How to Shop for Makeup

Co-authored by Charina Redugerio

Last Updated: October 1, 2023 Approved

If you’ve never shopped for makeup before, the process can seem overwhelming. There are so many different brands, different products and different applications. It’s impossible to learn everything in one day, but with a little help, you can successfully shop for makeup that will make you look and feel like a rockstar.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Picking the Makeup Products That Work Best For You

1
Take stock of what you own and use. Buying makeup is a waste of time if you’re not going to use it. If you’re the kind of person who only wears a little mascara, buying a large quantity of skin products isn’t going to help you. Likewise, if you already own four bright red lipsticks, one more isn’t going to make a difference. ^{[1]
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- Before heading to the store, make a list of products you need or would actually use. Then purchase only these items.
- Go through your makeup and check to see what’s already expired. Make a list of any products you need to replenish.
2
Choose the right makeup for your skin-tone. ^{[2]
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Expert Source

Charina Redugerio
Makeup Artist

Expert Interview. 26 May 2020.} Everyone’s coloring is different, and the shade that looks amazing on your best friend might not paint you in the best light. Try going to a department store or specialty makeup store for a color consultation. ^{[3]
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- If you have fair skin, shop for products in soft pink, tawny, and beige. Avoid orangey reds.
- If you have medium- fair skin, shop for products with yellow and gold undertones.
- If you have medium-dark skin, shop for products in browns, like caramel and honey.
- If you have dark skin, shop for products in metallic hues, like copper or bronze.
3
Highlight your best assets. The best way to avoid wearing too much makeup (or spending too much money on makeup) is to focus on your best features. Play up the features you're most proud of and let the rest of your makeup be a little more natural. ^{[4]
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- If you have amazing eyes, spend your money on eyeliner and eye shadow.
- If your eyelashes are long, buy an eyelash curler and mascara.
- If you have killer cheekbones, shop for blush, bronzer, and an illuminator.
- If you have a full mouth, shop for lipstick.
4
Disguise your weaknesses. Makeup is ideal for covering up or disguising your flaws. If you’re insecure about something on your face, shop for products that will help downplay that insecurity. ^{[5]
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- If you get bad under-eye circles, invest in a good concealer.
- If you have bad skin, invest in a good concealer and foundation.
- If you have short or light-colored lashes, look for a mascara that adds length and volume.
- If you have thin eyebrows, shop for eyebrow gel and an eyebrow comb.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Shopping for Specific Makeup Products

1
Buy your foundation at a specialty store. Drugstores have a good supply of foundation, but what they don’t offer is a way to try on the product. The foundation needs to match your skin perfectly, so it’s important that you try it on at a store that offers tester strips, like MAC or Sephora. ^{[6]
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- Look for foundations with built-in sun protection, so you don’t have to apply yours separately.
- If you have to shop at a drugstore, look for a foundation in a neutral tone. Avoid anything with overtones of other colors (yellow, peach, pink, copper, etc).
- If you have bad skin, splurge on the best foundation you can afford. The higher quality will help even out your skin tone without aggravating your acne.
EXPERT TIP

Melissa Jannes
Licensed Esthetician & Brazilian Wax Educator
Melissa Jannes is a Licensed Esthetician and the owner of Maebee's Beauty Studio in Philadelphia, a single practitioner space providing quality services with individualized attention. Melissa is also a National Educator for Universal Companies. She received her esthetics degree at The Beauty School of Middletown in 2008 and is licensed in both New York and Pennsylvania. Melissa won the "Best of Beauty" award from Allure magazine in 2012 for the quality of her bikini waxing.

Melissa Jannes
Licensed Esthetician & Brazilian Wax Educator

Our Expert Agrees: There are so many different types of foundations. They range in finishes from matte to dewy, and many brands are becoming very inclusive, so there are a lot of different tones. It's really tricky to match a color in a drugstore by just holding up the container to your face. The best way to find out what color looks best on you is to go to a store where they can test it on your skin.
2
Choose a lipstick that looks and feels good. The biggest mistake people make when shopping for lipstick is only considering color. Choosing a lipstick that works with the color of your skin is important, but it’s not the only factor that counts. ^{[7]
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- Walk around the store and see how the color holds up over time.
- Consider how easy or difficult the lipstick is to apply. If it’s hard to apply, you won’t wear it often.
- Think about if the lipstick feels good on your lips. If it’s too dry, it won’t be comfortable.
- For a natural lipstick color, choose a color that either matches or is slightly darker than your natural lip shade.
3
Pick your concealer based on what you’re concealing. Concealer is meant to conceal small areas, not to be used as an all-over foundation. If you’re just evening out a few small blemishes, look for a concealer with light coverage. ^{[8]
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- If you have dry skin, steer clear of liquid concealers.
- If you have oily skin or enlarged pores, avoid stick concealers.
- For dark circles, select a concealer with at least medium coverage.
4
Shop for a mascara that works with your lashes. Different types of lashes require different treatments, so it’s important to match your mascara with your needs. If you have very straight lashes, you’ll also need to invest in an eyelash curler. ^{[9]
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- If your lashes are short, look for a mascara with a lengthening formula.
- If you have dry eyes, use mascara with a wax-based formula.
- Skip the waterproof mascara – it’s harder to remove.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Shopping for Makeup In Store

