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The 17 Best Makeup Kits, According to Beauty Experts

Get enviable lashes, bold lip looks and more with these expert-approved picks for every type of beauty lover and budget.

Claire Sullivan, Taylor Lane

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December 22, 2023, 12:42pm

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Best Makeup Kits

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Makeup gift sets are an expert secret to streamlining your vanity. They work for all makeup styles — even the no makeup-makeup fans — and all skill levels. These curated collections of makeup products range from collections of certain types of products, like sets of makeup brushes, to kits that contain foundations, bronzers, and eyeshadow so you have everything you need for full glam.

Before you shop for one of the best makeup kits, consider your standard makeup look. Red lipstick wearers, for instance, would probably love a collection of bold lipsticks from their favorite brand. Meanwhile, those who always want sky-high lashes may be looking for great mascaras to try. And if you’re just dipping your toe into the world of makeup, then full-face collections might be the answer, advises Gaby Trujillo, founder of Alamar Cosmetics.

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“There are many kits on the market,” Trujillo says. “Some websites even offer pre-packed kits with a curated selection of products, which are great for beginners who might be overwhelmed by having to shop and fill their kits slowly.”

You also might think of you typically apply your makeup. Some are suited for travel and others are best for at-home use. “I’m looking for something that’s packaged in black, or packaging that can be wiped down, since I’m constantly on the go,” says Stephanie Flor, a makeup artist based in New York City. “That wouldn’t be the priority for a regular consumer who might want something to be pretty and glittery since they’ll be putting it on their vanity table.”

No matter who you’re buying for, makeup kits provide an effortless avenue for discovering new products or snagging a collection of your favorites. And they’re especially helpful if you’re looking to be more budget-conscious this year. “Buying kits or bundles means you’ll get more for your money,” says Nyssa Green, an Emmy award-winning makeup artist based in Atlanta. Below, find the best makeup kits to shop right now.

Top Makeup Kits of 2024

Merit Beauty The Full Collection
Best Makeup Brush Kit: BS-Mall 18-Piece Makeup Brush Set
Best Concealer Kit: Shany Professional Cream Foundation and Camouflage Concealer 15 Color Palette
Best Eye Makeup Kit: Mac Cosmetics Boldly Bare Eye Attire Eye Set
Best Travel Makeup Kit: Trish McEvoy The Power of Makeup Wardrobe Planner
Best Eyeshadow Palette: Morphe 35F Fall Into Fabulous Artistry Palette
Best Eyeshadow and Brush Set: Ucanbe 60 Colors Naked Eyeshadow Palette and 15 Piece Makeup Brush Set
Best Makeup Kit for Brows: Benefit Cosmetics Lil’ Brow Loves Mini Brow Pencil & Gel Set
Best Portable Makeup Kit: Kaja Play Bento Bronzer, Blush, and Highlighter Trio
Westman Atelier The Getaway Edition Set
Best Makeup Kit for Lips: Maybelline New York Lip Studio Lip Color Palette
Best Face Makeup Kit: Makeup Forever HD Face Essentials Palette
Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look Of Love In A Palette
Tom Ford Day Classics Eye & Lip Mini Set
Nude Stix Roses ‘N Honey 3-Piece Mini Nudies Kit
Exa All In Starter Kit
Senna Cosmetics Brow Book Makeup Kit

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Merit Beauty The Full Collection

Merit Beauty Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.6/5 stars

$300 $344 13% off

Buy Now at merit beauty

If you want a full professional makeup kit, look no further. Merit Beauty’s full collection is complete with 12 of the brand’s essential products. Each item is crafted with clean and minimalist formulas that keep your skin’s health in mind. And if you have doubts about clean makeup, rest assured that Merit’s products don’t sit on the skin and leave a caked-on appearance like others. Instead, the makeup offerings — like The Minimalist (a foundation and concealer stick) blends seamlessly into the skin for an airbrushed finish.

What testers say: “I love how effortlessly the stick applies on and blends in smoothly. The matte finish is perfect! Probably my favorite blender.”

Price upon publish date of this article: $300

Best Makeup Brush Kit

BS-Mall 18-Piece Makeup Brush Set

Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.9/5 stars

$12.99 $19 32% off

Buy Now at amazon

There’s nothing like a fresh set of makeup brushes to inspire you to test new looks, and this BS-Mall set contains 18 options for your face, eyes, and lips. The synthetic bristles feel extra soft on your skin and smooth on cream and powder formulas without leaving streaks in their wake. If you’re on the fence, the proof is in the tester reviews — this kit has over 30,000 five star ratings that attest to the brushes’ durability and quality, and it’s the top seller in its category on Amazon.

