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Makeup for the Everyday Woman

Module 07

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7. Module 07: Makeup kits

Table of Contents

7. Module 07: Makeup kits ........................................................................................................................................... 1

7.1 Create Your Own Makeup Kit ............................................................................................................... 2

7.2 Your Personal Makeup Kit .................................................................................................................... 3

7.2.1 Let’s start building! ........................................................................................................................... 3

7.3 All about Brushes .................................................................................................................................. 5

7.3.1 Brush Types ...................................................................................................................................... 6

7.3.2 Brush Types and Functions ............................................................................................................... 7

7.3.3 Guide to Brushes ............................................................................................................................... 8

7.3.4 Other Tools ....................................................................................................................................... 9

7.4 The Makeup Essentials ....................................................................................................................... 10

7.4.1 Base Products .................................................................................................................................. 10

7.4.2 Top Layer Base Products ................................................................................................................ 11

7.4.3 Eye Makeup .................................................................................................................................... 11

7.4.4 Lip Makeup ..................................................................................................................................... 12

7.5 Kit Pricing ........................................................................................................................................... 14

7.6 Cleaning and Hygiene......................................................................................................................... 15

7.6.1 Cleaning Brushes and Tools ........................................................................................................... 15

7.6.2 Product Storage and Expiry ............................................................................................................ 16

7.7 Staying on Top of Beauty Trends ........................................................................................................ 17

7.7 1 Our Website Recommendations ..................................................................................................... 18

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7.1 Create Your Own Makeup Kit

Now that you have the skills, you’ll need the tools! We’ve shown you application techniques and approaches,

and now we’re going to tell you what tools you’ll need to achieve these looks. It can be daunting to shop for

products, especially with all of the options, and conflicting advice on what’s best, so we’re giving you an

overview of the basic tools - so you can decide what you need. We’ll also teach you how to care for your tools,

keep your products safe for use, and how to keep up with editorial and street looks so your makeup stays on

trend.

Topics we’ll be covering in this module include:

Your personal makeup kit

All about brushes

Makeup essentials

Kit Pricing

Cleaning and hygiene

Staying on top of beauty trend

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7.2 Your Personal Makeup Kit

Whether your makeup collection consists of a few key products or an assortment that would rival any drugstore

aisle, we want to make sure that your beauty arsenal is up to date and ready to go. Makeup can be expensive,

and we certainly don’t advocate spending hundreds of dollars on a professionally outfitted kit, when all you’ll

be using it for is work and special events. But we do think there are a few basic tools that every woman should

have, should she decide to get dolled up. You already know some of the benefits of using products such as

primer, concealer, foundation, etc. so we won’t really get into that – instead we’ll focus on teaching you about

the tools you’ll need to apply these products and get your desired look.

7.2.1 Let’s start building!

Where are you going to house your kit – in a makeup bag or a box? In most cases, a small box or fabric bag

is sufficient for a personal kit, but some makeup junkies may have an overflow of product and need more real

estate. In this case, a beauty box similar to what professional artists use may be a better option. You can also

purchase a pre-made kit or box that contains several staple products and tools, but these won’t be customized

to your particular needs, so we don’t recommend going down this route – unless you really don’t know where

to begin and want to experiment with a variety of options.

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Here are some things to consider:

As this is your own personal kit, you won’t need to have several options – just the ones that work

for you.

Makeup should be seasonal, or should match your environment. You can keep off-season products

in a separate bag or drawer, but most likely they should be thrown out to ensure they don’t expire.

Keep your products organized. If you have ‘must-have’ products that you use daily, keep them

separate from your “special events” products that you only use once in a blue moon – this will

keep your kit clean and easy to access.

Your personal kit doesn’t have to be mobile; you can choose to keep your makeup on a counter

or in a drawer, and use a bag only for the daily essentials.

You don’t need to use full-size brushes; there are many travel-size and miniature options available

that save space in your kit or purse.

