Makeup isn’t just a routine—it’s an art form, a confidence booster, and a means of self-expression. Whether you’re a beginner looking for the best makeup tutorials or a beauty enthusiast searching for the best makeup products for oily skin, this guide is designed to cover it all. With so many products, techniques, and trends flooding the market, it can be overwhelming to decide what’s worth your time and money. From the best makeup for blue eyes and brown eyes to essentials like the best makeup brushes and highlighters, we’ve curated everything you need to create stunning looks.
No matter your age, skin type, or personal style, the right makeup choices can elevate your appearance and empower you to feel your best. This article dives into the best makeup applications for older women, teens, and even redheads, while also highlighting drugstore gems, luxury favorites, and makeup artist-approved hacks. Plus, we explore essential accessories like the best makeup bags for travel and brush cleaners for hygienic beauty routines. Whether you’re shopping at Sephora, Ulta, or Target, this guide will help you make informed decisions and glow like never before.
Table of Contents
Best Makeup for Eye Colors: Blue, Brown, Green, and Hazel
When it comes to enhancing your natural eye color, the right makeup shades can make all the difference. Whether you have blue, brown, green, or hazel eyes, choosing complementary tones will highlight your features and elevate your look.
Best Makeup for Blue Eyes
Warm tones like copper, bronze, peach, and gold bring out the intensity of blue eyes. Try Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette or Maybelline The Nudes of New York Eyeshadow Palette for stunning results. For eyeliner, deep browns or plum shades provide beautiful contrast.
Best Makeup for Brown Eyes
Brown eyes are incredibly versatile. Jewel tones like emerald, navy, and rich purples look striking. Opt for Huda Beauty Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette in Amethyst or NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Color Palette in brights. A gold highlighter in the inner corner also adds a glamorous touch.
Best Makeup for Green Eyes
Purples, mauves, and reddish tones accentuate green eyes. Look for products like Tarte Tartelette In Bloom or L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 HR Eyeshadow in Glistening Garnet.
Best Makeup for Hazel Eyes
Hazel eyes benefit from golden-brown, green, and burgundy hues. Use the Too Faced Natural Eyes Palette or Morphe 35XO Natural Flirt Palette to bring out the multidimensional beauty of hazel.
Best Makeup Products for Oily Skin
If you have oily skin, your makeup needs to be more than just pretty—it has to be long-wearing, matte, and oil-controlling. The right products will help keep your face fresh and flawless without looking greasy or cakey.
- Primer– Start with a mattifying primer like Benefit POREfessional Matte Rescue or Smashbox Photo Finish Oil & Shine Control Primer to control shine and create a smooth base.
- Foundation. For full coverage and oil control, go for Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation or Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation—both are top-rated for oily skin.
- Setting Powder – A lightweight powder locks everything in place. Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder is a cult favorite, while RCMA No Color Powder offers a budget-friendly alternative.
- Blotting Essentials– Throughout the day, use Fenty Beauty Invisimatte Blotting Powder or Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets to manage oil without disturbing your makeup.
Avoid creamy or overly hydrating products and stick to oil-free, non-comedogenic formulations. Set your makeup with a long-lasting setting spray like Urban Decay All Nighter to seal everything in place for all-day wear.
Best Makeup for Older Women Over 50
Mature skin has different needs from youthful skin. The best makeup for women over 50 should focus on hydration, light reflection, and smoothing formulas that don’t settle into fine lines.
Foundation & Primer:
Avoid matte or full-coverage foundations that can age the face. Instead, opt for a lightweight, dewy foundation like IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream or Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. Pair it with a hydrating primer such as Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base.
Concealer:
Use a creamy, lightweight concealer like NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer to brighten under eyes without creasing.
Blush & Highlighter:
Cream blushes look more natural on mature skin. Try Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush. For glow, a subtle highlighter like Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter adds radiance without emphasizing texture.
Eyes:
Use neutral, satin-finish shadows and avoid heavy eyeliner. The Tartelette In Bloom Palette is ideal. Brown or soft plum mascara helps define the lashes gently.
Brows & Lips:
Fill in brows softly to frame the face. Lipsticks with hydration, like Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick, prevent dryness and fading.
Best Makeup Brushes and Brush Sets (Including Brands & Cleaners)
Even the best makeup products fall flat without the right tools. Makeup brushes are essential for precise, flawless application, and investing in quality brushes (and taking care of them!) can completely transform your routine.
