You step inside the mall, and you're ready to spend to begin your makeup journey. But, you don’t know exactly where to start. You scour through aisles of products, but they all look the same. Does this situation sound familiar?
Building your first makeup kit can be a daunting task for anyone, especially when you’re about to splurge on items you don’t know will actually work well on you—if they’re bagay. It’s even harder when you’re a morena in the Philippines, where most products readily available in the market are formulated for fair skin or for brightening purposes.
Worry not, though, because we’ve compiled a quick list of everything morenas need to know when building their first makeup kit. We got you!
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Sunscreen
The biggest misconception about sunscreen is that we use it to avoid getting dark. But it’s much more than that. It is an essential part of our skincare routine—morena or not—because it shields us from the harmful effects of the sun and prevents sunburn and premature aging. Buy one with a lightweight formula that doesn't leave a white cast. This way, you can protect your skin without making your natural tan look ashy.
ADVERTISMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock, P565, Lazada
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Primer
Don’t take your primer for granted! This is the first thing you have to apply after sunscreen and before makeup. With the right primer, you can be sure that your makeup lasts longer, and that the canvas you’re painting on is smooth.
If you want to color-correct your dark circles, yellow-toned primers are your best bet. On the other hand, if you want to neutralize redness due to acne or rosacea, you can use a green-toned primer.
Sephora Collection Color Corrector Must-Have Face Palette, P1,002, Sephora.ph
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Loose Mineral Foundation
When I first started playing with makeup, I found liquid and cake foundations extremely intimidating. Am I putting on too much? Too little? Is it the right shade? The questions never ended, until my rookie self discovered the loose mineral foundation. It’s buildable, sheer, lightweight, and best of all, if you find the perfect shade, your face won’t be appear lighter than the rest of your body.
CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓watch now
Ellana Mineral Cosmetics Caramel Loose Mineral Foundation Refill, P599, Lazada
(Pro tip: Go to your nearest department store and ask a salesperson to help you find your correct shade. Afterward, you can just buy the refillable packs online and save time and money!)
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Blush
Finding the right blush can be tricky, especially when they all tend to look alike in a beginner’s eyes. Mauvy, berry, and coral shades work best on morena skin. Make sure you really *try* the blush out before purchasing, and use it sparingly!
ADVERTISMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓Pink Sugar Sweet Cheeks Duo HD Cheek Color in Miss Independent, P299, Lazada
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Contour and strobing kit
Contouring is so tricky when you don't have any clue about what you’re doing. Trust me, I’ve been there, too! Look for a matte bronzer with an ashy undertone and a highlighter with a champagne hue.
Happy Skin Feeling Sculptacular Face Countour Kit Honeymoon Glow Edition, P1,099, Lazada
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Lip Tint
We’ve witnessed the rise of lip tints in the last couple of years, and for good reason, too! They’re multi-functional, affordable, and pretty difficult to mess up! So whether you’re a rookie or a makeup guru, having one in your everyday kit is a must. For morenas, my personal recommendation is one in a deep coral shade.
Colourette Colourtint - Fresh in Maya, P249, Lazada
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Lipstick
Lipsticks are my favorite! They’re generally affordable and they can easily switch up your look. A safe but stunning choice that you can use from day to night are ones with warm and toasted colors.
Sunnies Face Fluffmatte Nude-ish in Brunette, P345, Lazada
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Eyeshadow Palette
What good is a makeup kit if it doesn’t have a proper eyeshadow palette? If you’re just starting out, finding a good neutral palette might be the best idea. You can practice sculpting and contouring your features, play with the varying shades to subtly change your look, or even create a simple no-makeup look for every day.
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Maybelline The Nudes 12-in-1 Eye Shadow Palette, P749, Lazada
Did we miss anything? What’s your morena makeup essential?
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