Today is Makeup Day, a day to celebrate our love for all things beauty! If you’re a makeup newbie or a seasoned pro, we all have those first few products that got us hooked and started our love affair with makeup. So, in honour of this special day, Team ELLE is spilling the tea on the first makeup products that reeled us in and shaped our beauty journeys. From nostalgic lip balms to iconic mascaras, here’s a fun walk down makeup memory lane with our squad!
I’ll start, my makeup obsession began with my mom’s L’Oreal Paris Hip Eyeshadow Duo which I used in just about every way possible. It wasn’t just eyeshadow to me—I used it as a highlighter and even blush (with very questionable results, I might add). And not to forget the Maybelline New York Clear Glow BB Stick. It was my first introduction to a BB product, and I used it as a foundation, concealer, and an all-over skin perfector. These two products were my ride-or-die, and they quickly turned my casual curiosity into a full-blown makeup obsession!
Kannagi Desai, Beauty Editor
My gateway products were an eclectic mix, the popular Maybelline Great Lash Mascara, the Lancome Juicy Tubes, and the classic Lipsmacker lip balm in watermelon flavour. But the star of my starter kit was my mom’s old Estee Lauder Eyeshadow Palette—a Pure Color Envy if memory serves me right. The palette was a little worn out (bless mom’s loyalty to her makeup), but I couldn’t get enough of the soft, velvety shades and the thrill of sneaking it when she wasn’t looking.
Ekta Sinha, Jr Digital Writer
Growing up, makeup was strictly off-limits at home. My mom was pretty firm about me not wearing makeup, so I entered the beauty game a little late. But once I did, there was no turning back. My first ever makeup purchase was the Maybelline New York Color Sensational Lipstick in Burgundy Blush. It was dramatic, rebellious, and totally worth the side-eye from my mom. From there, my obsession with dark lipstick shades only grew. It’s safe to say that I’m still a sucker for a good burgundy lipstick.
Isha Mayer, Lifestyle Editor
Ah, the ‘90s lip glosses! If you know, you know. My first brush with makeup was thanks to those sticky, glittery glosses that we all wore in school like they were going out of style (spoiler: they didn’t, we just grew up). But in college, I discovered the power of kajal and I was hooked. The two brands that made it happen were Maybelline and Chambor. There was just something about a perfectly lined eye that made me feel so put together.
Zoha Castelino, Fashion Director
When I was 16, I was the epitome of cool with my kajal and mascara combo. My mom referred to me as a raccoon (she wasn’t wrong), but I wore it like a badge of honour. My go-to product? The iconic green and pink tube of Maybelline Great Lash Mascara. It was the perfect addition and a must-have for every rock ‘n’ roll look I tried to pull off.
Alekha Chugani, Assistant Art Director
For me, it all started with the good ol’ Maybelline Colossal Kajal. This yellow pencil was my introduction to the world of eye makeup, and it was my partner in crime for learning how to apply eyeliner. The process was fun, but removing it? Not so much. But hey, practice makes perfect, and every eyeliner smudge was a lesson in persistence!
Ipsita Kaul, Fashion Writer
My makeup journey started with a little bit of sneaking around—specifically, sneaking into my mom’s vanity! She had this Revlon lipstick in a sheer, orangish-red shade that was balmy and super moisturising. I would swipe it on whenever she left the house. Eventually, the lipstick became a forgotten treasure in my drawer.
Zehra Ahmedi, Project Manager for ELLE Beauty Awards
The first product that had me utterly hooked was the Isa Dora Smooth n Shine Lip Gloss paired with the Isa Dora Sculptor Face Palette. That lip gloss was my go-to through high school and the face palette introduced me to the art of sculpting. It was all about experimenting, and nothing felt off-limits.
Anamm Inamdar, Jr Fashion Writer
Inspired by Taylor Swift’s bold red lip, my first love was the Lakme Absolute Lipstick in a striking shade of scarlet. I tried dozens of lipsticks to recreate that perfect red pout, but none stuck around as long as the Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick. Years later, it’s still sitting pretty in my makeup drawer—a testament to finding your perfect match and never letting go.
That’s our love letter to the makeup products that started it all. From sneaking our mom’s favourite shades to stashing glossy school-day secrets, each of these products holds a cherished spot in our memories.
