Unlike skincare, makeup has a lot more steps and details which can be more challenging and confusing. Whether it is an everyday makeup look, no-makeup makeup (which is difficult to achieve compared to glam), or full-beat glam, there isn’t one specific method to achieve it. I know you’re wondering, what did she just say? No method? Isn’t this article about a makeup routine for Beginners? Well, although there isn’t an end-all-be-all method to applying makeup, there are products and a particular order of application that will make everything look harmonious.
Makeup application can be divided into 3 main categories:
Complexion
The complexion category covers base products that help you achieve an even canvas and add some color to the skin.
Primer– I’ve heard the jokes on this one, primer like the one you use before painting a wall? But yes, exactly like the one used for wall painting, a primer is your base for everything. It helps to create a smooth finish on your skin by filling all the pores, lines, and wrinkles. This prevents all the oils from the skin to come through and ruin the makeup.
Color corrector– A color corrector is used to neutralize the tone of the skin and correct any imperfections.
Foundation/ Skin Tint– There are three types of foundations- Liquid, cream, and powder. A foundation creates a uniform color base to cover any blemishes, acne, or pigmentation. There are a couple of things to keep in mind when trying to shade match your foundation: skin tone and undertone. First things first, let’s decide whether we fall in the light, medium or dark category of skin tone. Once you have that figured out, you can decide which of the four undertones you fall under: Warm/yellow, Cool/pick, Neutral, and Olive. The best tip to shade match is to swatch it on the jawline and neck so that it matches both. When you swatch the shade, it should disappear.
As for the formula, everyone can benefit from a hydrating foundation. As for the coverage, you can decide between sheer, medium, or full coverage depending on your usage and requirements. Sometimes skin tints are great options for daily wear as they are super lightweight and breathable.
Concealer– Concealer can have many uses but it mainly has two purposes – To cover blemishes and to brighten the under eyes. Just like foundation, the right concealer for you also needs to be chosen based on the skin tone and undertone. Again, a hydrating concealer works best for everyone as our skin under the eyes can be delicate and can always use extra hydration.
Bronze, Blush, and Highlight– Once your skin has been evened out and blemishes have been hidden, it’s time to add some color to it.
When it comes to bronzer, it is meant to provide warmth to your face and make it look beautifully sun-kissed. These come in various formulas like powder, cream, and liquid. This can be applied in the hollows of your cheeks, jawline, and forehead to provide your face some dimension. A quick tip would be to use it as light eyeshadow when doing no-makeup makeup looks. The best way to select a bronzer would be to go for one that is 1-2 shades darker than your skin tone.
Blush is an essential step in a makeup routine, it brings a flushed effect to your cheeks by adding a pop of color. They too come in various formulas and colors that it can often get difficult to select. To be honest, I am a serial blush hoarder. Ideally, a pink/rosy-toned blush is flattering on all skin tones.
Highlighting should be one of the last steps in your routine. They are illuminating and shimmery products used on the high points of your face to provide you with some glow. The cheekbone, bridge of the nose, and inner corner of the eye are my favorite spots for that highlight. Much like bronzer and blush, highlighters also come in powder, cream, and liquid formulas.
Highlighting should be one of your last steps in your routine. They are illuminating and shimmery products used on the high points of your face to provide you with some glow. The cheekbone, bridge of the nose, inner corner of the eye are my favorite spots for that highlight. Much like bronzer and blush, highlighters also come in powder, cream, and liquid formulas.
As a beginner, I would suggest opting for powder formulas as they are easy to work with and are quite long-lasting.
Fixing products– In case you want to wear your makeup for long hours, it’s best to include a setting spray or a pressed powder in your routine. Setting sprays can be used to achieve a glowy or matte finish for your makeup.
A translucent pressed powder is great for lighter skin tones to attain a matte finish for your look. For deeper skin tones, opting for a pressed powder with a little bit of color can help avoid any flashbacks.
A combination of both these products is amazing for full glam during events, weddings, etc.
Eyes
Eyeliner– When it comes to eyeliner, can be used to amplify the looks of your eyes. You can make them appear smaller, larger, etc. Much like a lot of other makeup products, eyeliners also have many options in formulas and colors. The easiest one to work with is the pencil eyeliner which can be used on the lid as well as on the waterline. Liquid and gel have a bit of a learning curve but look amazing once you master them. Black and brown are some of the most common colors but if you are adventurous and creative there are also many bright, pastel, and neon color options.
Mascara– If there’s one product that I recommend getting for everyday use is Mascara. It makes a huge difference to your face. You will see that your eyes will look more defined. The magic with mascara lies in the wand. A tip that I always like to give is to avoid waterproof mascara as it can damage your natural lashes. The best mascaras should provide your lashes with volume, length, and curl.
Eyebrow products– Eyebrows help in creating a face-framing effect on your face. I always like to go a shade lighter than the hair on my head, so it creates a balance and does not look too intimidating. The easiest products for eyebrows are eyebrow pencils and gels. There are also pens, pomades, and powders that can be used once you get used to applying eyebrow products as they do also require some practice. Always start filling your brows from the center and keep them slightly lighter in the front to provide natural-looking brows.
Lips
Lip Liner– Lip liners are mainly used to prevent lipstick from spreading around the face. They can also be used to create illusions of fuller, thinner, or small-looking lips by overlining or underlining them. A few shades of lip liners to have as part of your makeup kit is nude, pink, red, and brown. These can be mixed and matched with shades of lipstick.
Lipstick– Lipsticks are a very personal choice. Some people wear the same lipstick all life long whereas some people like me can be adventurous and want to try many different lipstick shades. Whether you are looking for your signature lip or are like me and hoard lipsticks, always consider the undertone of your skin to select the best shades for yourself. Lipsticks come in predominantly two categories: Bullet and liquid lipsticks. The three main finishes it comes with are glossy, matte, and frosted lipstick. You can select the type of lipstick you prefer based on your liking. There are also lip glosses, lip oils, lip balms, and lip plumpers that can be used instead of lipsticks when you want glossy hydrated lips without much color.
With everything being said, it totally depends on you how much makeup you want to apply and what kind of products you need for the same. Makeup can enhance or diminish your appearance depending on numerous factors. Along with products, the techniques, and tools you use are also extremely important for makeup application. Finally, the more practice, the better you will be as is with everything in life. So, whether it is a dinner date, work from home, or a wedding, wear that red lipstick and do the wing liner. Because if not now, then when? 😊
Being beautiful is a very personal thing and it really has nothing to do with anyone else 🧡
If you enjoyed reading this article make sure you checkout our post on 3 Important Tips for Skincare. I aim to provide you with a better understanding of skincare and make you feel beautiful.