If storing liquid products, it’s best to use a plastic bag, as they can leak and stain fabric. Make

sure all bottles and tubes are firmly shut after each use.

Similarly, eye shadow and powder compacts can crack and spill, making a big mess. Either keep

these separately stored in a plastic bag, or don’t carry them in your mobile bag – if your eye make

up starts to smudge during the day, use a clean brush to rearrange the shadow and press it back

into the skin!

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7.3 All about Brushes

Brushes are the most important tool in your kit, and knowing which brush to use when will make a HUGE

difference in your application process and finished look. Many women have trouble achieving certain looks

simply because they’re not using the right brushes. Just like it’s difficult for a carpenter to hammer a nail using

a wrench, your brushes each have a specific function that will produce various outcomes – and knowing what

these are will make life so much easier!

The easiest way to decide on a brush is by choosing based on the material the bristles are made from. There

are both natural and synthetic fibers, which can make a difference in how the brushes apply makeup. Different

types of brushes work best with different products, so it’s important to know the characteristics and benefits

of each tool.

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7.3.1 Brush Types

Natural Brushes: Natural brushes are made out of natural fibers, which typically mean they are made from

real hair. Most often they are from various types of animal hair, so it may be best to look for cruelty-free

brushes if that appeals to you or your client base. One of the practical benefits of natural brushes is that because

they are made from natural fibers, they often behave like hair. This means they have more texture than

synthetic products, and are more durable. Natural brushes are best used for powder products, as they often

blend easier than their synthetic counterparts.

Synthetic Brushes: As you might guess from the name, synthetic brushes are made from synthetic, man-

made materials. They are the best choice for highlighters. Because they are not made of natural hair, they do

not have the ability to absorb any product through the porous texture or cuticle. This makes them great options

for liquid or cream products, like concealer, foundation and even skincare products. Synthetic brushes can

vary in quality, so be sure to feel the bristles if possible to determine if they will work for your purpose.

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7.3.2 Brush Types and Functions

If you’ve confused by all the many sizes and shapes that brushes come in, fear not! We’re going to take you

through them now, so you’ll have a better understanding of which brush to reach for next time you’re doing

makeup!

If you’re very inexperienced, we recommend buying a readymade kit of brushes. These will usually feature 4

or 5 brushes of diverse functions, and they’re a great starter to practice with. The downside to ready-made kits

is that they don’t contain all the necessary tools, so you’ll have to repurpose each brush for various

applications. You also won’t have the freedom to pick and choose between synthetic and natural fibers.

Ideally, you’ll create your own brush kit by mixing and matching individual pieces so that you fully customize

your set to what works for you!

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7.3.3 Guide to Brushes

1) Sponge Brush:

Used for smudging eyeliner and eye shadow along the lashes to create a

smoky look

2) Lash/Brow Brush:

To smooth brow hairs and separate lashes before applying mascara,

which reduces clumping

3) Mascara Brush:

When used dry will give the lashes a slight curl, separate, and clean

them from debris and particles

4) Concealer Brush:

A small brush to apply concealer in nooks and crannies such as around

the nose and eye creases

5) Lip Brush:

A very fine brush to apply lip liner and product to get precise lines and

clean definition

6) Flat Shadow Brush:

This brush is perfect for packing eye shadow along the lash line, or

creating a smudged effect

7) Angled Liner Brush: Used for application of liquid and cream liners, or to fill in eyebrows

8) Shadow Brush 3:

This brush packs in eye shadow across the lid, and is especially good for

applying glitter shadow

9) Fan Brush:

For sweeping loose powder across the face, ideal for highlighters and to

brush excess powder off face

10) Eye Shadow Brush:

This brush is used to blend eye shadows, especially in the crease and

over the brow bone

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11) Flat Concealer Brush:

Meant to cover larger areas with concealer and corrector; can also be

used for foundation

12) Contour Brush:

For cream contouring and applying foundation, it’s angled for better

mobility and accessibility

13) Blush Brush:

