Building a Makeup Bag from Scratch? Start Here

Makeup has never been more abundant, or less clear. Skin tints, blurring balms, four kinds of lip liner—amid an increasing bevy of products to choose between, choice paralysis begs the question of what a makeup routine actually requires. Fortunately, the answer is simpler than it looks: about a dozen categories cover a complete regimen, and on most days, half of those will do. Vogue’s Favorite Makeup Essentials include: - The Serum Concealer: MAKE Beauty Skin Mimetic Concealer ($28) - The Blurring Foundation: Westman Atelier Supreme Bio Complex Liquid Foundation ($69) - The Buttery Bronzer: Rhode Pocket Bronzer ($25) - The Effortless Blush: Merit The Flush Balm ($30) - The Moisturizing Lip Gloss: Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil ($26) - The Tubing Mascara: Hourglass Unlocked Defining and Lengthening Mascara ($34) This guide serves as a makeup 101—whether you’re shopping for products for the first time or refreshing an existing collection. For each category, we break down the purpose, how to choose the right product, and our top recommendations. **Concealer:** The essential product for brightening under-eyes, calming redness, and covering blemishes. For under-eyes, look for skincare-infused formulas like Haus Labs’s fermented arnica-infused version. For invisible coverage, MAKE Beauty’s buildable, skin-mimicking formula is recommended. Check your shade in natural light for the closest match. **Foundation:** Start with an honest assessment of your desired coverage. Skincare-forward formulas like Westman Atelier’s foundation treat skin as it wears, while water-based tints like Chanel’s gently cover. Test shades along the jawline; the right shade should blend seamlessly in natural daylight. **Bronzer:** Ideal for adding warmth and dimension. Choose one one or two shades lighter than your natural skin tone, ensuring the undertone matches. A blendable powder like NYX’s Buttermelt or a cream formula like Rhode’s Pocket Bronze works well. **Blush:** Enhances the natural flush of cheeks. Cream formulas like Merit’s balm stick are foolproof, while powder like Dior’s Rosy Glow works better over fuller bases. **Highlighter:** Adds glow to high points of the face. A stick like Victoria Beckham’s Reflect Highlighter Stick or a balm palette like RMS’s Living Luminizer Glow Quad Mini offers versatility. **Setting Powder:** Softens pores and locks makeup in place. Pressed compact like Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Finish or a loose powder like Kosas’s talc-free formula are options. **Eyeshadow:** Opt for neutral shades that flatter your undertone. A well-built palette like Dior’s Backstage or a single long-wearing shade like Chanel’s Ombre Essentielle Multi-Use works well. **Mascara:** Choose based on lash type. Tubing technology like Hourglass’s Unlocked prevents flaking, while volumizing formulas like Merit’s Clean Volume Mascara build softly. **Brow Shapers:** Define and structure brows. A shaping pencil like Refy’s or Anastasia’s Brow Wiz works for unruly or sparse brows. **Eyeliner:** Defines eyes and adds dimension. Waterproof pencils like Ilia’s Thru Line or kajal pencils like Victoria Beckham’s are options. **Lip Liners:** Focus on diffusing rather than clear definition. Fara Homidi’s Smudge and Contour Pencil or m.ph Beauty’s Overliner Lip Pencil can be worn alone as a lipstick dupe. **Lip Tints:** Includes lipsticks, oils, balms, and treatments. Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil is a beginner-friendly option, while YSL’s Lovenude delivers buildable pigment. **Application Tips:** - Concealer: Brightens under-eyes and covers blemishes. - Foundation: Creates an even canvas, smoothing skin tone. - Bronzer: Adds warmth and dimension. - Blush: Enhances natural flush. - Highlighter: Adds glow to high points. - Setting Powder: Locks makeup in place. - Eyeshadow: Flattering neutral shades or single long-wearing shades. - Mascara: Wraps lashes for length and fullness. - Brow Shapers: Define and structure brows. - Eyeliner: Defines eyes and adds definition. - Lip Liners: Builds lip architecture naturally. - Lip Tints: Offers variety from lipsticks to oils. This guide is designed to help you build a cohesive and effective makeup routine tailored to your needs.