If you’re like me, you want two things from your makeup products: They need to work well, and they need to work. Fast. Many of us don’t have unlimited time to spend on our makeup, so products that can streamline our routine can make all the difference, which is why makeup kits should be on your radar.
These curated edits often showcase a brand’s hero products (i.e., the best-selling products that actually deliver), designed in a way that allows you to easily create a look, whether you go for a “no makeup” makeup look or a perfect smokey eye. They offer a simple routine of curated products that are not only a great way to build up your makeup bag and try new beauty products, but often, they’re also a savings compared to purchasing products individually.
Whether you want a kit that will offer a full face of makeup or a handy makeup travel kit that you can throw in your carry-on for the holidays, these clever makeup kits will see you through a range of makeup looks (and save you time in the morning!).
The best makeup kits, tried and tested
1. Merit Beauty Five Minute Morning
merit beauty
five minutes in the morning
If there is one makeup brand that has perfected the art of the makeup set, it is Merit Beauty. The entire brand’s ethos focuses on effortless and quick makeup that you can swipe on and go, and its sets are a great way to discover its hero products. There are several curated sets to choose from, but Five Minute Morning includes everything you need for a full face of natural-looking makeup. It includes the iconic Flush Balm Blush, The Minimalist Complexion Stick, Brush Brush No. 1, Day Glow Highlighter, Clean Lash Mascara, Brow 1980 Brow Gel, and Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil. Plus, you can choose the exact shades to suit your preferences, and you even get The Signature Bag to hold it all with your first order – very attractive.
Pros
- Everything you need for quick, minimal makeup
- First order comes with a free makeup bag
- Great formulas and great packaging
- you can choose your shades
Shortcoming
- Not for those who like full glam makeup
2. Victoria Beckham Beauty Eye Wardrobe Edit
Victoria Beckham Beauty
Eye Wardrobe Edit
Victoria Beauty Beauty has a lot of great products, but as a beauty editor, I find its eye makeup products to be a standout, which makes this kit really special. It includes the iconic Satin Kajal Liner, Eye Wardrobe Eyeshadow Palette and Future Lash Mascara. You can mix and match the shades to curate your personalized edit (and save 10% in the process), but if you want a recommendation, go for the Cocoa Satin Kajal Liner. This is the perfect everyday brown eyeliner pencil that works just as well for smoky eyes as it does for everyday definition.
Pros
- Customizable selection of colors for eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara
- You save by purchasing each product separately
3. Ilia Beauty The Complexion + Color Set
4. Jones Road Beauty The Hero Kit
jones road beauty
hero kit
If there’s anyone I trust to create a makeup kit, it’s celebrity makeup artist Bobbi Brown. For her makeup brand Jones Road, she’s put together this great edit of essentials that allows you to create an effortless makeup look in minutes. I’m thrilled to see not one, but two miracle balms here. These multi-purpose balms can be used in a number of ways, like blush, bronzer, highlighter or even all over to create a glowing complexion, and you can choose between two sets of shades. Inside the kit there is also the best brown pencil, mascara and eye cream to bring your look together.
Pros
- multi-purpose product
- Two color options to choose from
Shortcoming
- You can customize the shades of Miracle Balm only
5. Westman Atelier Petite Petal Make-up Gift Set
Westman Atelier
Beautiful Petal Make-up Gift Set
This is another MUA-curated kit from celebrity makeup artist Gucci Westman, founder of Westman Atelier. The brand has some of my favorite makeup products all the timeAnd in this set, they come in coveted travel sizes, including the iconic Petite Baby Cheeks Blush in the shade Petal, one of the brand’s most beloved shades. This color also extends to the rest of the collection, which includes the Petite Lit Up Stick, Petite Lipstick and Petite Lip Liner in the same shade for a harmonious makeup look. It’s a great way to try out the brand’s heroes in miniature (they’re also perfect for travel).
Pros
- Blushes, lipsticks, liners and highlighters in best-selling shades
- Mini sizes are ideal for traveling or trying out brands
6. Violet_Fr Kiss of Cooler Set
VIOLETTE_FR
kiss of cool set
Violette_FR is the brand you’ll find in every French woman’s makeup stash, and this duo set includes two of the best products from this charming brand: Bisou Balm and Bisou Blush. The first is a sheer matte lip balm that’s inspired by the “bouche mordeau” look (which translates as “simply cut lips”) and delivers a dewy wash of color that’s so effortlessly beautiful. The blush stick provides natural-looking color to the cheeks and comes with a removable brush on the other end, making it great for touch-ups on the go. You can choose your favorite shade of each to create your own Parisian-inspired makeup look.
