Starting makeup bag from scratch. Must haves?

[Olaf5]

I've not worn makeup properly for years, mainly because of babies but I'd like to start making more of an effort.

I used to have lots of benefit makeup, urban decay palettes, bit of mac for concealer and lipsticks. It's all well out of date now though.

What would you buy if you were starting from scratch? I don't know what's worth spending on anymore.

I'm 34, very fair skin, not oily or dry incase that's relevant to suggestions.

My only expensive essential is Clinique Lash Power mascara.

I was just like you and had to start from scratch. I don't wear skin products (foundation etc) but like to play with my eyes so have a few really nice shadow palettes from Revolution that are cheap as chips.

Origins tinted ginzing moisturiser- so easy and more of a skin perfector
Cheap neutral eye palette
Tubing mascara- eg. Clinique
Brown eye pencil for tighlining- Stila best
Neutral lip- ?CT pillow talk but doesn't suit all

I quite like the Hourglass Lighting palette for some finishing powder

Benefit high beam
Benefit bad gal mascara
Benefit hoola
Urban decay coloured eyeliner (I have a green, a sparkly blue and purple)
Black liquid eyeliner I think rimmel
Urban decay naturals eyeshadow palette
Brow pomade in a pretty blue pot can't remember the name.
I could live without the rest this is my go to, can use for day or night looks.
Too faced lip gloss.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer and Tinted Moisturiser
NARS Liquid Eyeliner
Kevyn Aucoin Neo Highlighter in Sahara

Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Pencils

Eyeshadows and lipsticks are very much a matter of
personal taste. I like By Terry Ombré Eyeshadow Sticks and Chantecaille, Charlotte Tilbury or NARS lipsticks.

There’s a thread in S&B with dupes, I’d look there.

my everyday look is Eborian bb cream, Charlotte Tilbury cheek stick, Avon glimmer stick, maybelline false lash mascara and rimmel brow gel. Easy and very quick to apply.

lipstick wise I love nyx matte lip cream, or Clinique chubby sticks.

My everyday make up is :
CC cream
Concealer
Mascara
Nude eye shadow
Eyebrow pencil
Eyeliner pencil
Some blusher
Nude lip gloss

I have other stuff that I use when I go out, want something different etc. But these are my essentials.

Glossier Cloudpaint for cream blusher. Small tube but you need a miniscule amount so it lasts for ever. Incredibly natural looking and sinks into the skin

You need very little
foundation
eyeshadow
brow liner
lipstick

mascara if under 40

Thats it

mascara if under 40
I am going to be buried with my mascara.

Ooh I’d kind of love to start from scratch. I’d go for:
No7 hydraluminous foundation
nars radiant creamy concealer
mac glow play blush or similar
clinique lash power mascara
Rimmel eyebrow pencil
dior addict lip glow (coral, pink and rosewood are all lovely and can be chucked on without a mirror)

I would recommend the collection Glow foundation - one of my favourite foundations and yet one of the cheapest! Seriously underrated imo. Plus the collection concealer.

Laura Mercier translucent setting powder - I only use a tiny amount of powder and this one is very good.

Revolution blusher - they do these baked blush palettes which I love. They are quite shimmery though (at least my ones are) so if you don't like that, you won't like them! Also I have an elf multi stick in peach - it says it's for cheeks and lips. I think it's a bit pants on the lip but it's a nice creamier blush.

Bobbi brown mascara.

Elf seriously satin lipstick.

A good eyeshadow palette is really useful but very personal - depends on your colouring and preferences. I have a Charlotte Tilbury pillow talk palette I got as a gift once and really like it; that being said, it is a pricey brand and you can definitely get just as good ones cheaper.

why do you have to be 'under 40' for mascara? 😂

Well you dont but they asked for essentials /must haves

Mascara highlights eye area and generally that is not the area that stands the test of time well and so I would say not a must have for slightly older eyes

Assuming you have good skin I'd go:

Touché eclat or maybelline under eye concealer
Tubing mascara (Estée Lauder double wear)
Rimmel brow pencil to fill in any gaps
any coral blusher

And if I'm going out I'll add:
Origins vitazing tinted moisturiser
Highlighting eyeshadow under brows and inner corners of eyes
Red lip (Mac lady danger)

I’d join Beautypie and a buy a load in every category as it’s a bit cheaper and you can experiment a bit.
Id avoid a foundation flans stick to a tinted moisturizer.

Thank you everyone! I'll have a look at the dupe thread too and what you've all suggested!

Can anyone link the dupe thread?can't find it please

The By Terry Hylauronic Primer is my latest must have. Followed by the hourglass eye brow pencil.

Is it this one? www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/4656209-tell-me-about-your-money-saving-dupes

I didn’t wear make up for years. I found the markies beauty calendar gave me some good basics. Eyeliner, mascara, lip stuff. I bought cc cream and concealer at Aldi which is better than you’d think.

Nars foundation
Clinique tubing mascara
Natasha denona glam eyeshadow mini version
Charlotte tilbury concealer the new one is nice for under eyes
A blush in a colour you like

In my 40s my eyes are getting steadily much more sensitive and I'm finding it difficult to find a mascara I can comfortably wear!

I'm 54 and my eye area is fine thanks! Mascara all the way here....

My make up bag is very paired down now, it used to be huge but now i just have

2 faced - better than sex mascara
Lancome black eyeliner
Ysl touche eclait
Nars foundation (cant remember name its a light coverage one)
MAC soft and gentle
NARS Turkish delight lipgloss

That sounds like a lovely position to be in op. I'd be quite minimalistic:

Post children and not working I didn't feel I could justify expensive Estee and Lancome type make-up and switched to No 7 - 30 years on I still use No 7 foundation, concealer, powder, cleanser, moisturiser.

I prefer Estee, Lancome, Clinique or Clarins for lipstick and mascara.

I use No7, make-up remover wipes
Moisturiser
Foundation
Concealer
Streak of lippy for blusher
Dusting of highlighter
Dusting if powder

Then
Mascara
Lipstick

Takes me less than 5 minutes.
Having previously only used high end make-up, I honestly don't think there's much difference between a £35-40 foundation and a £14.50 foundation.

Love No 7 lipstick colours but it makes my lips sore. L'Oréal's OK.

Prefer a good mascara; I find the cheap ones smudge or flake.