20160311

The High-End Makeup Starter Kit


A while back I did a Drugstore Starter Kit and these days I feel like I've tried enough slightly more premium brands to be able to do a high-end equivalent. These are the first products I'd recommend to anyone looking to invest in some more expensive makeup and I've tried to pick things that would suit a variety of people.

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation | £31 | post

This is my holy grail foundation and I also chose this because so many people with different skin types seem to love it. It's also that perfect medium build-able formula; you can sheer it out for a more natural look or layer up the coverage. It gives a perfected look to the skin which I love and I think I'm on about my fourth bottle, which is saying a lot for a beauty junkie! It has what I'd describe as a 'satin' finish; not matte or drying but not dewy at all. It also lasts really well on my skin, which is a must for me. All-in-all it's the perfect 'balancing' base for my combination skin. It's the one foundation I feel I could recommend to just about anyone.

Sephora Pro Airbrush #55 | $36 | post

If you're looking to invest in a high-end brush then your money is probably best spent on one for applying your foundation. This has become one of my absolute favourites! Whilst I wouldn't really use it for a thick, high-coverage formula, it's amazing for light tinted moisturisers and medium coverage bases like the Sheer Glow. It just seems to apply everything so perfectly and naturally in a few seconds and a couple of swipes (and no brush strokes!)

Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer | £17.50 | post

This is one I deliberated over a little, as I do love my Nars concealer, however I feel this one has more universal appeal. It also works just as well under the eyes as it does on blemishes as the formula is light and fluffy whilst still providing medium-full coverage. It's so easy to blend out and doesn't look caky on my skin at all. It's also hydrating enough without being greasy in the slightest.

Becca x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Champagne | £32 | post

When it comes to premium highlighters, no one does it quite like Becca! My top pick of course has to be Champagne Pop. It's in their Pressed formula, which is a water-based powder that's so creamy in texture and blends onto the skin effortlessly. I think this suits so many different skin tones too! I've seen people with very fair skin and people with very deep skin wear this and they all look amazing. It's a gorgeous champagne-gold shade with a little hint of peach. It isn't for the faint-hearted as it's so pigmented but you can use a fan brush to get a more daytime-appropriate look.

Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow | £49 | post

I have this in the Medium-Deep shade as that's obviously what suits my skin tone but if you're fair then go for the original Light-Medium version. For me, although I like the highlighter in the summer for a bronzed look, it's all about the bronzer and that is what I'm featuring this product for. It's just the perfect beginner's bronzer; it's nice and warming with a little bit of shimmer, adding subtle warmth to the skin. It's such a nice, easy-to-blend formula that's a dream to work with. It isn't too orange so does add a nice bit of definition at the same time. Plus the packaging is beyond beautiful! 

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Mood Exposure | £32 | post

I'm pretty annoyed they hiked the price of this but it's still holy grail status for me! Let's start with the packaging; it's just so beautiful and luxurious, making it feel like a really special purchase. It's so effortless to apply and really adds such a beautiful, natural flush of colour to the skin. It's highlighting without being glittery at all. It's a plummy-mauve colour that's warm enough not to look  greyish on the skin and a lot more pigmented than you'd think. It's also so long-lasting on my skin, which usually leaves blushers looking patchy after a few hours.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade | £15 | post

This is a product I honestly had so wrong before I tried it for myself! I thought it was going to be way too dramatic and intense for my everyday look, however I apply this lightly with a winged liner brush and it gives me a really natural look. It's perfect if your eyebrows are naturally a bit uneven and you need to fake the shape a little. I also chose this as it comes in so many shades there's bound to be the perfect colour to match your natural brows out there. It's a really long-lasting formula too and doesn't smudge or smear throughout the day. 

Urban Decay Naked Palette | £38 | post

Sorry to be a cliche but it just had to be this! For me the original Naked is just perfect and contains everything you need to take you from day to evening. You can go from everyday matte nudes right up to a smoky gunmetal eye all with this one palette. Plus the formula is just the best; it's so creamy and pigmented, making these effortless to work with (both the mattes and shimmers). It's easily the eyeshadow palette I'd recommend for anyone's first high-end purchase.

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Carbon Black | £14.50 | post

This isn't the most pricey eyeliner out there but it's more expensive than the one's you'd find in the drugstore and one I think is worth that extra bit of money. I love this for a winged liner look; it's so pigmented and black but doesn't smudge or transfer on my oily eyes. I also love how thin but non-scratchy the nib is so you can be really precise with your application. It's also worth the investment because it stays fresh and doesn't dry out for absolutely ages!

Benefit Roller Lash Mascara | £19.50 | post

When it comes to high-end mascaras I think Benefit is the perfect place to start. Roller Lash has steamed into first place when it comes to my favourite and it's the one I'd recommend because it's such a great everyday option. Mascaras are the one product I tend to save on because they dry out so quickly but if you're going to splurge a bit then you're going to want something you'll get a lot of use out of and this is it! It doesn't give loads in the way of volume but it gives me great length, separation and curl.

Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Balm in Curviest Caramel | £17 | post

My first lip option is something that's very wearable for everyday. For me the original Clinique Chubby Sticks are nice but so easily duped! The more-pigmented Intense version is a little more special for me and this is the perfect everyday shade. It's a pinky-brown nude that's so nice and moisturising and would look good on so many different colourings.

MAC Matte Lipstick in Mehr | £15.50 | post

This is my option for a bit of a bolder lip and of course anyone's first high-end lipstick should be MAC! Again I think it's amazing on so many people. It's a matte formula but it's so creamy and comfortable on the lips whilst still having that longevity. The colour is a gorgeous deep, dusky pink that's one of those perfect 'more than a nude, less than a colour' shades.


What are your must-haves for someone starting out in high-end makeup? 



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48 comments

  1. Naked palettes are all so gorgeous! I really want to get my hands on one!
    Paula | www.namelessgap.blogspot.com

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  2. I didn't realise that Hourglass had increased the price of the blushes - they were pricey enough as it was!! I totally agree with you on the original Naked palette - little bit of everything in there! That Stila liquid liner is my all time favourite. I need to try some Sephora Pro brushes but I find that I am sticking to my beauty blender these days! xx

    Beautylymin

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    Replies
    1. Yeah it's so annoying :/ puts them on the wrong side of £30 lol xx

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  3. Lovely picks!The Sephora Pro range of brushes, the UD Naked concealer and Mac Mehr are products I would definitely advise investing in as well!

    http://fannyanddailybeauty.com

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  4. All hail the naked palette.
    I have a drugstore dupe version of it, although the shades are fab the pigmentation isn't great. I think I'm ready for the real thing.

    YIGE a blog

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  5. I have Naked 2 and 3 but God..i really need Naked platte!

    http://beristenbul.blogspot.com.tr/

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  6. You really cannot go wrong with some Urban Decay in my opinion! Really want to get my hands on the Charlotte Tilbury Bronze & Glow, forever looking at it with heart eyes :') x

    Darling Jordan

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    Replies
    1. It is a splurge to be fair! I was very lucky to have a Selfridges voucher to cover most of it xx

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  7. The Becca highlighter sounds fab, I'm on the look out for a new one so I'll give this a try!

    Just Little Things xo

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  8. Roller lash is my best friend! I adore that mascara so much! I really want to try some hourglass, the palettes are just stunning!
    Fix Me In Forty Five - A Beauty & Lifestyle Blog
    Blog Lovin' // Instagram
    xx

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  9. This is like the absolute dream team. I'm slowly making my way through owning all of them...slowly!

    xx lacoconoire.com

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  10. Roller lash is gorgeous!



    Parie x
    classandglitter.com

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  11. Definitely agree about the Naked Palettes. They are my favourites. I would also recommend Benefit They're Real!


    Rachel | www.currentlyrachel.com

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  12. Love this post, the hourglass blush is gorgeous :) xx
    www.chasingbelle23.blogspot.co.uk

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  13. Very great post ! I'm in love with this blush ! This is really pretty ! Thanks for this post ! <3

    Suzanne xx
    check my blog : http://yourlovelyplace.blogspot.fr/

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  14. As much as I love the original naked palette (and I do love it!), I feel like I need to use it in conjunction with other matte shades because it's mostly all shimmers.

    RachelShuchatMakeup

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  15. You pretty much summed up my must have high end makeup. Although for foundation, it has to be the Too Faced Born This Way foundation! I picked a bottle of sheer glow the other day, fingers crossed I like it! xx

    www.lpagebeauty.com

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    Replies
    1. Ah I've not tried that one as on a quick look I couldn't find a good shade! I will have to check it out properly xx

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  16. As always a huge swoon to all your things on display! Couldn't agree more with the NARS foundation as a starter one, I use the Sheer Glow and I'm always very impressed with it.

    The UD Naked palettes are great and I like the original one, it's great and so many useable workable colours.

    Great post!

    Laura xo

    www.shehearts.net

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  17. Totally agree with the ones I've tried! I love NARS Sheer Glow but I think EstƩe Lauder Double Wear was my first high end purchase! The Naked 1 palette is the original and best!

    Danielle's Beauty Blog

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  18. I would love to get NARS Sheer Glow and try out CT products! Your starter kit posts are so helpful! I can show these to my cousins when they ask for suggestions! n_n x

    Jadirah Sarmad at Jasmine Catches Butterflies ŹšĻŠÉž

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  19. This is such a good starter kit - I really want the NARS sheer glow, sounds like such a good foundation!

