"makeup 101"
“Let’s dive into a topic that’s a favorite for so many — makeup! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting to experiment, makeup can be an exciting form of self-expression. But with so many products, techniques, and steps to follow, it can sometimes feel like a puzzle. The biggest challenges? Figuring out which products to use, how to apply them, and in what order. Don’t worry, we’ve all been there! Today, let’s break it down and make makeup a little easier to master.”
“Makeup doesn’t have to be difficult if you know the right steps and how to apply them correctly.”
“Before you dive into your makeup routine, there are a few key things to remember:
- Start with a clean canvas – Properly cleansing your face and following your skincare routine is essential for smooth, lasting makeup.
- Prep your tools – Wet your sponge before use to prevent it from soaking up all your products.
- Blend, blend, blend – Make sure each product is fully blended into your skin for a flawless finish.
Patience is key – Allow each step to settle before moving on to the next for a more polished look.”
Makeup steps:
"Let’s get started:
skincare
Prep Your Skin – This is the foundation of any makeup routine, no matter your skin type. Start by cleansing your face, followed by toning and moisturizing to ensure your skin is hydrated and balanced. If you’re new to skincare, check out our Beginner’s Skincare Guide for all the essentials.”
Primer
The First Step – Primer is the essential base of your makeup routine, ensuring your makeup sticks and lasts longer.
Seamless Application – It helps blend makeup products smoothly into the skin, creating a flawless finish.
Protects the Skin – Primer provides a protective layer, enhancing your skin’s vibrancy and overall appearance.
Different Types – There are various primers for specific needs, such as:
Pore-Filling Primer: Minimizes the appearance of pores.
Luminous Finish Primer: Adds a radiant glow to the skin.
Color-Correcting Primer: Balances out skin tone issues.
Blurs Pores and Smoothens Texture – Creates an even canvas for better makeup application.
Controls Oil – Helps reduce oil production, keeping your makeup intact throughout the day.
color corrector / concealer
“After applying primer, the next step is concealing or using color correctors based on your skin’s specific concerns. For issues like dark circles or pigmentation, an orange or peach color corrector can neutralize those areas. If you’re dealing with redness from acne or irritated skin, a green color corrector can help balance it out.
While many people use a darker concealer to cover these imperfections and create a more natural, even base, it’s important to follow up with a concealer that matches your skin tone. This ensures that the color corrector is fully blended and your complexion appears uniform and flawless.”
Foundation
Foundation – Start by choosing a foundation that matches your natural skin tone. Apply it evenly across your face using a foundation brush to ensure smooth coverage. Next, blend it in with a damp beauty blender for a flawless, airbrushed finish. If you want to adjust the shade—for example, to add more warmth or depth—consider using a foundation that’s one shade lighter or darker than your base.
For a more sculpted look, you can also use a slightly darker foundation along your jawline, temples, and around the edges of your face for subtle contouring. Foundation is the key step to create an even base, so it’s important to blend it well, making sure it seamlessly merges with your skin and other products.”
Light Concealer
Concealer is used to brighten and highlight key areas of your face, creating a lifted, radiant look. Apply it down the center of your forehead, along the bridge of your nose, and on the chin. These areas are naturally where light hits, and highlighting them creates dimension and balance.
For a more sculpted look, you can also use concealer along the tops of your cheekbones, down the center of your nose, and along your jawline. This helps define your features and gives your makeup a more structured appearance. Remember to blend well to avoid harsh lines and to make sure it melts seamlessly into your foundation.”
Bronzers/ Contour
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“Bronzer is a product, while contouring is a technique. Contouring is used to create shadows and define the face, giving the illusion of more sculpted features. It’s typically applied under the cheekbones, along the jawline, and on the sides of the nose to enhance structure.
On the other hand, bronzer adds warmth and depth to the face, mimicking the sun’s natural glow. It’s applied on the high points of your face—like the forehead, cheekbones, and nose—to give your skin a sun-kissed appearance. While contouring is focused on creating shadows and definition, bronzer brings warmth and dimension for a more youthful, radiant look.
Tip: Contouring can sometimes be more precise, whereas bronzer offers a softer, more natural finish. Many people like to use both—contour for structure and bronzer for warmth—blending them together for a balanced, glowing look.”
Compact/ Loose powder
Setting your makeup is essential to ensure everything stays in place throughout the day, and both loose powder and compact powder play key roles. Loose powder is typically used to ‘bake’ under the eyes after applying concealer, preventing creasing and giving a smooth, flawless finish.
Compact powder, on the other hand, is perfect for setting the rest of your face, particularly liquid products like foundation and concealer. It helps to control shine and lock everything in place.
Pro Tip: For a luminous, airbrushed finish, apply compact powder first to set your base, then use loose powder to bake your under-eye area and any other places you want to highlight. This technique will give your skin a natural glow while ensuring your makeup lasts all day.”
