Starting out in makeup artistry is an expensive undertaking. Here’s a piece of advice: build your makeup kit slowly. Only invest in products that are useful and universal. This is not the time to splurge on limited editions or whimsical collections. Make sure that you have the basics.

One of the basics that you need is foundation. In knowing what I know now, let me say that it is best to invest in foundation palettes. Foundation palettes have an array of colors that can match any shade of skin at any given time. It is your base, highlighter and contour product in one. Over time, as you continue on your makeup journey, you will notice which colors you frequently use. Those are the colors that you should buy in full size.  On a lighter note, palettes in your kit can make your load lighter. It’s no joke bringing around 20 kilos of makeup.

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One foundation palette I have in my kit is the Bobbi Brown University Palette; more popularly called The BBU palette. It has a whopping 20 shades of foundation from her Skin Foundation Stick collection. Aside from that, it also has 13 shades of Corrector and 14 shades of Creamy Concealer. It is practically all you need to create a flawless face.

Bobbi’s foundation on this palette provide, at most, medium coverage. It is very creamy, easy to blend and sheer out. If the skin you are working on is heavily blemished, you will need to work a bit more on blemish by layering foundation and concealer around the area. Do take note that this is a cream foundation, it will always give a dewy finish and will work best on dry and combination skin types.

As a precaution, since the “wells” of this product are closely packed together, it is best to use a spatula to pick up the product that you need. Also always make sure to spritz 99% alcohol all over the palette to sanitize it after every use.

The BBU palette comes in a packaging that is easy to hold and store, it practically this size of a small notebook. It’s made of a black sturdy plastic material with a total dimension of 7.7in x 6.4in x .5in when fully open.

 The BBU palette comes with a face shade guide as well. It gives you suggestions on what products and colors to use to achieve a cohesive makeup look. Have it laminated at once, so it will last longer.

According to the www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com this palette retails for $250. It seems to be expensive but in truth, it is quite a bargain. If you have friends in the US who are makeup artists who are part of the Bobbi Brown Pro Program (40% off on online purchases) or those who work for Bobbi Brown, they are eligible to get this at a discounted rate. Do take note that the BBU palette sells out fast. So when you see one, buy it.

For those of us here in the Philippines, two of my friends saw this at the Bobbi Brown boutique in Rustan’s a while back. To make sure I contacted their facebook fan page, Bobbi Brown Philippines, to ask for its availability. Indeed it is. This retails for Php 12,500.Again it’s quite pricey, but it’s definitely worth it. Trust me.

I had a project a few weeks back where I was working with three beautiful ladies from South Africa, The BBU palette was my saving grace. I had all the foundation colors needed.

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Feel free to contact a Bobbi Brown branch nearest you and check if it is on stock : Rustan’s Makati Grand Mall: +63-917-838-6845

Rustan’s Shangri-La Plaza, Level 1: +632-633-4636

Power Plant Mall, Essences: +63-917-838-6842

SM Megamall, 2nd Floor Bridgeway: +63-917-838-6897

SM Mall of Asia, 2nd Floor, Main Mall: +63-917-838-6849

SM Aura, 1st Floor: +63-929-1632-354

Rustan’s Alabang Town Center: +632-850-5532

SM North EDSA: +63-935-946-4511

Rustan’s Ayala Center Cebu: +63-917-838-6901