What You Need: Basic Makeup Kit for Beginners
Before we start, here are the must-have products for a beginner’s makeup kit:
- Moisturizer – Keeps skin hydrated.
- Primer – Helps makeup last longer.
- Foundation or BB Cream – Evens out skin tone.
- Concealer – Covers dark circles and blemishes.
- Eyebrow Pencil or Gel – Shapes and defines brows.
- Eyeshadow Palette – Adds color and depth to the eyes.
- Eyeliner (Optional) – Defines the eyes.
- Mascara – Makes lashes longer and fuller.
- Blush – Adds a healthy glow to cheeks.
- Bronzer & Highlighter – Defines and brightens the face.
- Lipstick, Lip Gloss, or Lip Balm – Completes the look.
- Setting Powder or Spray – Locks makeup in place.
Step-by-Step Makeup Tutorial for Beginners
Step 1: Prep Your Skin
Before makeup, clean your face and apply moisturizer. This keeps your skin hydrated and smooth.
Expert Tip:
- If you have dry skin, use a rich moisturizer.
- If you have oily skin, use a light, oil-free moisturizer.
Step 2: Apply Primer
Primer is the first step before makeup. It makes the skin smooth and helps makeup stay longer. Take a small amount of primer and apply it all over your face. If you have oily skin, use a matte primer. If you have dry skin, use a hydrating primer.
How to Apply Primer:
✅ Start with a clean, moisturized face.
✅ Take a small amount of primer (pea-sized) and apply it to your face using your fingers.
✅ Focus on areas where makeup tends to fade, such as the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin).
✅ Let it absorb for a minute before applying foundation.
📝 Expert Tip: Use a hydrating primer for dry skin and a mattifying primer for oily skin to prevent shine.
Step 3: Apply Foundation
Foundation makes your skin look even. It covers dark spots and gives a fresh look. Choose a foundation that matches your skin color. Use a sponge or brush to blend it well. If you want a natural look, apply a small amount.
How to Apply Foundation:
✅ Choose a foundation that matches your skin tone (test on your jawline, not your hand).
✅ Use a damp beauty sponge or a brush for application.
✅ Apply small dots on your forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin.
✅ Blend outward using dabbing motions (don’t rub!).
✅ Make sure there are no harsh lines at the jawline or hairline.
📝 Expert Tip: If you want a natural look, use a lightweight, dewy foundation. For full coverage, go for a matte foundation.
Step 4: Use Concealer
Concealer hides dark circles, pimples, and marks. Apply it under the eyes, on blemishes, and around the nose. Blend it well with a sponge or fingers. Use a shade lighter than your foundation for a bright look.
How to Apply Concealer:
✅ Use a shade one or two shades lighter than your foundation for the under-eyes.
✅ Apply in a triangle shape under the eyes for a lifted effect.
✅ Use a small amount on blemishes or redness.
✅ Blend with a beauty sponge or brush using dabbing motions.
📝 Expert Tip: If you have very dark under-eyes, use a peach or orange color corrector before concealer.
Step 5: Shape Your Eyebrows
Eyebrow gel makes your brows look neat and full. Brush your eyebrows with a spoolie brush and apply the gel. If you have thin eyebrows, use an eyebrow pencil before applying gel.
How to Apply Eyebrow Gel:
✅ Brush your brows upward with the gel wand.
✅ Follow your natural brow shape.
✅ Let it dry for a few seconds.
📝 Expert Tip: Use a clear gel for a natural look or a tinted gel to add extra color and fullness.
Step 6: Apply Eyeshadow
Eyeshadow adds color to your eyes. Choose light colors for a soft look and dark colors for a bold look. Apply a light shade on the eyelid, then blend a darker shade in the crease. Always blend well for a smooth finish.
How to Apply Eyeshadow for Beginners
✅ Use a light neutral shade as a base all over the eyelid.
✅ Apply a medium shade to the crease for depth.
✅ Blend well with a fluffy brush for a seamless look.
✅ Add a shimmery shade to the inner corners for brightness.
📝 Expert Tip: Use matte shades for a soft look and shimmery shades for a more glam s
tyle.
Step 7: Apply Mascara
Mascara makes your eyelashes long and thick. Apply it from the base of your lashes to the tip. Use one or two coats for a natural look. For more volume, apply extra layers.
How to Apply Mascara for Longer Lashes
✅ Curl your lashes with an eyelash curler for extra lift.
✅ Apply mascara from the root to the tip in a zig-zag motion.
✅ Let it dry before adding a second coat.
📝 Expert Tip: Avoid clumps by wiping excess mascara off the wand before applying.
Step 8 – Add Blush
Blush adds color to your face and makes you look fresh. Choose pink or peach shades for a natural glow. Apply blush on your cheeks and blend well.
How to Apply Blush for a Fresh Look
✅ Choose a blush shade that complements your skin tone (pink, peach, or coral).
✅ Smile and apply blush to the apples of your cheeks.
