Let’s face it, there are as many makeup brands out there as shows to binge-watch on Netflix. So, the only way to narrow down the list was to zero in on established makeup brands that boast products with big followings, either cult or mainstream. That’s why you’ll see drugstore brands along with MUA-approved lines.
Appearances matter a great deal, and the best way to enhance your features is by applying makeup with a good hand. Women and makeup go hand in hand as one cannot survive without the other.
Want to sharpen your brows, enhance your lips or cheekbones, look sexy and beautiful or demure and pretty, don’t worry as everything is possible with the help of a few strokes of makeup. Times are surely changing as men have also started using selected beauty products.
Makeup is no longer the sole field of women as men have also stepped inside the boundary. Several brands have launched products separately for men as well as women.
There are numerous brands of makeup in the consumer market. Some are affordable, whereas others are high-priced. Some of them are very expensive and only selected few can afford them. Brands matter a great deal as the best ones are authentic and guarantee the purity of their products. There was a time when women used makeup only during celebrations, occasions, or at specific times.
Now makeup is used in everyday life in both personal and professional front. You cannot survive one day without makeup. People are now inclined to buy from the best as they do not want to take any risk with their skin.
The multi-billion-dollar cosmetic industry is here to stay. It is a hard fact of life that economic crises and global ups and downs do not have too much of an impact on these brands no matter hell or heaven women will not stop using makeup and the brands will keep on flourishing day and night.
As we know when it comes to makeup, quality makes all the difference. So, if you want yours to look good, last all day, and be gentle on your skin, you must be careful about what products you use. Luckily, the industry has a mainstay of top brands that consistently deliver high-quality, top-notch products to satisfy your beauty needs.
Looking to make the switch to green beauty or simply need to sort out your look and take it back to the basics? We’ve put together a list of staple items that everyone—from beginner to expert—should have on hand in their makeup kit. Stick to these best makeup brands and you’ll never regret another makeup purchase again.
Table of Contents
How were the best makeup products determined?
There’s really no way to make a definitive list of the best makeup products from the most popular makeup brands (after all, the same product could work in many different ways for a bunch of different people), but there is a way to get closer to knowing what the best choices are from each brand. We stumbled upon a Reddit thread where users listed the one product, they would choose from the biggest makeup brands out there and we also cross-checked each user favourite with the best-selling products on Sephora, Nordstrom, Ulta Beauty and other mass retailers.
What’s great about most discount beauty sites is their wide selection. Usually, you can find everything from drugstore to high-end options without ever leaving the same website. If you look around closely, you can find some amazing deals. Just be sure to check out specific website reviews before you purchase any products. There are a few dark corners of the Internet that are ready to take your money, and sell you bogus products. It’s worth the few extra minutes to verify the website’s authenticity before clicking check out. Excited about the possibility of new, inexpensive beauty products?
Did any of the most popular makeup brands have multiple best-sellers?
A lot of these makeup brands offer several must-have products (that’s why they’re called the best). Since we could only pick one, we made sure to also cite the runners-up.
Behold, the most popular makeup brands around.
- YSL Beauty
- Clinique
- Fenty Beauty
- Glossier
- Giorgio Armani Beauty
- Hourglass
- NARS
- Urban Decay
- Make Up for Ever
- Wet N Wild
- BECCA
- Anastasia Beverly Hills
- NYX Professional Makeup
- MAC
- L.F. Cosmetics
- Kat Von D
- L’Oréal Paris
- Too Faced
- Maybelline
What is the best makeup brand in 2021?
There are a lot of great makeup brands that have been creating excellent products for years, with prices varying from luxury to drugstore. For high-end makeup, Chanel sits in the top spot. If you’re after a cruelty-free product, some of the best brands are IT Cosmetics, Urban Decay, and NYX. Lastly, when it comes to the best foundation diversity, choose companies like Fenty, CoverFX, and Maybelline.
What are the top 5 cosmetic brands?
The top five cosmetic brands are Chanel, Estee Lauder, Dior, L’Oréal, and Lancôme. All five brands have a range of luxury makeup that uses advanced technology and premium ingredients to create beautiful products.
Which is the most expensive makeup brand?
When it comes to pricey makeup, Chanel is generally the most expensive. A lot of this comes down to the brand – it’s well known for luxury, has a loyal following, and they can charge higher prices for the prestige. The ingredients can also be premium in high-end products, resulting in a better feel, more pigmentation, and pleasant fragrances.
What is the most used makeup product?
