Best products from r/sugarfreemua

How awesome are you! The big question is: what's your budget!?

A couple reactions to your list: honestly if she is just starting out, this brush set is OK (not great, but OK). It does seem to have a lot of eye/detail brushes and not a lot for base. The thing is, she won't know what brushes she's in love with until she tries out a bunch. If she's into it, then she might want to buy better quality brushes in the kind she likes. I'm saying this also because I'm a mua and I use brushes kind of unconventionally and I find a lot of mu enthusiasts/pros are the same way (example--it might say "crease" brush, but I'll use it for buffing out concealer or smudging eyeliner). She won't know until she tries a bunch of different kinds, so I think getting a variety of inexpensive brushes isn't a bad idea. It also depends on the face she's working on?

You might want to splurge on one kinda decent set, too, though if you're saving a ton of money getting a more inexpensive set. This one might be good to start BUTTTTTTT if you have a TJMaxx near you DEFINITELY go check it out. You can get surprisingly decent brush sets there for a great price--you also might be able to feel them before buying to check them out. I got that RT eye brush set for, like, $7.99 or something.

The brush/sponge cleaner--If I were you, I'd save some $$ by just getting a baby shampoo or Dr. Bronner's soap. (Not to say that Eco Tools one is super pricey, but if she's washing her brushes as much as she should, she may run out quick). In my kit, I use Parian Spirit or Cinema Secrets, but it's kind of $$$. If I'm running low, I'll use baby shampoo because it's super gentle. For lip brushes or special fx makeup stuff, I'll even use Dawn. The silicone brush cleaner is a cool gadget, but be warned it can wreak havoc on brushes (esp. cheap brushes!)

The organizer is a good idea and it's cute, but the only thing is that type are kinda tricky in that they don't really hold that much. If she is really getting into it, maybe something more versatile? I'm obsessed with Muji organizers, but $$$. WAIT, just checked and they're having a sale: http://www.muji.us/store/health-beauty/makeup/makeup-storage-box.html

They are wonderful because they are SUPER versatile and all kind of fit together, so you can make your own little set up.

What about a cute vanity mirror? https://www.amazon.com/Daylight-Detachable-Magnification-Convenience-Definition/dp/B06XDNCV4M/ref=pd_sim_201_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=KZM8NMHW9YNTDREEHZDN

Brush holder? https://www.amazon.com/Quality-Acrylic-Makeup-Cosmetic-Holder/dp/B0098TKSLU/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1505883877&sr=1-4&keywords=makeup+brush+holder

An amazing book that still has an insane amount of relevant information even 20 years later: https://www.amazon.com/Kevyn-Aucoin-Making-Faces-1st/dp/B00HTJY1KU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1505884083&sr=8-4&keywords=making+faces

I use this guy for if I know I'm only doing one client. Would be great for personal use, too: https://www.amazon.com/Travelmall-Professional-Cosmetic-Organizer-functional/dp/B01ELDCK9A/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1505691979&sr=1-4&th=1

OK, I'm going to bed, haha! Have fun, you are an amazing sister and whatever you get her will be cherished.

I for one love, love, love this palette https://www.amazon.com/Cosmetics-Carli-Bybel-Deluxe-Eyeshadow/dp/B07W8BDM31/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?keywords=carli+bybel+palette&qid=1574470785&sprefix=carli+by&sr=8-6
It has highlighters as well and the pigment is stunning. Plus, it’s easy to build up and blend the colours so you can control the look better.
Also, undertones do play a huge roll with red lipsticks and I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not the best at picking out red lipsticks. Your best bet would be to go into a store and ask one of the MUA to help you figure out your undertones and which lipsticks would compliment you the best.
I used to be a dancer as well and the transition from stage makeup to everyday makeup is a process of trial and error. Sometimes I would think it looked fine and then go out and realise my eyeshadow is wayyyy too dramatic for the real world haha. Other days I would go so light it looked like I didn’t have any makeup on (and not in the cute “no makeup, makeup” way).

1. Concealer or BB cream
   
2. Brows
   
3. Mascara
   
4. My Lips But Better
   
5. Blush
   
6. Powder
   
   If I HAD to choose only 3 products: Concealer or BB cream, brows, powder.
   
