Best Makeup Products of All Time

Finding the best makeup products of all time can become tedious as there are a plethora of options available in the market ranging from the drugstore pickups to the more luxurious ones. Find here a list of the essential and some of the best makeup products in India which one should own regardless of the fact that they are a novice or a professional.

As we all know makeup is an art; it can transform one's entire look just by the right technique and usage of the right products. It helps you work upon facial concerns like pigmentation, dark circles, blemishes, open pores and more. Be it a nude everyday makeup look or be it an ultra-glamourous one, makeup can make it all happen. To rescue you from the struggle of sorting the best makeup products, we bring you a list that shall help you pick the right product so that you can buy them via online shopping that too without making a hole in your pocket. So go on, and fill up your vanity.

Best Makeup Products Of All Time

1. Primer
2. Foundation
3. Concealer
4. Setting Powder
5. Makeup Brushes
6. Eyeshadow Palettes
7. Eyeliner
8. Kohl/Kajal
9. Eyebrow Pencil
10. Mascara
11. Bronzer
12. Blush
13. Highlighter
14. Lipstick
15. Setting Spray

Begin the process with the proper CTM skin care routine that includes double-cleansing, toning, and application of serum and moisturiser. Then top it up with a sunscreen that works best for your skin to keep your skin protected against harmful sun rays. Then proceed with creating a proper base by opting for the below proper.

1. Primer

Primer is a silky, soft cream or gel that is the first step before applying makeup. It creates a layer between the skin and the foundation that helps in blurring the fine lines and wrinkles of the face and also helps in making the makeup stay throughout the day.

Primers are selected according to skin types. If you have dry to normal skin, a cream-based primer would be the perfect match for you while for those with oily to combination skin type can go for a silicon gel-based primer. Some primers come with SPF, which helps in protecting the skin from the UVA and UVB rays but that does not mean one skips using a sunscreen (please never do that!). There are primers for eyes and face separately while some primers work for both the eyes and face. For the eyes, the primer is applied so that it helps in enhancing the colour of the eye shadow and eyeliners used while it also helps for the eye shadow and eyeliner to stay for a long time. While applying the primer, you can also apply it to the brows which will help the brow product to stay longer without fading or smudging.

For the face, primers are also available according to specific skin concerns like blurring primer, anti-ageing primer, colour correcting primers, pore minimisers, illuminating primers, hydrating primers and mattifying primers. Available in different price ranges, you can choose the one that fits the best for your skin type while also covering skin concerns, if any.

2. Foundation

Foundation, as the name suggests, is the layer of makeup that helps in keeping intact the makeup for the entire day. It helps to even out the complexion of the skin and gives a perfect base for the entire makeup.

Foundations come in different types and consistencies that are suitable for different skin types. The common types of foundations are liquid foundations, stick foundations, whipped/mousse foundations, powder foundations, mineral powder foundations, and BB/CC creams. They also come in different coverage types of light, medium and full. The suitable types of foundations can be chosen based on the skin type and the desired coverage that the foundation offers. They also come in various texture types like a sheer, dewy, matte and satin finish. How to choose the shade of the foundation also depends on every individual's undertones. The undertones help in deciding which shade of foundation will suit you the best. The types of undertones are cool (pink undertones), warm (yellow undertones) and neutral (olive undertones).

It is also recommended to apply the foundation of the face using a brush or a damp beauty blender so that it spreads evenly and gives the desired coverage.

3. Concealer

Concealer, as the name suggests, conceals or hides all the imperfections of the skin and enhances the features of the face.

There are different types of concealers like liquid concealer, stick concealer, balm concealer, pen concealer and cream concealer. A concealer of the same shade as that of the skin tone is used for covering blemishes and pigmentation from the face while a concealer of a shade or two light than the skin tone is used to highlight certain areas of the face. Colour correctors are also one of the types of concealers that help in covering different skin concerns; like orange colour corrector helps in covering dark circles and pigmentation, yellow colour corrector helps in covering the veins and bruises, and so on. Concealers also come in different texture types like matte and satin. The type of concealer to be used is also chosen depending on the type of the skin and the texture of the skin.

Concealer, when chosen the right one, can do lots of wonders with your overall look and make you look flawless.

4. Setting Powder

Setting powder is made up of oil-absorbing minerals that, when applied, absorbs all the excess oil from the face and sets the foundation and concealer in place for hours. It also creates a smooth finish over the foundation by blurring the lines and wrinkles from the face and making the appearance of pores tiny.

