Hi, I'm clueless when it comes to make up beyond the very basics. I have an Amazon gift card for $25 that I wanted to use towards something... make up-y? I was thinking brushes maybe? Or something else that's a basic building block that I will need down the road? Any suggestions?

I had a trans friendly beauty supply store and they helped me select colors and products for the cost of the makeup and supplies I needed. Before I moved, they were my only source of makeup for years and were happy to have my business. You might see what you can find in your neighborhood.

Hey katelyn, curious as to what you purchased..

I haven't yet haha

Before I ever put any makeup on, I bought a tub of makeup remover. Same thing with nail polish. 

Hugs, Devlyn

Oh good idea. I was thinking recently about buying a book. I've heard good things about Nevada.

I'd recommend brushes. They have a lot of options for complete brush sets on Amazon that are under 25. They won't be the highest quality, but they'll be good for you to learn which brush you like to use for each makeup product, and it's usually the part of a makeup kit that takes the longest to build. After that I would go with a good foundation and concealer. They're the basic that's going to give you a smooth even canvas to build the rest of your makeup on. I highly recommend getting matched for a Mac concealer and foundation. They can be a bit pricey, but it's absolutely worth it for the quality you'll receive. My favorite formulas are the prolongwear concealer, with the studio fix fluid foundation. If facial hair is a problem for you like it is for me, I use the color correcting concealer duo, and for touch ups throughout the day studio fix powder foundation. With that cocktail of bases you won't see a single stubble again! Lol
-Riley

Thank you! Seriously thank you. I honestly appreciate your advice so much.

You definitely should get some brushes first. You don't need top-notch quality to start off with, but the better they are the easier they will be to use. You should probably get some foundation too, and I'd recommend getting a blending sponge with that. You should get some powder to set the foundation as well. Beyond that, it depends what kind of look you're going for. Depending on how expensive the brands you got are, you might have some money left over to get some mascara or lipstick.

I'm definitely not the best with makeup, but if you have any more specific questions I'd be more than happy to try to help out!

I think it`s good to buy some fairly cheap make up to start off and practice different combinations of colours and different techniques. I buy better quality make up if I`m certain that the colour will suit me

I started by buying entirely too much stuff. When I told my wife about me and she saw my collection, she told me I had more makeup in that pile than she had in her entire life. She taught me to just use a 2-tone shadow, concealer,  mascara and lip gloss and nothing else. I was fine with that for awhile until someone did a makeover on me and I was like whoa! I look amazing! So now I'm trying to learn to do what they did.

Quote from: Devlyn Marie on January 10, 2016, 06:30:52 AM
Before I ever put any makeup on, I bought a tub of makeup remover. Same thing with nail polish. 

Yes! I missed that part when I first tried it and I was living on base. Talk about scary when I realized I couldn't get that stuff off! And I failed at mascara removal, so the guys had a laugh about that.

I would suggest coconut oil, for a make up remover. I use it to get rid of my Estée Lauder Double Wear and then basic cleanser and my skin is always super clean.

For starters make up tools wise, I would suggest getting the Real Techniques core collection, it's a set of four brushes and they're amazing.

For actual make up, I would get the basics, foundation, concealer and pressed/setting powder. Depending on where in the world you are, you can go to a make up counter and ask to be skin matched with the foundation, which is always the best thing. Failing that, try it yourself, the best place to try out a new shade is the jawline, not the back of your hand as your hands can have more redness than your face.

Good luck

Quote from: Devlyn Marie on January 10, 2016, 06:30:52 AM
Before I ever put any makeup on, I bought a tub of makeup remover. Same thing with nail polish. 

Hugs, Devlyn

That's good advise wish I thought of that at the time.

Yeah I just ordered along with a bunch of other stuff from amazon a nice little kit with mascara too 20 bucks. Fits in your bag. I got the one with purples and reds.