So, you’ve decided to start doing makeup yourself—welcome! Whether you’re looking to enhance your natural beauty, experiment with new looks, or just have some fun, learning how to apply makeup is an exciting journey. The best part is that it doesn’t have to be complicated. This guide will walk you through the essentials, step by step, so you can confidently create a fresh, flawless look.
Step 1: Start with a Clean Canvas
Before you even think about makeup, skincare is key! Applying makeup on dry, dirty, or unmoisturized skin can make everything look patchy and uneven. Here’s what you should do:
- Wash your face with a gentle cleanser to remove any dirt or oil.
- Apply a moisturizer suited for your skin type to keep your skin hydrated.
- Use sunscreen if you’re heading out—sun protection is non-negotiable!
Step 2: Primer – Your Makeup’s Best Friend
Primer is like a magic filter for your skin. It smooths everything out, helps your makeup last longer, and can even control oil or add hydration depending on the formula you choose.
- Apply a pea-sized amount and spread it evenly over your face.
- Let it sit for a minute before moving on to the next step.
Step 3: Foundation – The Base of Your Look
Now we’re getting into the real fun! Foundation evens out your skin tone and gives you a fresh, radiant glow. Choosing the right shade is important—test it on your jawline to find your perfect match.
- Use a brush, sponge, or your fingers to blend the foundation into your skin.
- Start in the center of your face and blend outward.
- If you want light coverage, use a small amount. For full coverage, build it up gradually.
Step 4: Concealer – Bye-Bye, Blemishes
Do you have dark circles, redness, or blemishes? Concealer is your secret weapon! It brightens up your under-eye area and covers imperfections like a pro.
- Apply concealer in a triangle shape under your eyes for a lifted effect.
- Dab it on any blemishes or dark spots.
- Blend it out with a sponge or your fingertip for a seamless finish.
Step 5: Set It in Place – The Power of Powder
If you don’t want your makeup sliding off your face by lunchtime, setting powder is your best friend. It locks everything in and keeps oiliness at bay.
- Use a fluffy brush to dust a light layer of translucent powder over your face.
- Focus on the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin), where shine tends to appear.
Step 6: Add Dimension with Bronzer and Blush
Now that your base is flawless, it’s time to bring some warmth and color back to your face!
- Bronzer: Sweep it on the hollows of your cheeks, jawline, and hairline for a sun-kissed look.
- Blush: Smile and apply it on the apples of your cheeks, blending upward.
Step 7: Glow Up with Highlighter
Want to look like you’re glowing from within? Highlighter is the key! A touch of shimmer on the high points of your face adds a fresh, dewy look.
- Apply highlighter to your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and your cupid’s bow.
- For extra glow, tap a little on your eyelids and the inner corners of your eyes.
Step 8: Eye Makeup – The Fun Part
Your eyes are where you can really get creative! But for a beginner, let’s keep things simple.
- Eyeshadow: Start with a neutral shade all over your lid, then add a slightly darker shade in the crease.
- Eyeliner: A thin line along your lash line can make your eyes pop! Go for a soft brown pencil for a natural look.
- Mascara: Wiggle the wand from the base to the tip of your lashes for instant volume and length.
Step 9: Brows – Frame Your Face
Eyebrows shape your entire face, so don’t skip this step!
- Use a brow pencil or powder to fill in any sparse areas.
- Follow your natural shape and blend with a spoolie for a soft finish.
Step 10: Lips – The Final Touch
Time to complete your look with a perfect pout! Choose a shade that complements your makeup and mood.
- Lip balm: Hydrate your lips before applying anything else.
- Lipstick or gloss: Swipe it on and blot it with a tissue for a long-lasting finish.
You’re Ready to Slay!
See? Learning how to apply makeup isn’t as intimidating as it seems! With a little practice, you’ll get the hang of it and start to experiment with different looks. Makeup is all about enhancing what you love about yourself, so have fun with it and don’t stress over perfection. Now, go grab your makeup bag and start creating magic!
Frequently Asked Questions: How to Apply Makeup as a Beginner
1. Where do I even start with makeup?
Starting with makeup can feel overwhelming because there are so many products, techniques, and trends. But here’s the thing—makeup is personal, and you don’t need to buy everything at once. The best way to start is by figuring out what kind of look you want. Are you into a natural, everyday glow? Or do you want something a little more glam?
Once you have an idea, begin with the basics: a good moisturizer, sunscreen (yes, even under makeup), and maybe a light foundation or tinted moisturizer. These keep your skin hydrated and give you an even base to work with. Then, you can add a little concealer to brighten under your eyes or cover any spots, a bit of blush for warmth, and mascara to open up your eyes.
If you’re feeling a little adventurous, try a lip gloss or sheer lipstick. Keep it simple, and most importantly—experiment! There’s no right or wrong way to do makeup, and half the fun is just playing around to see what you like.