    Lucy | Forever September

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  20. Some fab picks lovely, totally agree with the Stila liner, probably the best liquidy liner I've ever tried! I think I'd add in some of Chanel's blushes, their gel ones are just Yes. The Aerin lippies too, I can't rate them highly enough, possibly more than Tom Ford?! Sacre Bleu!

    www.Barely There Beauty.com | British Beauty & Lifestyle blog

    xx

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    Replies
    1. I've actually never tried anything from Chanel or Tom Ford - sacrilege, I know! xx

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  21. As soon as as my mac studio fix runs out I think I'm going to pick up the sheer glow!
    Charlotte // www.charlottespicks.com

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  22. I think a Naked palette is a no-brainer, although I only have the second one - I'm going to have to treat myself to the original at some point! <3
    That MAC lipstick is a gorgeous shade, I've not seen it before but it looks like one I'd actually wear :)

    Jess xo | The Indigo Hours

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  23. I must be the only one in the beauty world who doesn't like Roller Lash. It did nothing for my lashes, no volume, no length and definitely didn't hold the curl. But I did try a deluxe sample, maybe I got a bad one? 100% agree on Naked palette, the original is the best and yes to Champagne Pop too. It's by far my most stunning highlighter.

    Shireen | Reflection of Sanity

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  24. Great picks! I totally agree about the naked palette and champagne pop! I'd throw in the hourglass powder trio- I'm totally obsessed with it!

    She Likes to Shop

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  25. The urban decay naked 2 palette is an essential for me. I love it! X

    www.beautylifebecca.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Yeah it's definitely ideal for people who suit cooler tones xx

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  26. Omg that Stila eyeliner is everything I've been looking for in a liquid eyeliner! I completely agree with you about the Becca highlighters, they're my favorite :)

    www.beautyfromkatie.blogspot.com

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  27. The hourglass blush in mood exposure and mac Mehr are firm favourites in my makeup collection currently! I am still dying to get my hands on champagne pop, I think it's going to have to happen next time I take a trip to space nk! Great post :)

    Lucy | lucyalana.blogspot.co.uk


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  28. I already have so many of these already! UDNaked is my ultimate high end palette, half baked is just incredible! And you know I share your love of Nars sheer glow, mood exposure and Mehr! Love the post, and you now have me thinking I need the Charlotte Tilbury Bronze and Glow

    http://www.makeerinover.co.uk

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  29. I am desperate to try the hourglass ambient think I'm just going to have to take the plunge! MAC is my go to lipstick brand so many great colours and always good quality!

    http://lux-rose.blogspot.co.uk/

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    Replies
    1. Every time I visit a counter I seem to discover a new shade haha xx

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  30. We share the same love for Nars Sheer Glow!! I'm also obsessed with the Becca Champagne Pop highlighter, the Urban Decay eyeshadow palette's and Benefit's Roller Lash! Such a great high end list xo

    Char | www.charslittleblog.blogspot.co.uk

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  31. This post is seriously so dangerous for me to read haha, I'm now itching to go splurging! Always in awe of your beauty stash :)

    Style Sunrise☀

    :)
    x

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  32. Fab post lovely, such great picks! :) I really love the Nars Sheer Glow foundation and I can it can look really natural against the skin :) Champagne Pop is one of my favourite highlighters and I agree it just blends so effortless against the skin :)

    Charlee XO | CharmedCharlee

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  33. Yay, I love these posts! I need to try out Mehr and you've reminded me to replace my SG brow archery :D!

    Style Sunrise☀

    :)
    x

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  34. Really want to try the UD concealer!
    Philippa x

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  35. Thank you for your comments! :) xx

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  36. I have been wanting the urban decay palette for some time now, definitely think I will give it a try x
    thanks for sharing hun

    lorraine
    lorrainewhitney.com

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  37. I read so many reviews on products, it's difficult to know where to spend/save
    Thanks for sharing such brilliant reviews on your must have products
    I'll definitely be investing in some of these, particularly the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow, which I've heard nothing but good things about!

    What Raj Wants

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  38. I'm surprised at how many of these I actually own! The Sheer Glow, CT Bronze & Glow Palette, Becca Highlighter, Naked Palette, Ambient Lighting Blushes and the UD concealer. I have tried the Stila eyeliner but I prefer the KVD one because the brush doesn't fray like the Stila one
    I just finished my first bottle of Sheer Glow and I agree, it's such a beautiful foundation. I do find that it is too heavy for everyday use though. The Naked palette was my first palette ever and still probably my favourite simply due to the perfect combination of shades and its sentimental value.

    chloĆ©⎪ status.chlo

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    Replies
    1. The Naked palette holds a lot of good memories for me too :) xx

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  39. I have heard the ABH Dipbrow Pomade is amazing. I'm currently using a couple of Benefit brow products but will definitely be purchasing this once I am done. I am using the ABH contour kit and it's absolutely brilliant!

    Cultivation of Jasmin

    ReplyDelete

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