Lipstick is undoubtedly the most used makeup product. There’s such a variety of types, from smooth and creamy traditional sticks to sheer glosses and long-lasting matte finish liquid lipsticks. Plus, the shades of lipstick available are almost endless. Choose hot pink, classic red, muted nudes, and even hues of green, blue, and black. It’s the perfect pop of colour to complete your look and brighten your day.
What items should be on a good makeup set?
Primer
Prep your skin with a face primer—to ensure a flawless and smooth base that will keep your makeup in place all day.
Concealer & Foundation
Whether you wear it every day or every once in a while, it’s important to have a liquid or powder foundation on hand to even out your skin tone. Pair it with a cream concealer to camouflage imperfections and under eye circles.
Mascara & Eyeliner
Make your eyes pop with a tube of your favourite mascara to curl, lengthen, and add volume to your lashes. Use a matching or contrasting eyeliner shade to further define and softly accent your eyes.
Eyebrow Pencil
Your eyebrows are one of the most important features on your face—shape, fill in, and define them with a cream brow pencil or simply groom and tame them with a clear mascara, which can double as a brow gel.
Red & Nude Lipstick
No kit is complete without a pair of versatile lip colours—a red or similar bold shade along with a neutral shade—that can take you from day to night or work for any occasion. Try Pomegranate, Starlet, or Beso Beso along with Sandstorm, Taupe, or Nude.
Brushes & Sponge
The right tools are essential, and a few brushes along with a blender sponge are all you need. A large rounded brush like our Blush Brush, a small flat brush like our Super Fluff Brush, and a precision brush like our Angle Brush.
Blush & Highlighter
Give your complexion a warm dose of colour with a powder or cream blush and add a natural glow with a highlighter or bronzer (or both) depending on the look you prefer—if you lean towards minimal makeup, choose an illuminating powder instead.
Eyeshadow Palette
A neutral eyeshadow palette will allow you to create a multitude of looks with ease—you can almost never go wrong with a classic palette or a beach beauty palette.
Makeup Wipes
For on-the-go and travel-friendly application—or the rare occasion when you can’t wash your face—have a package of biodegradable Cosmetic Wipes handy to effectively remove and clean-up makeup.
How much do makeup artists charge?
On average, event makeup artists generally charge $75-$125 per person for hair and makeup. Services like false lashes, glitter, and touch-ups can add to the cost.
For certain special events, you want to go above and beyond your go-to looks. A professional makeup artist knows all the makeup tricks and has access to the best makeup to give you a flawless finish. From avant-garde makeup to covering under eye circles, makeup artists can do it all.
Makeup artists are most commonly hired to apply makeup for weddings, birthday parties, Hollywood red carpet events, Halloween and costume parties, video production, photo shoots, fashion shows and other special occasions. They can also create special effects makeup or theatrical makeup look.
The most requested makeup looks are glamorous and bold, romantic and soft, or natural and clean. Some people also make special requests for tattoo or scar covering. Rates vary widely by geographic location.
For different event styles, makeup application can require more or less products, time and expertise, and therefore, costs vary significantly. Bridal makeup generally demands the highest rates. Red carpet makeup often features a similar package to bridal makeup but may cost $25–$50 less because clients generally require less engagement from the makeup artist prior to the event.
Maybe, who knows, you will be the next Mario Dedivanovic. He’s the man behind Kim Kardashian’s signature look. And it all starts with the right supplies in your makeup kit.
How to select your makeup kit supplies?
There are so many makeup products on the market and it’s so easy to get confused while selecting which products should be in your makeup kit and which products you don’t need. Often when we go shopping for makeup, our only concern is to get the products within our designated budget. Most importantly, to buy the “right” (high-quality products) ones within our budget.
So, before we jump into the selection of our favourite makeup products, let’s go over some tips to help you choose the products you should have in your makeup kit.
Tip #1 – Assess and analyse
First, choose the niche you are entering. If you are trying to get a job on editorial photoshoots then your makeup kit should involve a mix of camera tested makeup products.
If you’re a bridal makeup artist then you will need to have more products focusing on skin preparation, and more warm/neutral-toned products.
After you find out you need, then go for choosing all the makeup products to build your makeup kit.
If you are seeking inspiration, follow these accounts! Here are 18 makeup artists we think deserve your hearts and follows.
Tip #2 – Choose the products carefully
Go for the products that are good quality yet affordable. YouTube is a great source of recommendations for products. You can easily find swatches for any new makeup products you want to try out.
