There are too many beauty products. It’s no wonder that the makeup beginners of the world find the whole idea of shopping for products to be completely overwhelming. They are confused by the thousands of products on the cosmetic shelves. Where do you even begin?
When it comes to being a makeup newbie, it's all about selecting the right essentials. There are some basic pieces that you should have in your makeup kit that you will pick up every day. The important thing to remember is that makeup is all about emphasizing your favorite features, so don't waste your time with products you know you'll never use. Look for affordable basics that are versatile, and remember that makeup is supposed to be fun. It will take practice to get the look you really want, but these products will help you achieve it quickly.
Here are some of the highest rated products that beginners should get for an easy, flawless look.
Primer

Whether you wear a full face of makeup every day or you prefer to keep it simple, makeup primer is a godsend when trying to combat shine or create a smooth base for foundation. Makeup primer is a base for face makeup that allows it to go on smoother and last longer. Formulas are available in cream, gel and powder. Primers are even available just for your eyelids to prevent creasing of your eye shadow.
If you have oily skin or large pours, Benefit Cosmetics Porefessional Face Primer is a perfect option. It helps to blur your skin to make it look airbrushed while also fighting off oil. For those with dry skin, Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer is your best option. It quenches your skin of thirst before throwing on drying powders and liquids.
Foundation

Foundation is makeup applied to the face to create an even, uniform color to the complexion. It can help to cover flaws from ache or redness. Some foundations also function as a moisturizer, sunscreen, astringent or base layer for more complex cosmetics. Finding the foundation that is perfect for you can seem hard at first, but once you understand your skin type it will be easier.
Wet n Wild Photo Focus Foundation is your skin, just better. They tested the foundation in seven types of lighting to deliver flawless camera-ready makeup every time for all skin types. Their applicator is also easy to use for beginners as you can easily see how much you are taking out of the bottle. They also have a great shade selection so you can find your perfect shade.
Concealer

Concealer or color correctors are used to mask dark circles, age spots, large pores, and other small blemishes visible on the skin. If you are prone to acne, concealer can help cover the redness. It is similar to foundation, but thicker and used to hide different pigments by blending the imperfection into the surrounding skin tone.
Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer was rated the best concealer of 2018, and for good reason. It is a vegan, super-blendable formula that instantly helps brighten, smooth & give the skin a firmer, more lifted look. It provides full coverage over imperfections you need to conceal, all with a flawless matte finish. The shade range is also incredible so you can easily find the match for you. A small bit goes a long way, so you don’t need to pack it on.
Setting Powder

Setting powders are just that, they are a powder that sets your concealer and foundation. This helps lock those liquid products into place for the day. Setting powders also help give a more airbrushed look, and are able to fight off oily skin. It's important to not cake on the powder or you will feel like it's suffocating your skin. Lightly brush the powder all over your face for the best results.
The NYX HD Finishing Powder is a lightweight, translucent finishing powder that helps soften the appearance of fine lines and pores. It comes in three different colors so you can choose which option is best for your skin tone. The powder is also relatively inexpensive, but performs just as well as the big brands. For a more luxurious brand, the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder is one of the highest rated powders on the market. Beauty gurus everywhere have praised this product for being light weight and still packing a punch.
Bronzer

Bronzers are used to help give more definition to the face. It adds warmth and depth when used in the hollows of your cheek. Since the purpose of a bronzer is to darken the complexion subtly, the one you choose will depend on the color of your skin. Generally, it should only be 1 or 2 shades darker than your natural skin tone.
Getting 4.5 stars on Ulta, the Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer is a favorite of many. It comes in five different colors to fit everyone’s needs. The bronzer is infused with Murumuru Butter to deliver a radiant Brazilian sun kissed glow. Some bronzers can appear to dark and harsh on the skin, but the Butter Bronzer glides on effortlessly and blends into the skin naturally.
Highlighter

Highlighter is face makeup that attracts light, creating the illusion of brightness. They provide a pop of shimmer and luminosity to your skin. Celebs often use it in addition to contouring to lift and push features back. For example, it's great for your cheekbones and tip of your nose. Highlighter can make you look more youthful when it's applied in all the right places.
E.l.f. is a great drugstore brand for beginners, because everything is high quality while being incredibly affordable. E.l.f. highlighters are some of the best on the market, because they work on so many skin tones. They offer both liquid and powder highlighters you can choose from. For a more lavish option, the Anastasia Beverly Hills Sun Dipped Glow Kit provides four different powder highlighters so you can always have the perfect shade.
Eyebrow Pencil

A strong brow starts with the right shape. The best tool to use for getting the perfect shape in place is a brow pencil, which allows for precise lines and thin, hair-like strokes. Brows are important for an eye look because it helps to define the face and highlight your eyes. With just a few flicks of a wrist, a good brow pencil can transform sad, sparse brows into full, thick, and perfectly-defined arches.
The Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz is the highest rated brow pencil on Sephora's website. It's an ultra-slim, retractable pencil that can be used for precise detailing and creating hair-like strokes. It is perfect for spot-filling in areas where brow hair is sparse. It is both budge-proof and foolproof so that you will a perfect look every time.
Mascara