Banana Powder and Translucent Powder are also considered to be setting powders with different properties. Banana Powder has a yellow or golden tone to it which helps to highlight and brighten certain parts of the face and it usually works great for people with dark skin tones as it will brighten the skin tone. Translucent powder is white which is used for setting the makeup, brightening the complexion and reducing the shiny look of the face and the best places to place a translucent powder is the forehead, under the eyes, nose and chin. After applying a wet foundation, generally, the liquid foundation, a layer of setting powder should be dusted using either powder puff, damp beauty blender or dome-shaped makeup brush.

Setting powder also helps to set the concealer in place and stop it from creasing under the eyes, around the nose and mouth. For best results, it is always recommended to use a setting powder that matches the skin tone because that will give a natural finish on the skin.

5. Makeup Brushes

A soft bristle makeup brush is a delight for every makeup lover. Using the right kind of makeup brush makes a huge difference in the application of makeup products.

Natural makeup brushes are made from animal hair, and they are known for product pick-up and blending properties while synthetic makeup brushes are made from man-made materials such as nylon that works great for precise and streak-free application. There are different types of brushes for different types of products. For example, an angled works best for contouring the face, a tapered brush for foundation, a big fluffy brush for setting powder, and so on. There are different types of applying face makeup and eye makeup. Also, make sure that the brushes are maintained properly which also implies that cleaning the makeup brushes is very important. Cleaning the makeup brushes is important because dirty makeup brushes can be home to bacteria which can lead to skin-related concerns.

Keep a careful look at the makeup brushes and their expiration date because once the brushes have expired or the bristles of the brush have started to fall off, means that the brush should no longer be used and should be replaced with a new one.

6. Eyeshadow Palettes

Dramatic looks, wedding looks or simple nude looks, eyeshadow palettes help in creating all of them. An eye shadow palette consists of more than one shade of colours that helps in creating different eye looks.

Doing the right kind of eye makeup, using the right kind of shades can bring a lot of difference in the look. Eyeshadow comes in different formulas, finishes and textures like matte, shimmer, cream, liquid, pigments, sticks, etc. Each of them can be used for creating different types of eye looks. The right way of using eyeshadow is by using brushes but shimmer eye shadows are best applied with fingers. Always keep in mind that when you select a nude eyeshadow palette, keep in mind the undertones so that the nude shades can emphasize the entire look. The colour of the eyeshadow is also determined by the colour of the complexion.

Using eyeshadow primers not only enhances the pigment of the eyeshadow colours but also helps to increase the staying power of the eyeshadow and prevents the lids from creasing.

7. Eyeliner

Applying just the eyeliner without any other makeup product can enhance the overall look and appearance of the face.

There are several varieties of eyeliner available in the market like liquid eyeliner, pen (felt-tip) eyeliner, and gel eyeliner. Eyeliners are available in different colours like black, green, blue, purple, violet, brown, etc. These are also available in different textures like matte and glossy eyeliner textures.

Gel eyeliners are waterproof which makes them smudge-proof and long-lasting while liquid eyeliners, the best type for beginners, are generally of a matte texture but they are not water-resistant like gel eyeliners. Gel eyeliners also come with a brush which can be used for applying the eyeliner while liquid eyeliner comes with a brush wand and the brush is generally thin which makes it easy for applying thin and fine lines or creating dramatic and thick lines.

When eyeliners are applied, it can create a lot of difference in the entire look while also enhancing the look.

8. Kohl/Kajal

Kohl or kajal is one of the most important cosmetics for every woman that helps to enhance their look. It is said that the makeup look of every woman is incomplete without a stroke of kohl in their water line.

With change in time, apart from black, even coloured kohls or kajals have come into use. People have begun to use coloured kohls in their water line which not only look trendy but also further build-up the look. The coloured kohls come in brown, green, red, white, purple, teal, blue and various other colours. Kohls or kajal come in different types like pencil kohls, twist-up kohls and coloured kohls. They are waterproof which makes them long-lasting and that makes them smudge-proof too. They are easy to apply and creamy in texture which makes the application even easier. Kohls can be used not just on the waterline but it can also be used as an eyeliner which using coloured kohls can add drama and trendiness to the look.

Kohl, when used the right colour, with the right kind of look can definitely do wondrous work with the eye look.

9. Eyebrow Pencil

Filling up the eyebrows using an eyebrow pencil can bring a lot of difference to the face. A well-done eyebrow and an undone eyebrow can change the look of the face.

