If it’s the first time you’re trying to do your own makeup, getting it right can be a mean feat. It’s intimidating—and the myriad of makeup trends doing rounds on the internet, from strawberry makeup to the clean girl aesthetic, make it seem even more complicated. As someone who is just starting out, you need steps that are easy to follow and don’t take away a huge chuck of time from your day.
Ahead, we give you a simple face makeup guide as well as recommend products that you should invest in.
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Step 1: Prep, first
Prepping your face before applying makeup is an essential first step. It extends makeup wear, controls oil and provides hydration. Besides, it ensures that your makeup goes on more evenly. To do this, dispense a small amount of primer onto your fingertips or a makeup sponge. Then, gently pat it onto your face, focusing on areas where makeup tends to fade or crease. Allow the primer to set for a minute or two before applying foundation.
We recommend going for Bobbi Brown’s Vitamin Enriched Face Base. It's a multitasking product and has an advanced oil-free formula.
Step 2: Put on a base
The base for your makeup, a foundation evens out the skin tone and covers any spots. But you can replace it with a skin tint. A skin tint offers lighter coverage and is perfect for daily wear. Start with a small amount of either of these and blend it evenly onto your skin using a makeup sponge, brush or your fingertips. Choose a shade that matches your skin tone and formula that suits your skin type.
We recommend starting with the Smashbox Halo Healthy Glow Tinted Moisturizer. It’s SPF-infused and provides a lightweight and dewy coverage.
Step 3: Apply a concealer
Concealer is a ride-or-die product if you want to cover any acne spots, scars, blemishes or brighten your under-eye area. While using the latter to brighten up the under eyes or the high points of your face, go for a product that is two to three shades lighter than your skin tone. But if you’d just like to cover your blemishes, use one that matches your skin tone.
We recommend the Maybelline New York Fit Me Concealer, a liquid formula that provides natural coverage. It also keeps your makeup on the matte side.
Step 4: Pat on some powder
Face powder helps you set your makeup in place and ensures that it lasts through the day. It’s something that you can just keep in your bag and use on the go, as well. While using a powder may not be a necessary step for those with dry skin, people with oily skin can benefit from it by applying it on places that tend to get oily, like under the eyes or the T-zone.
M.A.C Mineralize Skinfinish is one of the best face makeup products to have in a beginner’s makeup arsenal.
Step 5: Contour and bronzer
A contour and a bronzer are often talked about interchangeably, but a bronzer is used to add warmth to your skin and contour adds shadows for a chiselled look.
Use a bronzer, that is two shades darker than your skin tone, on the perimeters of your face like your temples, jaw and cheekbones for a cohesive tanned look.
Choose a contour product that is cooler in tone and apply it on your cheekbones, the sides of your nose and your jawline. With specific techniques, this will help you give specific areas of your face a sharper look. These products are an added step that is negotiable in your daily routine.
We recommend the Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Bronzer and the PAC Spotlight Contour Palette.
Step 6: Blush and highlighter
While blush adds a pop of flush to your cheeks, highlighter adds a shine and is usually used on the high points of the face.
Lightly dab your chosen blush onto the apples of your cheeks with a makeup brush. Then, blend it outwards, towards your temples for a natural flush of colour. Start with a small amount and build up gradually for your desired intensity.
For a highlighter, use a fan brush or your fingertips. Apply it to the high points of your face, like the cheekbones, brow bone, cupid's bow and the bridge of your nose, to add a luminous glow. Blend it gently for a seamless finish.
We recommend the Huda Beauty Cheeky Tint Blush Stick, which has a lightweight and creamy formula, and the Inglot Intense Sparkler Face Eyes Body Highlighter.
