Hey Beauties,

It’s time to talk about makeup. Makeup has always been something that I’ve been interested in but never thought I could actually apply it properly. It seemed so complicated! All of the products overwhelmed me. I didn’t think I could do it and I didn’t want to spend my money on products that I wouldn’t know how to use. So I started watching YouTube videos and reading beauty blogs to help me. The more I studied and practiced the more I started to fall in love with makeup and beauty as a whole.

Makeup and Beauty products can be very expensive and addictive. I’ve found the best makeup products at my local Walmart , Walgreen’s, Target and beauty supply stores. Drugstore products are dupes to a lot of high end make up products. The saying is still true, “you get what you pay for”. Meaning a drugstore foundation might not last as long as a high end foundation would. Drugstore products in my opinion is a great place to start when testing out makeup and finding what works for you and what doesn’t.

Which leads me to…..Makeup Start kit!

Makeup Starter Kit is for those beauties who are looking into trying makeup and are unsure about what products and brands to get or where to buy them. I had the same issue when I started buying makeup. Here’s a list of my go-to drugstore products. Majority of the items listed I’ve been using for years.

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Lets Dive in! Starting with…

1.Eyebrows 

In my opinion Brow pencils are the best way to practice doing your brows. Once you’ve mastered the concept and you’re comfortable you can always use brow pomade. I’ve found that these three pencils help me master the prefect brows.

The 1st pencil to the left is the NYX Eyebrow Pencil Crayon ($4.79) & L’Oreal Brow Stylist Definer ($7.99). Both Pencils are retractable which I love and they both have a blending brush attached to the end. The only downside to the NYX Brow pencil is that it doesn’t really last a long time but the quality is amazing. The last brow pencil is a Wet N Wild pencil ($.99). I love this pencil, its not too creamy and there’s a variety of shades.

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2. Primer

This has to be the most important step when applying your make up. You should ALWAYS apply a PRIMER FIRST before wearing foundation or powder. A Primer creates a barrier between your skin and foundation. It also helps create a smooth canvas  before applying your makeup.

The 1st Primer to your left is Milani Prime Shield Face ($9.99) & 2nd Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser ($5.29).  Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser does exactly what it says it does. I love its silicon base its great for all skin types. Milani Prime Shield is my second favorite this primer is also pore minimizing and lightweight and has a matte finish.

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3. Foundation

Looking for the right foundation can be irksome for some. Especially for us dark skinned girls. A lot of brands really don’t cater to our skin tones.These two foundations are my top 2 favorites. I was able to find my shade easily. Both brands had the normal range of shades for our skinned tone but the quality of the product makes up for it.

           1st on the Left is Maybelline Fit Me Matte-Poreless Foundation ($5.99) and 2nd is L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro Matte Foundation ($11.99)   The Coverage on both foundations is amazing, especially for a drugstore product. I typically wear makeup, on a normal day for about 8 hours and my makeup is still flawless by the end of the day. My skin is on the dry side but I prefer the Matte Pore-less over the Dewy-Pore-less foundation but both brands cater to all skin types. These are a must buy. You can purchase these products at your local Walmart or Target.

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 4. Concealer

Concealers help wake up your skin and add brightness to your face. Both Concealers have a great range of colors and blend so well. The Maybelline Fit-Me concealer ($5.29) is very light on the skin and so is the LA Girl Pro Concealer ($2.95).  They’re both so subtle and creamy. These two concealers will forever be my go to concealers. Its great for beginners. This concealer can be found in your local drugstore or beauty supply store.

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5. Setting Powder   

This step is very important, when applying your concealer and foundation. You should always set your make up. Setting your makeup basically means you’re making sure your makeup stays on your face and doesn’t move. Using a setting powder also help with creasing. If you have wrinkles under your eye or creases, once you add your concealer follow up with the setting powder and bye bye wrinkles. Look at it like nail polish when applying polish you have to always finish it with a top coat to ensure long lasting coverage.