Blusher
Blush adds a pop of color to your cheeks, bringing warmth and brightness to your face. It enhances your natural features and gives your complexion a fresh, youthful glow. Blush can also help sculpt the face by adding dimension, especially when applied to the apples of your cheeks and blended upwards toward the temples. Depending on your desired look, you can go for a soft, natural flush or a bolder, more vibrant color to make a statement.
Tip: For a lifted effect, try applying your blush slightly higher on your cheekbones, blending towards the temples for a more sculpted look.”
“There are three main types of blushers, each offering a unique finish and texture to suit different preferences:
Liquid Blusher – Liquid blush is perfect for achieving a natural, dewy glow. It blends easily into the skin, giving a fresh, flushed appearance. You can apply it with a brush or a beauty blender for seamless blending. It’s ideal for those who want a light, buildable finish.
Cream Blusher – Cream blush offers a thicker, more opaque consistency. It provides a soft, smooth texture that’s easy to apply and blends effortlessly with fingers or a beauty blender. It’s perfect for those who want a more intense color and a dewy finish, giving a soft, moisturized look to the skin.
Powder Blusher – Powder blush is typically applied with a brush and gives a more pigmented, matte finish. It offers the most control when it comes to intensity, making it great for those who prefer a more defined or bold cheek color. Powder blush tends to be more long-lasting than liquid or cream blushes and works well for setting makeup, especially on oily skin.
Tip: To get the most natural effect, choose a blusher that matches your skin’s undertones. For a glowing, fresh look, liquid or cream blush is ideal, while powder blush is great for added longevity and more defined color.”
Note: Apply cream and liquid blush before setting your face with compact or loose powder. It’s recommended to use all liquid or cream-based products first, as this ensures a smoother application and prevents the powder from disrupting the cream or liquid formulas. Setting with powder afterward helps lock everything in place for a long-lasting finish.
Eye makeup
Concealer: For a uniform and fresh look, apply a light concealer shade on your eyelids before eyeshadow. This helps to even out any discoloration, ensuring both 1.yes have the same tone. It also acts as a base, allowing eyeshadow to apply more smoothly and last longer. The concealer can also brighten the eyelid area, giving a more awake and lifted appearance.
Tip: Blend the concealer well into the eyelid, and set it with a light dusting of powder to prevent creasing or product slipping throughout the day.
2. Setting Powder: After applying concealer to your eyelids, it’s essential to set the area to prevent creasing and keep everything in place. You can use a light setting powder or even a neutral eyeshadow in a skin-toned shade to lightly dust over the eyelids. This helps to lock in the concealer and create a smooth, matte base for your eyeshadow.
For a more polished look, using a translucent setting powder or a soft matte eyeshadow will not only set the concealer but also provide a subtle texture for your eyeshadow to glide on evenly.
Tip: Lightly set your eyelids with a fluffy brush, focusing on areas where you applied concealer, to prevent any tackiness that might cause eyeshadow to skip or fade throughout the day.
3.Eyeshadows: When applying eyeshadow, it’s always best to start with the lightest shade and gradually build up to darker tones. This technique allows you to create depth and dimension without overpowering the look.
For example, if you want a pink-themed eye makeup, begin with the lightest pink shade as your base on the eyelid. Then, layer progressively darker shades of pink in the crease and outer corners, blending as you go. Continue building the color until you achieve the desired intensity.
Tip: Always blend well between each layer to avoid harsh lines and create a seamless transition from light to dark. You can use a fluffy blending brush to soften any edges for a more polished and blended look.
This approach gives you control over the intensity and ensures a more dynamic, layered finish.
4.Glitters/Shimmers: While glitters and shimmers are completely optional, they can be a fun way to add some sparkle and drama to your eye makeup, especially if you want to complement a special outfit or create a more glamorous look. Shimmer eyeshadows or glitters can elevate your makeup, giving it a radiant and eye-catching finish.
For best results, use your fingers to apply them. The warmth of your fingers helps to pick up more product, and it ensures a smoother, more intense application. Gently press the shimmer or glitter onto the center of your eyelids or in the inner corners of your eyes for a pop of light.
Tip: If you’re using loose glitter, be sure to use a glitter primer or setting spray to keep it in place without fallout. For a subtler effect, you can apply shimmer eyeshadow with a brush, concentrating it on areas where light naturally hits, like the center of the eyelid or the brow bone.
This technique helps to enhance your eyes and adds a touch of sparkle without overdoing it.
5.Liner: Eyeliner is a versatile tool that can completely transform your eye makeup. Today, there are various types and colors of liners to choose from—whether you prefer a bold pop of color or a more classic look. You can experiment with shades like navy, brown, or even metallics to match your mood or outfit. However, the classic black eyeliner remains a timeless favorite, and it’s perfect for defining the eyes in any look.
