When I first started using makeup in the 7th grade, I always looked dreadful. Not only was my eyebrow game weak and my face full of adolescent acne, but I had picked up some pretty bad habits while attempting to navigate my way around the makeup scene. My foundation was orange, my eyeliner was thick, and my eyeshadow was blue or glittery at all times. Needless to say, I was in need of rescue from someone or something, and YouTube tutorials along with makeup blogs saved my life once I got into my 10th grade year (don't worry, my skills had improved slightly beforehand). When I was 12, I learned how to apply eyeliner and lipstick by watching an old clip of Steven Tyler getting ready for an Aerosmith show in the 80s, and if that doesn't appear to be a problem, I don't know what does! I was still using my "big and bold" method for my eyes and lips until my friend took me to Ulta for the first time and showed me a whole new world... literally. In my makeup journey, I've learned many valuable lessons. To help you guys avoid making any tragic mistakes, I've compiled a list of a few items makeup-wearing folks need in their stash at all times.

Brush Shampoo

If you're a regular makeup user, you have a good many brushes in your possession. Many people don't clean their brushes on a daily, or even weekly, basis (guilty), and neglecting to clean brushes is not only gross, but unhealthy to the skin. When you go a few days, especially a few weeks, without cleaning the brushes you regulaly use on your face, you're putting yourself directly in the path of acne, blackheads, and possible infections from the skin cells and bacteria on the brushes. While a gentle soap with antibacterial elements normally does the trick for cleaning brushes, buying shampoo fomulated with the needs of soft makeup brushes in mind is wise. I use the e.l.f. product pictured above, but many other brands offer brush shampoo, like Sephora, MAC, and EcoTools.

Beauty Blender

For the longest time, I believed people who applied their liquid makeup with anything other than their fingers were absolute idiots. I was under the impression that using a brush or sponge was wasteful because they would suck up most of the product and cause you to use even more makeup. To my dismay, I realized beauty blenders were not entirely stupid gimmicks, but rather life savers. Beauty blenders allow the user to blend their makeup in with their skin to give the user a natural look and better coverage. I bought my blender a few months ago, and I'm a believer now! Due to being a broke college kid, I have yet to buy a name brand blender, but the BH Studio Pro Beauty Blender above works wonderfully as well as Ulta's makeup blending sponges and Studio Basics' Expert Complexion sponge.

Eyelid Primer

Way too many people go their entire lives without knowing about eye primer, and that makes me super sad. If you've ever worn eyeshadow, you're aware of how annoying the creases in your eyeshadow after a long day are. The first eye primer I bought has been my go-to for the past 3 years, but last year, Wet n' Wild discontinued their Fergie makeup line. Since that depressing day, I have been searching for an equally cheap dupe, and the cheapest one I can find that has the staying power of my $7 Fergie primer is the Ulta brand primer in Champagne. Urban Decay and Tarte also offer great primers, but if you want to stay under $15, go to the Ulta brand.

Scotch Tape

I don't use the Scotch Tape method on a daily basis, but if I'm doing a look involving a lot of eyeshadow or winged liner, I go for the tape. Scotch tape not only blocks shadow from getting all over your face, but it provides a border for your eyeliner too. The link in the picture gives a great guide to using the tape properly, so check it out! It never hurts to prepare, so I always keep tape on hand.

Translucent Powder

Cakey makeup is every girl's nightmare, and one of the biggest causes of a cake face is using thick foundation and powder foundation over it. Blending the foundation into the skin and letting it dry before applying powder is one way to reduce a cake face, but if you don't really need the extra coverage but want to reduce shine, go for a translucent powder. Once again, my favorite Fergie powder was discontinued, but I've found NYX's finishing powder above to be a good dupe. Revlon and Dermablend also offer good products.

Setting Spray

I don't use setting spray on daily basis, but it's a nice alternative to using hairspray to maintain my looks like I have for ages. I wish I knew about this sooner, but thanks to my first-ever Birchbox, I got a sample of Coola's setting spray pictured above. I love this stuff! It even lasts through outdoor summer parties, so I recommend it. It's a bit pricey, but Ulta and NYX also have sprays that work well.

Eyelash Curler

Eyelash curlers seem like a thing of the past, but they're pretty necessary to people with barely any lashes. I lack in the lash department, and I thought lash curlers were pretty stupid. Recently, I started using my lash curler again and I feel like an idiot for not using it more! You can find a curler literally anywhere, but the Revlon curler above works well.

May your makeup be fresh and your lashes be as dark as your souls, darlings. These items will help you exponentially in the future, so stock up and step out of your comfort zone!