2. How do I choose the right foundation shade?
Finding your perfect foundation shade is kinda like online dating—it takes trial and error, but when you find the one, everything just clicks. The goal is to match the foundation to your skin tone and your undertone.
First, figure out if you have warm, cool, or neutral undertones. If gold jewelry looks better on you, you probably have warm undertones. If silver suits you more, you might have cool undertones. If both work, you’re likely neutral. Another way to check is by looking at the veins on your wrist—if they’re more blue or purple, you lean cool; if they’re greenish, you’re warm.
Once you know your undertone, swatch a few foundation shades along your jawline and check them in natural light. The right shade should disappear into your skin without leaving a noticeable line. Oh, and don’t be afraid to mix two shades if you can’t find an exact match. Your skin tone changes with the seasons, and sometimes, blending is the way to go.
3. What’s the easiest way to do eyeliner without messing up?
Eyeliner can either make you feel like an absolute pro or make you want to throw the whole thing away and give up. But it’s all about technique, and the easiest way to get it right is to work in small steps.
Instead of trying to draw a perfect, solid line in one go, start by making tiny dots or dashes along your lash line. Then, connect them little by little. If you’re going for a wing, place a dot where you want the wing to end and connect it back to your lash line—it’s like playing connect-the-dots.
Also, don’t pull on your eyelid when applying liner! It might seem like it helps, but when you let go, your liner might look wonky. Instead, tilt your head slightly back and look down into a mirror. If you’re struggling with liquid liner, try using an angled brush and a gel or eyeshadow first. Once you get the shape right, you can trace over it with a liquid liner for that crisp look.
And hey, if you mess up? Cotton swabs and micellar water are your best friends.
4. How do I make my makeup last all day?
The secret to long-lasting makeup isn’t just about the products—it’s about how you prep and layer everything. First, start with clean, hydrated skin. Makeup sits better when your skin is smooth and moisturized, so don’t skip that step. If your skin gets oily throughout the day, a mattifying primer can help keep things in place. If your skin is on the drier side, go for a hydrating primer.
When applying foundation, use thin layers instead of caking it on. Think of it like painting—multiple light coats last longer than one thick coat. Set everything with a little bit of translucent powder, but don’t overdo it unless you want that dry, cracked look (nobody does).
The real game-changer, though? Setting spray. A few spritzes after you finish your makeup will help lock everything in and make your skin look fresh instead of powdery. Oh, and if you get shiny throughout the day, blotting papers work better than adding more powder.
5. How do I make my lips look fuller without getting fillers?
If you’re not about that filler life but still want a fuller-lip effect, the trick is all in the illusion. First, exfoliate your lips—smooth lips reflect more light, making them look naturally plumper. Then, apply a hydrating lip balm so they look healthy and juicy.
Next, grab a lip liner that’s just a little bit darker than your natural lip color. Slightly overline your lips (but keep it subtle—you don’t want to look like you drew a whole new mouth). Focus on overlining the center of your lips more than the sides to keep them looking natural. Then, fill in your lips with matching lipstick and dab a lighter shade or gloss in the center. This creates a dimensional, pouty look.
Another trick? A teeny bit of highlighter or gloss on your cupid’s bow and the center of your lower lip makes them pop even more.
6. How do I apply eyeshadow without looking like I got punched?
Eyeshadow can be tricky because blending is everything. If you go in too heavy-handed with dark shades or don’t blend properly, things can go from cute to chaotic real quick.
Start with a neutral shade that’s close to your skin tone and blend it all over your lid as a base. This helps other colors blend more smoothly. Then, take a slightly darker shade and apply it to your crease (that little fold where your eyelid naturally bends). Use small, circular motions to blend it out so there are no harsh lines.
If you want a pop of shimmer or color, apply it to the center of your lid or the inner corner for a brightening effect. And if you’re using dark shades, build them up gradually—it’s easier to add more than to take it away. Also, using a fluffy blending brush makes all the difference. Harsh lines? Blend. Too intense? Blend some more. Blending is basically the cardio of makeup.
7. How do I remove makeup properly without ruining my skin?
Taking off your makeup is just as important as putting it on—because, let’s be real, clogged pores and breakouts aren’t cute. The worst thing you can do is aggressively scrub your face with makeup wipes (they can be super harsh and drying). Instead, use an oil-based cleanser or micellar water to break down the makeup first. Gently massage it in to dissolve everything, then follow up with a water-based cleanser to actually clean your skin.
Double cleansing is a game-changer, especially if you wear a lot of makeup. It removes every last bit without stripping your skin. After that, apply a gentle moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated. If you’re dealing with leftover mascara that refuses to come off, try using a little bit of coconut oil or an eye makeup remover on a cotton pad—just press it against your lashes for a few seconds before wiping.
And no matter how tired you are, don’t sleep with your makeup on. Your skin deserves better than that!