What testers say: “Great selection of brushes for eyes and face; very little fallout of the fiber brushes. I especially like the face brushes—I’ve been happy to find them replacing my old Real Techniques and even MAC and Sephora brushes. They blend well, accept products well, and are a great bargain. Definitely recommended!”

Price upon publish date of this article: $12.99

Best Concealer Kit

Shany Professional Cream Foundation and Camouflage Concealer 15 Color Palette

Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.9/5 stars

$14.95 $34.95 57% off

Buy Now at amazon

With 15 shades of creamy, buildable face makeup, the Shany Professional foundation and concealer palette packs everything you need to correct dark circles and camouflage discoloration and breakouts. The tones that are too dark or too fair for your skin type work well as bronzer or a non-shimmery highlighter, making this palette extra hardworking. You can easily apply the product with clean fingertips or a dense makeup brush. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more versatile option for under $20.

What testers say: “I’ve been a licensed and professional makeup artist. I ran out of my NYX foundation palette, and this one has been a lifesaver. The pigmentation is amazing and definitely doable for a soft or full glam.”

Price upon publish date of this article: $14.95

Best Eye Makeup Kit

Mac Cosmetics Boldly Bare Eye Attire Eye Set

Nordstrom Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars

$45

Buy Now AT NORDSTROM

Mac Cosmetics is known for high performing formulas with an impressive scope of shades — stock up on some of the brand’s products and you’ll feel like a makeup artist. The Mac Cosmetics Boldly Bare Eye Attire Eye Set gives you everything you’ll need to add oomph to your eyes with this best makeup kit for beginners. The eyeshadow palette features a nice range of shades (earthy green, rich burgundy, shimmery cream, to name a few) you can dust on your lids or pack on with a dense brush for higher intensity. The included lengthening mascara and kohl eye liner accentuate those shades.

Price upon publish date of this article: $45

Best Travel Makeup Kit

Trish McEvoy The Power of Makeup Wardrobe Planner

Nordstrom Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars

$298

Buy Now at nordstrom

Trish McEvoy’s iconic makeup planners are investment pieces for your getting-ready routine. The kit contains everything you need for a full face of glam, or a subtle no makeup-makeup look. You’ll get a number of the brand’s bestsellers. For the eyes, you can even out your lids with a neutralizing primer, smudge on a rich purple liner, uplift your lashes with mascara, and choose from three shadows. You’ll also get liquid face makeup to even out any dark spots or breakouts, bronzer to warm up your complexion, plus blush, highlighter, and finishing powder. You’ll have your lips covered, too, with gloss, lipstick, and lip liner. And the whole set zips up into an organizer for easy traveling.

Price upon publish date of this article: $298

Best Eyeshadow Palette

Morphe 35F Fall Into Fabulous Artistry Palette

Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars

$34

Buy Now AT AMAZON

$28

Buy Now AT ULTA

A great eyeshadow palette goes a long way in your beauty routine. This Morphe eyeshadow palette packs 35 pans that range from sheer pearl to peach to rich mauve and inky black. The powder formulas give you a creamy color payoff, so you won’t need to worry about fallout or splotchy application. And with a mix of matte and shimmery shades, you’ll have something to dust on for every occasion.

Price upon publish date of this article: $34

Best Eyeshadow and Brush Set

Ucanbe 60 Colors Naked Eyeshadow Palette and 15 Piece Makeup Brush Set

Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.9/5 stars

$17.50 $25.99 33% off

Buy Now at amazon

Refresh your eye makeup routine with Ucanbe’s eyeshadow palette and brush set. The included 60 (yes, 60) powder eyeshadows shade in a range of matte and shimmery finishes to work with, and you’ll also score 15 brushes to perfect your application. The shadows include warm and cool undertones to suit any complexion and eye look, no matter if you’re going for an icy, bold lid or something bronzed and natural. The brushes come in a range of sizes and bristle densities to let you further customize your look.

What testers say: “I’ve been using this palette for about a week now, and I love it! I admit, I’m a little bit of a makeup snob and was hesitant to spend money on non-name brand makeup but it was a great choice. I love the selection of colors.”

