A Beginner’s Guide to Basic Makeup Steps

Makeup is an art that enhances your natural beauty and express your style. Whether you’re a beginner or someone looking to improve their skills, this guide covers the basic steps for makeup beginners in detail giving complete knowledge on skin preparation, primer application, foundation and concealer, color correction, eyeshadow blending and lipstick selection. In this blog I hope you’ll learn everything you need for a flawless makeup look.

How To Do Makeup Step-by-Step

1. Skincare Preparation: Building the Perfect Base

Your makeup can only look good when your skin beneath is prepped well. Proper skincare ensures a smooth base and longer-lasting makeup. Let’s explore the essential skincare routine steps for a flawless finish:

> Daily Skincare Routine Steps Before Makeup

• Exfoliation:

  Exfoliate 2–3 times per week to remove dead skin cells and create a smooth canvas for makeup application.

  Recommendations:

  • DRY SKIN– Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant, o3 plus milk scrub.
  • OILY SKIN– Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Daily Scrub, The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
  • COMBINATION SKIN– Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser, Cetaphil extra gentle daily cleanser.

• Toner:

  Apply a toner to balance your skin’s pH and prep it for further hydration.

• • DRY SKIN– LANEIGE Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Revitalizing Toner
    Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
  • OILY SKIN– The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, Kiehl’s Blue Astringent Herbal Lotion
  • COMBINATION SKIN– Pixi Glow Tonic, COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner

• Moisturiser:

  Hydrate your skin with a lightweight or rich moisturiser, depending on your skin type. This step ensures proper skin hydration, preventing your foundation from looking patchy or cakey.

• • DRY SKIN– CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, Clinique 72hr moisture surge
  • OILY SKIN– Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream (Oil-Free), La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Moisturiser
  • COMBINATION SKIN– Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb, Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel

• Sunscreen:

  Even under makeup, sunscreen is crucial if you are going out in day light. Opt for a lightweight, non-greasy sunscreen with at least SPF 30.

• • DRY SKIN– Beauty Of Joseon Relief Sunscreen Rice + Probiotics SPF 50+ PA++++, Re’equil Ultra Matte Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++
  • OILY SKIN– Neutrogena Clear Face Oil-Free Sunscreen SPF 55, Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40, Dot & Key Cica Calming Mattifying Sunscreen Niacinamide SPF 50+ PA++++
  • COMBINATION SKIN– Dr. Sheth’s Ceramide & Vitamin C Sunscreen,  Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb

> Best Skincare for Men

Just like women skincare is equally important for men. Finding the best skin care for men is also crucial. Men’s skin can be more prone to irritation and oil production, so it’s essential to use products specifically designed for their skin needs. Focus on the following points when working on men skin:

• Oil control with mattifying moisturisers for oily skin types.
• Lightweight, hydrating gels for dry or sensitive skin.
• Cleansing to prevent clogged pores and irritation, especially before makeup.

> Hydration Tips for a Smooth Makeup Base

Skin hydration is especially important for creating a smooth makeup base. Dehydrated skin can lead to cakey makeup, making your foundation appear uneven. Consider these tips to hydrate your skin:

• Use a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid before moisturiser.
• Apply a hydrating mist before and after your makeup to lock in moisture.
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day for natural, glowing skin.

> Korean Skincare Routine Before Makeup

For those who want extra hydration and glow on your skin, a Korean skincare routine is ideal. It includes:

• Double cleansing (oil-based and water-based cleansers).
• Layering hydrating products like essences and serums.
• Sheet masks for intense hydration before makeup.

2. Primer Application: A Must for a Flawless Canvas

Primer application is a game-changer in your makeup routine. It not only smooths out your skin but also helps makeup stay in place all day.

> Benefits of Using Primer

• Minimises the appearance of pores.
• Creates a barrier between your skin and makeup.
• Controls shine for oily skin or adds moisture for dry skin.

> How to Choose the Right Primer for Your Skin Type

• Dry Skin: Choose hydrating primers with ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid. Ex- Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer.
• Oily Skin: opt for mattifying primers with ingredients like silica to control excess oil. Ex- Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Mattifying Primer
• Combination Skin: Use a mattifying primer on the T-zone and a hydrating primer on drier areas. Ex- NYX Professional Makeup Angel Veil Skin Perfecting Primer
• Sensitive Skin: Look for fragrance-free, soothing primers with aloe or chamomile. Ex- Smashbox Photo Finish Primer

3. Foundation and Concealer: Perfecting Your Complexion

With your skin prepped and primed, it’s time to focus foundation and concealer. Foundation and concealer are essential for creating an even-toned, flawless base.

> How to Find the Perfect Foundation Shade for Your Skin Tone

One of the most important parts of makeup application is foundation matching. Choosing the right foundation shade can be tricky, but it’s essential for achieving a natural-looking complexion. To find your perfect match, test foundation shades along your jawline and neck area, as this will give you the closest match to your natural skin tone.