   A 6 product face would add color (blush, MLBB) and thickened/longer lashes (mascara).
   
   *
   Drug store products - Under $20**
   
   

• Concealer:
  
       L'Oreal True Match
  
       NYX
  
       Maybelline Instant Age Rewind
  
  
• BB Cream:
  
       Revlon Photoready (heavy)
  
       L'Oreal Studio Secrets (medium)
  
       Maybelline Dream Fresh (light)
  
  Asian BB Creams
  
       Missha M
  
       Skin 79 Hot Pink
  
       Skin 79 Super Plus
  
       Holika Holika
  
  
• Brows:
  
       NYX Powder
  
       CoverGirl Pencil
  
  
• Mascara:
  
       CoverGirl Clump Crusher
  
       Maybelline Colossal Volume
  
       CoverGirl Lash Blast
  
  
• MLBB:
  
       NYX Pops
  
       Revlon Pink Truffle
  
       CoverGirl Heavenly
  
       Burt's Bees
  
  
  
• Blush
  
       NYX
  
       Milani
  
  
• Powder:
  
       Rimmel Stay Matte
  
       L'Oreal True Match
  
       Neutrogena Mineral Sheer
  *
  Mid-end products $20 - $30**
  
  
• Concealer:
  
       NARS
  
       Benefit Bo-ing
  
       KVD Lock It
  
  
• BB Cream - under $40...these run expensive
  
       IT Cosmetics ($38)
  
       Tarte Amazonian Clay ($34)
  
       Tarte Tinted Treatment ($35)
  
       Shisheido Perfect Hydrating ($33)
  
  
• Brows:
  
       ABH Dip Brow ($18)
  
       ABH Brow Wiz
  
       Sephora Brow Pencil ($13 - Brow Wiz dupe)
  
       MUFE Aqua Brow
  
  
• Mascara:
  
       Clinique Naturally Glossy ($16)
  
       Too Faced Better Than Sex
  
       Lancome Definicils
  
       Tarte Lights Camera Lashes
  
  
• MLBB
  
       MUFE Artist Natural N9
  
       Clinique Almost Lipstick ($16)
  
       Bite in Chablis or Rhubarb
  
       UD Revolution in Native, Naked, Fiend, Rapture, or Rush
  
       Too Faced Melted in Nude or Peony
  
       Tarte LipSurgence
  
  
• Blush
  
       MUFE HD
  
       NARS
  
       KVD
  
       Tarte Amazonian Clay
  
       Clinique Cheek Pop
  
  
• Powder
  
       Laura Mercier
  
       MUFE HD
  
       UD Ultra Definition ($34)
  
       NARS Light Reflecting ($35)
  *
  High-End Products - $30+**
  
  
• Concealer:
  
       Lancome Complete Coverage
  
       YSL Multi-Action
  
       MUFE Full Cover
  
  
• BB Cream - Over $40:
  
       DiorSkin Nude
  
       Guerlain Lingerie De Peau
  
       Estee Lauder Clear Difference
  
  
• Mascara:
  
       D&G Secret Eyes
  
       Guerlain Maxi Lash
  
       YSL Babydoll
  
  
• Blush
  
       Becca
  
       Hourglass
  
       Chanel
  ***
  Anyone can use these products successfully for a quick natural look! They are foolproof :)
  
  Lisa Eldridge is a great source for beginners!

We have very similar eyes! Down to the coloring and everything—seriously, we could be related. I LOVE the Norvina palette; so flattering. What shades did you use?

Regardless, I agree that this look isn't bringing the best out of your eyes. (Which are gorgeous, if I do say so myself, lol.) Personally, I don't like bringing dark or matte shadow more than 2/3 of the way into my eyes for an everyday look. If it goes past the iris looking straight on, it's not doing anything for you IMO. As for the outside edges, my favorite ever tip for figuring out the right shape and placement actually came from Safiya Nygard—she draws a straight line in concealer from the outer corner to the end of her brow, and that's where she puts her wing. And once she's done, she just blends the concealer away. GENIUS.