As a professional MUA you have to deal with a lot of customers with varied skin types and tones, so having a wide range of products is necessary. Instead of buying individual pieces, it’s would be best to have a palette. You can buy eye shadows, blushes, and highlighters which will be cheaper than purchasing individual products. Also, it will be easier for you to be organized when setting up for a client.
Tip #3 – Read reviews and seek advice
Do your research! Before spending money on a product, you haven’t worked with, research what people say about that product. Seek opinions and recommendations only from experienced makeup artists. Join different groups on social media to discuss the products you are interested in. Reviews can be really helpful by the experienced ones.
Tip #4 – Buy in bulk
Sponges, wipes, cotton pads… These tools always have to be re-stocked. You can buy these in bulk. This way, you can spend more money on makeup products.
Start slowly and remember to be resourceful. For example, you can buy a light foundation and a dark foundation and mix the two colours to create your own shades. Blushes and bronzers work really well on the eyes and lipsticks work really well on the cheeks (as a cream blush).
Tip #5 – Be organized
Every time you need to pack your makeup kit make list of the product categories (primer, foundation, powder, etc.) and pack them in the exact order you apply them. Remember to be disciplined about unpacking your kit and putting everything in its place between jobs.
Also, a great tip is to organize your products in see-through makeup bags. The see-through bags will make it so much easier to find products and you won’t have to waste time searching for them. And you can clean them easily.
Beginner makeup kit essentials
It may take you some time to build your collection, but we’ve created a selection of products that are makeup-artist approved and will help you start working with clients.
1.Skin prep products
As a makeup artist, you will work with different skin types, and the better the skin is prepped the better your application. Cleanse and moisturize – these steps will help you understand the skin, and also prepare your canvas for the next steps.
- Primer and Colour-Correcting Concealer
To ensure the longevity of your makeup and smooth the skin’s canvas you’ll need to use a primer. Depending on the skin type you will choose a formula that’s mattifying, hydrating or brightening.
- Foundation and Contouring Palette
Invest in a palette with several different shades. For contouring, you need at least three matte brown shades, for every skin tone. Most contouring palettes come with highlighters or blushes. Make sure to have at least two neutral/warm-toned options, one light/medium, medium/dark, and one shimmer shade.
- Blush
Blush is one of those desert-island beauty products.
- Eye Shadows
For a beginning kit, you are going to want a mostly matte color palette with neutral colors and a couple shimmers mixed in.
- Brow Kit
You have two options: you can choose to have a few different shades in pencils, or you can choose a palette. You need to have a few different brow shades to perfectly match your client’s brows. Also, different types of products allow for different brow looks.
- Mascara and Eyeliner
Can’t live without them! Mascara and eyeliner are those makeup products that many won’t leave the house without wearing.
- Lipstick and Lipliners
Lip liners are a MUST in the makeup world. So, you definitely need to add these shades in your kit, both matte and rich formulas:
- Nudes
- Bold reds
- Plum
- Vivid colours such as blues, greens, and yellows.
A great choice, to begin with, would be to buy a lipstick palette, one that has also nudes, reds, and corals. Both matte and sheer formulas would be best. Always have a clear gloss in your kit for a little touch of shine, as well as a lip balm. Hydration is important!
- Setting powder and Setting spray
To ensure a flawless and long-wear makeup look, you need to set everything in place and prevent a makeup meltdown during the day. In order to do that you’ll need a setting powder and a setting spray.
- Brushes and Beauty blenders
Spending a little more money on your brush kit will ensure a smooth application and you’ll save money in the long run anyway. Not only will the best makeup brushes last longer, but they also allow you to use less product each time.
Add these to your makeup kit:
- Foundation buffing brush
- Highlighting brush
- Blush brush
- Eyeshadow brush
- Eyeshadow blending brush
- Eyebrow brush
- Angled eyeliner brush
- Lip Brush
You may need several beauty blenders to keep in your kit. This is because you will need to have a clean one for each client, and if you have 2 clients that day, you don’t want to have to keep washing them in the middle of your applications. You can purchase a set for a discounted price.
- Don’t forget your case!
For clients on the go, invest in a professional makeup case. This way you can keep your products secure and in place when traveling.
Extras to keep within reach:
- Tissues
- Cotton Swabs
- Cotton Rounds
- Sharpener
- Brush Cleaner
- Paper Towels
- Makeup Wipes
- Spatula
- Stainless Steel Palette
- Business cards
Best Cheap Makeup Brand Sets
After discussing makeup up above it’s now time to list out our favourite items found on the amazon UK store. This time its affordable good quality makeup sets. We set our budget to be anywhere between a fiver and 20 quid.
