)
  
       Shisheido Perfect Hydrating ($33)
  
  
• Brows:
  
       ABH Dip Brow ($18)
  
       ABH Brow Wiz
  
       Sephora Brow Pencil ($13 - Brow Wiz dupe)
  
       MUFE Aqua Brow
  
  
• Mascara:
  
       Clinique Naturally Glossy ($16)
  
       Too Faced Better Than Sex
  
       Lancome Definicils
  
       Tarte Lights Camera Lashes
  
  
• MLBB
  
       MUFE Artist Natural N9
  
       Clinique Almost Lipstick ($16)
  
       Bite in Chablis or Rhubarb
  
       UD Revolution in Native, Naked, Fiend, Rapture, or Rush
  
       Too Faced Melted in Nude or Peony
  
       Tarte LipSurgence
  
  
• Blush
  
       MUFE HD
  
       NARS
  
       KVD
  
       Tarte Amazonian Clay
  
       Clinique Cheek Pop
  
  
• Powder
  
       Laura Mercier
  
       MUFE HD
  
       UD Ultra Definition ($34)
  
       NARS Light Reflecting ($35)
  *
  High-End Products - $30+**
  
  
• Concealer:
  
       Lancome Complete Coverage
  
       YSL Multi-Action
  
       MUFE Full Cover
  
  
• BB Cream - Over $40:
  
       DiorSkin Nude
  
       Guerlain Lingerie De Peau
  
       Estee Lauder Clear Difference
  
  
• Mascara:
  
       D&G Secret Eyes
  
       Guerlain Maxi Lash
  
       YSL Babydoll
  
  
• Blush
  
       Becca
  
       Hourglass
  
       Chanel
  ***
  Anyone can use these products successfully for a quick natural look! They are foolproof :)
  
  Lisa Eldridge is a great source for beginners!

I think it's possible, but personally I find that foundation goes on much better for me with a damp beauty blender (though mine's a bb knock-off: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D0ANSAG/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_bDcPub1E19NXJ) I bought liquid foundation that highly recommends a special branded brush which was just as expensive as the foundation- but now I wish I hadn't because application with the sponge looks SO much better.

I think three things could really help you out.

1. Cover lashes with a small bit of water proof eyeliner and then curl them, that will hold the curl. EDIT: You guys, this is a popular tip MUA god Wayne Goss uses. I swear I'm not just making this tip up. She obviously doesn't have to do it if it irritates her eyes. It's just a tip. The main point is her lashes need a curl. Then cover lashes with a dark mascara.
   
   
2. Define your beautiful big eyebrows. If you're scared of plucking you can use an eyebrow razor. (I do!) http://www.amazon.com/Tinkle-Eyebrow-Razor/dp/B002C89J96. You just want a clean line is all. Edit: If you're afraid of plucking eyebrow hairs then wouldn't you think using a razor designed for eyebrows would be a great alternative? It works amazing for me when I don't have the time for plucking.
   
   
3. Use some highlighter on your cheekbones. That will give you a 'glow'.
   
   Hope that helps, good luck!

With your eye color, I'd say shimmery neutral colors, something like this. Then maybe some brown eyeliner and black mascara--not too dramatic and definitely wearable. And maybe blush? Your skin is a lovely color, and brightening up your cheeks a bit with blush would go well nicely.

I don't have any suggestions for pale foundations, sorry. =(

I use a clean mascara wand I salvaged from an old mascara to comb through my lashes :)

This product gets rave reviews and has a really good price/quality/quantity ratio.

I have a similar skin color and I feel like my Nars foundation in Siberia matches better than anything else, except maybe in the summer. My next favorite is this one.

Should be all good on the SPF. I'm a sunscreen nerd & do 50 even with BB cream because I don't use much BB.

I use the ecotools eyeshadow brush from this kit. You can find this brand at drugstores & Ulta. The elf one looks good but it comes down to your preference on softness/stiffness & how thin you want it.

I bought this one which works really well for me for thin lines.

Thanks for the suggestion! I couldn't find the 3 pc set, but I'm going to give the 2 pc set a shot.

I had issues with scaly skin and what helped me tremendously was glycolic acid pads to exfoliate instead of scrubs and also applying makeup with a beauty blender. I've used a couple different brands that had no more than 2%, I have rosacea so my skin is very dry/sensitive so the girl at Sephora recommended to not go higher than that but I have seen pads up to 20%. This is what I use specifically
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BL5LB2Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_EA9RCbRHKC5Q3

Maybe invest in one of these? I did, after getting inconsistent results with threading despite going to the same salon each time. There are tutorials on YouTube to show you how to use it.

I'm an old, so I learned from magazine articles (Seventeen, Allure), Making Faces by Kevyn Aucoin, and, quite honestly, the back of Revlon eyeshadow packages.

I also learned how to contour in my high school theatre class. So it still kind of shocks me that there's this entire subset of the human population that believes 'stage makeup' is a normal, everyday thing.