Build Your Own Starter Makeup Kit for ₱500 Or Less

Hello guys! I am back with a new post, and this is something that took a lot of time, effort and research on my end as I do not want to recommend products that in my opinion does not work or just a waste of money. All of the products that I will mention in this post are products that I have used or tested.

Basically, I wanted to show you how you can make your own makeup kit with just ₱500 or less. It is the same concept as the ₱500 makeup challenge tag that became quite popular in Youtube. Difference is: I would like to give you other options as each and everyone of us has different needs or different preferences. Please note that I will cover only the basics, or products that are necessary for you to achieve a polished, flawless, natural look. 
(Note: Sorry if I wasn't able to provide pictures, as there's quite a lot of products that I will mention below. You may Google it or list the names of the products so you can find it the next time you visit the mall)

FOUNDATION

I have a few options for foundation, which will vary on your skin type. You may notice that the products here costs more than the others, its because it's always important to invest on your face product since its the one that comes in contact directly with your skin. You don't want something that will cause irritation or breakouts. 

For oily or oily/dry acneic skin, I would recommend a powder foundation. Why? It is lighter in the skin, absorbs oil, and has amazing coverage. I specifically like the two-way foundations, the one that you can use with either a wet or dry sponge.

- Ever Bilena Powder Foundation with UVA/UVB Protection - This is the first foundation I ever owned. This is a two-way cake foundation, so before leaving the house I use it with a wet sponge then for touch ups I use it dry. The refill costs  ₱145 and it comes with a sponge.
- Fashion 21 Two Way Cake with Tea Tree Oil - I love the fact that it has tea tree oil to help reduce the inflammation of your blemishes. The refill costs ₱130 and it also comes with a sponge.
- Nichido Make Up Cake - This is also two-way foundation that is available for only ₱80.
- Kokuryu Summer Cake Foundation - I prefer using this with a wet sponge. I tried it because my mom recommended it, I think this is the foundation that were used before other brands/types of foundation were known. You will easily recognize it by its scent. This is available for ₱88.

Both the Nichido and the Kokuryu cakes does not come with a sponge, but you can purchase it separately for ₱45 to ₱50.

If you have oily skin but prefers a liquid foundation, I would recommend the SanSan Matte Liquid Foundation. It comes in 3 shades and is available for only ₱132. This stuff is amazing, and I would pick this over the Ever Bilena Pro Flawless Finish Foundation.

If you are someone with dry skin and does not have a lot of problem areas, I would recommend something that is moisturizing and provides a light coverage. The Ever Bilena Advance BB Cream (see review here) is the perfect choice for you. It is available for ₱195 and comes in 2 shades. I like the fact that the shades are fitted for Filipina's skintone.

Using a setting powder is optional and is only used if you have a wet base. I have 2 options for setting powder:

- Careline Oil Control Face Powder - I used this before and although it is not really effective in keeping my face oil free (my face starts to oil up after an hour or so, especially when the weather is humid), it does a great job in setting my liquid foundation and giving your face a flawless finish. The refill is available for only ₱55 and it comes with a sponge.
- Ever Bilena Advance 3D Compact - This a new product from Ever Bilena and its the one that has 3 colors in one pan. I recommend this because it is a multi-tasking product: you can use the lighter shade to set your liquid foundation, and use the 2 darker shades for contouring or as an eyeshadow. The refill is available for ₱75.

EYELINER

If there is one item that is very essential in my makeup kit, that would be my eyeliner. It just changes your look and gives an "oomph" to your eyes. If you are a beginner, I would suggest you get a brown shade, since its more forgiving than a black eyeliner and it looks more natural. You can also always double up your eyeliner as an eyebrow pencil, or vice versa. You can also use it as an eyeshadow. Here are some of my suggestions:

- Ever Bilena Advance HD Eyepencil - ₱50

- Ever Bilena Advance Eyebrow Pencil - ₱50

- Nichido Girls Night Out Eye Pencil - ₱80

- Nichidoo Minerals Precise Eye Pencil - ₱138

If you are a fan of liquid eyeliners, here are 2 products that are affordable and makes precise crisp lines:

- Nichido Liquid Eyeliner - ₱60

- SanSan Eyeliner Pen - ₱75

Tip: Always check your undereye area for smudges, especially if you have watery eyes or you sweat a lot. Always bring a tissue or a cotton tip with you in your makeup bag.

