how to build a makeup collection

if you are looking to build a fun, chic and quality makeup collection, you can do it without breaking the bank. ask me how i know!

buying makeup doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money. you can build a collection that is a mix of both high and low end makeup. and to be honest, there is nothing wrong with drugstore brands making up the bulk of your collection. in the end, the most important aspect is that your collection reflects your personal needs and style.

first you need to determine your budget and how much you want to spend on a collection. don’t feel like you need to spend a lot of money upfront and also keep in mind that many products need replacement every month or so, so be sure to pace your buying.

take note of what you should buy at “department store price” vs. what you can buy cheap. for example, eyeliners, lip liners, some eye shadows and even lipsticks can be purchased as cheap as $1.00

i love elf products for good, inexpensive lip glosses, eye shadows and even eye shadow primer. most of their products are less than $3.00.

for the basics, you should buy foundation (mineral/liquid/or both), concealer, basic eyeshadows in nudes (try for a quad so that you can play with the colors), and earthy tones, pressed powder (if you opt for foundation as this will set the liquid), eyeliner, lip gloss and lipstick and a good set of makeup application tools.

you also, may be surprised to find that one of the best places to buy makeup is amazon.com. they often have makeup for up to 75% off and sell products from urban decay, estee lauder as well as all of the brands from sephora.

you should spend the most money on quality mineral foundation or a powder or liquid foundation than on mascara or lip gloss and eyeliners; knowing where and when to spend and where to save is valuable in building your collection. products that you use more often, like foundation or mascara, are worth investing in to try out different brands and finishes. also, the more expensive a product, usually the better it is. it will normally have less filler products as well as less artificial ingredients.

though elf sells mineral makeup, i’ve found that i have better luck with Urban Decay Surreal Skin Mineral Makeup Loose Powder as it matches my skin even better than even when i use Bare Escentuals bareMinerals. therefore you can pick and choose, or mix and match. you may covet the lip gloss from m.a.c. but the lip liners from jane. you do not need to remain completely faithful to any brand. i mix all my makeup. by doing this, you will add variety and quality to your collection by picking and choosing from high-end cosmetics and drugstore brands. many drugstore makeup brands carry items that are comparable to the big names, and sometimes even better.

check out what drug store products i keep in my makeup bag.

purchase quality makeup tools. eyelash curlers, eyeshadow brushes, eyeliner brushes and face brushes are well worth a higher price tag. you can be assured that they will not come apart or wear out quickly and will apply your makeup flawlessly. there are also good synthetic brushes on the market. because my skin is so sensitive, i use synthetic brushes. if you need more brush help, be sure to check out the makeup tools page.

for fun, get a free makeup application at a department or makeup store. purchase only the items you truly need, then head to your favorite beauty discount or drugstore to see if you can imitate the look. compare eyeshadow and lip gloss colors and see if you can copy the high-end look for less.

don’t forget to keep note of your makeup expirations! and lastly, have fun with it. your face is like a canvas and the makeup the paint. you are the artist.

do you need additional makeup help or advice? if so, just email me.

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