Sacha Setting Powder ($20.00) I love this setting powder. Its great for all skin types. This setting powder is not a drug store setting powder. I couldn’t find one that I personally liked. You can purchase this setting powder on Amazon.

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6. Finishing Powder

Just like the Setting powder you should always set your foundation with a finishing powder or press powder. The Finishing Powder that I chose was Covergirl Queen Collection Pressed powder ($7.41). This powder is good with foundation and by itself.  The color selection is amazing. I also like Black Radiance Soft Focus Finishing powder ($7.17). This Powder is Light-weight and have a silky like texture and has a Matte formulation. Both Powders blends so well with my complexion. These are great products to try. Both powders can be found at your local target or Walmart.

Extra Step for Beginners (Optional)

7. Bronzer

 

This step is optional. Bronzing is where you can add a little color to you face. Rich, warm tones look amazing on darker skin, cooler tones are perfect for adding colour to fair skin. Start off at the temple, going to the cheekbones and then under the jawline. This is where the sun naturally hits your face and focusing on these areas will give you that lovely glow. I chose Rimmel’s Natural Bronzer ($4.79) because I love the glow that it gives my skin and its glides on so soft and smooth. This would be the perfect bronzer for beginners.

8. Blush 

This step is also optional. Blush helps make your beautiful face glow and look beautiful. Applying blush is fairly straightforward, though it’s important to avoid overdoing the look. You should apply blush to the apples of your cheeks. Listen, the Milani Baked Blush ($7.99) is amazing. This is a must have drugstore blush. I don’t wear blush often but when I do this is  definitely  my go to. Milani Baked Blush is richly pigmented and very build-able. The beautiful matte and shimmery shades of Baked Blush are the perfect cheeky pop of color for every skin tone. You can purchase this at your local Target or Walmart.

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9. Eye Shadow

Eye shadow can be found any where. It’s hard finding drugstore eye shadow that’s long lasting. With a lot of trial and error I was able to find a great eye shadow palettes. Covergirl TruNaked Nudes Palette ($9.99) is a great palette for beginners. Great pigment and the colors go on so smooth. There is very little fall-out and these last very well during the day. I love this palette. I purchased this palette at my local target.

10. Mascara 

Mascara makes your eyes POP. There’s a wide range of mascaras but not all of them are great. I chose Covergirl Super Size by LashBlast ($5.49) because its very voluminous and gives your lashes the best dramatic effect. Its skinny wand is what helps enhance and give your lashes volume.  Another great mascara is NYC New York Color Sky Rise Lengthening Mascara ($4.55) . This mascara perfectly lifts, lengthens and separates lashes.

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11. Lip Gloss

To complete the look lets finish with our lips. I love lip gloss that blends well with a lip liner or even lipstick. I think these two brand of lips sticks are great for beginners. Both are multi-purpose. Revlon Ultra HD Lip Lacquer ($7.19) and NYX Butter Gloss are both are buttery and soft and long lasting ($4.99).

12. Lip Stick

A great inexpensive lip stick has to go to Wet N Wild ($.89). Wet N Wild has the best make up products. I own so many shades of their lip stick. This four-hour, long-wearing lip color leaves a semi-matte, cream finish in one stroke.

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13. Beauty Blender

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge ($4.99) evenly blends makeup for a smooth enhanced finish. Its very multi purpose you can also use it to help blending your concealer and setting powder if needed.

I hope this helped you on your makeup journey.

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       Don’t forget to check out my past blogs.

                                                                 Join the discussion below!                                                             I would love to know if you’ve tried any of these products mentioned.

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If you would like to purchase a jar of my DIY Raw African Shea Butter Contact me via    email:aliciadionbeauty@gmail.com.

Thank you so much for reading my blog. Blogs will be posted every Friday and Sunday. Don’t forget to Like, Comment, & Follow to stay updated with the latest weekly blog post. If you have any topics you would like to me discuss feel free to comment below or          email me at aliciadionbeauty@gmail.com.

Remember: “YOU DESERVE to FEEL. You DESERVE to DREAMCATCH” -Ebony Blanding

Until Next time Beauties

Love, AliciaDIon 💋