The first contender on our list is the Vanity case by ZMILE. When you’re far from home on some exotic holiday, and you want to make sure you’re looking your best, there’s one challenge you’ll have to overcome… it’s not about having one perfect look at your disposal, but having enough beauty tricks at your disposal to drop jaws no matter where your travels take you!
And it’s not like you can take your entire collection away with you…Or can you? This 51 Piece Everybody’s Darling Vanity Case is the only weapon you’ll need in your beauty arsenal whenever your journeys take you far from home, with a wide range of cosmetic products and applicators found within! No matter what the occasion or season, the dazzling array of colours and shades inside will give you ample opportunities to find that one style that fits
It contains just about everything you could ever need to give yourself the perfect look! Which includes a plethora of shades and styles, to suit anyone’s tastes!
Packed in a stylish, aluminium framed travel case; you won’t need a separate case for it because they have got you covered.
Includes 32 Eyeshadows, 2 Blushers, 4 Lipsticks, 4 Nail Polish, 3 Eye pencils, a Lip Pencil, a Small Blusher Brush, 3 Small Double-Ended Applicators, and one Compact with Mirror
The second on our list is the Keeva 52 piece make up set. Which allows you to rest easy knowing that all of your make-up needs are solved. With an astounding range of cosmetics, this set has enough to suit anyone’s tastes, whether you prefer your cosmetics to simply accentuate the subtleties of your natural beauty, or to dazzle and astound passers-by with alluring and electrifying new looks.
This set comes presented in a stylish and sturdy case, which makes it perfect for taking with you wherever you go, from holidays, long trips, or simply on a weekend away. With the included tools and cosmetic items, this set will give you everything you need to adjust your look to the highest possible standard, as well as adding just the right level of definition, for a precise, tailored look.
So, whatever you’re looking for, whether at home or away, this fantastic Keeva Cosmetics Make Up case is just the thing for solving all of your cosmetic needs.
Contents: Makeup Set（52pcs） Size: approx. 25.3 x17.5 x9.5 cm 1 set / box: · 32 x eyeshadow · 2 x blush · 2 x lip gloss · 4 x lipsticks · 2 x double end eye pencil · 2 x double end lip pencil · 1 eyebrow brush & comb · 2 x double end applicator · 1 x eyeshadow applicator · 1 x blush brush · 1 x pencil sharpener · 1 x toe separator · 1 x nail file · 1 x nail clipper · 1 x refillable box including mirror to go. Packed in a stylish, aluminium framed travel case; you won’t need a separate case for it because they have got you covered.
Includes 32 Eyeshadows, 2 Blushers, 4 Lipsticks, 4 Nail Polish, 3 Eye pencils, a Lip Pencil, a Small Blusher Brush, 3 Small Double-Ended Applicators, and one Compact with Mirror
Thirdly we have this flower-shaped inexpensive makeup kit which includes 1 Concealer, 3 Blush Powders, 26 Eyeshadows, 1 eye pencil, 2 lip gloss, 6 lipstick creams, 1 lip pencil, 1 blush brush, 1 eye-shadow brush, 2 applicators, 1 mirror, making it easy for a beginner as well as a pro to enjoy.
All in one, save your money: Includes Blush Powders, Eye shadows, lip gloss and lipstick creams. Ideal for many situations such as starters, cosplay or casting. Don’t waste your money on multiple makeups, all in one meet your needs.
With a vivid colour array that includes 40 assortments of colours and shades according to your preference. Ideal in situations where a variety of shade options are needed. E.g., Starters, cosplay or casting. You won’t have to struggle finding the shade or colour you need. Also featuring a beautiful exclusive flower design casing with petals that expand to reveal 3 tiers of high-quality makeup. Cool hot pink and black colour combination.
Splendid makeup collection for the progressing beginner to the creative makeup expert. So, you may enjoy the dazzling array of colour options! Feel comfortable in every situation! Compliment the colour of your clothes or the mood of the day with this highly-pigmented makeup collection.
The ultimate gift for her: looking for the perfect gift to impress a teen girl or makeup beginner? The trendy and stylish design makes this makeup artist kit a great gift idea for Christmas, holiday season valentine’s day and birthday
Gift packages: the vibrant giftie packaging makes this makeup kit the ideal gift for anyone – from young teen girls to mature adults
High quality & Safe to Use: This highly pigmented cosmetic is hypoallergenic and is formulated from mineral oil. It is also free of formaldehyde, parabens and sulphates and is safe to use
The next item on our list is this set from QiBest. It is a festival combination makeup kit – with a 12 colours neutral eyeshadow palette, a black waterproof eyeliner pencil, a duo eyebrow powder, 5 pcs little brushes set and a shimmering makeup bag.
