Makeup Starter Kit For Teenage Girls

Back in my teens I had a mini makeup kit of my own that included a nude lipstick, some lip glosses, a pink blush, mascara and a black eyeliner. I only did makeup on special occasions or when hanging out with my friends.  I believe you don’t need much makeup in your teens. In other words, I’d say you should keep it as close to natural as possible to look your youthful best. At this point, going overboard with makeup will not only mask your innocence but also add years to your appearance, believe me. 

Just when you start out, it’s kind of difficult for you to decide what type of makeup you should be looking for.  With so many brands at hand but so little money to put in, you’re left with nothing but at a complete loss. My teen lovelies have asked me to share some budget-friendly options to start with along with some pointers about the dos and don’ts of makeup at this age.  So here it is; the very basics you need to know.


First things first! It’s your skin you should be concerned about. You must be told every so often to drink plenty of water, avoid junk food and put on sunblock to stay safe under the sun. Your mum might even scold you sometimes for your careless attitude. Ever thought why you’re forced to do all those stuff? It’s because your skin is quite vulnerable when you enter your teens; the hormonal changes take over which also affects your skin. At this point in time you need to be extremely vigilant about your facial hygiene. NO! It isn’t that hard. Use a good face wash, scrub at least once a week and never go to bed without cleansing your face. If you don’t know which products are appropriate for your skin type, check out some options in the posts below

Budget Beauty:  Skincare Products For Dry to Normal Skin
Budget Beauty:  Skincare Products For Combination to Oily Skin

Unfortunately, most of us get acne or pimples in our teens. Don’t let that take you down. I know it’s easier to say but you have to keep your chin up; you WILL get past it. If you have recently started to break out, just don’t mess with it! Consult a dermatologist ASAP. Treating yourself your way would only make things worse. No matter how tempting it seems, never pinch your zits. It will not only cause scars but also leave pits on your face.


While most teens do not need any coverage, some do wish to have an even skin tone. I won’t encourage full coverage foundation for you; it will seem quite made up. Instead, you could try tinted moisturizers or BB creams if your skin is dry/normal for a light, natural and undetectable coverage. You could look into Etude House BB Creams or Essence My Skin Tinted Moisturizer.  If you have combination/oily skin, you could go with Essence Soft Touch Mousse Makeup or opt for pressed/compact powders; Essence Mattifying Compact Powder and Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder are good options.


I couldn’t stress enough how very helpful a concealer is to you in your teens. It can cover up pimples/scars in a flash and give an instant boost to your confidence. A concealer also works wonders for dark circles if you happen to watch late night movies or have all your homework piled up for weekend (like I used to, haha). So to get a flawless natural look, pat (NEVER rub) and blend in the concealer gently with your fingers only where it’s needed. Going overboard with it would cake-up. The only way to choose the right shade is to first try out the testers; go for the one closest to your natural skin tone. You could check out Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer, Essence Cover Stick or LA GIRL Pro Conceal.  Like concealers, there are green color correctors to cancel out the red effect of a pimple. One pocket-friendly option is Essence Forget it! 3in1 Concealer trio.


If you’re trying out eye shadows for the first time, dark/bold colors may be the ones that catch your eye. Sorry to break your bubble but it doesn’t suit your age. You may be obsessed with sultry smoky eye but there's plenty of time for that when you're older. Taupe, beige, light shimmery pinks/purples, creams and peaches are your safest bet. Simply go with neutral eyeshadows! My advice, save it for special occasions. Don’t forget to use an eyeshadow primer to prevent creasing; MUA Professional Eye Primer is totally worth getting. Since you can’t afford expensive brushes, I suggest applying single color to your lid with your finger and blend well.

Budget picks:
MUA Pearl Eye Shadow
Essence Mono Eye Shadow


Of course you can do bright colors and make it fun if you opt for colored eyeliners in place of eyeshadows. Give your eyes an instant pop of color with matte and shimmer finishes. You could sport colored eyeliners on your bottom lid as well -- I still do that. You could look into bright blues, deep purples and emeralds, glittery greys to begin with.

Budget picks:
Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definers
Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal
Color Studio Professional Soft Kohl Kajal Eyeliner
MUA Intense Colour Eyeliner Pencil
Milani Easy Liner Retractable Pencil
AVON Glimmersticks


A mascara tricks people into thinking you have BIG eyes. First curl your lashes and apply at least two coats to achieve noticeable results. For a more pronounced eye, slowly wiggle the wand back and forth starting at the root up towards the tip (it also prevents clumping). If you’re wearing a water-proof formula, always take it off before you go to sleep. The cheapest way is to gently rub petroleum jelly onto your lashes and wipe off with a soft cloth.

Budget picks:
Jordana Best Lash Extreme Volumizing Mascara
Essence Maximum Definition Volume Mascara
Rimmel Extra WOW Lash Mascara
Maybelline Volum' Express One by One


A blush can give a healthy flush to your skin. Add a splash of rosy pink or a deep peach if you have a medium skin tone. Light pinks suit pale complexions. No brushes? Don’t worry; you could apply it with your fingertips or a powder puff. Begin with a small amount since it’s always easier to build up the color than fixing too much of it. Blend it onto the apples of your cheeks or sweep it up diagonally across your cheek bone. If you’ve gone a bit too heavy, grab a cotton ball to diffuse and town down the color.

Budget picks:
Color Studio Professional Pro Blushers
Rimmel Mono Blusher
Essence Silky Touch Blush
Jordana Powder Blush
MUA Blusher


Say NO to lip liners and dark lipsticks as they would look too heavy. Teenage girls look best wearing lip glosses. The added sparkle gives a touch of glitz to your look. Moreover, lip glosses are handy to carry around. You could also slap on some lip balm in winter to keep your lips soft and moisturized.

Budget picks (lip gloss):
Essence Stay With Me Lipgloss
MUA Intense Kisses Lipgloss
Luscious Cosmetics Plumping Lipgloss
ELF Super Glossy Lip Shine
AVON Glazewear (on sale price)
Accessorize Diamond Sparkle Lipgloss

Budget picks (lip balm):
L’Oreal Hip Jelly Lip Balm
MUA Love Hearts Lip Balm
ELF Studio Conditioning Lip Balm
Neutrogena Lip Moisturizer
Carmex Click Stick


I think every teen loves nail polish. I too have loved nail polishes ever since I can remember. No doubt,  a bright mani can instantly lift your spirits! There are plenty of fun trendy shades out there to match your mood and every outfit. You could try your hand at Profusion Nail Polish, MUA Nail Varnish, Sweet Touch Nail Polish, Diana of London Nail Varnish, Golden Rose Rich Color Nail Lacquer, Color Studio Professional Pro Nail Colors, Neon and Haute Nails.


Leaving your makeup on can lead to clogged pores, which we all know can cause breakouts. So make it a habit to take off your makeup before you go to sleep.  It’s very important to invest in a good makeup remover/cleansing milk. If that’s not an option, put olive oil on a napkin or a soft washcloth and wipe the makeup off from your face. I know it sounds tacky but it won’t make your skin oily/greasy if you wash it afterwards.

That’s pretty much it! I hope you find this post useful. Don’t forget to add your budget picks and tips in the comments down below.