Best makeup starter kits for beginners

Start here: the Laura Geller Complete Baked Starter Kit (8 PC). The most genuinely complete beginner set I found — foundation, blush, bronzer, highlighter and eyeshadows in one box, in natural, forgiving finishes that are hard to overdo while learning, and the strongest ratings here.

Who the others suit:

• bareMinerals Get Started Kit — learn with loose mineral powder; gentlest, simplest routine.
• bareMinerals Beginner Kit — one neutral matte brown look.
• Laura Geller Baked Starter Kit (3 PC) — try the baked-powder approach in a smaller set.
• Hydrating Cream Color + Glow — cream textures for dry skin, easy with fingers.
• Mature Skin Basics — primer, foundation and setting for skin needing hydration.
• AOLIKOKO / Makeup Kit with Mascara and Brush — widest colour range for experimenting.
• Makeup Made Simple — lots of mini palettes for practising colour.

Add a brush set and remover — most kits skimp on both.