I also think that ending your eyeliner halfway through your eye like that, while impressive (dat tiny little line tho), looks a little unfinished. Just a little tightlining to continue the line to the corner would make a huge difference in this look.

I like my eye makeup to make my eyes look even wider, rounder, and more lifted than they already do. I actually wanted to demonstrate, so I did one eye of my go-to look with Norvina so you can see it. (Keep in mind that the pics are of a quick-n-dirty hack job, though. Blend it more than I did. Do as I say, not as I do.)

I generally do: Base all over the lid. (Keep your brush for this handy to buff out any weird-looking edges, especially along the wing edge.) Take Love and kind of stab it straight in the crease, starting on the outer 1/3 and blending to either side, out over orbital bone and into a wing-y shape. (I use a FLUFFY-ASS brush for this; mine is a Wet n Wild one I got on Amazon.) It will fluff up above the crease, which is good—that means the color will still be visible when your eye is open. So to keep there from being a weird dip in the color where my eye socket is, I almost want this color to make a straight line from the middle of my orbital bone out to my wing. Then, I take Incense on the fluffy end of the brush included in the palette and put it in basically the same place; it will just stay in a slightly tighter area because the brush is smaller. Then I use either Volatile or Passion (I used Passion in the pics above) on a denser brush (the other end of the one in the palette will work) and put it in the outer V. It really is a V-shape when I do it, because I don't want to weigh it down with too much color and get too smoky for daytime. I'll take that color a little bit along the lash line and a little bit into the crease, but only just up to about where I started applying color in the first step. Keep it more concentrated than any of the other colors. Then, I'll use one of the fluffier brushes to blend into the lighter colors. Now, up until this point, we've been ignoring the rest of the lid—don't worry! Just take a very small packing brush and brighten it alllll up. You can use any light shade, and it should hide anything weird going on on your lid. (Kind of like a cut crease without the annoying concealer part. Or any of the precision.) I used Dreamer in the pics, but you can use Base, your setting powder, your highlighter, whatever. If you have Subculture, I'm currently a HUGE fan of Cube, and I think it would look BOMB with this look. Finally, I think my eyes look a little naked without ANYTHING on the lower lash line, so I'll put just a little bit of Incense from the outer corner to about halfway in, and do mascara about that far as well.

I honestly wear this look without liner or with just a little tightlining (no wing) most of the time, because it defines my eyes enough and I feel like liner takes it to a more ~evening~ place. But if you want to add liner, I would take your wing out a little farther just so it's a little more present. The way it is now almost blends into your lashes. Don't be afraid to add a little more; you can almost draw a triangle and it will still come out with that nice swoop you have in your pictures because of the way the skin folds when you open your eyes. Just experiment! It's just eyeliner, it's not that serious. You'll wash it off at the end of the day and try again tomorrow, so it's not a huge deal if it's not perfect today.

But in the meantime, mascara (or falsies if you're feeling fancy) will hide most eye makeup sins. In my pics, I'm still wearing this morning's crusty mascara that's half flaked off, but if you put on a totally fresh coat, voila! Beautiful, every time.

Thank you!!! 😄😊

Yes, and I LOVE it!!! It’s not expensive, but the material is great quality. Here’s the link in case anybody’s interested: https://www.amazon.com/Slithering-Freedom-Fashion-Plated-Clicker/dp/B074PBDS5Q/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1542248191&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=snake+septum&dpPl=1&dpID=41oPb8-NFPL&ref=plSrch

The earrings, too, while I’m at it: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B073Q5FW5K?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_yo_pop_mb_pd_t2

Soooooooooo, so cute, and super affordable!

I think it's possible, but personally I find that foundation goes on much better for me with a damp beauty blender (though mine's a bb knock-off: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D0ANSAG/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_bDcPub1E19NXJ) I bought liquid foundation that highly recommends a special branded brush which was just as expensive as the foundation- but now I wish I hadn't because application with the sponge looks SO much better.

I think three things could really help you out.

