Ive been doing my own makeup for about ten years now so I thought I had the whole routine down. I know my way around a beauty blender and I definitely know which foundations give that dewy finish without being too oily but I recently sat down to help my younger sister build her first real kit for her college interviews next month and I am honestly shocked at the prices lately. Everything at the drugstore is like fifteen dollars now? I remember when you could get a solid mascara for five bucks. Im trying to help her get the essentials without her spending a fortune or ending up with products that have zero pigmentation. Were looking for things like:a decent tinted moisturizer or light foundationone versatile eyeshadow palettea good mascara that doesnt clumpa basic set of brushesmaybe a lip tint Were in the suburbs so we have access to Ulta and Target but Im struggling to figure out a realistic starting point for someone who has literally nothing. I want her to have quality stuff thats non-comedogenic because she has sensitive skin but I dont want her dropping three hundred dollars on her first go. If you were starting from zero today with maybe a 120 dollar budget what would you prioritize and whats a reasonable total to expect for a full basic face?

^ This. Also, a $120 budget is a manageable ceiling if you look at the technical specs of the products. For sensitive skin, you really need to be checking the comedogenic rating of the formulations. Quick tip: prioritize synthetic brushes over natural hair. Synthetic fibers are non-porous, so they dont harbor bacteria as easily, which is vital for skin health. Before we map out the specific kit tho, what is her actual skin type? Knowing if she deals with excess sebum or dry patches changes the formulation requirements for a tinted moisturizer significantly. I usually monitor the inventory at Ulta and Target using PriceDropCatch to see when the better brands go on clearance. It makes hitting that budget much more efficient. Honestly, you can save money on the mascara since the formula shelf life is short and focus the funds on a palette with higher pigment density.

I wasted way too much money on high-end stuff when I first started out, thinking price meant quality. Total mistake. Nowadays, I mostly stick to ColourPop for anything color-related and just grab whatever Real Techniques sets are on sale.Look for sets instead of single brushesUse PriceDropCatch to see if there are better deals onlineKeep it simple with one brand for the face Its definitely possible to get a solid kit without overspending.