Consider following points in mind while choosing your foundation shade:

• Undertone Matching: Determine if your undertone is warm, cool, or neutral by checking the veins on your wrist. Green veins indicate warm undertones, blue veins indicate cool undertones, and a mix of both suggests neutral undertones.
• Testing Shades: Swatch foundation along your jawline and blend it. The shade that disappears into your skin is the right match.

> Flawless Foundation Tips for Beginners

• Apply foundation with a damp beauty sponge for a natural finish.
• Blend outward from the centre of your face for even coverage.
• Use a stippling motion for fuller coverage.

• • DRY SKIN: NARS Sheer Glow Foundation, Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. (Read: foundations for dry skin)
  • OILY SKIN: Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup, Maybelline Fit Me Matte+ Poreless Foundation. (Read: foundations for oily skin)
  • COMBINATION SKIN: Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream

> Concealer Techniques for Hiding Imperfections

Concealer is your secret weapon for covering dark circles, blemishes, and redness. The concealer techniques can vary based on the areas you’re targeting.

• Under-Eye Circles: Use a concealer with peach or orange tones to neutralize darkness.
• Blemishes: Apply a concealer that matches your foundation directly on the blemish and blend the edges.
• Highlighting: Use a concealer 1–2 shades lighter than your skin tone to highlight the high points of your face.

• • DRY SKIN: LA girl HD pro concealer, Tarte Shape Tape Ultra Creamy Concealer
  • OILY SKIN: Maybelline Fit Me Concealer, NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer
  • COMBINATION SKIN: Too Faced Born This Way Super Coverage Concealer, Urban Decay Stay Naked Correcting Concealer

> What is Colour Correction in Makeup and How to Do It?

If you struggle with uneven skin tones, colour correction can be a game-changer. This technique involves correct knowledge of colour wheel to use appropriate coloured concealers to neutralise different skin concerns. For example:

• Green Correctors: Neutralise redness from acne or rosacea.

• Peach/Orange Correctors: Cancel out blue or purple under-eye circles.

• Yellow Correctors: Brighten dull areas and neutralise purple tones.

4. Setting the Base: Locking in Your Look

Once your foundation and concealer are applied, it’s crucial to set everything in place. This step prevents makeup from creasing or fading throughout the day.

> The Best Setting Powders for Long-Lasting Makeup

Setting powders are important to set your foundation and concealer in place so that it does’nt worn out your makeup and it lasts longer. setting powders come in various formulas, from matte to dewy finishes, allowing you to choose one that suits your skin type.

Recommendation:

• DRY SKIN– opt for a light translucent powder and dust it slightly on your face to avoid drying out your skin further. Ex- Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder, Kay beauty translucent powder
• OILY SKIN– choose a matte-finish setting spray to control shine.EX- Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Baking & Setting Powder
• COMBINATION SKIN– use loose translucent powders or compact preferably. Ex-Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder

> The Best Setting Sprays for Long-Lasting Makeup

After using Setting powders it is important to lock your powder as well, for that we use setting sprays. Setting sprays come in various formulas, from matte to dewy finishes, allowing you to choose one that suits your skin type. To keep your makeup fresh all day include spritzing your face with a setting spray as a final step. Hold the spray 8–10 inches away from your face and mist evenly for the best results.

Recommendations:

• DRY SKIN– opt for a dewy-finish spray to keep your skin hydrated. Ex- MAC Fix+ Setting Spray
• OILY SKIN– choose a matte-finish setting spray to control shine. Ex- NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray
• COMBINATION SKIN- Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray, Morphe Continuous Setting Mist

> Tips to Keep Your Makeup Fresh All Day

• Use a translucent setting powder to set areas prone to creasing, like under the eyes.
• Reapply setting spray throughout the day to refresh your makeup as and when needed.

5. Eye Makeup: Creating Defined Eyes

Your eyes are the focal point of your face. Eye makeup adds depth and definition to your eyes.

If you crack the correct techniques for perfect eyelook then no one can stop you from looking like a professional makeup artist.

This step includes eyeshadow blending, eyeliner precision, and brow grooming.

> How to Blend Eyeshadow Seamlessly for Beginners

• Apply a neutral shade across your lid as a base.
• Use a darker shade in the crease to add depth.
• Blend with a fluffy brush in circular motions for a seamless look.

> Eyeliner Precision: How to Achieve Perfect Liner

• For a natural look, tightline your eyes by applying eyeliner to your upper waterline.
• For a dramatic look, create a winged eyeliner using a liquid or gel formula.
• Use tape as a guide for sharp, clean lines.

> Eyebrow Grooming Tips

• Fill in sparse areas with a brow pencil or powder.
• Use a spoolie to blend the product for a natural finish.
• Set your brows in place with a clear or tinted brow gel.

