Makeup is such an amazing way to express yourself and that is why many people choose to wear it. You might feel like you are not great at applying makeup but everyone has to start somewhere and whether you are a newbie or a pro, there is always room for improvement. You need to think about emphasizing your best features and there are certain ways to do that to make you look and feel amazing. No matter what kind of makeup look you are trying to achieve, you will find tips in this guide to help you do just that.
Starting off with the basics
Some people throw makeup products on their face and hope for the best but you can't start with foundation, eye-shadow, and all of that until you have made a base. You need to prime your face like the flawless canvas you are. The following steps should help you finesse your makeup skills to the best of your ability.
Washing and cleansing
You need to start by washing your face with a gentle cleanser and removing any old makeup. Applying fresh makeup onto makeup that is already on your face will make your skin appear blotchy and uneven and cleaning your face regularly helps prevent acne due to clogged pores. Make sure that you see cleaning your skin as a part of your makeup routine that you just can't do without.
Moisturize and prime
Next, you should put some moisturizer on your face, this will hydrate your skin and start off with a good base for the rest of your products to be applied. Primer is always applied before foundation and for that reason, that is what you need to put onto your skin next. Look for a good-quality primer that is suited to your skin type and apply it in a thin layer. Primer acts as a barrier between your face and your foundation, it stops makeup from soaking into the pores and it also makes it last longer throughout the day. There is nothing worse than applying a gorgeous face of makeup for a special occasion only to have it wear off throughout the day and primer will help prevent this from happening.
Apply a liquid foundation
Foundation is possibly the most important step in guaranteeing a flawless makeup result so make sure that you take your time on this step and remember that practice makes perfect. You need to find the right color foundation for you and you can do this by using the undertones in your skin. First, you need to discover what your undertones actually are of course and you can actually do this online on many websites if you are not sure how to do it yourself. You also need to choose a foundation depending on your skin tone and type. If you have oily skin you would go for a matte finish whereas if your skin is oily, you would go for something more hydrating. You also need to decide whether you want low, medium, or high coverage and this is really all down to personal preference. Use a foundation brush to apply your chosen liquid foundation and the best way to do it is to dot it over your face and then blend.
Use concealer to touch up any blemishes
When choosing a concealer, make sure to choose one that is at least two shades darker than your foundation. This is the ideal product for making you look more awake and covering up blemishes and spots. Use the stick that comes with the concealer to dab on the areas of your skin where you need it most, and then work into the skin using your finger or a small brush.
Use setting powder and contour with bronzer
You should now set your foundation and concealer in place with a setting powder and a powder brush. Less is more with powder so don't overdo it but apply it onto the areas of your face where you get shine and/or oil. Once you have used setting powder, it's time to inject a little more definition into your face by contouring with bronzer. Experts recommend applying bronzer with a fluffy brush and to certain areas where the sun would naturally hit you like your forehead, tops of cheekbones, and nose.
Add some blush
While bronzer helps to shape your face, blush gives you some color and this is the next step in the makeup process. Some women struggle to know where to apply blush but it is actually pretty straightforward. Simply apply blusher (in the color of your choice) to the apples of your cheeks and blend up to the tops of your ears. Blush can definitely be a makeup product that you use all year round but it's very big for summer and spring when you really want to appear like you have more color in your cheeks.
It's time to do your eyebrows
Your eyebrows frame your entire face so it is time to do your eyebrows and there are many ways that you can do it. You can use a brow liner or gel pencil to fill in the hairs of your eyebrows and be sure to follow the natural arch. Eyebrows are an absolute minefield but it is well worth learning to do them yourself. There are many eyebrow tutorials on YouTube that should help you in becoming a pro in no time.
Apply eyeliner and mascara
We are still working on your eyes and next up is eyeliner and mascara. There are lots of different eyeliner types out there so try out different products and see what works best for you. Start by applying eyeliner to your waterline for some added definition. Many people love the cat eyeliner flick and if you want to create this kind of effect, the best way to do it is with a gel liner and brush. Always start at the base of your lash line and work your way out if you are trying to create a flick. But again, lots of women have different techniques for this so watch videos, practice, and see what works best for you. Next up, it's mascara and the whole point of mascara is to make your eyelashes fuller and longer. Use eyelash curlers first to give your lashes that wow faster and then apply mascara, starting from the base and going all the way through to the tips.
Use some highlighter
Highlighter can finish off your makeup look perfectly and is recommended for this part of your routine. Blend some highlighter into the high parts of your face where the sun would naturally hit. If you are new to this, it is recommended that you go for a powder highlighter rather than a liquid one. You can apply a highlighter either with a small fluffy brush or your finger and don't forget to do some on the tip of your nose, your cheekbones, and your cupid's bow. It seems like contour and highlighter are quite new in the world of makeup but they make such a huge difference and although they seem complicated, they are actually quite easy to learn.
Make up your lips
Your lips have been neglected up until this point but it is time to give them some love. You should start by outlining your lips with some lipliner and fill in with the lipstick color of your choice. You should choose a lipliner color and lipstick color that go well together. Lipgloss is a nice finish and something that a lot of experts do in order to add more of a pout.
Hopefully, you have got something useful from this basic makeup guide and it makes you want to try things out on your own face. This is more of a daily makeup guide but obviously, you can more glam if the occasion calls for it. Once you have mastered these basics, you can be more experimental with your makeup and express yourself in whatever ways that you want to. There are some things that you definitely need to keep in mind with establishing this new makeup routine and first and foremost, your skincare is really important. A good routine will help to keep your skin in good condition even when you are not wearing makeup. You should also always remember to take your makeup off at the end of the day no matter what.
Makeup FAQ
Should foundation be put on the eyelids?
You should never put foundation on your eyelids because it might cause your eye makeup to shift around and go into your eyes.
What is BB cream?
BB cream is otherwise known as beauty balm or blemish balm, it reduces the appearance of fine lines and blemishes, plus it can also be used as primer.
Key information
- Only start your makeup routine after you have thoroughly cleaned your face and moisturized.
- A primer will help your makeup look better on your skin and also last longer.
- If you don't use a proper makeup application technique, your makeup will appear cakey and uneven.
