Basic Make-up Necessities

Hey girls! Some of you mentioned that you don't really use make-up but you want to know what products are necessary to jump-start your kits. We came up with a list which contains products that could help you create the natural look and is for everyday use. It is numbered according to the order of applying the products on your face. Hope this helps! ;)

1. Concealer

The most important thing to remember in putting on make-up is that you want to make your face look flawless. This means that your goal is to hide your dark under circles, acne scars, brown spots and redness. Concealing is all a matter of balancing the color of the flaw. So for our dark circles under the eyes (which has a bluish/purplish undertone), the salmon colored concealer works best - because of the pink tones it possesses. Avoid yellow concealers for dark circles because it would give you racoon-ish looking eyes. Some swear by the salmon colored concealer. They say that it also works when you want to conceal pimples and redness. I haven't tried that though (I've only used salmon-colored concealers for my dark under eye circles). What I've tried using are (1)green concealer and (2)professional grade concealer that is similar to or very near my skin tone.

Product Suggestions: Bobbi Brown's Corrector in Bisque, Mac Studio Fix Concealer in NC35/NC42 (depending on your skin tone), Make-up forever's HD Concealer in Beige Apricot, Laura Mercier's Secret Camouflage in SC-03, Revlon Age Defying Spa Concealer, L'oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Concealer in Light/Medium Warm, Skin Food Rice Concealer

2. Eye Products

A. Eye Shadow

If you're still studying or already working, then we're assuming that you don't plan to wear loud colored eyeshadows in school or work. Besides, all you need to achieve the natural look are 3 shades (which, again, look natural) - light, medium, dark. So let's say I'm getting pastel pink, gold or copper, and taupe or tawny. I can use one, two or three colors alternately. Try getting eyeshadows in matte or semi-shimmer to avoid looking O.A. during the day. However, if you are going to a party or a night-out, then that's the time for you to use color and shimmer shadows.

Tip: Shape your eyebrows! Make sure they aren't too thin or thick or sparse :) Blend your eyeshadow, we shouldn't be able to tell up to where you applied the color! Watch youtube videos on how to blend.

Product Suggestions: Mac, Max Factor, Make-Up Forever, Coastal Scents, Elianto, PAC

B.Eye Liner

If you want to make your eyes look bigger, then use eye liner. Opt for brown eye liners for a more natural look. Pencils are the easiest to use and the most natural-looking. But, there are gel and liquid eye liners.

Product Suggestions: Lancome Le Crayon Kohl, Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner, Prestige Liquid Liner, Fashion 21, Ever Bilena, VOV Liquid Eyeliner

C. Mascara

Curl those lashes! Then make them look thicker by applying mascara. I can't believe how I've discovered the beauty of mascaras just now. I love how it makes my lashes look thicker and longer.

Product Suggestions: Lancome, Awake, Maybelline

3. Blush

There are a lot of blush options in the market. You can opt for the powder, cream, stain, or gel. I've tried all of these and all has it's pros and cons. So it is a matter of finding the right formula for your skin type (oily skinned should stay away from cream and opt for powder, etc.) . Just remember that your goal is to look like your cheeks are naturally flushed and not like someone b*tch-slapped both your cheeks! Some gels and stains leave more pigment on your fingers than on your cheeks. Powders are a bit inconvenient to apply (most don't have brushes that function well).

Tip: Blend the color to your cheeks so you won't look like you have a red or pink strip across your face! Asians have warm skin so opt for corals, browns, and warm reds.

Product Suggestions: Nars in Orgasm or Super Orgasm, Face Shop's Color Nuance, The Body Shop's Cheek Color, The Body Shop's Lip and Cheek Stain, Smashbox's O glow, Revlon Powder Blush.

4. Lipstick

The right shade of lipsticks for you are said to be the hardest to find. But Bobbi Brown (the well known make-up artist and make-up maker) said that your everyday lipstick should be 2 shades darker than your lip color. While Nude, should be 2 shades lighter. Red will depend on your skin tone. Find your shade of nude, pink and red lipstick to expand your make-up horizon. If you have the correct shades of these 3 for your skin tone, then you're good to go.

Tips: You can also try tinted lip gloss if you're a bit hesitant to use lipsticks. Also, you can try using a lipliner to prevent your lipstick from bleeding.

Product Suggestions: Mac, Bobbi Brown, Shu Uemura, Avon; tinted lipgloss: Nivea, Mac, Elianto

Optional:

1. Primer

If you have oily skin, use a primer! This also helps to make your make-up stay on your face longer. That means you won't have to keep on retouching after every subject (haha)!

Product Suggestions: Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot, Urban Decay Eye Primer, Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, L'Oreal UV Perfect

When to use: Before applying anything else. Right after you tone (no need to moisturize if you're applying make-up - which are oil-based)

2. Foundation

Please please please choose a shade that is closest to your skin tone! Try different shades on your jaw and go to the part of the store where they have natural light (sunlight). Choose the one which 'vanishes' to your skin because it means that's the one nearest your skin tone. This is important because I'm sure you don't want to see your photos and look like you're a person who does pantomime! You can opt for a foundation which has sheer coverage (but don't expect that to fully cover your flaws,ayt?).

Tip: Try the tinted moisturizers. Some suggest that you go for this to save you a step but I haven't tried using one so I can't really comment on this product yet. Hehe.

Product Suggestions: Mac, Revlon Color Stay, Mary Kay, Max Factor, Clinique

When to use: After concealing

3. Powder

If your concealer is sheer and you only concealed a small portion of your face then you can skip this. But if you used foundation and/or if you concealed a big part of your face, setting it with powder will be a must!

Tip: Prioritize application on the T-zone. Whatever amount of powder that's left on your brush, apply it on your cheeks and neck.

When to use: After putting foundation.

4. Brushes!

You could either make do with whatever brush comes with the product you purchased but if there aren't any then you can get brush sets or individual pieces.

Tips: Clean your brushes with a brush cleaner after you use it and try to wash it with regular liquid soap (not dishwashing soap or fancy shampoo!) under running water once a week to prolong its life.

Product Suggestions: splurge with--> Mac, Smashbox; save with--> E.L.F., Suesh

To help you girls, we've listed products which are both expensive for those who are willing to splurge and are affordable for those who are under a tight budget. If you have more questions, feel free to ask.

P.S. Some of the products in the product suggestions haven't been tried by the PK girls. Those were only researched and are loved by lots of people. So please be careful and if you can try the product before purchasing, we urge you to do so :)

So there, happy cosmetics shopping!