How to apply makeup
If you’ve never applied makeup before, all the different products and tools can be intimidating. Don’t worry. We will walk you through it step by step below. Once you get the hang of it, applying makeup to your face will be a breeze.
Part One of Three:
Preparing Your Face
- 1Remove any old makeup.When you’re applying makeup, it is necessary to start with a clean palette. Remove any makeup that you might have slept in, and wash off makeup from earlier on in the day. If you try to apply more makeup over the top of old makeup (not including touch ups), your end look will appear caked on and more unnatural than makeup put on a fresh face. You also need to cleanse any makeup residue to keep your skin from getting clogged and irritated. You can use a good makeup remover or a mild baby oil to get rid of all makeup residues.
- Keep in mind that you should always remove your makeup at the end of the day; sleeping with your makeup on can clog your pores and cause blemishes and wrinkles.
- 2Wash your face. For the same reason you remove your old makeup, you should also wash your face. Use a mild facial cleanser to gently wash your face, spending about one minute of massaging to remove all bacteria and dead skin cells in your pores before rinsing with cool water. Finish up by applying a facial moisturizer, regardless of your skin type.
- 3Prime your face. Before you add any makeup you need to prime your face. The purpose of a face primer is to enhance the appearance of makeup and increase the longevity. You can apply the primer with your fingers, covering your whole face with a small amount. The primer will also help your makeup up stay on all day. If you are going to sweat, run, or do anything that will cause your makeup to wear off or smear, primer is a necessity for you.
- 4Put on a coat of foundation.There are several types of foundation, but they are generally applied the same way. Liquid, cream, and powder foundations all act to create a more even complexion, working to create an even base for your other makeup. Use a foundation brush or damp beauty sponge to apply foundation to your face, blending into your neck and earlobes if necessary. Keep in mind that your foundation should be the same color as your natural skin tone, not much darker or lighter. It helps to match your foundation to your chest and neck so your face isn't a different color then the rest of your body. You never want a harsh line from your jaw line to your neck. This is very unnatural and gives a harsh and unblended finish, which is not what you want. Choosing a color that matches your skin always helps.
- You can use a concealer brush to add a little extra foundation to cover up stubborn blemishes.
- Liquid foundation can be applied with your fingertips, although this is more likely to introduce bacteria to your skin and cause future breakouts.
- 5Apply your concealer. The purpose of concealer is to even out uneven skin tone as a result of blemishes or dark under-eye circles. You can also use a concealer in a shade slightly lighter in your skin tone to brighten dark areas or high points of your face. Use a concealer brush or your (clean) fingertips to blend concealer on your undereye area in an upside down triangle shape, down the bridge of your nose, chin, center of forehead, and above upper lip. You can use a shade matching your skin tone to cover any red areas or over any acne or dark spots. Blend the edges of your concealer so it seamlessly blends in to your foundation.
- 6Set your foundation and concealer. This step is optional, but if you’re looking for long-lasting, crease free makeup you should use a setting powder to hold your foundation and concealer in place. Use a damp beauty sponge to pick up loose powder and press into the under eye area, then gently sweep off any excess with a brush. Use a large, fluffy brush to cover your whole face in a translucent or matching setting powder. This step is particularly useful if you’re using liquid foundation, as it will help to set the foundation and remove any shine or tackiness. [1]
- 7Apply a highlighter. With your foundation completed, it is likely that your face now looks contour-less and flat because of the uniform color. In order to provide some depth, you’ll need to create the illusion of highlights and shadows. You can use a cream (apply before you set your face) or powder highlighter to brighten up the deepest areas of your face: the inside corners of your eyes, underneath your eyebrows, in the center of your cupid’s bow, and on the tops/sides of your cheekbones. This will make your face look more bright and awake than it would otherwise.
- Create a ‘3’ shape on your cheekbones, into your eyebrows, and up to your forehead for the perfect highlight.
- You can use your fingers or a small highlighter brush to apply the highlighter.
- 8Add depth with contouring.The opposite of bringing out the highlights on your face, contouring involves adding a powder that is a few shades darker than your actual skin tone (different than a bronzer) to the areas you want to look minimized or further away. Typically, you should contour under your cheekbones in the hollows of your cheeks, on the sides of your nose, and under your jawline. You can also make a large forehead appear smaller by applying contour near your hairline. This will make your face look thinner and longer in appearance, and provide the shadows that naturally occur without foundation. After you contour your face, you can go in with bronzer to add color to your face. Use a big bronzing brush and buff out your bronzer right over where you contoured.
- 9Apply a little blush. The final step in prepping your face is to add blush to your cheeks. Everyone’s cheeks have a bit of color, but this color varies for every person. Apply your blush with large brush on the apples of your cheeks (the round part that forms when you smile). Don’t go too heavy with your blush, just add enough to replenish the color that would form naturally.
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- Fill in your eyebrows. This step is optional depending on the fullness of your eyebrows, but is generally recommended for those who have thin or sparse eyebrows. Select a color of brow pencil, powder, or pomade that is close to your natural hair color. Start by outlining the edges of your eyebrows with small dashing motions to mimic hair, and then fill in the center using the same small strokes. Go in the same direction of your hair growth, and set with a clear or tinted brow gel to make them stay all day. [2]
Things You'll Need
- Good natural lighting
- Mirrors
- Makeup brushes
- Beauty sponge
- Mascara
- Eyeliner
- Primer
- Foundation or tinted moisturizer
- Concealer
- Powder (loose or pressed)
- Eyeshadow
- Lipstick
- Lip balm
- Lip gloss
- Moisturizer
- Setting spray
Short Summary
Before you apply any makeup, prep your face by washing it with a gentle cleanser and rubbing a makeup primer into your skin. Then, use a makeup brush or sponge to apply an even layer of foundation to your face. Use a concealer to cover up any blemishes or dark spots. To give yourself some color, apply blush to the apples of your cheek with a large makeup brush. Then, you’re ready to do your eye makeup! To learn how, keep reading!Tips
- Keep in mind the difference between day makeup, night makeup, and special occasions. Day makeup is light and tinted with neutral colors. Night makeup is more strongly tinted but never very heavy or caked on - use stronger colors. Special occasions take special items like false eyelashes, liquid liners, and highlighting under the eyes - look at the magazines around awards season.
- For the best results, apply your makeup with good, natural lighting.
- Avoid tugging on your under-eye area. This can cause bags and wrinkles.
- The amount and type of makeup that you wear is completely up to you. You know your face better than anyone - take the time to experiment. Makeup is, quite literally, the art of painting faces. Experimenting allows you to find what works best for you.
- To prevent a make-up line make sure the foundation you chose is the correct color for you. try matching it to your jawline.
- Make sure you wash your brushes at least once a month preferably twice.
- If you want to look more awake add a light colored eyeshadow in the inner corner of your eyes.
- You can add a darker color eye shadow to your crease to make your eyes look a little bigger.
- Focus on one part, or two at most, of your face. Don't use a bold hue of lipstick with stand-out eyeliner and a bright shade of blush. Instead, zero in on the eyes and lips, or blush/skin. Keep it simple; don't over-do your makeup applications.
- For a more natural look, blot your lips with a tissue. Doing so will get excess lip product off.
Warnings
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