Pros
- Customizable Lip and Blush Combo
- Comfortable looking and easy to wear
7. Dior Dior Addict Lip Ritual Gift Set
dior
Addictive Lip Ritual Gift Set
Trust me, Dior has some of the best makeup sets. But if you’re looking to update your lip wardrobe, this set is no easy task. Combining lip color and lip care, you’ll find the icon that is Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil, as well as Dior Addict Lip Glow, a tinted lip balm that develops the perfect color for your lips by reacting to the pH of your lips. Along with the full size product is a mini Dior Addict Lip Maximizer, a thick lip gloss. They all come in the universally attractive shade 001 Pink, which is a translucent, glassy pink.
Pros
- Includes a full-size lip oil and lip balm, as well as a mini lip plumper
- Sheer translucent shade suits everyone
8. Refai Signature Sculpt Collection
ref
Signature Sculpture Collection
Apart from foundation or concealer, this Refi Beauty set really has everything you need for your makeup bag. It includes the Glow & Sculpt Face Primer, Cream Blush, Cream Bronzer (one of the best cream bronzers I’ve tried – it’s so good), Lip Gloss, Lash Sculpt Mascara, as well as the Brow Sculpt and dual-ended duo brush. These essential items are a great way to try out some of Refy’s best products, and there’s also a saving of £40 over buying them all individually. This is a great option if you need a makeup bag reset.
Pros
- Customizable Shaders
- Almost everything you need for a full face of makeup
- great value
Shortcoming
- Does not include foundation or concealer
9. Try Me Love Me Set by Terry
by terry
Try Me, Love Me Set
Do you need a travel set that you can take and go? Will not be disappointed with Terry’s editing. It costs £210 on its own and features all of the iconic makeup brand’s hero products in miniature form, neatly housed in a cute makeup bag. The set includes minis of Hyaluronic Global Face Cream and Hydra-Primer to prep the skin, as well as the iconic Tea to Tan Face and Body Tint that gives skin a healthy glow. You also get Mascara Terribly and Ombre Blackstar, Baume de Rose Le Stick Lèvres Lip Care and Brightening CC Serum to enhance your eyes. If that wasn’t enough, you’ll also get a retractable tool—the Expert Kabuki Brush and mini pressed hydra-powder—to set your makeup.
Pros
- A great travel kit for the holidays
- Comes with makeup bag
Shortcoming
- not customizable
- Travel-sized products only
10. Hourglass Vegan Travel Brush Set
hourglass
Vegan Travel Brush Set
If you’re looking for a makeup brush kit, you can’t go wrong with Hourglass’ makeup brushes. It’s an investment, but this makeup brush kit has everything you need for base and eye makeup, and the quality of these brushes is second to none. They’re silky soft and apply everything from cream to powder formulations efficiently. I have several Hourglass brushes—I’ve had them for years and I use them almost every day, and they’re still as good as they were when I first used them.
Pros
- A fantastic range of makeup brushes for complexion and eyes
- high quality brushes
Shortcoming
- This is an investment purchase
11. Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Check-In Kit
charlotte tilbury
Beauty Check-in Kit
You’ll find plenty of great Charlotte Tilbury makeup kits, but, in my opinion, this one contains all the iconic classics in miniature form that deserve a spot in your makeup bag. First of all, you have both the Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder and the Setting Spray as well as the Hollywood Flawless Filter (the ultimate glowing skin tint), which are some of the only products that keep my makeup in place all day. You also get two of Charlotte Tilbury’s other icons, including Pillow Talk lipstick and Lip Cheat lip liner.
Pros
- Adaptation
- Charlotte Tilbury’s hero products are
why trust us
At Who What Wear UK, we know beauty isn’t one size fits all. Our editors have tested thousands of products over the years, including some skin care, makeup, hair and nails and have worked closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, makeup artists and leading industry insiders—to make sure each guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver results, whether they’re affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selections are based on real results, ingredient information, and what we would actually recommend to a friend.