For application of blush and bronzer, bristles are soft and fluffy for light

application

14) Powder Brush: Sometimes called a Kabuki Brush, this is used to powder the entire face

7.3.4 Other Tools

Sponges and Blenders: Beauty sponges are used to apply and blend foundation, cream highlighters, and to

blend cream contour. Just like the household product, makeup sponges are great for absorbing liquids, and

they can be used for many fun techniques. Using a damp sponge to apply product will create a natural finish

that looks just like skin. Completely saturate the sponge, then squeeze out the excess water, dip it into your

makeup, and bounce it on the skin for an even application. Blending becomes easy, and you never have to

worry about “streaking” like you would from a brush.

Eyelash Curler: We showed you how to curl your lashes earlier, and an eyelash curler should be in every

makeup kit. It’s a great no-makeup way to curl lashes and give the eyes an instant lift. Be careful not to press

down too hard, and to release slowly when you’re done, to ensure that you don’t damage your lashes.

Tweezers: Every makeup kit should have a reliable pair of tweezers for eyebrow grooming, and to pluck any

errant facial hairs. The best tweezers have a point at the end that makes gripping individual hairs easier.

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Manicure Scissors: These can be used to groom brows and keep unruly hairs in check.

Makeup Palette: This comes in plastic or metal material and is used to mix foundations and other liquids

before use

7.4 The Makeup Essentials

Only you know what products work best for your face and your day-to-day makeup needs, but we recommend

that you keep the following in stock:

7.4.1 Base Products

Primer: Primer can be seen as excessive by some makeup newbies, but don’t knock it til you try it – it will

ultimately make your products last longer, and therefore save you money in the long run. Primer will also

completely change the way you feel about your skin if you have large pores or oily skin. It’ll give you that

professionally airbrushed look by filling your pores and smoothing the skin’s texture. If nothing else, we

recommend primer before a night out, to keep your makeup in place.

Foundation: Once you’ve found a perfect match, we suggest choosing two finishes to wear – a matte finish

and a dewy finish depending on the look you’re going for. If you only want one foundation, we recommend a

satin finish, as it has characteristics of both matte and dewy foundations. You should also consider your

environment. You’ll likely need a lighter foundation for winter months, and a shade darker or warmer for

summer months, when you’ll be exposed to the sun and a little bit tanned.

Concealer: Concealer is a versatile makeup that can instantly brighten up a complexion. If you choose not to

wear foundation, a dab of concealer on blemishes or dark spots can even out the skin tone with minimal

coverage. You can also wear concealer under eyes to give the face an alert and “fresh faced” look. For fuller

makeup applications, you can use concealer around crisp lines in eyeliner, brows and lips to look even more

defined.

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7.4.2 Top Layer Base Products

Powder: Powder is a must-have for anyone with oily or combination skin, as it will absorb oil and make the

pores look smaller. It’s also used a setting agent for other makeup, so all skin types will benefit from having

a translucent or lightly tinted powder in their kit. For an even more versatile product, you can use a powder

with light shimmer particles to double as your highlighter. Some brands sell powder kits, where you get

multiple powder types in a single compact – such as setting powder, contour powder, and highlighters!

Blush or Bronzer: We recommend two shades of blush or, a bronzer and blush to give you more versatile

looks. One subtle shade for daily wear, as well as a bolder color for evening wear. If you want to keep your

kit sparse, choose a matte bronzer that can double as a contour.

Highlighter: Even if you choose not to contour, highlighter products can be used on their own to accentuate

certain features and shapes. A fine powder in a neutral shade can be used on the cheeks, eyelids, and even

lips! In our opinion, this is a wise investment for any face.

