Makeup is both an art form and a daily uniform. The best way to improve the art side of makeup in all cases, however, is to perfect your essential makeup routine. You should be able to glow with a straightforward makeup routine that acts as the ideal canvas for more exotic and exciting looks, or as the perfect companion for day wear. 


Building this essential summer makeup kit does take time and cannot be done by simply buying a ready-made kit. You need the right shades and colours, so use this guide to help you: 

Remove Old Makeup 

First, you will need to go through your existing kit and remove anything that is past its expiry or has been opened for over a year. Makeup gets old and goes bad just like anything else, and can cause bacteria build-up if you are not careful. 

If you haven’t used that makeup within a year, it’s a good idea to rid of it and build up your next essential summer makeup kit. 

Building Your Summer Essential Makeup Kit 

Your summer essential makeup kit can end up being quite pricey if you are not careful, so you need to use all the tricks in the book to save. Shop at makeup multi-brand stores that stock all your favorites like Ulta, wait for sales, and of course, always check for coupons. 

Coupons and discount codes are freely available online, even if you don’t get offered a discount code when you visit the site. Just have a look for an Ulta coupon online before you checkout. It takes just a few extra seconds, and you could save on shipping, the price, or even get a free gift depending on what the promotion is at the time. 

Choose a Minimal Base Palette 

With those money-saving tips in mind, it’s time to start building your kit. To start, a high-quality, minimal pallet is a must. This means concealer and foundation that actually matches your skin tone. It means a high-quality set of neutral eye shadows or blushes. 

Invest in these pieces, because they will be used for both your minimal day looks and for your high-concept night looks. 

Know Your Colours 

To really work with your features, it is a good idea to know your colours. There are entire colour theories and tips out there to help you figure out what your skin tone works best with. Going through the effort of figuring out your colors means that you can improve your makeup and your wardrobe. 

Invest in Quality Brushes 

Though you can get away with some lower quality make up for some things, one thing you will want to invest in is your brushes. Brushes need to be high quality to give you the precision you need to get the look you are going for just right. 

Don’t Forget Cleaning Supplies 

For the sake of your skin, you must also invest in brush cleaning supplies. Clean them two to three times a week for the best results. Not only will this work to remove makeup build-up that can make it challenging to get the right coverage or color, but it will also work to rid your brushes of bacteria.