You can apply your eyeliner in different styles depending on the effect you want:
- Simple Liner: A thin, close-to-the-lash-line application for a subtle definition.
- Winged Liner: A more dramatic look, with the liner extending slightly outward and upward at the outer corner, giving a lifted, bold appearance.
- Cat Liner: Similar to the winged liner but with a sharper, more elongated flick, often paired with bold lashes for an intense cat-eye effect.
Tip: To achieve a smooth line, start by applying the liner in small strokes and work your way across the lash line. If you’re new to winged or cat eyeliner, use tape or a stencil for a more precise application.
Experimenting with different liner colors and styles lets you customize your look for any occasion, whether you’re aiming for a chic daytime look or a bold evening vibe.
6.Mascara: Mascara is a game-changer for making your lashes look fuller and more defined. There’s a simple trick to apply mascara that ensures your lashes get the most lift and volume. Start by applying mascara to the upper lashes from the bottom upwards, wiggling the wand slightly as you go to separate and coat each lash. This helps lift the lashes and prevents clumping.
Next, for the lower lashes, tilt your head slightly downward and apply mascara from the top down, ensuring you coat each lash without smudging. This method helps define the lower lashes without transferring product onto your skin.
Tip: To add more volume, you can apply a second coat once the first layer is dry. For extra length, focus on the tips of your lashes while applying. For a more dramatic effect, use a waterproof mascara to keep everything in place all day.
Bonus: Use a lash comb or spoolie to separate any clumps for a smoother, more natural look.
This technique enhances both the top and bottom lashes, giving your eyes a more open, wide-awake appearance.
7.Eyelashes: This step is entirely optional, but if you want to elevate your look and add more drama to even the simplest makeup, false eyelashes can make a huge difference. Whether you’re going for a full, voluminous set or a more natural style, lashes can add depth and definition to your eyes, making them appear larger and more striking.
To apply, carefully trim the lashes to fit the length of your eyelid, and apply a thin layer of lash glue to the band. Wait a few seconds for the glue to become tacky before gently pressing the lashes onto your lash line, starting from the outer corner and working inward.
Tip: For a more seamless look, you can gently press your natural lashes together with the falsies using an eyelash curler. A light coat of mascara after application will help blend your natural lashes with the falsies, giving you a flawless finish.
Bonus: If you’re new to false lashes, start with a more natural pair and gradually experiment with more dramatic styles as you become comfortable.
Using lashes can take your eye makeup to the next level, providing a bold yet polished finish.
Eyebrows
Eyebrows: Well-defined eyebrows can frame your face and enhance your entire makeup look. To make your natural eyebrows appear fuller, thicker, and more defined, an eyebrow pencil is your best tool. Start by outlining the shape of your brows, beginning from the upper corner near the arch, and carefully draw along the natural brow line. Then, fill in the sparse areas with light, short strokes to mimic the look of hair and achieve a softer, more natural finish.
Tip: Brown is generally the most natural shade for eyebrow pencils, especially for those with medium to light skin tones. If you have darker hair, you can opt for a shade closer to your natural brow color, but avoid using a color that’s too dark, as it can look harsh. For a more precise and defined look, use a pencil with a fine tip.
Bonus: Finish with a clear brow gel to set the hairs in place, or use a tinted brow gel to add extra fullness and color for a more polished finish.
This will give you brows that are beautifully shaped and naturally defined, adding balance and structure to your face.
Lipstick
Lipstick: For perfectly shaped lips, it’s best to start with a lip liner. Begin by outlining the natural shape of your lips with a lip liner to define the edges and prevent the lipstick from feathering or bleeding. You can slightly overline your lips if you want a fuller appearance, but make sure to stay within the natural contours for a more natural effect.
After lining your lips, fill them in with your chosen lipstick. Using a lip brush for precise application or directly applying the lipstick from the bullet will ensure smooth, even coverage.
Tip: Choose a lip liner that closely matches your lipstick shade for a seamless look, or you can go for a nude liner for a more neutral base.
Bonus: For a more voluminous look, you can add a dab of gloss to the center of your lips to create the illusion of fuller lips.
This combination of lip liner and lipstick will give you a defined, long-lasting, and flawless pout.
setting spray
Setting spray is the final step in your makeup routine to lock everything in place, ensuring your makeup stays fresh and intact all day. It also helps to hydrate your skin, giving it a dewy, refreshed look while setting the makeup without making it feel heavy or cakey.
To apply, hold the bottle about 8-10 inches away from your face and spray in an “X” or “T” motion, ensuring even coverage across your skin. This allows the product to evenly set the makeup, providing a smooth finish.
Tip: Always shake the setting spray before use to ensure the product is well-mixed and delivers the best results.
