A beginner makeup kit can start with the products for one look you want to learn. Buying a full range at once gives you more decisions to make before you have worked out what you enjoy wearing. Set aside space for the products you already own, then buy the missing pieces gradually. Your first bag only needs to hold the kit you are building now.
Pick a look before shopping for products
Think about the makeup you would wear on an ordinary day. You might want concealer where you choose to use it, mascara and a tinted lip product. Someone who enjoys eye makeup may start with a small eyeshadow palette instead. There is no fixed number of products that makes a kit complete. Choose the steps you want to practise.
Write down those steps and put any products you already have beside them. A makeup starter kit becomes expensive quickly when several products do the same job. Buy one base product before adding alternatives, and choose colours you expect to wear. Leave space in your budget for a suitable bag and any application tools the products need.
Keep the first purchases easy to use
If you want foundation or concealer, compare shades in person where possible. Take time to check the finish before buying a full bottle. The texture also affects your tools: a product you apply with your fingers needs different preparation from one you prefer to use with a brush. Follow the product's directions rather than buying a brush for every category.
For cheeks, start with one product you like applying. A compact powder blush and its brush take different space from a cream stick. Some cosmetics are labelled for more than one use; follow those labels instead of assuming every lip product can also go on the eyes. Keep your first selection simple enough to repeat without searching through several similar shades.
Makeup bag essentials can include the less exciting items you reach for during practice. A small mirror is useful if your usual setup lacks one. Add a sharpener only if you own pencils that need it. Keep caps and original product labels, and buy tools around the makeup you have chosen rather than filling the bag with unused accessories.
Choose storage after laying out the kit
Arrange your products on a bench before buying a makeup bag for beginners. Measure the longest tool and the widest compact. Think about whether the kit will stay at home or travel in a handbag. Listed dimensions help with comparison, although the opening, seams and shape affect how much can actually fit inside.
Blossom Mini is A$39.99 and measures 15 x 11 x 14 cm. Its pink floral exterior has pink gingham lining. It is worth considering for a small first selection, provided your products fit. Check the length of brushes before choosing it, particularly if their handles extend beyond the rest of your kit.
Blossom uses the same floral and gingham combination in a 25 x 15 x 15 cm format, priced at A$59.99. Consider the larger version if your chosen kit includes bulkier packaging or several tools. Both product pages specify cold hand washing and air drying. These are storage bags, with cosmetics sold separately.
Let the kit grow after you have used it
Try the same look several times before adding more products. You may find a brush handle uncomfortable, prefer a cream texture or decide you rarely use powder. Those observations give your next purchase a purpose. Keep a note of what you reach for, along with anything you keep borrowing or wishing you had.
Put caps back on after use and keep product residue off the packaging. Clean tools according to their instructions and let them dry before storing them. Check the opening date or period-after-opening symbol where provided. Keeping the bag dry and easy to empty also makes it simpler to see what is inside and notice damaged packaging.
Astala Luna's makeup and cosmetic bags collection lets you compare other prints once you know what your kit needs to hold. Before ordering, check the dimensions against your actual products and leave enough room to close the zip comfortably. Check that the bag will also fit wherever you plan to carry it.
Frequently asked questions
What belongs in a beginner makeup kit?
Start with the products for one look you want to practise, plus the tools those products need. Add other categories as you learn what you enjoy wearing.
Do I need foundation straight away?
No. You can start with whichever products interest you. If you choose a base product, take time to find a shade and finish you like.
How many brushes should I buy?
Start with the tools your chosen products need. One brush may be enough initially, and some formulas can be applied with fingers. Follow the product's directions.
Will Blossom Mini fit my first kit?
Compare your products with its listed 15 x 11 x 14 cm dimensions. Long handles and wide palettes may need more room.
Are the recommended bags complete makeup sets?
No. Blossom and Blossom Mini are individual storage bags. Makeup, mirrors and brushes are not included.