Essential Makeup Kit: 8 Timeless Products for Every Occasion

As our lives become increasingly fast-paced, we must adapt to keep up. We’ve learned to plan our routes, meetings, and purchases in advance. Our phones suggest SMS templates, autocomplete words, and correct our mistakes. Stores deliver any product to our doorsteps. Time has become our most valuable currency. But how can we assemble a basic makeup kit that saves us time and effort?

Quality Over Time

While it’s true that beauty is an area where we shouldn’t skimp on quality, this doesn’t mean we should waste time. We’ll teach you how to save precious minutes by properly organizing your essential makeup kit. All you need to do is systematize your cosmetics.

Base

The foundation of any makeup look is beautiful skin. To achieve a healthy complexion, your makeup kit should include a primer, foundation, and powder. The primer will prepare your skin, correct imperfections and enlarged pores, and extend the life of your makeup. Foundation will even out your skin tone, and powder will eliminate unwanted shine and set your makeup. If you use foundation year-round, it’s best to have two shades from the same brand in your kit: a lighter one and a darker one. This way, you can achieve the perfect match regardless of whether you have a tan.

Blush

Don’t forget about this product if you want your face to always look fresh. There’s a vast selection of blushes available: powder, cream, and liquid. However, the texture is not as important as the right color and proper application. Remember, the word “blush” comes from the word “flush.” So, it should be as close as possible to the color of your natural flush, applied to the apples of your cheeks, and thoroughly blended.

Brows

In our previous issue, we discussed how to achieve the perfect brow shape. Now, let’s decide how to define them. You can use a pencil, matte shadows, pomades, gels, waxes, or brow mascaras. Choose the option that works best for you. If daily brow makeup is too time-consuming, you can tint your brows with henna. The effect lasts from one to two weeks, and you can forget about brow makeup during this time.

Eyeshadow

For everyday wear, choose a palette with three or four shades in the brown-gray range. Matte shadows look more natural. If you have warm undertones, opt for yellowish-golden shades. For those with cool undertones, rosy, gray, and cool brown shades are suitable. Regardless of your skin tone, you should have a rich, matte black shadow in your kit.

Black Eyeliner

It’s useful for lining your eyes or creating trendy smoky eye looks.

Mascara

Everyone has it. The main thing is to determine the desired effect (volume, length, color) and replace it on time.

Lipstick

For daytime makeup, you’ll need a lipstick in a natural shade or a lip gloss. For evenings out, have a bolder option: classic red, wine, marsala, or fuchsia.

Brushes and Sponges

If you’re used to using a sponge to apply foundation, remember to wash it thoroughly with soap after each use and replace it with a new one if it starts to crumble. For applying powder, it’s advisable to have a large, round brush with natural bristles in your kit. Ideally, it should be made of squirrel hair. Brushes should also be kept clean and can be washed with regular hair shampoo.

That’s all you need for almost any makeup look. Assemble your essential makeup kit once, and don’t forget to update it periodically. This will save you a lot of time and money. And remember, your true beauty comes from within. Cosmetics are meant to enhance your individuality. Stay beautiful!

Text: Nadezhda Kolesova, official makeup artist for GOSH COPENHAGEN