Finding the right type of eyebrow pencil and the right shade of eyebrow pencil is very important, especially if you want the eyebrows to look natural. It is always recommended to use a brown eyebrow pencil and not black or jet black if you want those natural-looking eyebrows. Eyebrow products come in different types like pencils, twist-up pencils, powder, pomades, etc. Choosing the right type of eyebrow product is yet another challenge but if you are a beginner then an eyebrow pencil or a twist-up eyebrow pencil will be the best option. If you are a pro at doing your eyebrows, pomades are a better option in using them because they are long-lasting and highly pigmented as well.

For setting the eyebrows in place, eyebrow gel works efficiently and locks the hair of the eyebrows in place for a long time without having to do its touchup.

10. Mascara

Mascara is a popular makeup product that is used to enhance eyelashes.

Mascara helps to darken, volumise, thicken, lengthen, or curl the eyelashes. It helps to define the lashes and allow the eyes to do all the talking. Mascara is mainly available in black colour but this makeup product can also help you achieve colourful lashes as mascaras are also available in shades like electric blue, burgundy, emerald green. Not only this, but clear mascaras are also available for those who just wish to enhance the lashes without actually coating the lashes with darkening colour.

Opting for the right mascara can add dimension to your entire makeup look.

11. Bronzer

Bronzer is a makeup product that is used to make the skin appear sun-kissed or tanned.

Bronzing is about warming up the skin at the highest points of the face like on top of the cheekbones, down the bridge of the nose and across the forehead, where the sun would naturally hit. It is basically the warmer version of the highlighter that can drench your face with an ultimate chiselled glow. It is best to invest in two shades of bronzer: one shade that's slightly deeper and the other with a brighter shade of pink or peach to instantly brighten up your face.

Choose the bronzer wisely as it can literally turn on and also put-off the look that you've achieved after so much effort.

12.Blush

If you're fond of rosy cheeks, then blush is a makeup product you must invest in.

Blush adds a flush of rosy colour to the cheeks and comes in the form of powder or cream, so you can invest in the formula which suits you the best. To naturally add the dose of colour, choose a blush tone that matches the undertone of your skin. If you're ready to experiment and want a bold blush, then invest in the one with the opposite undertone as your skin.

Your rosy cheeks will surely get tons o compliments if you've chosen the right shade wisely.

13. Highlighter

Here comes the magical makeup product, a highlighter that can illuminate the entire look.

Highlighters are light-reflecting makeup products that are available in various forms like liquid, gel, cream and powder. Highlighters can enhance your complexion, add a dewy glow and make the cheekbones look more prominent. It can also be used to apply in the inner corner of the eyes, to the bridge and tip of the nose, on the lip top and on the corners of your forehead which makes your face appear brighter, moisturised and fresh. When investing in the highlighter, you need to remember the thumb rule that is a consider the highlighter which is a few degrees lighter than your skin tone. Oily skin types should opt for powder or gel formulas whereas dry skin types can opt for gel and liquid formulas. People with combination and normal skin type can try, test and enjoy all the texture and then keep suitable one in the vanity.

Choose the texture which suits your requirement the best as you need to look no less than a diva to the crowd.

14. Lipstick

It is said to instantly brighten up the face apply red lipstick and let us tell you it ain't wrong.

Lipsticks are available in various formulas like matte, ultra matte, glossy, semi-matte, transfer-proof, metallic and ultra-gloss. You can opt for nudes, browns, reds, plums, corals, pinks and even black. Lipstick adds an ultimate boost of colour to your face and can instantly lit the face. It can also make you look ultra-glamorous, depending on which colour you've opted for. The various texture of the lipsticks lets you identify the longevity of the product so you know when to reapply the same.

Wait no more and invest in colours that can instantly brighten up your persona.

15. Setting Spray

Want your makeup to stay in place for the longest hours? You need to think about investing in the makeup setting spray.

Call it makeup setting spray or finishing spray or setting mist, this makeup product allows to hydrate the skin post makeup and prevent the makeup from turning flaky or cakey. It contains a range of polymers that form a unique blend that can firmly hold your makeup in place. Setting sprays can mattify the look for those who have oily skin and uncontrollable sebum production on their skin, whereas a setting spray that adds the dewy glow works best for dry, combination and normal skin types, so choose wisely. You need to hold the setting spray eight to ten inches from your face, and then spritz it in an “X” and “T” motion.

This makeup product helps to add the finishing touch to your final look which makes it worth investing in.

Frequently Asked Questions About Makeup Products