Drugstore Makeup Starter Kit: Makeup for Beginners

For a newbie, makeup can seem overwhelming. So many products, so many ways to do makeup, so many brands, so much money to spend…. Most beginners don’t even know where to start. 

I’ve been in your shoes and I can help. I know how confusing it might seem. I know how you can see those makeup tutorials on YouTube and think “I could never do that”. But it’s not that bad. You just have to have patience and be open to a little guidance in the beginning. 

I’ve compiled a list of the most important products you need to have in your drugstore makeup starter kit. Yes, I said drugstore, because there is no point starting the makeup journey with high end products. You might not like some, so you risk wasting money. 

Start with drugstore makeup products. Not only are they pretty cheap, but you can also take chances and experiment with more of them. If you buy lipstick, for example, and you realize you don’t like the texture, it’s much easier and cheaper to go out and buy a 6$ lip-gloss to test, then a $30 one. 

So, where to start? A drugstore makeup starter kit should have 9 products in it.. They are the following: a primer (or moisturizer), a foundation, a concealer, a brow pencil, an eyeliner, eyeshadow, mascara, blush, and a lip product. Everything else is optional, but I will quickly go through some other makeup products you can try, as well.

So if you’re new to makeup or have a teenager in your life who wants to experiment, here is the ultimate drugstore makeup starter kit to help you get started: 

Prep your skin: Primer or moisturizing cream

Most people might not know this, but prepping your skin before make-up, especially before putting on foundation, is very important. No matter what you use, primer or moisturizing cream, you need the base to hydrate your skin and help the foundation look better on your skin. 

So the first product of a good drugstore makeup starter kit is a primer or a moisturizing cream, your choice. Personally, I use a moisturizing cream like this CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30.

If you prefer to go the primer route, the Maybelline New York Face Studio Master Prime is a great choice. It helps blur and smooth, so your face (and foundation) will look better and more even out.

Foundation

When it comes to this product, some might say you can go without it. And yes, you can definitely do that, especially if you have clear skin or if you want a very basic, natural look. But I think you definitely need a good foundation in your drugstore makeup starter kit. For special occasions or bad days with zits. But also because it helps to smooth out and even out skin tone.

My first option will always be L’Oreal, it’s a great brand, especially for this type of product. You can try Infallible Up to 24HR Pro-Glow Foundation, it’s great for a glowy finish. 

My second option, one I’ve recently discovered, is the COVERGIRL Advanced Radiance Age Defying Foundation. It’s a collaboration with Olay and it’s wonderful for the skin, as it has moisturizing elements to it.  

Concealer

I personally don’t use a concealer every day, but I do believe it’s good to have one in case of big zits or dark circles.

This is by far one of the best drugstore concealers I’ve tried: the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Multi-Use Concealer.  

Brow pencil

You might not agree, but I think the brow pencil is an essential item in a drugstore makeup starter kit. Why? Because eyebrows can definitely influence the overall look and impact of your face. Clear defined and filled in brows make the face and its symmetry much more pleasant to they eye. Try it!

I recommend this NYX Micro Brow Pencil. I use this, a foundation and a mascara as my day to day makeup routine. It’s everything I need and it’s so simple and quick to use. 

Eyeliner 

Again, this is a product that you probably won’t use all the times, but you need to have in your starter kit: an eyeliner. It helps accentuate your eyes. You can also create great smokey eye looks with it. 

Try this COVERGIRL Ink It By Perfect Point Plus Waterproof Eyeliner, you will definitely need the waterproof version.  

Eyeshadow

Eyeshadows are, in my opinion, the product that helps you experiment and play with makeup, That’s why it’s important to start with a palette, so that you can try out more looks and colors, and see which one fits you.

I recommend starting your drugstore makeup starter kit with a natural eyeshadow palette. Begin with natural tones and graduate to bright colors later on, after you’ve perfect the application technique.

You can buy the NYX Eyeshadow Palette in Warm Neutrals, it’s decently priced and with a great selection of colors. 

Mascara

Mascara is a very important step in a makeup routine. It’s actually one of three makeup products I use every day for a natural look. Like the eyebrow pencil and liner, it helps accentuate the eyes and gives a nicer look to the face as a whole. 

My drugstore mascara of choice is the L’Oreal Lash Paradise Mascara. It’s volumizing and lengthening, and it’s actually a dupe for the Better than sex mascara. 

Blush 

Blush is a great option for people who prefer natural, sun-kissed looks. It brings color to your cheeks and makes you glow. 

The Milani Baked Blush in Petal Primavera is a wonderful choice of blush. Pretty cheap, pigmented and highly buildable, it has 11 other shades for all skin tones. Check it out here! 

Lip products

When it comes to lip products for your drugstore makeup starter kit, you can choose how many you like. I suggest starting with lipstick and a gloss or a lip balm. 

For lipstick, you can’t go wrong with the L’oreal lipsticks. This Colour Riche one is especially pretty and has a nice nude color. 

If you want to go the extra mile and experiment with more things, you can also add the following makeup products:

• Highlighter. If you like and want a glowy looks, absolutely get a highlighter, like this wet n wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder. 
• Bronzer: Definitely get the Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer, it’s highly rated and it’s buildable, so you don’t risk putting too much on. 
• Powder. My all-time absolute favorite is the Rimmel Stay Matte powder. Cheap and does its job. 
• Setting Spray: If you plan to be out all day and want to make sure your makeup stays on at a wedding, for example, buy a setting spray, like the NYX Makeup Setting Spray in Dewy Finish.

So here we are. This is all what you need if you want to create / buy a drugstore makeup starter kit. Let me know in the comments if you have any questions or you want to recommend something else.

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