1. Cover lashes with a small bit of water proof eyeliner and then curl them, that will hold the curl. EDIT: You guys, this is a popular tip MUA god Wayne Goss uses. I swear I'm not just making this tip up. She obviously doesn't have to do it if it irritates her eyes. It's just a tip. The main point is her lashes need a curl. Then cover lashes with a dark mascara.
   
   
2. Define your beautiful big eyebrows. If you're scared of plucking you can use an eyebrow razor. (I do!) http://www.amazon.com/Tinkle-Eyebrow-Razor/dp/B002C89J96. You just want a clean line is all. Edit: If you're afraid of plucking eyebrow hairs then wouldn't you think using a razor designed for eyebrows would be a great alternative? It works amazing for me when I don't have the time for plucking.
   
   
3. Use some highlighter on your cheekbones. That will give you a 'glow'.
   
   Hope that helps, good luck!

A concave mirror may be the cheapest & easiest option, but in case you need another option, I'd like to mention something I haven't seen mentioned here, makeup glasses: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OQJR3T2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_2eu4Cb435QAE8

These glasses will come with a plus power, which will change your focus to be MORE nearsighted. Their intended user is for older people who can see well far away, but not up close without glasses. The concave mirror is also plus powered, but because mirrors also changes the direction of light, the focused image is closer instead of further away.

You can take the glasses into any optical shop and have them put in lenses in the frame. The one I linked may be better if your eyes have pretty different prescriptions, but if they are fairly equal, you may be able to use the version where the lens flips from one eye to the other. It sounds like your Rx is something like -11.25, and technically you wouldn't need your full distance prescription, just a near prescription which would have less power and would be less bulky in the frame.

I think you're on the right track, but if the parents are strict an opaque organizer that fits in a drawer might be a better idea - for example, this one or this one. Out of sight, out of mind and all that. Plus, you can pass it off as "a bag". ;)

Also, a basic skincare routine is a good idea for everyone, but especially makeup users - at the very least, you need to take the makeup off at the end of the day. Encourage her to use some of her gift cards to get a makeup remover (micellar water is a cheap and effective option, Garnier for example has a well-liked one), a hydrating cream/lotion/essence and some sunscreen.

I have the exact same problem. I’ve been lurking r/skincareaddiction for years and war fairly overwhelmed by the mountains of products to try on a limited budget and sensitive skin. The few products that I tried were expensive and gave me allergic reactions. I started following r/asianbeauty, and I’ve had a but more luck. im only about a week into my new regimen, but i picked up Hadalabo moisturizing toner and COSRX snail cream that have seemed to help a lot.

Basically, i wash my face at night with my usual gentle wash, apply toner, let dry, apply snail cream, let dry, then apply regular moisturizer.

The last couple of days, ive had some flakes coming back, so tonight i put paulas choice AHA (exfoliating acid) on top of everything.

In the morning, I’ll either splash my face with water, or use micellar water and nothing else. Maybe a touch of my moisturizer with spf if i need it. i know i should use the spf every morning but im still figuring things out so im taking it slow.

I dont think im quite ready for foundation, but my face feels so much better so far. hope this helps!

note: on mobile and phone stopped autocorrecting so sorry for mistakes. amazon links below

COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LEJ5MSK?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

HADALABO Gokujun Hyaluronic... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074GX619Q?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

TONYMOLY I'm Real Avocado... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HN8P3JU?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share — i didnt mention this but i really love this korean sheet mask

Btw, here's a list of the products I used:

Smashbox CC Cream - Medium/Dark

Make Up Forever Finishing Powder

MAC Kohl Power Eye Pencil - Feline

MAC Lip Pencil - Nightmoth

Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick - Prayer

Blistex Ultra Rich Hydration Lip Balm

Misha is a Korean brand and it’s pretty dewy and has SPF 40 PA +++ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0027A7CLG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_c4P1DbPVV0JWX

What about a brush holder for the brushes
I bought this one and it's really decent. there is lots of compartments, a removal pouch and extra zipped pockets. https://www.amazon.com/Travelmall-Professional-Cosmetic-Organizer-functional/dp/B01ELDCK9A/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1505691979&sr=1-4&
keywords=makeup%2Bbrush%2Borganizer&th=1