If you use nothing else on this list, mascara is the one to pick. Mascara is used to enhance the eyelashes, and can help you look more awake. It may darken, thicken, lengthen, and define the eyelashes depending on the formula you choose.
Benefit Cosmetics has two fantastic mascara formulas that will give you stunning results. Their Rollar Lash Mascara grabs, separates, lifts, and curls your lashes for a very natural finish that lasts for up to 12 hours. It is also water resistant and easy to remove. For a more dramatic look, try their They're Real! Lengthening Mascara. The long-wearing formula won't smudge or dry out, and it's specially designed brush draws your lashes to be bigger and bolder than you ever have imagined.
Eye Liner

Eyeliner is one of the most difficult products to use as a beginner, but by choosing the right one brand it doesn't have to be. Using a marker style liquid eyeliner is easier, since it's like writing with a pen. However choosing eyeliner pencils are best for those trying to create a more Smokey effect. Eyeliner is used because it helps to define the eye.
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner is great for those just starting out. From thin, precise lines, to thick, dramatic strokes, this waterproof liquid eyeliner glides on with ease, dries quickly and won't smudge or run. The fine marker-like tip offers precise application that is easy for beginners. For an inexpensive option, try out the e.l.f. satin eyeliner pencil. It even comes with its own sharpener cap so that you will always get a precision tip for easy application.
Eye Shadow

One of the most fun things in makeup is the eye shadow. Many palettes have bright, fun colors that you can use to really jazz up a look, or you can pick a more neutral set for your daily routine. There are various finishes, from matte to pure glitter.
Urban Decay is known for having some of the best eye shadow palettes in the industry. One of the highest rated favorites is the Naked 2 Palette that comes with 12 shades of taupe-hued neutrals in a wide range of finishes. You can create sultry neutral looks, smoky dramatic looks, and everything in between. The colors can complement any skin tone and eye color. For a colorful palette, consider the Morphe Jaclyn Hill Eye Shadow Palette. Curated by the beauty guru Jaclyn Hill, this palette has 35 fun shadows that don't break the bank.
Setting Spray

After spending so much time putting your makeup on, the last thing you want to have happen is watching it all smear off. This is where setting spray comes in. Setting spray is a mist that helps to lock in your makeup for the entire day. Setting spray also helps to get a more airbrushed, matte look by giving your skin a bit of extra hydration.
Without question, the Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray is the best on the market. It will keep makeup looking gorgeously just-applied for up to 16 hours without melting, fading or settling into fine lines. Unlike similar products on the market, the sprayer delivers a calibrated, microfine mist that goes on so light, you'll hardly feel it. It will not feel sticky or tight on your skin.
Makeup Brushes

With all this new makeup, you need some tools so you can put it on your face. There are so many types of makeup brushes available - from skinny barley there precision eye brushes to huge fluffy face brushes to dust powder over a large area.
You do not need to spend $100s of dollars on brushes to achieve a glamorous look, and you don’t need 40 brushes to complete it all. Over time, you will figure out which brushes you want to add to your collection. Morphe is one of the most well-known brushes brands, because they offer quality brushes at an affordable price. The Complexion Crew 5-Piece Face Brush Collection and the All Eye Want 6-Piece Eye Brush Collection are two great starter pieces for your collection. You'll get everything you need to start creating beautiful eye looks and flawless skin.
Makeup Remover

When you work so hard to find makeup that is smudge proof and long-lasting, it in turn can be a huge pain to remove completely. Normal face wash won’t totally take off stubborn mascara and eyeliner, and you will be left with sticky residue. Finding a good makeup remover will help you feel fresh and clean after a long day.
Nuface Prep-N-Glow Cloths are a great option for all skin types, because it removes the makeup without being too overwhelming. It hydrates your skin while cleaning. The dual-sided Prep-N-Glow Cloths feature soft cotton lace to remove makeup, dirt, oil, and impurities as micro-dots provide gentle exfoliation. Makeup Eraser offers a Pineapple Print Makeup Remover Cloth that erases all your makeup with just warm water, for any stubborn makeup that simply won't go away.
Sponge Blending Tool

While you can use a brush to put on foundation and powders, there is an alternative that is great for makeup beginners. Sponge blending tools leave steak-free finish and don't require a lot of practice to master.
The BeautyBlender is an edgeless, non-disposable, high-definition cosmetic sponge applicator. The unique shape and exclusive material ensures impeccable, streak-free application with minimum product waste. Use it with foundations, powders, and any other complexion product. It has one countless awards for its incredible material that glides your makeup on effortlessly. When wet, it expands to about twice its size and becomes super soft to create an even, smooth blend and bounce, returning to its original size when it air dries. One positive review says: “I was skeptical at first but after giving it a try, I've been unable to go back to knock-offs - they just don't work the same.“
Makeup Carrying Case

Now that you have all of this makeup, you need something to put it all in. There are tons of makeup cases available on the market. Some are small and compact to fit your brushes, and others are large and sturdy to hold your entire collection.
The Caboodles Primped & Polished Makeup Case has an incredible amount of space. There are brush holders on both sides, and multiple sections you can pull out to store your makeup safely. One promising review stated: "The bottom compartment is big enough told hold all 18 of my palettes and everything else is organized well enough that I don't need to dig around." If you are looking for a smaller case, Caboodles also offers the Rose Gold On The Go Girl case that features a spacious interior as well as a mirror. It's easy to carry is in a gorgeous color that will have all your friends jealous.