Best Makeup Brushes Brands:
- Real Techniques: Affordable and beginner-friendly. Their Everyday Essentials Set includes all the basics—foundation, blush, highlighter, and shadow brushes.
- Sigma Beauty: Known for professional-grade brushes like the Sigma Essential Kit. These last years, and performed beautifully.
- Morphe: Offers a wide variety at affordable prices. The Morphe Eye Obsessed Brush Collection is perfect for eyeshadow lovers.
- IT Cosmetics: Loved for ultra-soft, cruelty-free brushes like the Heavenly Luxe Complexion Perfection Brush.
Best Brush Sets on Amazon
- BEAKEY 10-Piece Makeup Brush Set – Budget-friendly with over 100K+ reviews.
- BS-MALL Premium Makeup Brush Set – Vegan, soft, and well-loved for travel and daily use.
Best Makeup Brush Cleaners
- Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleaner: Quick-drying, kills 99.99% of bacteria.
- EcoTools Makeup Brush + Sponge Shampoo: Gentle, fragrance-free, and eco-conscious.
- Solid Brush Cleansers like BeautyBlender BlenderCleanser Solid are great for deep cleaning.
Clean brushes = clear skin + flawless makeup. Wash them weekly and store them in a clean makeup brush bag or stand to maintain quality and hygiene.
Best Makeup Routine and Application Order
Mastering the correct makeup application order is key to creating a polished, long-lasting look. Whether you’re prepping for a natural day look or a full glam transformation, following this step-by-step routine will help you get it right every time.
1. Skincare Prep:
Start with clean skin. Apply moisturizer and SPF (always!) before makeup. A primer follows, tailored to your skin type (hydrating for dry skin, mattifying for oily).
2. Foundation & Concealer:
Use foundation first to even out your base. Apply concealer only where needed—under eyes, blemishes, or redness.
3. Setting Powder:
Use a translucent setting powder to lock in base makeup and reduce shine.
4. Eyes First (Optional):
Some prefer doing eyes first to avoid fallout. Apply eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara.
5. Brows:
Fill in your brows to frame the face—choose powders for a soft look or pencils/gels for precision.
6. Contour & Highlight:
Apply contour to cheekbones, jawline, and forehead. Highlight the tops of cheeks, nose bridge, and brow bone.
7. Blush:
Apply to the apples of your cheeks for a youthful glow.
8. Lips:
Line and fill your lips using hydrating lipsticks or glosses.
9. Setting Spray:
Seal the look with a long-wear setting spray like Urban Decay All Nighter.
Optional hacks: Use a makeup fixer spray before foundation for extra staying power, and always blend with a damp beauty sponge for a natural finish.
Best Drugstore & Affordable Makeup Products
You don’t need to break the bank to build a stunning makeup collection. The drugstore aisle is packed with hidden gems that rival high-end products. Here are the best cheap makeup brands and products that deliver quality without the luxury price tag.
Best Drugstore Foundations:
- Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation
- L’Oréal Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation
Both offer long-lasting coverage and suit a range of skin types.
Best Drugstore Concealers:
- e.l.f. Hydrating Camo Concealer – Creamy, affordable, and full-coverage.
- Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser – Brightens under eyes beautifully.
Best Cheap Eyeshadow Palettes:
- Wet n Wild Color Icon Palettes – Pigmented and blendable for under $5.
- Revolution Reloaded Palettes – Stylish shades at unbeatable prices.
Best Drugstore Blush & Highlighters:
- Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso – A cult favorite for all skin tones.
- Physicians Formula Butter Highlighter – Smooth, creamy glow.
Best Cheap Makeup Brands Overall:
- e.l.f. Cosmetics
- Wet n Wild
- NYX Professional Makeup
- Essence
Best Makeup at Target & Ulta (Budget-friendly picks):
Target: e.l.f., Sonia Kashuk, Milani
Ulta: Revolution, Essence, Makeup Revolution
Affordable doesn’t mean ineffective—these products are proof that beauty on a budget can still be glamorous.
Best Makeup Gift Sets, Bags & Travel Essentials
Makeup gift sets and travel accessories aren’t just for the holidays—they’re perfect for birthdays, self-care gifts, and beauty lovers on the go. Whether you’re shopping for teens, friends, or treating yourself, these essentials combine style and function.
Best Makeup Gift Sets:
- Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Trio – Universal shades, great packaging.
- Tarte Best of Tarte Set – Mini sizes of top-selling products (great for trying before buying full-size).
