We live in a world where beauty experts are a dime a dozen. Everywhere you look (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, heck, even while walking down the street) there’s someone touting themselves as a beauty know-it-all. But there are a lot of people who have no clue about beauty. They can’t tell the difference between a Beautyblender and mascara — and they’re perfectly OK with that.
To help the inexperienced, we’re providing a list of our favorites that will get you through most beauty trends and seasons, including the cat eye and highlighting techniques you still can’t get. They are by no means everything you need in your beauty arsenal, but it’s enough to get you started in the right direction. Here are 10 must-have makeup and skin care products to help you feel good, look beautiful and maintain that gorgeous skin of yours.
[ Next: THE Most Popular Products From 13 Top Makeup Brands ]
10 Top Items Every Makeup Newbie Needs in Her Stash
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Milani
Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation + Concealer, $9.99 at Ulta
Just a dime-sized amount of this concealer-foundation duo will minimize undereye circles, redness and other skin imperfections you never knew existed.
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L'Oréal Paris
Voluminous X Fiber Mascara, $10.99 at L'Oréal Paris
This isn’t your typical mascara. This two-step black primer and fiber mascara system is perfect for beauty beginners. Step one is a primer that builds extreme volume and color on lashes; step two is a fiber-infused mascara to give lashes length without clumping or smudging.
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Bite Beauty
Prismatic Pearl Multistick, $24 at Sephora
Are you into the monochromatic look but not sure how to create it? Get into these multisticks that add hints of shimmer to eyes and cheeks. And they’re buildable, so you can add many layers without looking overdone.
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Marc Jacobs Beauty
Air Blush Soft Glow Duo, $42 at Sephora
Beauty pros know that it’s difficult getting a natural-looking glow with just one shade of blush. That’s why Marc Jacobs created a two shade mash-up that’s ultra lightweight and gives the color you want in one swipe. Also, the Japanese air powder makes application a breeze.
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Kevyn Aucoin
The Eye Pencil Primatif, $26 at Kevyn Aucoin
There are a million eyeliners on the market, but this one has long-lasting color that doesn’t easily smudge. The sharp pencil end is ideal for lining the upper and lower lids with a wash of color, while the soft tip end helps create a smoky eye with ease.
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MAKE
Moonlight Primer, $55 at MAKE Beauty
Half the battle in creating an awesome look is getting the base right. This moisturizer primer goes the extra mile and shields against high energy visible (HEV) light and diminishes the impact of infrared (IR) light in addition to giving a smooth surface for easy makeup application.
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Youth To The People
Age Prevention Superfood Mask, $44 at Sephora
We love superfoods for our body, so why shouldn't we use them on our face? Let your skin recharge and refresh after wearing loads of makeup with this age-fighting cream mask enriched with superfood ingredients to improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles while visibly firming skin. We love that it locks in moisture in even the coldest weather conditions. -
Beautyblender
The Original Beautyblender, $20 at Sephora
Let’s be clear: a makeup job isn’t official without a streak-free application by a Beautyblender. Use it with primers, foundations, powders, cream blushes and any other complexion product that needs a good blending.
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Aveeno
Positively Radiant Makeup Removing Wipes, $6.99 at Ulta
We've tried tons of makeup removing wipes, but we love how these easily remove the toughest makeup (yes, even waterproof mascara!) in an instant. They're also oil-free and noncomedogenic, which basically means they have a permanent place in our beauty stashes.
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Ardell
Double Demi Wispies Magnetic Lashes Black, $13.99 at Target
If you’re new to the beauty world, wearing eyelashes can be super intimidating. You have to make sure they’re the right size and curl them, all while making sure you don’t get glue in your eyes. Needless to say, this magnetic set is a godsend. It features a virtually invisible magnet strategically placed along the lash line for complete magnetic contact.