MASCARA

I am a mascara lover! I just love how it opens up your eyes and makes it look wide awake. If you want a natural look, you may opt for a colorless mascara. Ever Bilena and Nichido sells one for ₱100 only. You may also use this on your eyebrows so that they will stay in place.

If you are like me who have thin sparse lashes, I highly recommend the Ever Bilena Thicklash Mascara. Its only for ₱75. Yes it does clump and smudge, but one swipe can instantly volumize your lashes. Just make sure to use a little at a time, do not just blab the mascara on your lashes or it will just clump and stick to each other.

This is optional, but you may also get an affordable eyelash curler. The first eyelash curler that I ever owned was from SanSan, and I got it for ₱55 only. It works, just make sure that you wipe it clean before using it, and stop using it if you notice that the pad is worn out. Replacement curler pads are available for ₱45 in Nichido or Fanny Serrano counters.

BLUSH/ CHEEK TINTS

Its always pretty to add a little color in your cheeks, and one of my favorites would be the Careline Oil Control Blushes. You will use this for a long time and its only for ₱82. I am also a fan of lip and cheek tints, which I actually prefer since it gives a very natural flush on your cheeks. Careline has one for ₱82, and Ever Bliena also sells a lip and cheek tint for ₱65

LIPSTICK/ LIPBALM/ LIPGLOSS

When I started using makeup, I always double up my lipstick as a blush on. The creamy texture also gives out a very natural flush on the cheeks. Here are affordable lipsticks that I recommend:

- SanSan Creamy Matte Lipsticks - First lipstick that I tried and religiously used when I was in college. Super creamy yet has a matte finish, and since its pigmented it is very easy to use as a blush. Available for ₱100.

- NYX Round Lipsticks - These are very affordable creamy lipsticks that comes in a lot of shades. You can choose a shade that is very natural, or you can choose a hot pink or bright red shade. I own 3 of these, and you can read more about it here.

- Fashion 21 Aqualicious Lipsticks - Very moisturizing and the shades are very pretty. It retails for ₱155.

- Ever Bilena Matte Lipsticks - If you are someone who prefers a matte finish, you may want to try out these lipsticks. It also comes with a color cap which you can remove and use the product inside as your blusher. They are available for ₱155 as well.

If you are the lipgloss kind of person, you should check out the Careline Lip Glosses that are available for ₱75 and comes in different shades as well. I never found a lipgloss that gives out a pretty color other than the Careline Lip Glosses.

If you wanted a more natural look, then you should try the Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balm for ₱99 only. These are basically lip balms that gives out a slight tint on the lips.

There you have it! These are my product suggestions for a starter makeup kit. Here are some makeup kits that I created so you can have a guide to follow:

For Oily Skin (something that I will definitely use)

SanSan Liquid Foundation	132
Ever Bilena 3D Compact Powder Foundation	75
SanSan Eyelash Curler	55
Ever Bilena Thicklash Mascara	75
Ever Bilena Advance HD Eyepencil	50
SanSan Creamy Matte Lipstick	100
Total	₱487

For Normal to Dry Skin - Natural Makeup Look

Ever Bilena Advance BB Cream	195
Careline Oil Control Powder Foundation	55
Ever Bilena Advance HD Colorless Mascara	100
Nichido Girls Night Out Eye Pencil	65
Careline Lip and Cheek Tint	80
Total	₱475

You do not need to break your banks or purchase expensive makeup products to look beautiful. Remember, makeup is just to enhance your natural beauty, and the simpler your makeup is, the better. Less is more.

I hope I was able to help you with this post. Stay beautiful, and do not forget to smile. Goodluck!

-- Maica :)