Makeup can be overwhelming. Beauty influencers make makeup transformations look easy in under twenty minutes. Then, you sit in front of the mirror, and it’s a different story. This can be discouraging and stressful, but don’t worry. A lot of beginners feel that way. It takes time, practice, and patience, and these makeup hacks.
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Building Your Makeup Kit
Completing the makeup looks you’ve envisioned starts with having the right products. You can’t learn new foundation techniques if you don’t have a foundation. Take the time to learn about yourself.
Try different makeup products and see which makeup hacks for beginners work for you. Put careful thought into making mindful purchases and building your makeup kit.
Must-Have Makeup Products For Beginners
As a beginner, it’s important to have the basics. First, consider the makeup looks you want. Makeup transformations call for several products. Natural makeup, on the other hand, only requires a few products. These are the most common must-have products:
- Foundation or BB cream
- Concealer
- Mascara
- Eyeliner
- Neutral eyeshadow palette
- Blush
- Lip product (balm, lipstick, lip gloss, etc.)
- Brow pencil or gel
Budget-Friendly Starter Brands
E.L.F. Cosmetics
E.L.F. Cosmetics is known for offering high-quality, budget-friendly makeup. For a few dollars, you can easily find a mini eyeshadow palette or a popular primer. They also sell makeup brush kits to ensure you have everything you need. The brand is vegan and cruelty-free. They always have the latest trends.
Pacifica
Pacfica Beauty is a movement that empowers people to embrace their natural beauty. They offer makeup and skincare products at affordable prices. Every product is vegan and cruelty-free, and is wrapped in climate-conscious packaging. The brand uses its voice to constantly advocate for change and encourage people to choose brands that align with their values.
L’Oreal
L’Oreal remains one of the most well-known drugstore brands. It offers effective products at affordable prices, such as its blurring setting powder. This company created its first hair dye in 1909, and has continued to be a trailblazer in the industry since. Backed by a team of researchers and scientists, the company produces one effective product after another. They also own Maybelline.
Tools Of The Trade
Toss out the tiny applicators that come in most eyeshadow palettes. Instead, it’s crucial to pick up the basic makeup brushes. The right makeup brush can help you create a seamless eyeshadow smudge or airbrushed finish. The right tools for any job will significantly impact the finished look.
- Foundation Brush: A flat kabuki brush is ideal for swirling liquid foundation for even application. However, a Beauty Blender can give you a dewy look and an airbrushed finish.
- Concealer Brush: Concealer brushes feature a flatter tip, helping you blend concealer into fine areas, such as under the eyes or along the nose.
- Eyeshadow Brushes: Eyeshadow brushes have different purposes. Consider purchasing an affordable eyeshadow brush kit that includes a fluffy brush for blending, one for the crease, and another for applying eyeshadow.
- Brow Brushes: Brow pomade calls for an angled brush for application, while other brow products typically require a spoolie. Most brow products come with brushes, so you don’t have to purchase these. Having an extra spoolie handy to brush your brows.
- Powder Brush: Powder brushes are fluffy and ideal for applying setting powder. Their large size ensures you can easily apply powder to the entire face or dust off excess. Small powder brushes can also be used for blush and bronzer.
You may need to purchase other brushes as you decide which products are right for you. For example, you won’t need a foundation brush if you apply BB cream with your fingers. Finger application is easy, making it one of the best makeup hacks for beginners, but it’s essential to know when to use fingers or a brush.
Brush vs. Fingers vs. Blenders
Knowing when to use the right tools is one of the ultimate makeup hacks for beginners. The proper application method can give you the finish you want, while the wrong one can lead to patchy application and a shorter wear time.
Sponges and Beauty Blenders are best for liquid and cream products. These products make it easy to blend products for a skin-like finish. Use them when they’re damp for the best results.
Brushes can be used with any makeup product, but are especially effective for powders. Brushes simplify precise application and help you gradually build products for greater coverage or specific looks.
Using your fingers is always an option. Most people use their fingers to blend in skincare products, and you can do the same thing with makeup. It’s easiest to use your fingers for cream and liquid products.
You can easily achieve one-color eyeshadow looks with your fingers. However, this isn’t a good idea for makeup transformations or looks that require precise application and blending. Always wash your hands before applying makeup.
Cleaning Makeup Tools
It’s crucial to clean makeup tools in between uses. You may be able to use a brush or Beauty Blender more than once, but make sure to clean them or set them aside every few days. Makeup buildup can lead to bacterial buildup, which can cause acne or pimples.
