How to Do Makeup for Beginners in 10 Simple Steps
If you’ve ever fired up Google and typed in “how to do makeup for beginners,” this just in: You are not alone!
We all like to think of ourselves as experts, but the truth of the matter is sometimes you have to take it back to basics to make sure you’re getting it done while also getting it done right.
Today we’re talking makeup basics. Walk with us, won’t you?The best part about this tutorial: You don’t have to follow a sparkly vampire into the woods to get it.
Makeup basic #1: Primer
Primer has two purposes:
1. It provides a barrier between your skin and makeup products.
2. It helps makeup stick so it will last longer.
If you’ve ever experienced the following, primer can help:
— Raccoon eyes
— Smudged eyeliner
— Patchy foundation
— Makeup that sweats off
— Concealer that stops concealing
— Creased eyeshadow
— Disappearing lip liner
The first step to priming properly is to find one that works for your skin type. Our go-tos here at Beautyblender are The Leveler and Opal Essence. Which one you choose really depends on your skin type.
— The Leveler is our VIP mattifying primer for oily skin. It’s a total pro when it comes to smoothing skin, alleviating redness, minimizing pores and creating a humidity-proof barrier.
— Then there’s Opal Essence™ Serum Primer, which is our normal-to-dry skin workhorse.
Additional reading: How to Do Makeup for Beginners: Primer 101
Makeup basic #2: Foundation
After you’ve primed, it’s tempting to reach for the concealer — but hold those horses! Applying foundation before concealer has several benefits:
— You’re softening and minimizing spots, even if that’s not your primary goal.
— You’re giving yourself a base to blend with your concealer using your Beautyblender Micro Mini.
— You’re reducing how much concealer you need to use, which means a more natural look overall.
Start by finding the right foundation. We *happen* to have a how-to on finding your shade using undertones, as well as a nifty guide on our Insta stories (because, let’s be honest, you’re already there). Most importantly, you can use Shade Finder to find your perfect match from 40 shades in less than 2 minutes.
Additional reading: How to Do Makeup for Beginners: Foundation
Makeup basic #3: Concealer
Real talk: Concealer is one of the makeup basics you probably already know. But here’s the sitch: Your concealer should be doing more than just covering bags and blemishes. The best concealers will also plump, brighten and smooth skin, which makes the rest of your makeup application easier.
Be sure the concealer you choose contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump skin, as well as tetrapeptides to reduce puffiness around the eyes. Not to brag or anything, but BOUNCE Airbrush Liquid Whip Concealer happens to have both, if you’re into that kind of thing…
Additional reading: How to Do Makeup for Beginners: Guide to Concealer & Foundation
Makeup basic #4: Powder
Next up: Setting and shine-proofing. In order to lock in your look, you need to dust your face with setting powder, which prevents your base makeup from rubbing off while reducing shine.
The best setting powders are super fine ✅, softening ✅, and flashback-free ✅ juuuuust like our brand-new BOUNCE Soft Focus Gemstone Setting Powder. Airy and hydrating, BOUNCE powder blurs and softens skin using an epic blend of rose quartz, hyaluronic acid, ruby, sea minerals, aloe vera and freshwater pearls. The balancing blend helps absorb oil without making your skin look dull.
Additional reading: How to Do Makeup for Beginners: Powder
Makeup basic #5: Contour & highlighter
When it comes to how-to makeup for beginners, contouring is a step lots of people skip. Okay, so maybe you don’t need it for a regular ol' Tuesday but it’s a great trick for events or special occasions.
Contouring and highlighting are not-so-secretly the things that make your look pop, whether you’re chiseling out cheekbones or playing up the parts of your face you love with highlighter. This combo is, quite frankly, an unskippable step.
As always, we’re here to lend a hand:
— How to Do Makeup for Beginners: Contouring
— How to Do Makeup for Beginners: Highlighting
Tip: If you’re taking your first steps into highlight land, try a clear product like Glass Glow Crystal Clear Shinelighter™. The smooth, colorless balm works everywhere, so it’s totes forgiving for newbies.
Makeup basic #6: Blush
Now that you’ve created a canvas, paint a rosy picture. Apply blush to the apples of your cheeks, swiping it up your cheekbones and blending it out past your eyes with a Beauty Blusher.
Makeup basic #7: Bronzer
Next, use bronzer to bring out your natural glow. When it comes to bronzer, a picture is worth a thousand words (and at least three moist towelettes if you mess it up), so save this one on your phone:
Makeup basic #8: Eye makeup
When it comes to eye makeup basics, if we’re playing desert-island rules and we can only take one piece of eye makeup, it’s gonna be mascara all day, errrrry day. Mascara is clutch because it makes you look awake and alert even when you’re not, and that is truly priceless. PS- curl your lashes first before you coat them and they will look sky high.
Pick a mascara that’s a few shades darker than your natural lashes, and grab your PLAYER 3-Way Brow Brush to comb out any clumps for maximum eye-brightening.
And when you’re ready to foray into the wild world of eyeshadow, try these articles on for size:
— How to Do Makeup for Beginners: Everyday Eyes
— How to Apply Eyeshadow: Tips + Tricks
— Sizzle With Smokey Eyes: How To Do a Smokey Eye Look
Makeup basic #9: Lipstick
For the final piece of the color puzzle, we’re looking at you, lipstick! Or you, gloss… or you, balm… or even you, stain! Pick your poison when it comes to the product, but again, start with one natural color for everyday and one bold shade for special occasions. And go slow: It’s always easier to add than to subtract.
Makeup basic #10: Setting spray
Another stealthy weapon in every pro’s makeup bag is setting spray, which ensures all the fancy footwork you did in the 9 steps above are not for naught.
With a few spritzes of our Re-Dew Set & Refresh Spray, dry patches, dullness and caking are a thing of the past. It also keeps your makeup intact so you can play all day, and it nourishes your skin at the same time.
And that’s it, grasshopper! There’s nothing left but to DO the damn thing, so get out of here. (But be sure to tag us in your Instas because we are not above FOMO.)
