How to Build a Complete Makeup Kit on a Budget: From Primer To Setting Spray, Everything Under 3K

From primer and foundation to blush and setting spray, here are all the products you need to make a complete beauty kit. These items are affordable, and you can get the entire range in under 3K.

How to Build a Complete Makeup Kit on a Budget: From Primer To Setting Spray, Everything Under 3K
makeup_kit_under_budget

Everyone reaches a point in their lives when they are in desperate need of a complete beauty kit. In my case, it happened when I was getting married. For some, it may happen when they are about to start a job or college. Leaving everything behind, many girls may simply want a kit because…no reason! If you are someone who likes makeup, looking their absolute best, and feeling confident, then you have reached the right spot. Here, I can help you create your own beauty kit, with all the makeup essentials, without going overboard with the budget.

If you love sharing snaps and videos on social media with a dolled-up face or want to start from scratch, then you need to check out these products. Not only are they affordable, but also almost all skin-type friendly.

What Are The Must Haves In Your Beauty Kit

Are primers necessary, or will a basic moisturiser do? Is tint better than foundation? What’s the difference between a setting powder and a compact? Which one is needed in the kit? Confused? Well, don’t be! Here’s a simplified version of everything you need to know.

  • Primer: In my opinion, if you have smooth skin with no major concerns like open pores, acne, marks, etc., then you can skip a primer. You can use a good moisturiser instead. But, if you do have such concerns or if you want your foundation to last for a long time, then a primer is a must.

  • Foundation & Concealer: A tint will only give you a light to medium coverage, and can be used during the day for everyday use. A foundation can be a smart choice in the kit as it can be built gradually. Concealer is an investment that you will never regret. It can be used to hide the areas you find concerning, or it can be worn instead of a foundation for lighter use.

  • Blush & Highlighter: While social media trends obsess over highlighter and blush blindness, you need to be practical. If you have a good budget, then you can invest in a decent highlighter and blush. If not, you can use glitter from your eye-shadow palette and a skin-friendly lipstick as blush.

  • Lipsticks: This can be very confusing for a lot of people. Again, something I would recommend is that you either go for a lip colour palette or stick to four shades—red, pink, brown, and nude.

  • Eyes: This is where you simply cannot compromise on the quality. You can go for a combo deal that offers a liner, kajal and a mascara. If you want to upgrade, you can also pick an eyeshadow palette.

  • Loose Powder & Setting Spray: A very common error girls make is that they forget about the last step. A loose powder can fix your foundation and concealer, and a setting spray can add that final gloss or matte finish to your face.

Read More in the Glam and Glamour Section 

Now that it’s all sorted, let’s get started with the products:

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Vetted Options

Every product we recommend is carefully selected through a thoughtful blend of primary research and in-depth analysis of trusted sources.

  • Swiss Beauty Real Makeup Base Highlighting Primer

    This can be a multi-purpose product in your kit. You need to apply it before applying your foundation and after your last step of skincare. It can instantly give you a very dewy look and add a shine to your face. Make sure you give it some time to get absorbed to your skin. You may feel that your skin looks smooth and hydrated, and your pores and pits look blurred. Once that happens, you can start applying foundation. This Swiss Beauty primer gives you a glowy finish without feeling too heavy. You can even apply it as a highlighter or a glossy eyeshadow later. It’s not going to look chunky, which is the basic issue with most highlighters. The creamy texture will not feel heavy, whether you use it as a primer or later for a glittery effect.

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  • Maybelline New York Liquid Foundation

    You have to be very careful with foundations. Extremely cheap ones can come with toxic colours that may damage your skin. This Maybelline New York Foundation can be a reliable option as it can suit all skin types. If you have dry or sensitive skin, it may not cause any kind of irritation. And, if you have oily skin, then this product can absorb oil, give a matte finish and blur the pores as well to some extent. It is quite a beginner-friendly foundation, as I personally did not have any issues while blending it. It comes in multiple shades, which are suitable for Indian skin tones. Even the dusky beauties can find something similar to their complexion in this series. It also has SPF 22 PA++, which might not do a lot, but is still something when going out in the sun (provided there is sunscreen underneath).

    Explore More in our HZ Your Picks Section 

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  • INSIGHT Pro Concealer Palette Shade Concealer

    This concealer palette can come in handy for all those who are looking for a budget-friendly makeup kit. This has 6 different shades. While 5 of them range from light to medium, one is orange. The five shades can be used as a regular concealer (before foundation), a highlighting concealer (after foundation), and some can even use the medium shades as contour. The orange is for colour correction that you need to use before concealer on pigmented areas (like under the eyes). This has a very creamy texture and can give you a satin-matte finish. It is easy to blend (I use my fingers to do it) and also waterproof. So, a quick refresh session here and there won’t displace your makeup.

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  • Mamaearth Glow Serum Blush

    This serum blush can be a smart product in your kit. For starters, usually blushes are in powder, cream or liquid base. This Mamaeath blush, however, has a water-like texture. It is enriched with the goodness of vitamin C and rose extract, both skin-friendly ingredients. Despite being lightweight, it leaves a glossy finish and can last for a long time. If you are someone who does not want to invest in a highlighter, particularly, then this product can be a good pick for you. It has a tiny and spongy applicator that can feel very soft on your cheeks. A tip? If you are going for an clean makeup look, then you can apply this on your eyelids as well.