Clean makeup brushes or sponges with a specialized brush cleaner, dish soap, or baby shampoo. You can also use regular shampoo. Make sure to lay brushes flat or hang them to dry so they keep their shape.
Makeup sponges often absorb more product than brushes, so you may need to work the lather into your Beauty Blender to remove all the makeup. Once you’re done cleaning these, set them on a stand or a towel to air-dry. Avoid putting damp brushes or sponges back on your vanity or makeup bag. The damp environment encourages mold and bacterial growth.
Skin Prep Like A Pro
Skin prep is one of the secret makeup hacks for beginners to flawless makeup. Dry skin with an uneven texture leads to patchy makeup that wears away by the end of the day. Taking the time to prepare your skin properly is crucial.
Everyone should cleanse, moisturize, and apply SPF at the bare minimum. Consider creating a customized skincare routine tailored to your needs to address concerns such as hyperpigmentation or acne.
Hydration Is Crucial
Keeping the skin hydrated is crucial to ensuring your makeup looks picture-worthy and is long-lasting. Hydrated skin is dewy and silky-smooth, ensuring even application. Proper hydration can make it easier to blend makeup and ensure it doesn’t look patchy by the end of the day. Prioritizing skin prep is one of the most critical makeup hacks for beginners that doesn’t involve makeup.
Primer Makeup Hacks For Beginners
Primer is the first step in every makeup routine. This single product creates the smooth canvas needed for even application. There are primers for every part of your face, including your lips and eyes. There are several ways you can use primer.
- Utilize the perfect primer to create hydrated, smooth skin for even application.
- Use a primer, then top it off with a blurring setting powder for an instant, airbrushed finish. It’ll look like you’re using a filter in real life!
- Mix a liquid primer with liquid foundation to create a DIY tinted moisturizer.
- Apply primer to your skin before perfume to make the scent last longer.
- Wear primer alone for a blurring effect and “no-makeup” look.
- Try using aloe vera as a primer for more hydration.
Make sure you select a primer ideal for your skin type. The primer should also match your makeup base. For example, a silicone-based foundation calls for a silicone-based primer.
Hydrating vs. Matte Primer
The main types of primer you’ll encounter are matte and hydrating primers. Hydrating primers deliver a dewy finish, popularized by the radiant complexion trend. These are great for people with dry skin who need an extra dose of hydration.
Matte primers are known for helping control oil production. They provide a matte finish that’s popular for creating an airbrushed look or a cloud-skin effect. Matte primers are ideal for anyone with oily or combination skin. Choosing the right primer for your skin type ensures long-lasting makeup that doesn’t look patchy or flaky by the end of the day.
Lip And Eye Prep
Preparing your lips and eyes can help make your makeup last longer. Lip and eye primers create the same smooth canvas for makeup as face primers. There are a few more makeup hacks for beginners to learn to make sure you get the look you want:
- Use a lighter eye primer to make eyeshadow colors appear more vibrant.
- Consider cream eye primers to help prevent creasing.
- You can use concealer instead of an eye primer.
- Exfoliate your lips to remove dead skin, creating a smoother lip for even application.
- Create a regular lip care routine to keep your lips smooth.
- Apply a solid layer of lip liner instead of primer to create a smooth canvas and help your lip color last longer.
- Set makeup with setting powder to help it last longer.
Using makeup hacks can help you get the look you want, long-lasting makeup, and ensure you always look extraordinary.
Foundation & Concealer Hacks
Learning about foundation and concealer is considered the most important makeup hack for beginners. These two products create a makeup base and can make your makeup look flawless if you use them well, or uneven and patchy if you don’t. Once your foundation flakes, the rest of your makeup, like blush and bronzer, will soon follow.
Know Your Undertones
People have warm, cool, or neutral undertones. Those with warm undertones typically have green veins and look better in gold jewelry. People with cool undertones typically have blue veins and prefer silver or silver-toned jewelry. Neutral-undertoned people look great in either, may have a mixture of blue and green veins, or may have more skin-toned veins. Foundation and concealer are available in a range of undertones, so learning to use them should always be the first step.
Choosing The Right Shade
Always test your foundation on your jawline or your neck. Avoid testing it on areas that aren’t the same tone as your face, like your hand or forehead. The foundation should blend seamlessly down your jawline to your neck for a natural appearance.
