Beginner's Makeup Kit - Affordable Drugstore Makeup + Makeup Tips

Being a beauty blogger all the products which are mentioned are tried and tested by myself. These are my affordable product recommendations to create small but strong makeup kit. All of these products have a special place in my makeup collection and I always repurchase it if it is over because they’re high quality, easy to use, easily available and also won’t make a whole in your purse. I’m featuring each product in order of how I apply them when I do my makeup i.e. Primer first, then foundation, then concealer and so on.

So for all my lovely beginners, grab a pen and paper, make a list- it’s time for shopping.

 PRIMER: Colorbar Perfect match primer (30ml): Rs.660/-

The silicone-based primer smoothes the skin and blur pores. It gives your face a velvety finish which is good for foundation. Primer helps the foundation to last little longer than usual.

Tip: Don’t apply primer the way you will apply foundation, less is more. Take little bit and start from nose to outward. Spread the primer with your fingers. And wait for about a minute and then apply foundation.

FOUNDATION: L’Oreal Paris Infallible 24h Foundation: Rs.1060/- or Maybelline New York Fit Me matte + Poreless Foundation: Rs.473/-

A good foundation is very important, it helps to even out the skin and hide all the imperfections. Both the above mentioned are my current favorite drugstore foundation – It provides great coverage and give your skin semi-matte finish. L’Oreal foundation is bit heavy for skin and Maybelline is lightweight. But both of the foundation blends very well with the skin.

Tip: If you have good skin with no imperfection and evened out skin the no need to wear a foundation. It’s good that your skin is Foundation free as much as possible. As makeup tend to clog into the pores which causes blemishes and breakouts.

Easy way to blend out the foundation is either using a damn makeup sponge or the flat foundation brush (Click here to know more about the Brushes).

And if you don’t want to use foundation then you can try out BB cream. BB cream provides sheer to light coverage. I suggest the Garnier Skin naturals BB cream, it last well and feels light on the skin.

CONCEALER: Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer: Rs.510/-


I love the texture of this concealer - it’s neither too thick, nor too runny, it blends like a dream and gives a good coverage and a soft brightening effect. It doesn’t give lines and is not cakey.

Tip: You can you can use a dot of concealer on your eyelid as a base for your eye shadow. You can use the same damn makeup sponge to blend in the concealer and tapered brush (Click here to know more about the brushes)

POWDER: Revlon touch & glow Moisturizing Powder: Rs. 490/-


This is my all-time favorite setting powder! Even right now I have extra of this, I love this so much. This powder smoothes and soften out the texture of the skin and best thing is it controls the oil, it mattifies the skin amazingly. It doesn’t feel heavy or chalky and leaves my skin looking silky.

Tip: Too set the foundation or concealer into place, then you have to press the setting powder into the skin-don’t just swipe it onto the skin. A translucent powder is best when your foundation matches you perfectly. If your foundation is light then go for 1 shade darker. And if your foundation is darker than go for powder which is 1 shade lighter just to balance the skin tone.

EYESHADOWS: Makeup Revolution 32 Eyeshadow Palette – Flawless: Rs.1663/- 

Eye makeup is the trickiest thing when you are just the beginner, therefore it’s better to go with the palette where you can get many shades, so that you can experiment with different Eyeshadow. It is one of my go-to palette currently. Click here to know more about this Palette.

Tip: Sometimes When I’m in hurry I use the darkest shade as eyeliner, it creates soft blurred effect.

The eyeshadow placement- light shade should be applied to your lid, inner corner and brow bone, medium shades to the crease, and darker shade at the outer corner and the lower lash line. And in the inner corner of the eye, I like to put little of the shimmery shade just to pop out the eyes and to look a bit awake. Then most important thing of eye makeup is blending the shades together, make sure that there are no harsh lines. Blend it using fluffy blending brush like this one.

EYELINER: Maybelline New York Hyper Matte Liquid Liner: Rs.293/- or Coloressence Super Extend: Rs.125/- or Maybelline New York The Colossal Liner: Rs. 425/- (Pen form)

This three are my favorite, I love the applicator of this eyeliner as it gives the great control to make perfect eyeliner. It is very black; you can use this to give your eyes sultry and Smokey eye look.

Tip: If it is difficult for you to draw the perfect eyeliner, that use the scotch tape, cut a piece of it and put it in slant position in the outer corner, make sure there are no air bubbles in tape or else eyeliner can go into the tape. Draw the winged liner, and after it dries remove the tape. VOILA! You got the perfect winged eye.

KAJAL: Lakme Eyeconic Kajal: Rs.210/- or Colorbar Glide Eye Pencil: Rs.399/-

If you’re new to makeup, then a Kajal is definitely the way to go, this can intensify any look and really make your eyes pop. When you are using Kajal, you don’t have to be precise as you can smudge out any mistakes that you make. I love this to because they are smooth, creamy, longwearing, pigmented and economical.

Tip: Before applying Kajal on the lower lash line, I like to run the Kajal on my upper lash line this is called tight lining, and it makes your lashes appear longer and fuller. If you feel that you have not drawn the line properly on the lower lash line then you can smudge it out.

