Honestly, if we talk about it, the complete makeup tutorial for beginners, there is no such thing. I mean, every makeup tutorial teaches us something new. Those makeup tips and tricks might be your vibe, or they might not be.
You might be watching a makeup tutorial on YouTube Shorts or TikTok and suddenly the makeup artist recommends giving your eyeliner a little extra stroke, which might not suit you, but then it might suit a few others.
So, that being said, I guess the point that I’m trying to make here is that makeup is very personalized, but the basics is same for everyone. Here in this makeup tutorial for beginners, I’m going to focus mainly on the basics and yet a chic look — not overly done, just natural.
Because I have seen a lot of content saying ‘makeup tutorials for beginners and they end up giving you smokey cat eyes. So if you are looking for a tutorial that’s basic and natural, you have come to the right place.
Skincare
This might sound a bit strange to a few of you, but no matter the amount of primer you put on and makeup techniques you apply, and no matter how expensive your foundation is, trust me, if your skin is not vibing, it’s not going to be a flawless base.
Imagine a skin texture that’s rough, imagine you haven’t exfoliated your skin for weeks, or you have barrier damage or dry skin—that’s only going to create a cakey makeup look. Doing just a basic skincare routine like your life depends on it is the way to go about it. A good cleanser, one targeted serum, and a moisturizer is all you need for basic skincare.
I have personally experienced this a lot. My skin often gets dry because I personally use retinoids, which sometimes take a toll on my skin. Those are the days on which my makeup foundation looks patchy in some areas. A proper exfoliation routine and hydration is the first step for a good makeup look.
Primer
Primers are applied prior to foundation. It is basically applied to conceal skin imperfections and also to cover open pores. It fills in the pores so when you apply foundation over it, it has a smooth base which takes me back to my step no. 1 that it’s important to have a skincare routine.
You can also cover imperfections with foundation. We all have imperfections, and I believe imperfections are what make us attractive. There is a difference between having imperfections and having healthy skin. Skincare is all about achieving healthy skin.
You will not need this extra primer application step in your makeup if you have a good skincare routine. I recommend applying primers if you have open pores and you think your foundation needs a smooth primer base. Otherwise this step is not mandatory.
Foundation
Foundation is available in different forms. For dry skin, I recommend using a foundation that’s more hydrating and water-based. It should be in the form of a liquid or cream. Oily skin types should use a foundation with a matte finish.
Before you choose a foundation, make sure you know what skin type you have. Also, the right application makes a difference. Some prefer using brushes, and some apply with a makeup sponge. I personally use a makeup sponge to apply my foundation because it’s gentler on my skin compared to brushes. I have written a whole blog on how to use a makeup sponge.
Concealer
The purpose of a concealer is to cover imperfections, hyperpigmentation, and any discoloration on the skin. In this guide, I recommend using your concealer for under eyes and dark circles. If you think you have any discoloration still left after using primer and foundation, it’s just not the right foundation you are using. You can just use foundation without using a concealer. Concealer works more on dark under eyes where the skin area is more discolored than the rest of the face.
Besides, this is a makeup tutorial for beginners who want a natural look. With concealer, I feel it becomes very high coverage, and it doesn’t look natural at all. So if you’ve got dark circles like mine, feel free to dab a little concealer on your under eyes. And if you think some areas of hyperpigmentation are still visible after applying foundation, dab a little on those places too. Don’t do too much.
The correct way to apply concealer is to use either your finger or a sponge. You need to push it into the skin, so a little dabbing movement with the sponge works best. I am not a great fan of using my finger for my under eyes.
Eye liner
When it comes to using eyeliners, I suggest you go with a pencil as a beginner. Trust me, I still use pencil eyeliner for a subtle look. Liquid eyeliner tends to look more flashy and is more visible. On the other hand, pencil eyeliners give a subtle smoky eye appearance without the effort of creating a smoky eye. Pencil eyeliner looks more natural than liquid eyeliner.
But if you think liquid eyeliner is more your vibe, keep in mind that it takes some practice to apply it perfectly. Start by using a pencil eyeliner first, which offers more control and precision, and then move on to using your favorite liquid eyeliner.
For a more natural look, I suggest not giving it a tail, just a slight pointed end that looks subtle.
Eye lash curler
Eyelash curling elevates the whole eye makeup look. Whenever I apply my eye pencil and use an eyelash curler, the pencil eyeliner gets smudged a little, which looks blended in a softer way. This trick doesn’t require any practice, just apply your pencil eyeliner and use an eyelash curler. Hold it there for a little while, and you’ll see how beautiful the look is.
Blush
Blushes come in different forms. They are applied on the cheeks to give a flushed appearance. For this, you can use highlighter, bronzer, and blush. For a more natural and beginner-friendly look, I recommend using a blush that’s more pinkish and in cream form.
Cream blushes are good for beginners and tend to pair well with the skin and foundation. Creamy blushes are applied with the help of your finger. They blend best with a tapping motion of your finger. If you want more convenience, stick blushes are the way to go. They are easy to apply and easy to blend as well.
Lip tint
A lip tint is different from a lipstick. While they both add color to the lips, lip tints are more sheer (transparent) and look more natural, while lipsticks are applied when you want a bolder look. ‘Overboard’ might not be the right word here, but lipstick tends to look natural only when it’s in a light pink shade, otherwise, I suggest going with a tint. Tints are low maintenance and low-key. Besides, lip tints tend to stay longer than lipsticks. So, for this makeup tutorial for beginners, I suggest using a lip tint to give your lips a natural color.