Make it Up Right: Beginner's Makeup Tips

Even now, in the age of Youtube tutorials and beauty blogs, there are many young women who complain that they don’t know how to do their own makeup. It’s not that they don’t care, which of course would be fine, but it’s just that they actually don’t know. 

Truthfully, the range of makeup out there can be a little overwhelming. Primer, highlighter and translucent powder can sometimes sound more like art supplies rather than things we put on our faces. But once you learn a few basic techniques, applying makeup isn’t very difficult at all. So here are my simple, beginner tips and product suggestions for a fresh, well put together face. 

FACE: Start with a primer and use your fingers to gently smooth it into your skin. Then use a sponge or foundation brush to evenly apply a layer of liquid foundation. Having a liquid or creamy concealer is a good idea, because now you can blend it into the foundation, covering the problem areas, like under the eyes or any red spots. Finally, using a powder brush or puff, sweep either a translucent setting powder or some powder foundation over your skin. 

Products I use: Smashbox Photo Finish primer,
Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation, Bobbi Brown Corrector concealor,
Australis Fresh & Flawless pressed powder.  

CHEEKS: Using any sort of bronzer or blush, lightly apply the colour to your cheekbones and the apples of your cheeks, from your hairline to below the middle of your eye. For a slightly more advanced version, you can also use the bronzer (preferably matte) to trace the outside of your face, sweeping from the very top of your forehead to under your cheekbone, to just underneath your chin. This makes a sort of number three shape. 

Revlon Photoready bronzer, Nars One Night Stand cheek palette.

EYES: Choose three different, complimentary shades of colour. I like to use nudes and browns, or pinks and golds. The lightest shade goes on the inside corners of your eyes and the middle covers the rest of your lid. Then use the darkest colour on the outside corner and also in the crease of your eyelid. Then using a small fluffy (or blending) eye brush, blend the colours together. Next, using a liquid eyeliner as close to your lash line as possible, draw a thin line from the inside corner to the outside, getting a bit thicker as you go along, ending in a small wing if you like. Last is a good, thick coat of mascara. 

Too Faced Natural Eye paletee, Revlon Colourstay eyeshadow palette,
Chi Chi Bronzes paletee, Maybelline Master Precise liquid eyeliner,
Rimmel Lash Accelerator Endless Mascara. 

LIPS: If you’re going for some lovely matte lipstick, it’s great to exfoliate beforehand, by using either a specific exfoliator or a common toothbrush. You can moisturize afterwards, but make sure you wipe it off before you apply. Then just choose a lipstick or gloss or whatever you want! Don’t be afraid to experiment with colours. 

Revlon Colourburst lip butters, Mac lipsticks, Wet n Wild lipsticks,
Lime Crime Velvetines lipstains.