Many women across the world use makeup to accentuate their natural beauty and build confidence. Believe it or not, makeup has been around since ancient Egyptian times, when it was made from all-natural materials like berries and fruit juice. These days, there are literally thousands of makeup brands and products to choose from. Two of the most popular stores in the U.S. to purchase makeup and other beauty-related products are Sephora and Ulta. Sephora carries mostly high-end makeup that tends to be expensive, while Ulta offers a variety of high-end, as well as more affordable makeup brands. Check them out. Then consider these five steps for that perfect look.

Primer

When applying makeup, the first step is primer. Primer helps the makeup last longer and apply better. One of Sephora’s top-selling primers is Smashbox Photo-Finish Primer. I personally use this primer, and it does make a big difference in how my foundation applies, helping it glide on smoothly without creasing or fading. Another kind of primer is one with built-in color , which can double as a simple, yet beautiful eyeshadow for the day. Senior Molly Brennan is a fan of this approach. She uses the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion Tube in Sin. “It’s a quick and easy way to look great, yet not take an hour to apply. It’s great for when I’m on the run and don’t have time. It’s easy to blend and never creases!”

Foundation/Concealer

The second step in the usual makeup routine is foundation and/or concealer. Depending on the amount of coverage you want, you could choose either a concealer or a foundation. Foundations range from sheer to medium to full coverage. The foundation I use when I want buildable coverage is the Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation. A recent review from Ulta said, “I tried this out on my face for the first time and it is amazing! It is easy to blend and it doesn’t get blotchy. After it sets it really gives a powdery finish and it makes your skin feel soft and velvety. It also looks very natural! Definitely would recommend.” If you’re looking for a concealer to hide blemishes or even out skin tone, Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer is the best-selling concealer that offers flawless coverage.

Eyeshadow

There are many different ways to apply makeup, but I believe that one “must” is eyeshadow. One of the best-selling eyeshadow palettes of all time is the Naked Palette by Urban Decay. It is a palette with neutral to darker colors in it. It has 12 gorgeous shadows that compliment everyone. The shades range from light champagne to dark grey gunmetal, and has five brand new shades. With a variety of textures like glitter, shimmer, and matte, there is no shortage of beautiful combinations to make. The palette also comes with a built in mirror and double-ended eyeshadow brush. Urban Decay also offers a palette featuring more cool tone browns and neutrals, as well as a third palette that offers more pink and light shimmery colors. Senior Mackenzie Jobes is a fan of Urban Decay. “My favorite makeup product that I use on a daily basis is my Urban Decay Naked 2 palette. It’s the best palette I own!” she said.

Eyeliner/Mascara

The next step, if you want a finished look, is eyeliner and mascara. My favorite eyeliner (also a bestseller) is the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner. It does not smudge one bit and the color is very pigmented. The felt tip makes for a very easy to apply and it lasts you months. Senior Malika Hill is faithful to her eyeliner. “The one makeup product I would never want to go without is eyeliner. I wear black eyeliner by Wet n Wild and I love it,” she said. The mascara that I swear by is the Too Faced Better than … This is the blackest of black mascaras. It volumizes every lash with an hourglass-shaped brush that curls and separates your lashes beautifully.. I’ve been using this mascara for over a year now and it is the best mascara I’ve ever used. It gives you an immense amount of volume and rich-colored black lashes that are gorgeous. “I have tried many types of mascara.  There was a time when I wore four mascaras at once to volumize and lengthen because I’ve found mascaras that only do one or the other.  But after I tried Better Than …, it is the only mascara I use and I’ve fallen in love,” said Lauren Sullivan.

Blush/Bronzer

To complete your makeup look, don’t forget blush and bronzer. Nars blush is considered one of the bestselling blushes on the market. It is very pigmented and they offer a great variety of shades to compliment all different skin tones. Another best-selling bronzer is the Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Bronzer. A recent review on Sephora said, “The packaging is adorable! But the product itself works wonders. I use this daily to contour my face; just an amazing color and perfect amount of pigmentation.”

Lipstick/Lip-gloss

The finishing touch is a lipstick and/ or lip-gloss. Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Shine lipstick is one of the best-selling lipsticks from Sephora. It is a pigmented and long-lasting lipstick with lots of vitamins and fruit extract that leaves your lips visibly softer and smoother while they hydrate. They also have a Rouge Pur Couture Vernis A Levres Glossy stain lipgloss that is a great long-wearing lipgloss that has a unique slanted tip and short soft bristles allow for flawless application with perfect precision.

There are endless possibilities with makeup. You can spend $5 or $500 on your makeup routine; it all depends on what you like. Beauty is a personal opinion, so don’t feel like every single item that is mentioned needs to be purchased, these are just ideas to get you on the track with makeup, and you can take it from there.