My Kit: Honest Product Reviews & Makeup Dupes
I test everything so you don't have to. Here is my honest take on what is actually worth the splurge and which budget-friendly gems perform like luxury icons.
You don't need to break the bank to build a great makeup kit. These are my honest drugstore favorites that I've repurchased many times, from the Maybelline Lumi-Matte foundation to the L'Oréal Lash Paradise mascara.
Love a high-end product but not the price tag? I've got you. Here are some of my favorite makeup dupes, like an affordable alternative to the Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter, that work just as well.
If you're looking to indulge, these are my top luxury picks for the dreamiest makeup kit. In this video, I cover my favorite high-end primers, foundations, concealers, and lipsticks that are worth the splurge.
Here is part two of my luxury must-haves, focusing on powders, blushes, and highlighters. I'm sharing my thoughts on cult favorites like the Benefit Hoola bronzer and the Dior Rosy Glow blushes.
These are seven makeup products I invested in that completely changed my makeup game. This list includes staples like the NARS Longwear Foundation and the Tarte Shape Tape Concealer that I swear by for a flawless glam.
These are my go-to base products for skin that looks smoother, glowier, and still breathable. This collection includes favorites like the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk and Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless foundations.
My top four concealers that never let me down. These products from Dior, Too Faced, Estée Lauder, and NARS are my ride-or-dies for brightening, blurring, and staying put all day long.
My blush game is strong thanks to these beauties. I love having a mix of cream, liquid, and powder blushes from brands like Rare Beauty, Dior, and Estée Lauder to create the perfect flush for any look.
From a soft sculpt to full glam, these are the contour queens of my kit. The Benefit Hoola powder and Fenty stick contour are two of my absolute favorites for defining and shaping the face.
Great makeup starts with great skin. These are some of the skincare products I love that always make my skin feel luxe and perfectly prepped for makeup application, including the Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair.
About My Kit: Product Recs, Dupes & Reviews
Finding the right makeup isn't about buying the most expensive item on the shelf; it's about finding what actually lasts on your skin. I spend a lot of time testing products—from cult-favorite luxury foundations to viral drugstore finds—to see which ones hold up in our humidity and deliver on their promises. Before you splurge on that high-end palette, ask me if it is truly worth the money or if there is a budget-friendly alternative that works better for you.
My philosophy is simple: you do not need a vanity full of luxury brands to look good. I regularly perform 'vanity raids' for my clients, helping them decide what to keep and what to toss. Often, we find that a drugstore concealer or mascara performs exactly like the high-end version, saving you thousands for products where the investment really matters.
I teach this approach in my workshops here in DLF Phase 2, Gurgaon. Whether you are building your first makeup bag or are an aspiring artist looking to optimize your professional kit, we focus on the science of the application. We look at texture, wear time, and how different formulas react to Indian skin tones.
If you are planning your bridal makeup or just want to master your everyday look, you do not need to guess. I keep my kit stocked with a mix of icons like Estée Lauder Double Wear for longevity and Maybelline’s Lumi-Matte for a breathable, skin-like finish. My goal is to make sure you have the right tools to feel comfortable and confident, without wasting your money on hype that doesn't actually work for you.
Sakshi Sagar
I'm Sakshi, a makeup artist based in Gurgaon, and I believe makeup should make you feel confident, not like you are wearing a mask. I spend as much time testing drugstore finds as I do luxury icons to make sure my kit—and yours—is packed with products that actually deliver.
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