Makeup for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide to Looking Flawless

If you’re like me and were introduced to makeup late, it can feel very overwhelming. It’s easy to feel out of the loop and wonder how you’ll keep up with the fast-moving and merciless cycle of beauty trends. To make everything less complicated, it’s important to start with the basics. The first things to focus on should be finding the right products and figuring out how to apply them in a way that best suits you. This step-by-step guide will give you a simple and easy-to-follow tutorial on how to apply makeup from prepping to setting. There’s a whole new world of glitz and glamour out there; let this guide be your first step to conquering it!

Step 1: Prepping Your Skin

• Cleansing – Before applying any type of makeup product to your face, it’s essential to have a fresh and clean canvas. Use your preferred facial cleanser and wash thoroughly. 
• Moisturizing – After cleansing, hydrate your face with a facial moisturizer. Hydrating your skin prior to applying makeup is key for a smooth and satisfying end result. 
• Primer – The final step to prep your skin is to apply a primer. Primer creates a flawless and even base for makeup to be applied to. It can also help your makeup stay in good condition for a long period of time. 

Step 2: Base Makeup (Flawless Face Routine)

• Foundation vs. BB Cream – After your skin is nice and prepped, apply either foundation or BB cream. If you’re wondering what the difference is, it’s pretty simple. Foundation provides heavier and fuller coverage, while BB cream appears lighter and more natural on your skin. It all depends on what kind of look you’re going for! 
• How to Find Your Perfect Shade – Finding the right foundation or BB cream shade is extremely important. You want a shade that will compliment your skin tone and even out your complexion. Keeping things like your skin type and undertone in consideration, begin experimenting with different shades and brands. Sooner or later, you will find the shade that speaks to you and matches like a second skin. 
• Application Techniques – To apply your base, you can use a brush, sponge, or even your fingers. Brushes generally give the most coverage, while sponges give medium coverage, and fingers result in the most natural look. However, any of the three would work fine! Just use what you have!

Step 3: Concealing & Brightening

• How to Use Concealer to Cover Blemishes & Dark Circles – After applying the base, concealer is used to cover up any remaining blemishes and dark circles. These blemishes can be stubborn and hard to mask, but applying a shade of concealer that is slightly lighter than your skin tone should do the trick! Apply the concealer to the desired area and blend it with a brush, sponge, or your fingers. 
• Blending Tips for a Natural Finish – When blending your concealer, remember to be gentle and handle your skin with care, especially when it comes to sensitive areas like under your eyes. Dab the skin in repeated motions until it appears to be completely absorbed. 

Step 4: Setting Everything in Place

• Why Setting Powder is Important – Setting powder is considered to be a necessity by all, but I cannot stress its importance. Setting powder is like a mask that locks your makeup in place. It helps get rid of the excess oils on your skin and prevents potential smudging and creasing. 
• Loose Powder vs. Pressed Powder – Powder generally comes in two forms–pressed and loose. Pressed powder is packaged more compactly and is great for being on the go. It’s usually used for touch-ups or to cover any last-minute blemishes. On the other hand, loose powder is more lightweight and sheer, being used as part of the setting process to give a flawless finish. 

Step 5: Eye Makeup for Beginners

• How to Fill in Your Brows Naturally – In my experience, eyebrows are one of the hardest parts of the process. It’s too easy to end up with a blocky and rigid shape that stands out in entirely the wrong way. The secret to getting your eyebrows right is to avoid harsh angles and harsh colors. Using a brow pencil that isn’t too light or too dark, fill in your brows into the desired shape. Start in the middle and work your way to the ends. Use sparse and thin strokes for a natural look. Getting your eyebrows threaded or shaped prior would help in achieving a cleaner look, but it isn’t a must.
  • A brow pencil that has never let me down is the Anastasia Brow Wiz. The award-winning pencil is available in 12 shades and is great for beginners.  
• Simple Eyeshadow Techniques for Everyday Wear – You can really get creative with eyeshadow, which is why it’s one of my favorite products to experiment with. There are a lot of fun things you can do with eyeshadow, like match it to your outfit or use it to give your face a pop of color. But when it comes to everyday makeup, the smoky and saturated looks can be too much. To start, I recommend finding a palette with muted colors like browns and beiges. When applying, use a thin layer and neutral colors. The inner corner of your eye should be lighter, but you can go darker as you approach your brow bone. 
• Eyeliner Tips – Pencil, Liquid, or Gel? – Eyeliner may seem tricky at first. After all, everyone wants to achieve that perfect wing. But once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to apply it in your sleep. The question of whether to use pencil, liquid, or gel eyeliner depends on what type of look you’re going for and what’s the most comfortable for you. Pencil is best for lining the waterline and is generally used for a soft, natural, and less painted appearance. Liquid is best used to create rigid and angular lines and is great for bolder looks. Gel is the most versatile of the three and best for eyes with more folds since it is less likely to smudge. 
• Mascara Tricks for Longer, Fuller Lashes – Mascara is the last step to achieving your flawless eye makeup look. False lashes are all the hype these days, and while they are definitely an option, I personally prefer to use mascara since it’s faster and more comfortable for everyday use. The choice is up to you, but don’t feel pressured to get false lashes or extensions. Good ol’ mascara can do the trick just fine! I recommend using techniques such as wiggling the brush back and forth while extending your lashes upwards and using at least three coats. Using an eyelash curler can also help.
  • One Mascara that I will always recommend is the L’oreal Lash Paradise Mascara. It’s affordable, lasts all day, and leaves your lashes looking longer and fuller than ever. 

