The Drugstore Starter Kit..

Despite having a rather excessive make up collection, I love these types of posts and feel like they really allow you to see what others would recommend if they were starting make up from scratch. I had a few ideas about how to do this post, although in the end I decided to go with the products I love from each category and would recommend to anyone else, as apposed to the cheapest products or ones I'd recommend for younger skin, because you can be just starting out with make up at any age!

Firstly I'm talking bases, and everything you need for clearer looking skin! I have four products to recommend here; primer, foundation, concealer and powder, although I know not everyone will want to use all four which is perfectly fine. It's also important to note that what each person wants in a product will vary which is why I have added some additional recommendations to each depending on your skin type.

Primer
Personally the main problem I want to combat with my primer is pores, and this Babyskin one from Maybelline (£7.99/22ml) is perfect for that, while allowing my make up to stay in place all day! You only need a tiny amount too meaning this tube will last me a long long time! Although Primers aren't just for minimising pores. In fact there's a huge range out there ready to solve a magnitude of skincare issues. For example this colour calming one from No7  helps combat redness and this Bourjois one aims to Luminase your skin!

Foundation 
For me one of the hardest choices for this kit was Foundation! Although in the end I went with the one I find myself reaching for most, Revlon's Nearly Naked Foundation (£8.99/30ml). This just offers me an ideal amount of coverage for everyday looks, and doesn't leave the skin looking cakey! (See my full review on Revlon's Nearly Naked Foundation here) Although if you're looking for something with a little more coverage and want to maintain that glowy look I'd recommend Rimmels wake me up foundation (£8.99/30ml).

Concealer 
To be honest, the concealer I find myself reaching for on a daily basis has an extremely expensive price tag, although occationally I find myself gravitating towards Essence's Stay all day concealer (£2.50/7ml)* which offers a really nice coverage. I haven't reviewed this fully so expect a post soon!

Powder 
Personally I'm a fan of the glowy look, so my powder pick is an illuminating one in the form of Bourjois Java Rice Loose Powder (£9.99/3.5g).  I just really love how illumining powders leave my skin and you can see my full review on this one here. I do however appreciate that not everyone loves the glowy look as much as I do, which is why I'm recommending Rimmels stay matte powder (£3.99) as an alternative product.

Once we've sorted our beautiful base, Its time to add some definition to the face. I have three essential finishing products, which is why I'm recommending a bronzer, blush and highligher!

Bronzer
The bronzer I'm recommending is this Soap and Glory Solar Powder (£11.00/9g), as I reach for it on a daily basis, While this is on the slightly pricey side of 'drugstore makeup' it's worth every penny and looks wonderful on the skin! This is one to try if you're a paler girl like me, I simply sweep this below my cheekbones with an EcosTool brush for a more sculpted look.  (See swatches, and my full review here)

Blusher
It's no secret that I have a huge love for cream blushes, which is why I'm recommending this Topshop Cream Blush in 'Head over Heels' (£7.00/4g) while this looks shockingly scary in pan form, this applies so beautifully and gives a really natural flush to the cheeks. Its really easy to work with and would be a great product for anyone starting out with make up! I simply add a little of this onto my Real techniques stippling brush and stipple it into my cheeks (See swatches and my full review here)

Highlighter 
I love a good highlight and have been enjoying this glow stick from Topshop in the shade play up (£10.00). I picked this one as I felt like it had an easier formula to work with than some of my liquad/powder highlights, and it gives such a lovely glow! I apply this to the tops of my cheek bones and down my nose with my fingers (See swatches and my full review here) 

 For me eyes are one the most important parts of my make up application! Even before I started wearing a lot of make up on a regular basis, I would always wear mascara and I think an eye look has the ability to change the look of someones whole face! Personally I'm a lover of the natural look which reflects in my make up picks!

Eye shadow Primer
 For me, a good eye primer is essential with any eye shadow look, which is why I've included this MUA eyeshadow primer (£2.50/7.5ml), This primer just insures that my eyeshadow stays put all day and is at a great price point too! I simply apply this all over my lid prior to eyeshadow application and let it work its magic!  (To see my full review click here)

Eye Shadow 
While brands such as MUA and Make up revolution offer palettes which are full to the brim with pretty shadows. I find it so hard to pick what shades I want to put together! This collection palette in nude (£3.99)  makes creating an eyeshadow look so easy as users are given a step by step guide on the back.. perfect for beginners ..and people who suck at eyeshadow in general.. (To see my full review and swatches, click here)

Eyeliner 
I'm rubbish when it comes to eyeliner, so an easy to use eyeliner pen is essential, I haven't put this one from Essence (£2.50)* down since discovering it a few months ago, It applies effortlessly and doesn't budge all day! (To see my full review click here)

Mascara 
This was a hard category to pick from as I love so many mascaras, although finally I settled on Essence's Maximum Definition Mascara(£2.80)*, because quite frankly this stuff is amazing. Not only does it deliver amazing length and volume, Its super cheap too! (To read more about this click here)

Brow gel 
To be honest, I'm not one for filling in my brows. Instead I like to keep them in place with a clear mascara. This MUA one (£1.00) does the trick for me and is really affordable too. I honestly don't understand why anyone would pay more for a brow gel as this does such a wonderful job!

Since I started my blog,  highstreet lip products have become a bit of an obsession. I couldn't just pick one, so am recommending a Lip crayon, a lipgloss, a lipstick and a tinted lip balm!

Lip Crayon
For me, no one beats Revlon when it comes to lip crayons, both the regular and matte crayons were a huge hit with my make up bag! Although recently I've been reaching more for my Revlon colorburst matte balm in Elusive (£7.99). As the name suggests this is a matte lip shade, although unlike a lot of mattes I've tried this isn't drying on the lips and feels very comfortable. It also lasts for a good few hours too! This is one of the few products featured in my starter kit that I haven't reviewed, so If you would like to see a post on this, let me know in the comments!

Lipgloss
Lipgloss has come a long way in recent years, and this L'extraordinaire Liquid Lipstick in Molto Mauve (£8.99) happens to be my favorite. I just love the non sticky glossy finish this gives, making it so easy to throw on!  (To see my full review and swatches click here) 

Lipstick
I'm not the biggest fan of Matte lipsticks, but when they're done well they can be amazing! This Kate Moss for Rimmel lipstick in 101 (£5.49)  is the perfect example of that, this was the first ever lipstick liked, and is still my most worn lipstick nearly two years later! I just get so many complements whenever I wear this shade and love the look of it on! (To see my full review and swatches click here)

Tinted Lip balms
I'm such a huge fan of tinted lipbalms, although these Babylips (£2.99) are still my favourites. The shade pictured above is cherry me which leaves a lovely red tint on my lips, although you can read my thoughts on the whole range here.

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