1
Ask for help. If you’re a rookie makeup shopper, your first step should be to find a store associate. An associate can help you pick out the correct makeup for your skin colour, recommend the best brands and values and help you figure out a makeup regimen. ^{[10]
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- Some stores will give you a free makeover, just for shopping there. Ask your associate about this.
- If you’re unsure how to apply a product, your associate can also teach you how to do this.
2
Get a second opinion. If you’re brand new to shopping for makeup, you may want to bring a friend to the store with you. Your friend can weigh in on color options and tell you whether an item is worth purchasing or passing on. ^{[11]
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- If you can’t find a friend to accompany you, take pictures on your cell phone. Sometimes, makeup looks different on camera than it does in real life.
3
Buy different makeup for different seasons. Your skin changes throughout the year, so it stands to reason you should have different makeup for different parts of the year. When you buy bronzer, buy two shades so you can match your skin tone as it changes. ^{[12]
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- If you’re buying bronzer in the summer, buy an additional shade lighter to use in the winter.
- If you’re buying bronzer in the winter, buy an additional shade darker to use in the summer.
4
Smell your perfume sample twice. The perfume smells different from the time you initially spray it to the time it dries on your body. When testing perfumes, spray a little on your wrist, then wait two minutes before checking the smell. ^{[13]
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- If you’re going to be testing multiple perfumes, spray the fragrances on tester strips so their scents don’t intermingle.
5
Test your makeup in natural light. Lighting affects your makeup significantly, and the way your skin looks in the store may not be the way it looks outside. When shopping for foundation or skin powder, ask for a sample, then try that sample out at home and outside before committing. ^{[14]
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- If your store doesn’t give samples, try the product on, then head outside to look in a mirror.
6
Don’t buy the big size. If you’re purchasing a new-to-you product, buy the smallest option. The biggest bottle may save you money long-term, but if you never wear it, it’s a complete waste of money. ^{[15]
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- Buy the smallest bottle and upgrade later when you run out.
- If you love something, buy a second travel-sized bottle so you can take your products with you on planes.
7
Read online reviews. Not everyone will have the same experience with the same product, but reviews will be able to give you some insight into a product’s long-term durability and usefulness.
- Do extra research when you’re investing in something you’ll use for years, like makeup brushes. ^{[16]
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- Don’t buy new colors of products online. Use online shopping to re-up on items you already know work for you.
8
Find cheap alternatives for expensive makeup. Most people don't have unlimited amounts of disposable income, and sometimes you can't afford the really quality makeup that you want. Luckily, there are some good affordable options you can use to replace your expensive favorites. ^{[17]
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- Swap CoverGirl Nature Luxe Silk Foundation for Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation.
- Swap Styli-Style Line and Seal Eyes for Giorgio Armani Smooth Silk Eye Pencil.
- Swap NYX Eyeshadow in Champagne for MAC Eyeshadow in All That Glitters.
- Swap L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Mascara for Dior Diorshow Mascara.
- Swap E.L.F. Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder for NARS Blush/Bronzer Duo
- Swap Ben Nye Translucent Powder for MAC Set Powder.
- Swap Revlon Lipstick in Orange Flip for MAC Lipstick in Lady Danger with Luster.
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Expert Q&A

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Question

How do I choose the right foundation?

Melissa Jannes
Licensed Esthetician & Brazilian Wax Educator
Melissa Jannes is a Licensed Esthetician and the owner of Maebee's Beauty Studio in Philadelphia, a single practitioner space providing quality services with individualized attention. Melissa is also a National Educator for Universal Companies. She received her esthetics degree at The Beauty School of Middletown in 2008 and is licensed in both New York and Pennsylvania. Melissa won the "Best of Beauty" award from Allure magazine in 2012 for the quality of her bikini waxing.

Melissa Jannes

Licensed Esthetician & Brazilian Wax Educator

Expert Answer

There are so many different types of foundations. They range in finishes from matte to dewy, and many brands are becoming very inclusive, so there are a lot of different tones. It's really tricky to match a color in a drugstore by just holding up the container to your face. The best way to find out what color looks best on you is to go to a store where they can test it on your skin.

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Not Helpful 4 Helpful 4
Question

What color makeup should I wear?

Charina Redugerio
Makeup Artist
Charina Redugerio is a Makeup Artist based in New York City. With over 13 years of experience in the beauty industry, Charina has worked for Sephora, NARS Cosmetics, L'Oreal, Parfums Christian Dior, Natasha Denona Makeup, and is now a freelance makeup artist. She has conducted makeup for numerous fashion week shows, editorial shoots, and one-on-one client makeovers. She has worked and trained with several global celebrity makeup artists including Dior's Ricky Wilson.

Charina Redugerio

Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

It all comes down to your skin tone. Choose colors and shades that match your skin tone to help you look your best.

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Question

I'm planning to buy a concealer, because I saw a video that it can be used to slim my nose. It says I need a twice darker shade than my skin tone, so I am confused - should it be light or dark?

Kaylene Tebbens

Community Answer

To slim your nose, it should be darker; to highlight, it should be lighter.

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Tips

Don’t forget to buy brushes and other accessories to go along with your new products.

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Add makeup remover to your shopping list. Some products don’t come off easily.

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Always buy quality makeup.

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Charina Redugerio
Makeup Artist

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How to Shop for Makeup

Steps

Picking the Makeup Products That Work Best For You

Shopping for Specific Makeup Products

Shopping for Makeup In Store

Expert Q&A

Tips

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