Lighting significantly affects how the foundation appears. Dim or unnatural lighting can lead people to accidentally select a shade that doesn’t match their skin tone. Try the foundation on in natural lighting whenever possible. Many online stores offer free returns if you select the wrong shade.
Foundation Application
Applying foundation like a pro takes practice. Start in the middle and blend the foundation outward. Use a damp sponge and blend it outward. People using a foundation brush should also start at the center. Using a swirling motion, slowly use larger circles to blend the foundation outward. Remember to apply it to the ears, neck, and hairline.
Using Concealer For Brighter Eyes
Concealer can easily help you create the wide, brighter eyes you want. First, use a color-correcting concealer or color corrector to address undereye bags. The triangle method can drastically brighten your eyes. Avoid dragging the applicator along your skin or tugging on it. Instead, dab the concealer under the eyes and blend it in.
Eye Makeup Made Easy
Almost an entire generation declared eyeshadow was dead. Some people weren’t a fan of the makeup product. Others didn’t know how to use eyeshadow. Eyeshadow doesn’t have to be challenging. Learning makeup hacks for beginners about eyeshadow can help you achieve a polished look with minimal effort. Once you get down the basics, continue learning one new technique after another, and you’ll be working on your lids like a pro in no time.
Eyeshadow Basics
The best beginner palettes are neutrals and matte shades. These are more forgiving and less noticeable if the lines don’t turn out flawless. Apply one shade to your lid, another to your crease, and a third along the brow bone. Then, blend.
Shadow sticks are increasing in popularity because they’re so easy to use. Utilize a shadow stick to color in your eyelid, set your makeup, and walk out the door. You can easily pull off a one-shadow look to complement the rest of your makeup.
Shimmer eyeshadow can be more challenging. Use eyeshadow guards to catch fallout, which is when the glitter or powder from your shadow falls onto your face. Apply eyeshadow last in case you need to wipe it off. Finger application makes applying shimmer shadow easier than using a brush.
Eyeliner Hacks
Eyeliner can take practice to get the perfect look or flawless wing. Try placing dots along your eyelid, then connecting them. Use makeup tape or a spoon to get the perfect shape for a flawless wing. Remember to clench your toes to steady your hands. Other eyeliner hacks include:
- Use a white or nude eyeliner to make your eyes look bigger.
- For big eyes, use dark eyeliner to make eyes look smaller.
- Always learn your eye shape to discover what shape eyeliner will look best on you.
- Gel pencils are easier to work with for beginners.
- Apply eyeliner before eyeshadow for a more subtle color.
Mascara Like a Pro
Mascara hacks can help you ensure your lashes are evenly coated for a gorgeous appearance. Always start at the base of the lashes, wiggle the spoolie, and then coat your lashes. Using a lash curler first ensures your lashes won’t clump together if you use one after you apply mascara. Opt for something clear, such as clear mascara or Vaseline, on natural days.
Blush, Bronzer, and Highlight Tricks
Finding Your Face Shape
Identifying your face shape is the first step in applying blush, bronzer, or highlighter. Look in the bathroom mirror, and trace the outer line of your face with a bar of soap. Then stand back and assess the shape. This is the easiest way to determine your face shape. After that, you can look up makeup hacks for beginners tailored to your face shape to ensure proper application. However, there are more tips than that:
- Smile and apply blush to the apples of the cheeks for a natural appearance.
- Apply blush higher on the cheeks and under the eyes for an ethereal makeup look.
- Apply blush, then bronzer, then highlighter.
- To apply bronzer, draw the shape of a 3 starting with the middle of your forehead, going down your cheek, and then your jawline.
- Avoid orange-toned bronzer. They rarely look good in person.
- Match your highlighter formula to the rest of your makeup.
- Put a highlighter on the high points, such as the tip of your nose, cupid’s bow, and cheekbones.
Setting and Finishing Touches
Why Setting Products Matter
Setting products help set your makeup to ensure it lasts longer. Many have additional benefits, such as making your makeup waterproof or giving it a matte finish. The two main types of setting products are setting spray and powder.
Setting Spray
Setting spray is known for helping makeup melt into the skin. It can make colors more vibrant. It’s typically the last step in your makeup routine. Most people also apply a layer of setting spray after foundation or each layer of makeup to maximize staying power.
Sprays tend to work best for anyone who needs an extra dose of hydration. They can also be used as touch-ups throughout the day if your makeup starts to cake.