7.4.3 Eye Makeup

Eye shadow: It’s easy to get carried away with eye shadow, but just because there are thousands of options,

doesn’t mean you need them all! Refer back to your contrasting and harmonizing color chart and select one

palette for each group. An eye shadow palette will contain either complementary shades based on a particular

color group, or else palettes for specific eye colors. Or, if you can’t find the right shades, look for individual

eye shadow pots. The shades you wear on a daily basis should be matte or satiny finishes, as others are

probably too dramatic and should be worn only as party looks. But, we strongly urge you to buy a couple

options in shimmer, glitter, and frosted finishes, so you have options when you’re getting ready to hit the

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town. Another staple to keep on hand is a pale eye shadow in a pearly or champagne shade to act as a

highlighter, as well as a dark brown or black shadow to use as a liner or deep smoky eye.

Mascara:Find a wand that works for you – we recommend a versatile option such as curved or comb brush,

and get a regular and waterproof version. Waterproof mascara is heavy on lashes and difficult to remove, so

it’s not suitable for a daily basis – unless you live in a rainy climate and are consistently at risk of getting wet.

But it is handy to have for rainy days, beach days, or when you’re attending weddings or other emotional

events where you think there may be waterworks.

Eyeliners: For versatility, we recommend having a liquid liner and a kohl pencil on hand. Our personal

preference is to use a fine liner pen, but a brush tip liquid liner will also give you a bold graphic look. Liquid

lines are better for cat eyes and winged tips, and for working on monolid and hooded eye types. Kohl pencils

are always useful for lining the tear duct line, and for achieving a softer, smoldering look.

7.4.4 Lip Makeup

Lipstick: Like eye shadow, you don’t need a different lipstick for each day of the week – you just need to find

one or two shades that really work for you. We recommend having one or two subtle colors for daily use, as

well as a dramatic shade in a bold or deep color for when you want to play up your lips. If you prefer glosses,

stains, or liquid lip colors then substitute lipsticks of these products.

Lip Gloss: Even if you don’t wee gloss on a daily basis, we recommend having at least a clear gloss on hand

to give other lip products some shimmer or shine. Gloss will also make matte products more versatile.

Lip Liner: A lip liner in a fairly neutral tone, or one close in color to your natural lips, can be used daily to

give lips some definition, or to lightly fill them in instead of lipstick. We recommend having at least one in

your kit.

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Tinted Lip Balm: A tinted lip balm with hydrating qualities is great to carry in your purse to keep lips from

getting chapped, and to give your face a subtle bit of color. If you wear no makeup, skin can look a little dull,

especially in the afternoon, so giving your face just a dash of color will make the face look more fresh and

youthful.

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7.5 Kit Pricing

The pricing of all products will vary depend on your geography, and the brands you prefer to use, but we’ve

prepared a rough breakdown of average costs based on U.S pricing. These are based on mid-level brands that

can be found in drugstores, high-end department stores, or from online retailers.We recommend that you shop

around to find the best deals, but don’t sacrifice quality – some products are worth the investment. Skin care

products, foundation and mascara is what we recommend splurging on, as quality is relative to price. Lipsticks,

powders, eye shadows, etc. are not noticeably different in quality with higher price tags, so if you’re on a

budget it’s ok to be conservative with these.

Product Type Price USD Product Type Price USD

Makeup Wipes $7.50 Eye Makeup Remover $12.75

Primer $21.00 Foundation $22.99

Concealer $25.99 Setting Powder $14.99

Makeup Sponges $10.99 Steel Mixing Palette $4.99

Cream Blush $13.50 Powder Blush $15.00

Eye shadow Pot $12.00 Eye Shadow Palette $28.00

Eyelash Curler $8.99 Mascara $20.00

Clear Lip Gloss $11.00 Lip Moisturizer/Balm $5.50

Kohl Eyeliner $12.95 Liquid Liner $22.00

Lip Liner $12.75 Lipstick $17.00

Lip Color Palette $33.00 Brush Cleaner $13.00

False Lashes $18.00 Lash Adhesive $5.50

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7.6 Cleaning and Hygiene

It is incredibly important that you clean and disinfect your products and tools regularly, in order to prevent

the spreading of infectious diseases and bacterial growth – even if you’re the only one using them! Bacteria

can grow on brushes and tools, and if you’ve had an infection such as pink-eye, you can easily keep giving it

to yourself via makeup. You should also pay attention to your makeup’s expiration dates – yes, makeup CAN

expire! Practicing good makeup hygiene will ensure that your skin stays healthy, your products are fresh, and

you’re getting a clean application each and every time.