✅ Blend upwards towards the temples for a natural flush.
📝 Expert Tip: Use a cream blush for dewy skin or a powder blush for oily skin.
Step 9 – Use Bronzer & Highlighter
Bronzer makes your face look warm and defined. Apply it on your cheeks, forehead, and jawline. Highlighter adds glow to your face. Apply it on the cheekbones, nose, and brow bones for a fresh look.
Bronzer: Add Warmth & Dimension
✅ Use a fluffy brush to apply bronzer on the forehead, under the cheekbones, and jawline in a “3” shape.
✅ Blend well for a natural sun-kissed look.
Highlighter: Add Glow to Your Skin
✅ Apply highlighter on the high points of your face: cheekbones, nose bridge, cupid’s bow.
✅ Use a light hand for a soft glow.
📝 Expert Tip: Use a cream highlighter for a natural glow and a powder highlighter for a more intense shine.
Step 10 – Setting Spray/Powder
Setting spray or powder helps your makeup stay for a long time. Use powder if you have oily skin. Use setting spray for a fresh and dewy finish. Spray from a little distance for an even look.
Why Set Your Makeup?
Setting powder helps control oil, and setting spray locks everything in place for hours.
How to Apply Setting Powder:
✅ Use a fluffy brush to lightly apply powder on your T-zone (forehead, nose, chin).
✅ Avoid over-powdering to keep your skin looking fresh.
How to Apply Setting Spray:
✅ Hold the bottle 6-8 inches away from your face.
✅ Spray 2-3 times in an “X” and “T” motion.
✅ Let it dry naturally.
📝 Expert Tip: Use matte setting spray for oily skin and hydrating spray for dry skin.
Step 11: Lip Liner, Gloss, and Lipstick
Lip liner defines your lips and makes lipstick last longer. Apply lip liner first, then apply lipstick. Use lip gloss for a shiny and fresh look. Choose light colors for a natural look and dark colors for a bold look.
Lip Liner for a Defined Look
✅ Choose a lip liner close to your lipstick shade.
✅ Outline your lips and slightly overline for a fuller effect.
Lipstick for Bold or Natural Color
✅ Apply lipstick directly from the tube or with a brush.
✅ Blot with tissue for a long-lasting effect.
Lip Gloss for a Shiny Finish
✅ Apply lip gloss to the center of your lips for a plumping effect.
✅ Avoid too much gloss on the edges to prevent smudging.
📝 Expert Tip: For a long-lasting look, apply lipstick, blot, then add a second layer before finishing with gloss.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)
How do I find the right shade of foundation?
To find the perfect foundation shade, test the color on your jawline, not your hand. The right shade should blend into your skin without looking too light or too dark. Try it in natural light to see if it matches your face and neck. If you are unsure, choose a shade slightly lighter because you can warm it up with bronzer.
What are the basic makeup steps for beginners?
Start with a clean and moisturized face. Apply primer to help makeup stay longer. Use foundation to even out your skin tone, then apply concealer to cover dark circles or spots. Fill in your eyebrows for a neat look. Apply eyeshadow, mascara, and eyeliner to make your eyes stand out. Use bronzer, blush, and highlighter to add color and glow. Finish with lipstick and set everything with a setting spray or powder.
How can I prevent my makeup from looking cakey?
To avoid cakey makeup, apply a small amount of foundation and blend well with a sponge or brush. Use a lightweight powder only in oily areas, not all over your face. Always moisturize before applying makeup so your skin stays smooth. Avoid layering too much product, and spray a setting mist at the end to keep your makeup looking fresh.
How do I find the right shade of foundation?
To find the perfect foundation shade, test the color on your jawline, not your hand. The right shade should blend into your skin without looking too light or too dark. Try it in natural light to see if it matches your face and neck. If you are unsure, choose a shade slightly lighter because you can warm it up with bronzer.
What are the basic makeup steps for beginners?
Start with a clean and moisturized face. Apply primer to help makeup stay longer. Use foundation to even out your skin tone, then apply concealer to cover dark circles or spots. Fill in your eyebrows for a neat look. Apply eyeshadow, mascara, and eyeliner to make your eyes stand out. Use bronzer, blush, and highlighter to add color and glow. Finish with lipstick and set everything with a setting spray or powder.
How can I prevent my makeup from looking cakey?
To avoid cakey makeup, apply a small amount of foundation and blend well with a sponge or brush. Use a lightweight powder only in oily areas, not all over your face. Always moisturize before applying makeup so your skin stays smooth. Avoid layering too much product, and spray a setting mist at the end to keep your makeup looking fresh.
Final thought
Makeup is simple when you follow the right steps. Start with clean and moisturized skin, apply foundation for an even tone, and use concealer to hide spots. Shape your eyebrows, add eyeshadow and mascara to brighten your eyes, and apply blush for a fresh look. Finish with setting spray and a beautiful lip color. Keep practicing, have fun, and enjoy your makeup journey.