$50 - $75 starter make up set

[namasteak]

I have my sister in law for our sibling gift exchange and she has asked for makeup because she doesn't know what's she is doing. She is 26 and was recently made a supervisor at work so she wants to look more put together. She is fair with blonde hair and blue eyes. The only face concern is blemishes.

Right now she just uses the Tarte BB tinted primer, a Tarte blush, sephora powder foundation and Tarte mascara.

[namasteak]

Y'all know I'm not great with makeup either so I'd appreciate the help!

I was thinking of getting her:
-an urban decay duo in sin/mushroom and she can use mushroom as a liner

-maybelline age rewind in brightener for under eyes

-maybe the l'oreal lumi foundation? She currently uses a powder foundation though...

I use a Tarte concealer for spots, is there a good drugstore alternative?

[notasafeplace]

Maybelline's Fit Me concealer is a good one.

[mdgirl]

Maybe she'd like a Bare Minerals starter kit? I know I used that in my 20s and I was pretty happy with it.

[Pippin]

I would only go with the lumi foundation if she has drier skin. Mines oily and that stuff was too shiny and turned super orange on me.

Maybelline Fit Me concealer is awesome. Revlon Whipped Foundation is a nice looking one but can be hard to color match if she's not with you. I'd suggest a Real Technique beauty sponge if you're getting a liquid foundation or a Beauty Blender if you want to spend that much.
TF Pink Leopard is a blush/bronzer that is great for just warming up the checks and face.
Maybelline Touch of Spice is a great everyday lipstick shade and formula.
I like UD Perversion mascara for everyday.

I'd also suggest she watch Emilynoel85 on YouTube for starting tips. She has so many great tutorials for everyday looks and she uses a good mix of drugstore and highend stuff.

[wawa]

It sounds like she has her base pretty well set, so I'd probably focus on more color stuff?  Though the magic eraser is a good call.

The sin/mushroom duo sounds perfect for eyes.
Could add an eye primer - maybe something like a mac paint pot so it also works as a basic eye look?
A good basic brush kit?  Real techniques is a good choice for not breaking the bank and has good sets.
Lip colors - A couple of MLBB type shades, plus at least one good strong lip.  Her coloring is TOTALLY different from mine, so I'm not sure what to suggest.  I nominate litebright to offer suggestions here.
Give her more blush options - depending on how your budget is looking at this point, either this: www.ulta.com/sculpted-cheeks-deluxe-amazonian-clay-blush-set-brush?productId=xlsImpprod14831067  or this: www.ulta.com/ultra-blush-contour-palette?productId=xlsImpprod12781035&_requestid=4191681

[indianchica]

I just got this: www.sephora.com/masterclass-lighting-theory-palette-P409316?skuId=1833425&icid2=products grid:p409316

I love it. It seems like it would be complicated to use the different colors but is seriously so easy. The contours and highlighters are incredibly creamy and silky so they are easier to use (for me) bc they never come out looking patchy. So it's easy to fake technique. They also have a few "how-to" cards included.

[wawa]

Dec 14, 2016 12:52:29 GMT -5 indianchica said:

I just got this: www.sephora.com/masterclass-lighting-theory-palette-P409316?skuId=1833425&icid2=products grid:p409316

I love it. It seems like it would be complicated to use the different colors but is seriously so easy. The contours and highlighters are incredibly creamy and silky so they are easier to use (for me) bc they never come out looking patchy. So it's easy to fake technique. They also have a few "how-to" cards included.

oohhh, that's nice.  I really like the photo op shadow formula. 

namasteak, this plus a few drugstore lippies and a R.T. brush set would be a killer gift.

[litebright]

That Smashbox set is purty!

It sounds like she has her basics down -- unless you think she is really looking for new foundation/mascara, I might focus more on shadows/lips/liner to help her branch out and take things up a notch.

I would start with an eyeshadow primer, even a tiny travel sized one: www.ulta.com/travel-size-original-eyeshadow-primer-potion?productId=xlsImpprod5280439

Check out these Lorac palettes, they're neutrals but I think they offer some ways to play and they're only $12 each right now:

www.ulta.com/tails-top-hats-eyeshadow-palette?productId=xlsImpprod14961021

www.ulta.com/black-tie-attire-eyeshadow-palette?productId=xlsImpprod14961019

Ulta has a shitton of lip sets right now. I'd pick something that has mostly neutral shades with maybe one or two darker/bolder colors so there is room to grow.

www.ulta.com/makeup-lips-sets-palettes?N=26yr

Or maybe the Tarteist lip duo?

www.ulta.com/tarteist-creamy-matte-glossy-lip-paint-duo?productId=xlsImpprod14291051

I would also consider a liner or liner set, like this Stila one:

www.ulta.com/morning-moonlight-waterproof-eyeliner-trio?productId=xlsImpprod14871279

If she likes Tarte, another option might be one of their blush sets -- one of the things that really amazed me when I first started playing around with blush is how much of a difference it makes when you change up/branch out from one shade. Here's one with four good color options on sale for $21.

www.ulta.com/sculpted-cheeks-deluxe-amazonian-clay-blush-set-brush?productId=xlsImpprod14831067

I'd also put together a card with a list of URLs/web sites for some good, basic tutorials (like tightlining, which I think is really good to know for an understated, professional look) and/or YouTubers to follow so that she can learn how to apply. If she doesn't have brushes, even like an Ecotools set is a good start.

Hope that helps!




Eta: I see wawa already suggested the same cheek set, lol.

[peachykate]

I was just at the Rack and they have the UD primer for $8 and the Gwen Steffani eye shadow palette for $24.

I bought a few of the makeup revolution eye shadow palettes from Ulta and they are excellent for $7 a peice.

My SiJCP also had a lot on sale already, Becca blush palette for $29.

[carrotsmakemefat]

If it were me, I'd avoid foundation and concealer. sounds like she has two products she uses.

I'd focus on mascara, blush, eyeshadow, liner, and lips. Maybe a bare minerals kit or two with those types of products? Tarte generally has decent holiday kits too. Hell, even NYX has a holiday set for lips out. I'd get some stuff from ULTA and get a gift receipt just in case.

[namasteak]

Thank you guys so much! Great suggestions!

[bluelikejazz]

I'd probably get the Tarte Blush set that's on sale today (linked above), a couple of NYX lip products (maybe some pink/MLBB colors in a few different types - lipstick, lip butter, lip gloss), Maybe a drugstore brand nude eyeshadow palette (Cover Girl TruNaked or Maybeline The Nudes) and a set of RT brushes. And fill in with maybe a new nail polish if you want to spend a bit more.

[secretlyevil]

If you can get your hands on the Gwen Steffani eyeshadow palette, DO IT!