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  • MARS Infinity Lip Palette

    This lipstick palette can be your ultimate solution to all your lipstick problems. This lippies can be very tricky. If the texture is heavy and you apply it multiple times, your lips may look cracked. If it is too lightweight, it might get wiped away in a few minutes. It can neither be too dry nor too oily (remember how the inner part of your lower lips look when the colour disappears only from there?) Another issue is finding the right shade. There’s no guarantee that the lipstick you ordered will suit you. It happens because of the cool and warm tones. A better solution to it all could be getting your hands on this Mars Lipstick Palette. It has 16 shades and comes with a spatula that you can use as an applicator. You can mix and match, even use it as a contour or colour corrector.

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  • PAC Translucent Powder

    For those who like their makeup to stay for a long time, a setting powder is a must. I personally like to use a loose powder instead of a setting powder for two main reasons: it can do a similar job, and it can be used in other ways, as it is quite lightweight. This PAC’s powder has a translucent shade, meaning it will neither make you look brighter nor bronzier. If you have oily skin, it can give you a matte finish. You can apply it on the T-zone and around the lips, areas that usually get very oily over hours.

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  • Lakme Eyeconic Regime Kit

    Do not be mistaken because a bad quality eye product can cause irritation to your eyes and even make your lashes fall. Talking about good stuff, this Lakme Eyeconic Kit makes a lot of sense when you have to create a budget-friendly vanity box. It has a kajal, a mascara, and a liner. It can look very pigmented and dark. You can use the kajal to create a smoky eye look, and the mascara can add a lot of drama. The liner, on the other hand, can be used in various ways, as this one comes with a very fine tip. Try doey-eyes or dramatic wings, depending on your mood and occasion.

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  • Swiss Beauty Glow Up Makeup Fixer

    Coming to the last step of your makeup routine, and the last item of your makeup kit, we have this glowy makeup fixer. It gives a dewy finish and can make your makeup stay intact for hours. This Swiss Beauty product has the richness of vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid, ingredients that are known to give hydration and brightness. Be a little careful while applying it. Hide your eyes as the droplets can sometimes get stuck in the hair. Spray from a distance so that your entire face gets misted uniformly. If this does not work, apply it first on one side and then repeat on the other side.

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Key Insight To All The Beauty Products You Need In Your Kit: 

Here's a breakdown of all the products mentioned and their key features:

Product

Texture & Finish

Active Ingredient

Special Feature

Swiss Beauty Real Makeup Base Highlighting Primer

Liquid; Natural Glow Finish

N/A

Highlighting Primer & Skin-Hydrating

Maybelline New York Liquid Foundation

Liquid Foundation & Full Matte Finish

Niacinamide & Hyaluronic Acid

SPF, Absorbs Oil

INSIGHT Pro Concealer Palette

Creamy & Satin–Matte Finish

SPF 22

3-in-1 Conceal, Contour & Correct | Waterproof | Full Coverage

Mamaearth Glow Serum Blush

Weightless Serum Formula; Water-like Texture

Vitamin C & Rose Extract

Weightless Serum Formula

MARS Infinity Lip Palette 

Demi Matte

Vegan & Cruelty Free

16 Colours to Infinite Lipstick Colours

PAC Translucent Powder 02 Mini

Lightweight; Powder

N/A

Controls Shine

Lakme Eyeconic Regime Kit

Pigmented

N/A

Kajal | Mascara| Eyeliner

Swiss Beauty Glow Up Makeup Fixer

Dewy Radiance

Vitamin C & Hyaluronic Acid

Preps + Sets 

Final Verdict:

Your entire makeup kit can be created under 3K! The above mentioned products are practical, affordable and multi-purpose. You can use the primer as a highlighter and lip colour as a colour corrector. A vanity box does not have to be expensive or full of too many items, which you may or may not even use over time. It has to be sensible, especially when you’re just starting the journey. Check the cosmetic items above that are all available on Amazon.

Read More:

Top 7 Budget-Friendly Lip Gloss Under 500 For Everyday Glam: Options From Maybelline, Swiss Beauty, And More

Best Spring Skincare Must-Haves for Glowing Skin: Editor's Pick

Disclaimer: At HerZindagi, we prioritize providing the up-to-date information on the latest trending commodities and goods. This Article is written and vetted by our in-house category authors in sync with the Google guidelines on product reviews and shoppable content. HerZindagi is in an associate partnership, so we may earn a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, concerning the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.

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Faq's

  • What are the items in a makeup kit?
    For most basic kit, you need a foundation, lipstick and eyeliner or kajal. If you want to get more into the game, then you include primer, concealer, blush, contour and highlighter. Honestly, beauty kit can be as minimal and as maximal as you wish it to be.
  • How do I start basic makeup?
    To start with the basics, hydrate your face well as prep is very important. Use little amount of products like foundation or blush, and if needed, build it up gradually. Understand your skin tone, type, and undertone properly and choose products that suit you, not that are trending. Finally, do not rush and do not panic if anything goes wrong. Simply try again!
  • How do I apply simple makeup?
    To apply simple makeup, prep your face well. Start with a skin tint, apply lip oil or tint, a little bit of blush, and a soft eyeliner. There, you're good to go. To know more about beauty products, you can check out the list above.