Prep Your Skin for a Smooth Base
When it comes to makeup application, skincare is your foundation—literally. Prepping your skin helps your products go on smoother and stay put longer.
Step 1: Cleanse your skin
Start your makeup routine with a clean, refreshed complexion. You might want to try a gentle exfoliating cleanser This gentle formula helps remove dirt and oil while providing gentle exfoliation to create a smooth, even base for easier makeup application.
Step 2: Hydrate and moisturize
After cleansing, apply a lightweight facial serum and moisturizer to keep your skin soft, plump, and hydrated. This helps your foundation and other makeup products apply more evenly and blend effortlessly.
Step 3: Apply sunscreen
Don’t skip SPF, especially for daytime looks. Choose a formula that offers strong sun protection and works well under makeup without leaving a white cast. Once you’ve finished your skincare, give it about 15 minutes to fully absorb before moving on to makeup. This helps prevent pilling and gives you a smooth canvas.
Plan Your Look
Before diving into your makeup routine, take a moment to figure out the look you’re going for. Scrolling through social media can help spark inspiration and guide your product picks.
Once you’ve got your vision, gather your essentials. For a basic makeup routine, here’s a helpful starter list:
- Makeup primer
- Foundation
- Concealer
- Blush and/or bronzer
- Highlighter
- Eyeshadow
- Eyeliner
- Mascara
- Brow products
- Lipstick or gloss
- Lip liner (optional)
- Setting spray
Gather Your Tools
Having your tools on hand before you start will make the process smoother. Some key basics include:
- A clean makeup sponge for blending
- A fluffy powder brush
- A tapered eyeshadow brush
- Cotton swabs for cleanups
Depending on your routine, you might also want a foundation brush, a concealer brush, or an angled brush for brows.
Follow the Right Application Order
One of the most common questions is: What is the correct order to apply makeup? While you can tweak the order to suit your style, here’s a super easy-to-follow makeup application guide to get you started.
This routine is ideal if you’re learning how to apply makeup for beginners or just want to get your makeup steps in order without the guesswork.
Step 1: Apply makeup primer
We always suggest kicking off your makeup routine with a makeup primer tailored to your skin type and needs. The right makeup primer can help smooth your skin, balance your complexion, and keep makeup in place. Apply an even layer, focusing on areas where makeup tends to wear off fastest.
Step 2: Create your base
After priming your skin, even out your complexion with foundation.
Step 3: Contour and highlight
Contouring can help enhance your natural bone structure, giving your face shape and definition. For natural-looking results, we suggest using a concealer or contour stick two to three shades few shades darker than your base to define your cheekbones, jawline, and nose. Blend well so it looks soft and natural. Tap The bronzer onto your cheekbones, brow bones, nose bridge, and Cupid’s bow. The luminous-finish formula helps reflect light, which can further emphasize your facial structure (and give your skin a gorgeous, lit-from-within glow).
Step 4: Add blush and bronzer
Bronzer can help warm up your complexion and add dimension to your skin. For a naturally sun-kissed look, . Use a fluffy brush to sweep the pigmented formula onto your temples, cheekbones, and along your hairline, blending well for a soft, diffused finish.
For added dimension, pair your bronzer with blush—the right formula can help bring your face to life and give your skin a naturally flushed look.
Step 5: Eye makeup
Eye makeup doesn’t have to be complicated to make an impact. A soft wash of pigment across the lids helps accentuate your eye area without overpowering your look. For a super easy application, use a cream eyeshadow stick Swipe the color of your choice across your lids, blending the pigment out with your finger for a soft, seamless blend.
Next, define your eyes with a long-lasting eyeliner Use the fine brush tip to trace along your upper lash line for a softly-defined look, or flick the liner out at the outer corners to create a subtle wing.
Don’t forget to apply mascara before moving onto the next step in your routine. There are plenty of different types of mascara out there, so choose one that aligns with your preferences and needs. For natural-looking volume and intense length Shape and set brows.Brows are often the unsung hero of any makeup routine. They frame the face and pull your whole look together.
Step 7: Lips
Lips are the final touch in your makeup routine order. For a bold lip look, reach for a matte, full-coverage lipstick, You can also line your lips with lip liner before applying your chosen lip color for added definition.
Step 8: Lock It In
Once you’ve completed all your steps, seal in your hard work. A good setting spray will keep your makeup looking fresh for longer and help prevent fading.