Price upon publish date of this article: $17.50

Best Makeup Kit for Brows

Benefit Cosmetics Lil’ Brow Loves Mini Brow Pencil & Gel Set

Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars

$28

Buy Now at ulta

$28

Buy Now at revolve

Our brows deserve as much attention as our eyes and lips these days: You can go for a smooth laminated look or add major fluff and definition to balance out a bold lip. With the Lil’ Brow Loves Mini Brow Pencil & Gel Set, you’ll be spoiled for choice. The kit includes a precision brow pencil to draw on more feathery hairs, the bestselling brow volumizing gel, and a 24-hour brow shaping and setting gel for quick smoothing and shaping.

What testers say: “The Benefit Lil Brow Loves is perfect for travel. It provides everything I need to enhance my brows and set them. And the price is worth the trio.”

Price upon publish date of this article: $28

Best Portable Makeup Kit

Kaja Play Bento Bronzer, Blush, and Highlighter Trio

Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.9/5 stars

$28

Buy Now at amazon

$28

Buy Now at sephora

The Kaja Play Bento Bronzer, Blush, and Highlighter Trio is small enough to slip in your pocket, but versatile enough to give you loads of makeup looks. Each powder formula delivers buildable color payoff, and the trio is available in three shade intensities to match fair to deep skin tones. The shades look gorgeous on eyelids in place of shadow, so you can work the colors a number of ways.

What testers say: “A little of this goes a long way and gives a radiant glow once blended. It’s a very small compact, but because you don’t need very much, I think the value is spot on. I’ve tried so many bronzers, blushes, and highlighters, but this is the most pigmented yet blends to give you a natural look.”

Price upon publish date of this article: $28

Westman Atelier The Getaway Edition Set

Nordstrom Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars

$165

Buy Now at nordstrom

Makeup artist Gucci Westman counts celebs like Jennifer Aniston and Anne Hathaway as clients, so you can expect nothing short of the best with her makeup line, Westman Atelier. The brand’s Getaway Set includes the bestselling Super Loaded Tinted Highlight, a Baby Cheeks Blush Stick, and a Lip Suede Lip Palette. Together, the products will leave your complexion looking sun-kissed and super hydrated: The formulas are made with skin-loving ingredients like shea butter and jojoba oil for natural radiance.

What testers say: “I love this set. I bought the set for the lip and cheek color but was so wonderfully surprised by how much I love the super loaded tinted highlight. It adds this gorgeous subtle sheen and wash of color that just makes the cheek color look even more natural. I’m a huge new fan!”

Price upon publish date of this article: $165

Best Makeup Kit for Lips

Maybelline New York Lip Studio Lip Color Palette

Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.9/5 stars

$16.99

Buy Now at amazon

This Maybelline New York Lip Studio Lip Color Palette gives you eight creamy colors to swipe on your smile. The shades are gorgeous on their own, but you can also mix multiple hues to create a signature shade that’s just right for your skin tone. From warm pink to rich dark plum, you can work the colors any time of day, any time of the year. Dab the colors on with your fingertips for a soft, diffused wash of color or use a small brush for bolder color payoff.

What testers say: “I really like these colors…the consistency is good..easy to apply…I love to mix some of the colors together to get that perfect shade for my clients. The colors are good for all skin types and a good product to have in makeup kits. It’s definitely a good bang for your buck.”

Price upon publish date of this article: $16.99

Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look Of Love In A Palette

Revolve Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Bloomingdale’s Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.6/5 stars

$75

Buy Now at revolve

$75

Buy Now at bloomingdale’s

It’s no secret that Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk lipstick has the beauty world under its spell, but wait until you try this palette. It features seven shades that help create an eye-catching eye look. The palette also includes a blush for a natural-looking flush. Each one has a creamy, silky texture that easily glides over the skin.

Price upon publish date of this article: $75

Tom Ford Day Classics Eye & Lip Mini Set

Nordstrom Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars

$90

Buy Now at nordstrom

The Tom Ford Day Classics Eye and Lip Mini Set includes four luxurious eyeshadow shades and two best-selling lipstick shades. Tom Ford is known for iconic makeup looks on the runways, and this set brings all the tools to your daily routine. The Eye Color Quad Crèmes are full of pigment and offer intense color payoff in just one swipe. At the same time, the lip colors are packed with lip-nourishing ingredients like soja seed extract, Brazilian murumuru butter, and chamomilla flower oil, which gives a creamy and smooth application.

What testers say: “This quad is beautiful! It can be applied with a light hand for a day look or layered for more intense pigmentation. The description says the eyeshadows are mini, but they are actually full-sized when compared to my other Tom Ford eyeshadow quads. The lipsticks are mini and are great classic colors.”

