A starter beauty kit for under ₹1,000

You do not need a shelf of products to start. You need a few that work and that you will finish.

What to buy first

• A gentle cleanser — the one product it is worth not skipping. Cleansers
• A moisturiser — gel if your skin is oily, cream if it is dry. Moisturisers
• A sunscreen — SPF 50, PA+++ or better. Sunscreens
• A lip tint — the fastest way to look put together. Lip tints
• A cream blush — more forgiving than powder if you are new to it. Blush

What to skip at the start

Strong actives — retinol, high-percentage acids — until you know how your skin behaves. Eyeshadow palettes with forty shades, when you will use four. And anything promising an overnight transformation.

Making the budget go further

Orders over ₹699 include a free Cetaphil SPF 50+ sunscreen, which covers one of the five above on its own. Full range in all products.