MASCARA: Rimmel Glam’Eyes Mascara: Rs: 465/-

This is my favorite step to do. Sometimes I neither apply Eyeliner, nor Kajal, I just apply Mascara and I still feel confident. This Mascara is truly amazing – it opens up your eye, give your lashes more length. Makes you look more awake and youthful. Drugstore have many such good mascara, I prefer drugstore mascara rather than High end. Even the Maybelline Lash sensational is good mascara. The curved shape wand makes the application so much easier, this mascara is equally good for the lower lash line as it grab each lash and curls them.

Tip: You can use mascara, as gel eyeliner also. If your mascara is hard and you feel it’s over, just before buying other one do this. Make a hot water and dip the lower part of mascara for 5 minutes, mascara will be melted and you can apply again. 

BLUSH & CONTOUR: Makeup Revolution Ultra Blush and Contour Palette – Golden Sugar: Rs.1283/-

Again I prefer the palette because if it is completely a money saver. In this palette you get 1 highlighting shade, 2 contour shade (you can use it as a bronzer also) and 5 blushes, each one is different from other. I love this palette because you can use the shades as a eye shadow also. The color pay-off is sheer enough that you can’t really go wrong with it, and yet it is buildable so you are able to intensify the way you want. The shades selection is great in this palette and there is definetely a colour to suit every skin tone.

Tip: The best way to apply the blush is first you need to smile so your cheeks come out, and then use the swirl technique to apply the blush on the apples of your cheek. It gives you cute, subtle and youthful look. Blend the blush in outward direction i.e. towards the ear.

HIGHLIGHTER: Makeup Revolution Highlighter Palette – Radiance: Rs.1663/-

This is completely optional, as some people like it and some don’t. Personally I love to do this step, as it highlights the features of your face. If you have palette like above then you don’t need to invest in this as it will do the work for you. In this palette there are 3 shades, and I love all of them. Depending on mood I change the highlighter. Sometimes I don’t apply blush and contour and just go with highlight.

Tip: This highlighters can also be add on as an eyeshadow, shimmery eyeshadow all over the lid or an inner corner highlight to brighten up your eye.

You want to apply a highlighter to the areas you want to draw attention to i.e. the top of the cheekbones, your cupid’s bow, on the tip of your nose, and under the arch of your brow. Make sure you blend your highlighter really well, you don’t want a visible streak of shimmer anywhere on your face.

LIP BALM: Maybelline Baby Lips: Rs.149/-

This is really important step for me, applying lip balm before applying any lip product straight on lips. Lip products can take away the softness from the lips so therefore to keep them soft and not chap it is important to apply lip balm.

LIPSTICKS:

Maybelline Color Show Lipstick – Forever Mauve 404: Rs.239/-

Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Polish – Pop 8: Rs.360/-

Maybelline Color Show Lipstick – Choco Latte 313: Rs.269/-

Sugar Vivid Lipstick – 03 Mad Magenta: Rs.539/-

L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Collection Star Pinks – Sonam: Rs.760/-

Miss Claire Soft Matte Lip cream – 17A & 10 : Click here.







For the Beginners, Lip products is the easiest way to play with different shades and experiment with, there is a huge range of lip products. I have mentioned few above, this are my personal favorites. I have included nudes, mauves, pinks and reds.

MAKEUP TOOLS: Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge: Rs.825/- and

Kabuki Makeup Brush Set (Pack of 10): Click Here



To apply any makeup products you need right makeup tools, so having a good quality brushes and sponge is very important in my opinion. I have written the post on the Brushes so You can check that out. And Real technique sponge is very soft and helps to blend foundation and concealer or any type of cream products into your skin giving the flawless finish. It reaches the difficult parts of the face very easily. It is the must have product in the Makeup Kit.

MAKEUP REMOVER: Maybelline Clean Express Total Clean Makeup Remover: Rs.255/-


Last step and important step, Removing makeup is very important step. Don't sleep keeping makeup on. It can really damage the skin very badly and to get the original skin will be difficult. So this Maybelline makeup remover, helps to remove even the hardest makeup even if it is water proof or anything. Make sure you do this step once before washing your face directly with soap or face wash.

And Here it is, the makeup kit is ready!!! Suitable for all types of budget, this products have been all time favorite of mine. And I repurchase it once it is over.

All this products are easily available in Lifestyle store or any online shopping Website like Flipkart, Amazon.in, Nykaa.
P.S: Price might vary because I bought it from different online shopping website whenever the sale is on or when there is discount on any product.

Last tip, once you go to buy makeup, Don't be shy to swatch the products on your hand or face. And when you go to buy foundation or any face product I personally prefer not to wear makeup on that day. I swatch the face products on my cheeks, because everyone have different colour of neck, face and hand, so swatching the product on hand doesn't make any sense. Because your hand shade might be darker as compared to face. So always swatch it on cheeks or little below.
There is always a TESTER available, so if you can't find the Tester then you can ask the assistant to help you with it.
Don't let any beauty assitant pressure you buying any beauty product. Sometimes shades might be different but still they might say " Madam! This shade suits you very well." But NO, until and unless you are satisfied don't buy it. You don't have to ashamed of anything, It is your hard earned money and you just can't waste it buying something that doesn't suit you.
The assistant might not also remember you next time when you visit the store - So be confident and buy the Right stuff.

I hope you find this blog helpful? Please share this with your friends and family who is looking to start there own makeup kit.

Also Let me know what would be in your makeup starter kit in the comment below... I'd Love to hear! Or please recommend some affordable products that you have tried and tested, so that myself and my readers know what other options are available.