7.6.1 Cleaning Brushes and Tools

Brushes

For brushes used on the face, such as powder, foundation, and concealer brushes, experts say you should wash

them once a week to prevent build-up and bacteria. We think this is a bit much for the average makeup wearer,

so our experts agree that one a month will suffice if you’re the only one using your brushes. You can mix a

solution of warm water and dish soap detergent for a DIY approach, or you can buy a brush cleaning formula

for heavy-duty disintegration of grime. Alternately, there are alcohol-based spray-on cleaners that can be

sprayed on the brushes to dissolve gunk. After the bristles are rinsed, lay them on a towel to dry – it’ll take

around 6-10 hours. Don’t attempt to towel dry them yourself, as this can change the shape of the brush and

make it less effective.

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For brushes that generally only hold small amounts of powder, such as eye shadow and brow brushes, you can

get away with washing them once every 2 months.

Sponges

If you use a makeup sponge or blender, you should wash these out at least once a month using the same

solutions mentioned above – make sure to wring out the sponge to get excess product and water out.

Metal Tools

You should make it a habit to regularly disinfect eyebrow tweezers and manicure scissors with alcohol, in

case you have an accidental tearing of the skin, as well as any other metallic tools in your kit.

7.6.2 Product Storage and Expiry

To keep all of your products in their best condition, you need to store them in a moderate and stable

environment - i.e., not too hot or cold - with good ventilation and normal humidity. Do not open the item or

remove the packaging until you need to use it. If you notice that a product has changed in texture, color or

odor, throw it out! It may cause adverse skin reactions if used.

Here are the average lifespans of some commonly used products:

Foundation 18 months, or once it loses its original texture

Compact Powder 3-5 years, but if the compact breaks throw it out

Powdered Eye Shadow 2-6 years

Cream Eye Shadow 18 months

Lipstick

2 years provided it’s well covered. If it smells bad, throw it

away

Lip Gloss 16-18 months on average. If it gets stickier, toss it.

Mascara 2-5 months, unless clumps have formed before then.

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7.7 Staying on Top of Beauty Trends

Beauty trends come and go, and what’s in today may not be around tomorrow. But don’t let that stop you from

keeping up with the joneses! A casual makeup wearer doesn’t need to follow makeup blogs and know the

latest products and techniques, but it doesn’t hurt to check in every once in a while to see what’s new on the

street. It’s less about imitating fad looks, and more about seeing what new technologies are available to help

you achieve the looks you want.

Makeup is a continuous innovation, and with the advent of youtube channels and beauty bloggers, we have

unlimited tips and tricks at our disposal. Not to mention that makeup brands are always rolling out new

products and tools that make application much easier.

Plus, you never know what you’ll find! If you have a feature that’s hard to work with, or are struggling to

achieve a certain look, you just may find a resource that shares advice and product recommendations targeted

to your specific problem!

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7.7 1 Our Website Recommendations

Nowadays, the best tools and resources are online, and our favourite beauty and fashion magazines have

become e-zines! Check out some of our favourite sites to scout the latest beauty trends.

1. www.marieclaire.com – Emma Watson’s latest hairstyle? The brand of shoes Jennifer Lawrence

wore on the red carpet? Marie Claire has got you covered.

2. www.thebeautymagazine.com – If you want to know the hottest beauty products in the market,

you should definitely bookmark this website! Seriously.

3. www.allure.com – “The Beauty Expert” as its tagline says: No doubt.

4. www.instyle.com – Latest collections launched during fashion week? Everything is here. – See?

You don’t have to fly yourself to New York or Milan.

5. www.glamourmagazine.co.uk – We just love their celebrity fashion picks! We guarantee that

you’ll love them too.