12 nude natural shades eye shadow palette with double ended brush, it is subtle colours with shimmer satin finish, easy-to-blend formula offer wide range of highly pigmentation and smooth powder to layer on eyes effortlessly. It also long lasting and not easy to fall out.
Waterproof black liquid eyeliner with an ultra-precise tip for easy application to create the iconic cat eyes. Duo pressed eyebrow powder sculpting kit in two browns to help you achieve a perfectly sculpted & defined different beauty brow shaped.
A beauty cute quicksand makeup bag also with 5 soft makeup fibre brushes. Definitely convenient to use and good to go.
This super-affordable luxury makeup kit is suitable for travel and business trips because of easy to carry and meets all your makeup requirements. And it is a good choice as gifts for women on Christmas or birthday, even for personal use.
Details:
This silver makeup set featuring 12 colours neutral eyeshadow palette with creamy powder ,high pigmented, in everyday favourite shades
And also packed with black waterproof eyeliner and double colours eyebrow powder, upgrade your eye looks to next level.
The brushes set lets you get the most out of your shades for max colour and endless bold looks.
All the items are packed in cute silver quicksand cosmetic bag, it’s a really good choice to take to travel or send as present.
makeup set
Kit Includes:
1 x 12 Colours Naked Eyeshadow Palette
1 x Duo Pressed Powder Eyebrow Kit
1 x Black Waterproof Eyeliner
1 x 5 soft Fibre Makeup Brushes Set
1 x Quicksand Makeup Bag
Made In P.R.C
The next item on our list is this set from TimeSong. Which offers a highly-pigmented solution. For all those tired of poorly pigmented eyeshadow palettes and cosmetic makeup kits, compared with others Timesong eyeshadow palette is easy to blend, pigmented well with less eye colours. Always makes you the shining star in crowded with our makeup eyeshadow pallet.
Fashion Base Professional Makeup Brushes Palette Set Contain 39 Colours Make Up Pallete & 7Pcs makeup Brushes. 39 Colours Makeup Pallete is designed with 3 tiers of expandable layers. A Variety of makeup combinations to create different looks, novices can easily get started. With Vivid Chic colours of Blush Powders, Eye shadows, lip gloss and lipstick creams, you can create any Look you are like.
This eyeshadow palette comes with 24 colours eye shadows + concealer+ foundation powder +3 colours blusher + 4 colours lipstick & tools.
Makeup Palette Pack Dimensions: 14.5*11*13cm; Eyeshadow Diameter: 2cm; Face Powder Diameter: 4.5cm; Blusher Diameter: 3.2cm 360g total weight
Make Your Makeup Portable and Refined Timely: The foldable three-layer cosmetic eyeshadow palette is versatile and simple to open and close. The best option for beginners and young girls learning how to apply makeup.
Excellent Gift Idea: Ideal for both business and personal usage! Feel light and delicate, and effortlessly achieve a clean and dazzling eye makeup finish. Ideal for birthday and Halloween/Christmas/Day Valentine’s gifts for your significant other or little girl. This eyeshadow palette is the ideal present for attractive ladies and novices who want a well-made, trendy, and sophisticated cosmetic kit.
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American makeup giants Maybelline (a subsidiary of L’Oréal) have a wide selection of makeup sets that usually break bank but this one is an exception to the rule with the same amazing quality. Can’t get to the Salon? Not a problem, get salon worthy results all from the comfort of your own home.
This set includes Maybelline Falsies Lash Lift Mascara, Maybelline Tattoo Liner Liquid Ink Long-lasting Eyeliner, Maybelline Colour Sensational Made for All Lipstick, Maybelline Colour Sensational Shaping Lip Liner
Maybelline Falsies Lash Lift Mascara: Looking for LVL or a Salon Lash Lift? This mascara lifts lashes from root to tip giving you a salon lash lift from a tube.
Maybelline Tattoo Liner Liquid Ink Long-lasting Eyeliner: 36 Hour lasting Eyeliner? This liner stays put all day, and when you need to take it off it simply peels away leaving no mess.
Maybelline Colour Sensational Made for All Lipstick: A lipstick that changes its colour to perfectly suit your skin tone? This Lipstick reacts to your natural PH balance meaning it literally adapts to being your perfect nude lipstick
And that concludes our buying guide for affordable makeup sets. Stay tuned for more.