Everything You Need for the Perfect Makeup Routine

Everything You Need for the Perfect Makeup Routine

Everything You Need for the Perfect Makeup Routine

Did you know that the average American woman spends over $300 on cosmetics every month?

If that much of your budget is going toward makeup products, you need to invest wisely. While you might be tempted to buy makeup that’s trendy, a quality makeup routine actually includes pretty basic products that stand the test of time.

Keep reading to find out which products you need for an easy and affordable daily makeup routine.

Skin Prep

The perfect makeup routine starts with good skin preparation. Before you even look at your makeup, you need to take the time to cleanse and moisturize your skin.

Choose a cleanser formulated specifically for your skin type. Follow it up with a toner or a serum, and finish it all off with a hydrating moisturizer.

If you’re planning on going outside at all during the day, use a moisturizer with SPF in it. Even on cloudy days, you can be at risk for permanent skin damage if you go out without sunscreen on your skin.

Set of Brushes

The quality of your final makeup look is only as good as the tools you use to apply your products.

If you’re going to invest in anything for your makeup routine, invest in durable, well-reviewed brushes. Different products require different techniques for proper application, and having multiple brushes in your arsenal will help you achieve a flawless look every time you do your makeup.

Foundation

After skin prep, the next most important part of your makeup routine is applying the right foundation.

Some people prefer liquid foundations, while others swear by mousses or stick foundations. Ultimately, the choice is up to you, and there are hundreds of choices on the market today.

You can even get foundations that don’t start off looking like your skin tone! The best color changing foundation will apply white and gradually darken to match your skin tone, providing you with all-over coverage and a flawless match.

Concealer

Since this product provides heavy coverage, use it sparingly. During your makeup application, put concealer over scars, discoloration, and acne to provide the appearance of even, smooth skin.

Contour Kit

While the exact science of contouring has changed a lot over the past couple of decades, all the eras of makeup agree that some kind of accentuation of the shadows and highlights on your face helps to provide structure and dimension to your face.

You can buy each of your contouring products separately, but the easiest way to get these products is to find a contour kit that fits your skin tone. Usually, each of these kits comes with a bronzer or contour powder, a highlighter, and a shade of blush.

You want the bronzer to be a couple of shades darker than your skin tone and the highlighter to be a couple of shades lighter.

The Extras: Eyes and Lips

Depending on your personal style, you may find any of the following products are a must to include in your makeup bag:

  • Neutral eye shadow palette
  • Eyebrow pencil
  • Long-lasting lipstick (neutral or bold)
  • Mascara

Trust your instincts when choosing these products, and don’t be afraid to experiment with color!

Setting Product

Finally, keep your hard work from going to waste by setting your makeup at the end.

Use a spray or setting powder to keep your makeup looking fresh all day long!

Discover Your Makeup Routine

Next time you go out to purchase makeup, make sure you get these products. This list will make sure you have everything you need to build a makeup routine that leaves you feeling like your best self!

Want to learn how to apply all these products? Check out the other articles on our site today for more beauty tips!

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Stephi LaReine
Stephi LaReine

Stephi LaReine is a multi-award-winning Liverpool UK based content creator, journalist and influencer and digital storyteller. Since launching stephilareine.com in 2014, she has written over a thousand articles spanning fashion, beauty, health, lifestyle, and conscious travel. With a background in trend forecasting, neurodivergent advocacy, and longevity research, Stephi brings a unique lens to every post—blending scientific insight with a soulful, poetic voice.

She’s collaborated with leading global brands and has been featured across fashion week panels, travel campaigns, and health optimization forums.

Her content is rooted in lived experience, personal curiosity, and a relentless drive to empower women to take up space, explore the world boldly, and live longer, more radiant lives. Every article is a step toward building a kinder, smarter, more colourful world.

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