How to apply makeup starts with preparing your skin properly, applying primer, using foundation, and covering imperfections with concealer to help achieve a flawless look.
It is also important to avoid applying too much makeup throughout the day. Excess product can clog pores and contribute to blackheads and acne.
In addition, sunscreen should be reapplied every 3 hours to help prevent dark spots and slow signs of premature skin aging. Before applying makeup to your face, it is recommended to test products on the back of your hand to help prevent irritation and redness, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Step-by-step guide
To achieve beautiful, long-lasting makeup, follow these steps:
1. Wash and moisturize your skin
Before applying makeup, wash your face thoroughly with cool or lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser that is appropriate for your skin type. Then gently pat your skin dry with a soft towel, avoiding rubbing or scrubbing.
Next, use micellar water to help remove impurities from the skin.
For better makeup application and a smoother, more radiant appearance, it is important to use a serum or moisturizer at least once a day.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, testing skin care products before using them more broadly can help identify reactions such as redness, itching, or swelling, especially in people with sensitive skin.
2. Apply primer
Primer should be applied after moisturizer to help prepare the skin for makeup. It can smooth the skin’s texture, add a brighter appearance, and help makeup last longer throughout the day.
In some cases, primer may also help control excess oil production.
3. Apply foundation and concealer
To even out skin tone, brighten the complexion, and cover imperfections, apply a liquid, cream, or powder foundation that matches your skin tone.
When choosing a foundation shade, apply a small amount along your jawline and blend it in. Select the shade that blends most naturally with your skin tone.
Apply foundation evenly over the face and down to the neck using a brush or makeup sponge.
For under-eye areas, choose a concealer about two shades lighter than your skin tone. To cover blemishes or other imperfections, use a concealer that matches your skin tone and apply it after foundation.
Concealer can also be used to brighten or highlight specific areas of the face, such as the nose, eyes, or lips.
4. Apply eyeshadow
Start with a light eyeshadow shade over the entire eyelid. Then apply a slightly darker shade to the crease using gentle back-and-forth motions beneath the brow bone.
A darker shade can be applied to the outer corner of the eye and a lighter shade to the inner corner to create a brighter, more open look.
To finish, apply a very light shimmery shade or highlighter just below the brow line to brighten and lift the eyes.
5. Define your eyebrows
Brush your eyebrow hairs in the direction of natural growth. Then use an eyebrow pencil or eyeshadow that matches your brow color to fill in sparse areas using short strokes that follow the direction of hair growth.
Finish with a brow gel to hold the hairs in place and create a fuller appearance.
6. Apply eyeliner and mascara
To complete your eye makeup, apply brown or black eyeliner along the lash line. Eyeliner may come in gel, pencil, or pen form. If using gel eyeliner, apply it with an angled brush.
If creating a precise eyeliner line is difficult, you can use black or dark brown eyeshadow instead. Lightly dampen an angled brush with water, dip it into the eyeshadow, and apply it along the lash line as you would with gel eyeliner. This technique creates a slightly softer, smoky effect.
Finish by applying mascara from the roots of the lashes to the tips.
7. Apply setting powder
To help set your makeup, apply pressed powder over the entire face using a large, soft brush.
This helps keep foundation in place while reducing shine and creating a smoother finish.
8. Apply bronzer and blush
To enhance facial contours, apply bronzer along the sides of the face, under the chin, on the neck, and along the temples.
Apply blush to the apples of the cheeks for a healthy, natural-looking glow. Smiling can make it easier to find the right area to apply it.
9. Apply lipstick
Your lipstick choice should complement your eye makeup.
If your eye makeup is bold and dramatic, a more natural lipstick shade is usually a better option. If your eye makeup is subtle, you can choose a bolder lip color.
You can also use a lip liner before lipstick to make application easier and help the color last longer.
Daytime makeup tips
Daytime makeup should generally be light and natural-looking, as heavier makeup is more likely to smudge or melt throughout the day.
In addition, wearing heavy makeup for long periods may increase the risk of clogged pores, blackheads, and acne.
Skin tone is also an important consideration. People with medium to deep skin tones may benefit from gold, peach, and warm orange shades that add brightness, while people with lighter skin tones may prefer pink and soft orange shades that enhance natural facial contours.
Nighttime makeup tips
Nighttime makeup is often more dramatic than daytime makeup because lower lighting allows darker, brighter, and more intense colors to stand out.
Popular options include smoky black eye makeup paired with nude or light pink lipstick, or red lipstick combined with softer eye makeup.
Makeup removal
To remove makeup, apply a makeup remover to a cotton pad and gently remove makeup from the eyes and lips first, followed by the rest of the face.
Cleansing lotions can also help remove makeup. People with sensitive skin may prefer gentle fragrance-free cleansing products that are less likely to irritate the skin.
To make a simple homemade cleansing solution, use:
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4.2 oz (125 mL) water
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A small amount of mineral oil
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1 chamomile tea bag
Prepare the chamomile tea and allow it to cool completely.
Then combine it with the mineral oil in a clean container. Apply the mixture gently to the skin using a cotton pad without rubbing until all makeup has been removed.
The mixture can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.