Price upon publish date of this article: $90

Nude Stix Roses ‘N Honey 3-Piece Mini NUDIES Kit

Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars

$39

Buy Now AT ULTA

$39

Buy Now AT TARGET

Nudestix is known for multitasking beauty sticks that create a natural “no makeup” look. This set is no different and will quickly earn a spot in your makeup routine. You can use the limited-edition mini trio on your eyes, face, and cheeks for a natural, dewy glow that lasts all day.

What testers say: “I love the product quality and multi-use feature. It gives you a quick fix for your daily makeup where you can use any shade on eyes, lips, or cheeks.”

Price upon publish date of this article: $39

Exa All In Starter Kit

Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars

$39

Buy Now AT ULTA

This affordable beauty kit is under $40 and includes three buildable products. You get a mini Jump Start Smoothing Primer that creates a silky canvas for your other products. The Light Show Color Melt is a multi-use gel pigment that you can use on the eyes, cheeks, and face that’s easy to blend. Lastly, the kit also contains mascara, which gives your lashes a clump-free boost.

Price upon publish date of this article: $39

Best Face makeup Kit

Makeup Forever HD Face Essentials Palette

Makeup Forever Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.7/5 stars

$85

Buy Now at makeup forever

Makeup Forever is the go-to for complexion products. Its items are primarily catered to professionals, but they’re faves for casual makeup enthusiasts, too. The Essential palette expertly puts buildable blush and foundation in one place. If you want that airbrush makeup kit look, this palette is for you. “This is a makeup artist must,” Flor says. “And it’s an easy way to create a natural beauty look for any runway or photo shoot.”

What testers say: “This palette is amazing! I have combination skin type (more on the dry side, oily T-zone). Make sure to prep the skin and keep it hydrated. I love how I can mix to match my skin tone, conceal, then contour and blush! Set with a little pressed powder, and it’s just beautiful! Definitely my #1 travel palette for sure! I’m also a momma and 39 years old!”

Price upon publish date of this article: $85

Senna Cosmetics Brow Book Makeup Kit

Senna Cosmetics Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.9/5 stars

$88

Buy Now at Senna

Senna Cosmetics has a history that runs very deep. Its founder, Eugenia Weston, worked with beauty icons like Bette Midler and was the first licensed makeup artist in Los Angeles. This Brow Book palette has every brow color you could ever want, and the incredible wax holds brows perfectly in place no matter the wear time or weather. “It’s the go-to book for all eyebrows,” Flor says. “I love that the founder is the original brow guru, having worked with Betty Middler and other iconic superstars.”

Price upon publish date of this article: $88

Meet the Authors

Claire Sullivan is the Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor for Footwear News and WWD, where she writes and edits beauty, fashion and lifestyle stories. She has over six years of experience as a writer and editor for national media outlets including Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. She keeps her finger on the pulse of all things related to beauty and wellness, as well as the latest shopping trends and clothing brands.

Taylor Lane is a WWD and Footwear News contributing freelance beauty and fashion shopping writer based in Charleston, South Carolina. The former New Yorker previously held on-staff shopping writer roles at Yahoo Life and Dotdash Meredith. Lane’s bylines have appeared in publications like InStyle, Forbes Vetted, Women’s Health, and more. Lane has several years of editorial experience covering beauty and fashion, reporting on everything from stylish and functional sneakers to the latest and greatest beauty products. Lane contributed to the December 2023 update of this article on the best makeup kits.

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Top Makeup Kits of 2024

Merit Beauty The Full Collection

BS-Mall 18-Piece Makeup Brush Set

Shany Professional Cream Foundation and Camouflage Concealer 15 Color Palette

Mac Cosmetics Boldly Bare Eye Attire Eye Set

Trish McEvoy The Power of Makeup Wardrobe Planner

Morphe 35F Fall Into Fabulous Artistry Palette

Ucanbe 60 Colors Naked Eyeshadow Palette and 15 Piece Makeup Brush Set

Benefit Cosmetics Lil’ Brow Loves Mini Brow Pencil & Gel Set

Kaja Play Bento Bronzer, Blush, and Highlighter Trio

Westman Atelier The Getaway Edition Set

Maybelline New York Lip Studio Lip Color Palette

Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look Of Love In A Palette

Tom Ford Day Classics Eye & Lip Mini Set

Nude Stix Roses ‘N Honey 3-Piece Mini NUDIES Kit

Exa All In Starter Kit

Makeup Forever HD Face Essentials Palette

Senna Cosmetics Brow Book Makeup Kit

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