To apply setting spray, hold the bottle 6-8 inches away from your face. Spritz it onto your face in an X or T shape, and wait for it to dry.
Setting Powder
Setting powder helps makeup stay in place, much like a setting spray. Powders tend to be better at making makeup transfer-proof, but some setting sprays can also do this. Powders are a must for people with oily or combination skin.
Setting powder usually provides a matte finish and better oil control than sprays on the market, but it’s not ideal for touch-ups throughout the day. You may end up applying too much powder as the day progresses, causing it to cake. It can also be messy to use on the go.
To apply setting powder, use a triangle-shaped applicator to gently dab the powder everywhere you’ve applied makeup. Then, dust away any excess powder with a fluffy brush.
Keeping Your Makeup in Place All Day
There are a few makeup hacks for beginners that can help keep makeup flawless all day. Layer cream and powder formulas for extra durability. Use primers, proper skin preparation, and setting products for longer-lasting makeup.
Throughout the day, use blotting papers first to absorb excess oil, then finish with pressed powder to maximize staying power. Long-lasting formulas are essential for anyone who wants their look to last.
Quick Fixes for Makeup Mistakes
Every beginner is bound to make a few mistakes. However, that doesn’t mean you must redo your entire look. Instead, use a !-tip dipped in micellar water to correct eyeliner smudges. Cover mistakes with concealer as the final step in your makeup routine. Many people use a sponge or Beauty Blender to buff out harsh lines to create an intentional smudged look.
Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
Using the Wrong Shade
Foundation and concealer mismatches are common among beginners. Try makeup on in person when possible. Consider wearing a full face of makeup at home and seeing how natural it looks before wearing it outside. Learn your undertones, and don’t get discouraged. Sometimes, it can take a few bottles of foundation to find your perfect shade.
Skipping Skin Prep
Skin prep is necessary for long-lasting makeup. Makeup needs a smooth surface to sit correctly. Without the smooth surface, makeup often looks patchy or uneven. Dry skin can cause flaking, and excessive oil can cause makeup to slide off your face. Instead, learn about the skin and address concerns through proper skin prep.
Heavy-Handed Application
Applying makeup too heavily often leads to caking or cracking as the day progresses. Instead, build up the product gradually. Apply a thin layer of the product, let it dry, and then apply another. Many people apply a layer of setting powder or spray it between each layer for longer wear.
Neglecting Tools
Cleaning makeup brushes and sponges can seem tedious, but it’s crucial to keep them in good shape. Makeup buildup can cause streaky, uneven application and breakouts. Dirty makeup brushes may not retain their original shape, making them hard to use properly.
Another common mistake is using the wrong applicators. For example, using a fluffy brush to apply eyeshadow in the crease often results in eyeshadow spilling onto the lid and brow bone. Instead, carefully consider which brush to use for each task to get your desired look.
Makeup Hacks For Beginners
Makeup is about practice, not perfection. Take the time to experiment with different looks to find your style. Play with different products to see what works for you. Start with affordable brands while you figure out your skin type and eye shape. Always remember to start with skin prep and finish with setting your makeup.
Our Recommended Products For Beginners
Pacifica Glow Baby Bundle
The Pacifica Glow Baby Skincare Bundle gives you all of the skincare products necessary for a glowing, radiant complexion. The bundle includes:
- Glow Baby Brightening Face Wash
- Glow Baby Brightening Peel Pads
- Glow Baby Face Lotion
- Glow Baby Serum
- Glow Baby Eye Brightening Cream
Glow Baby products are packed with vitamin C and hyaluronic acid to combat dull complexions and promote an even skin tone. Use them alone to create a dewy look, or as skin prep to help ensure even application. They’re also available for purchase individually!
Laura Mercier Weightless Waterproof Foundation
Laura Mercier Weightless Waterproof Foundation glides across the skin, blending effortlessly for a natural finish. An inclusive shade range ensures everyone can find a shade that meets their needs, and you can sort shades by undertone.
Why You’ll Love It
- Perfecting Color Balancing Technology helps revive sallow skin
- Instantly hydrates
- Vegan
- Buildable and lightweight
The Nudes Eyeshadow Palette
The Nudes Eyeshadow Palette by Maybelline has the perfect amount of matte and shimmer shades to help you learn how to create one eyeshadow look after another. It’s blendable and buildable, with little to no fallout. The nude shades create the perfect palette for beginners.
Why You’ll Love It
- Affordable
- Easy to work with
- Various shades
- Blendable
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