Step 6: Adding Color to Your Face

• Blush Application Based on Face Shape – Applying blush based on your face shape can help enhance your bone structure and give a more elegant look. Here is what professionals recommend based on each shape:
  • Round shape: Apply blush high on the cheekbones 
  • Square shape: Apply blush on the apples of your cheeks 
  • Oval shape: Apply blush on the outer corners of the cheekbones
  • Diamond shape: Apply blush on the tops of the cheekbones
  • Heart shape: Apply blush in a slightly curved line along the cheekbones
• Bronzer & Contour – Do You Need It? – Bronzer is typically applied to areas such as the jawline, forehead, and nose. It is used to shade the angles of your face, giving the illusion of a sunkissed appearance. Contour is typically applied to the hollows of your cheeks and along the jawline and forehead. It is used to emphasize the highlights and shadows of your face, creating a more defined and sculpted appearance. The two products may seem interchangeable, but they actually serve separate purposes and should be applied together in a way that compliments the other. Applying bronzer and contour isn’t necessarily an essential step, especially when it comes to everyday makeup. But they would be nice additions if you want a more full-fledged look. 

Highlighter Placement for a Subtle Glow – Have you ever looked at someone’s makeup and wondered how they got it to look so shiny and radiant? Highlighter was probably a large part of that. Highlighter is applied to the areas of the face where the sun catches such as the tops of the cheekbones and nose and gives your makeup a subtle glow without being too distracting.

Step 7: Lips – Finishing Touches

• How to Choose the Right Lipstick Shade for Your Skin Tone – Using a shade of lipstick that’s too muted for your skin tone can wash you out, while using one that’s too saturated can appear harsh and unnatural. To find a shade that is flattering for you, determine your skin’s undertone and choose accordingly. Lipstick shades that lean toward purple/blue look best on cool undertones, while shades that lean toward orange/yellow look best on warm undertones. 
• Lip Liner vs. No Lip Liner – Lip liner is used to give your lips a more defined shape and enhance the longevity of your lipstick. It’s an easy way to elevate your look and appear more polished. I recommend using a shade of lipliner that is slightly darker than your lipstick and tracing gently into your desired shape. Remember not to overtrace your lips and keep the line on the thinner side. You can forgo lipliner if you’re in favor of a more natural look.  

Gloss vs. Matte Lipsticks – Use gloss lipstick if you want to add an extra layer of shine and sparkle to your lips, and use matte if you want a more refined and velvety look. I will warn you, however, that most gloss lipsticks are not very long-lasting and you will have to re-apply occasionally. Gloss lipsticks also tend to give a less saturated tint. I personally use gloss for everyday looks and use matte for special occasions.

 Step 8: Setting Your Makeup for All-Day Wear

• Setting Spray – Does It Really Work? – No, setting spray is not a myth. It can be extremely helpful in keeping your makeup looking fresh and radiant throughout the day. When looking for a setting spray, you might see that they come in two forms: matte and dewy. I would recommend matte sprays for those with oily skin since they absorb moisture and give a shine-free appearance. On the other hand, it might be better to use a dewy setting pray if you have dry skin since it will make your complexion look more bright and lively. 
• Touch-Up Tips for Long-Lasting Makeup – If you’re going to a prolonged event or just have a long day ahead of you where touching up your makeup will be a struggle, it might help to use these tips:
  • Carry around blotting paper to absorb your skin’s extra moisture
  • Carry around a hydrating mist to rejuvenate your complextion
  • Moisturize your skin prior to applying makeup
  • Don’t forgo primer and setting spray
  • Use formulas that are made to last longer

Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

• A common mistake makeup beginners make is applying too much product, resulting in a cakey and stiff appearance. Makeup should enhance your skin texture and natural features, not completely mask them. A tip to avoid this rookie mistake is to start with a small amount and build your way up.  
• Another mistake that’s easy to make if you lack makeup experience is choosing the wrong shade of foundation. To avoid this, test the foundation on your skin prior to purchasing it, and make sure it blends in well. Remember to keep your undertone in consideration. 
• The third mistake to avoid, and one that I was guilty of many times as a makeup beginner, was overdrawing my eyebrows. You can avoid this by keeping your ministrations light and small, using a shade that isn’t too overpowering, and only filling in spots that need it. 

You’ll Also Love: How to Build the Perfect Skincare Routine for Your Skin Type

FAQs

 How do I choose the right makeup products for my skin type?

• Oily Skin – Choose oil-free and matte products
• Dry Skin – Choose dewy products that hydrate and rejuvenate the skin
• Combination Skin – Choose water-based, natural makeup

What’s the best way to remove makeup without damaging skin?

• Step 1: Use a cotton pad with micellar water or oil to gently remove eye makeup
• Step 2: Remove makeup from the rest of your face with the same means
• Step 3: Wash face thoroughly with a facial cleanser to remove extra residue
• Step 4: Apply a moisturizer to hydrate the skin after cleansing

Pro tip: You should never solely rely on makeup wipes to remove makeup. It may look like they get the job done, but in actuality, they leave a lot of harmful residue on your skin. The best way to make sure your skin is makeup free is to wash thoroughly with makeup-removing cleanser. 

‘’This article contains affiliate links to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the site and allows me to continue providing helpful content. Thank you for your support!’’

Sara Matthews

Sara Matthews is a mass communication student at Virginia Commonwealth University. She enjoys writing about topics such as feminism, pop culture, and global affairs. She hopes her writing introduces people to new perspectives and gets them to think deeper. Her work has been featured in VCU’s Official Newspaper, The Commonwealth Times. In her free time, Sara loves dancing, watching films, and reading.

Plugin designed by RofiTech