- Sephora Favorites Kits – Curated bundles of bestselling makeup and skincare products.
Best Makeup Gifts for Teens:
- e.l.f. 5-Piece Makeup Starter Kit – Affordable and beginner-friendly.
- ColourPop Sets – Trendy shades, cruelty-free, and Gen Z-approved.
- Makeup games to download, like Makeup Artist or Glam Makeup Stylist, are fun digital extras.
Best Makeup Bags for Travel:
- Relavel Travel Makeup Train Case – Custom compartments, brush holder, durable.
- BAGSMART Toiletry & Makeup Bag – Sleek, waterproof, foldable.
- Caboodles Retro Cosmetic Case – Vintage-inspired and ultra-practical.
Best Makeup Bags for Everyday Use:
Look for bags with spill-proof lining and compartments. Sonia Kashuk Makeup Organizers (Target) and Sephora Collection Hanging Organizer are great for daily or travel use.
A well-organized kit ensures your beauty products stay protected and accessible, especially when you’re on the move.
Best Makeup Trends, Looks & Influencer Ideas
Makeup trends evolve constantly—some are bold and viral, while others are timeless. Whether you want an everyday makeup look, glam for special occasions, or inspiration from top influencers, here’s what’s hot and how to recreate it.
Best Everyday Makeup Look:
Keep it minimal: tinted moisturizer, cream blush, brow gel, mascara, and lip balm. Products like Glossier Skin Tint, Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Blush, and Benefit Gimme Brow+ are perfect for natural glam.
Best Makeup Hacks (TikTok & Instagram-inspired):
- Concealer under contour to lift the face.
- Dot method for applying blush, contour, and highlighter in one go.
- Setting spray sandwich (before and after foundation) for all-day wear.
Best Makeup Influencers to Follow:
- NikkieTutorials – Bold artistry and tutorials.
- Jackie Aina – Makeup for deeper skin tones and honest reviews.
- Mikayla Nogueira – Raw product demos and humor.
- Hindash – Professional makeup artist with a minimalist aesthetic.
Best Makeup Ideas for Specific Features:
- Hooded eyes: Use matte shades above the crease.
- Round face: Focus on contouring under cheekbones to sculpt.
- Redheads: Green-based shadows and peach blush pop beautifully.
Social media has become a treasure trove for discovering your signature look—and getting expert tips from the pros.
Best Makeup Removers, Cleansers & Skincare Combos
A solid skincare routine is the foundation of great makeup. Without proper cleansing and makeup removal, even the best products can cause clogged pores and irritation. Here are the best makeup removers, face cleansers, and makeup and skincare combos for glowing skin.
Best Makeup Removers:
- Garnier Micellar Water (Waterproof) – Gentle and effective for eyes and face.
- Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm – Melts off full glam with no residue.
- Neutrogena Makeup Remover Wipes – Great for travel or late nights.
Best Makeup Cleansers:
- CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser – Ideal for dry or sensitive skin.
- Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser – Brightening and balancing.
- The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser – Budget-friendly and effective for double cleansing.
Best Makeup + Skincare Product Combos:
- Tatcha The Silk Canvas Primer – Blurs pores while nourishing skin.
- e.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter – Makeup-skincare hybrid that boosts radiance.
- Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer – Grips makeup and hydrates simultaneously.
During Pregnancy? Stick to clean formulas like Honest Beauty, Ilia, and Beautycounter to avoid harmful ingredients.
Conclusion
Choosing the best makeup goes beyond following trends—it’s about understanding your unique features, lifestyle, and personal style. From selecting the perfect shades for blue, brown, hazel, or green eyes to building a reliable routine with the right brushes, foundations, and skincare pairings, makeup should enhance your confidence, not complicate it.
This guide has explored everything from best drugstore steals to high-end must-haves, top influencer recommendations, gift sets, and even makeup hacks that are changing the beauty game. Whether you’re in your teens experimenting with colors, in your 30s refining your everyday routine, or over 50 looking for age-flattering formulas, there’s truly something for everyone.
Don’t overlook the basics—quality brushes, makeup remover, and a well-organized bag are just as crucial as the makeup itself. And remember, application order matters as much as product selection. From prepping your skin to setting your look with a fixer spray, each step plays a role in achieving long-lasting, flawless results.
Ultimately, the best makeup isn’t just about brands or trends—it’s about what works for you. Keep exploring, trying, and fine-tuning your collection until you build a beauty arsenal that empowers you to express yourself with every swipe, blend, and glow.