6. Face Contouring and Highlighting: Sculpting Your Features

Contouring and highlighting are essential for defining your facial structure. It is all about enhancing your natural bone structure.

> Face Contouring Tips for Beginners

• Use a matte bronzer to contour the hollows of your cheeks, jawline, and sides of your nose.
• Blend upward to avoid harsh lines.

Recommendations:

• • DRY SKIN: Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Contour Wand, Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skinstick
  • OILY SKIN: Hoola Matte Bronzer by Benefit Cosmetics, KVD Beauty Shade + Light Contour Palette.
  • COMBINATION SKIN: NARS Laguna Bronzer, Anastasia Beverly Hills Powder Contour Kit

> Highlighting Tips for Beginners

• Apply highlighter to the tops of your cheekbones, brow bones, the bridge of your nose, and Cupid’s bow to get that dewy look.
• Use a fan brush for a soft, diffused glow.

Recommendations:

• • DRY SKIN: Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter, Rare Beauty Positive Light Liquid Luminizer
  • OILY SKIN: MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinish, Kay Beauty Highlighters
  • COMBINATION SKIN: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder, Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter

7. Lip Makeup: The Finishing Touch

Your lips are the final step in creating a cohesive makeup look. This includes selecting the right lipstick shade, prepping your lips, and applying lip liner to define your makeup further.

> How to Choose the Best Lipstick Shade for Your Complexion

Selecting the best lipstick shade for your complexion can be tricky, but the key is to complement your skin tone

• Warm Undertones: Choose peach, coral, or brick-red shades.
• Cool Undertones: Opt for berry, pink, or blue-based red shades.
• Neutral Undertones: Experiment with both warm and cool shades.

> Step-by-Step Guide to Applying Lip Liner Like a Pro

Lip liner helps define your lips and prevents lipstick from bleeding and feathering

• Outline your lips, starting at the Cupid’s bow and working outward.
• Fill in the edges to create a base for your lipstick.

> Lip Preparation Tips for Smooth Lipstick Application

• Exfoliate your lips with a sugar scrub or a soft toothbrush.
• Apply a hydrating lip balm to smooth out fine lines.

8. Common Makeup Mistakes to Avoid

Even top makeup experts make mistakes from time to time, so it’s important to be aware of common errors that can ruin your look. Here are some mistakes to watch out for:

• Foundation Matching Errors: Always match your foundation to your neck to avoid harsh lines.
• Over-Applying Concealer: Use thin layers and blend well.
• Skipping Primer: Never skip primer, as it improves longevity and prevents creasing.
• Eyeliner Application: Practice your eyeliner techniques for precision.

Conclusion: 

Now that you’ve learned the basic makeup steps, it’s time to practice and experiment with different looks. The key to mastering makeup is confidence and consistency. Remember to start with a good skincare routine, choose the right foundation and concealer, and finish with eye-catching eye makeup and perfectly applied lips.

By following these steps and using the right skincare products and makeup techniques, you’ll be well on your way to achieving a flawless, long-lasting makeup look every time.

Experiment, practice, and have fun—you’ll become a pro in no time!

FAQs:

Q.  What is the correct order for makeup application?

A. The correct makeup application order is as follows:

1. Skincare routine steps (cleanse, tone, moisturize, sunscreen)
2. Primer application.
3. Foundation and concealer.
4. Eye makeup (eyeshadow blending, eyeliner precision, mascara).
5. Contouring and highlighting.
6. Setting makeup with a spray or powder.
7. Lip preparation and lipstick selection.

Q. What should a beginner get for makeup?

A. A beginner should start with basic, versatile products:

• Best skincare routine before makeup application: Gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen.
• A Primer suitable for your skin type (e.g., hydrating for dry skin or mattifying for oily skin).
• A lightweight foundation or BB cream for beginners.
• A concealer for dark circles and blemishes.
• Neutral eyeshadow palette for everyday looks.
• Eyeliner and mascara to define your eyes.
• A basic brow pencil or gel.
• A blush or bronzer for a natural flush.
• A lipstick shade that works for both day and night.
• Setting spray or powder to lock in the makeup.

Q. What is a good, simple makeup routine?

A. A good and simple makeup routine includes:

1. Skin hydration with a lightweight moisturiser.
2. Primer for a smooth base.
3. A small amount of foundation blended evenly.
4. Concealer for problem areas like dark circles or acne scars.
5. Light application of eyeshadow blending and mascara.
6. A soft blush or bronzer to enhance features.
7. Tinted lip balm or a natural-toned lipstick.

Q. How can I find the perfect foundation shade for my skin tone?

A. Follow these tips:

• Match the foundation to your neck or jawline, not your hand.
• Identify your undertone (warm, cool, or neutral).
• Test foundation in natural light before buying.
• Look for brands offering a wide shade range to find the best match.

Q. How do I avoid cakey makeup?

A. follow these steps to avoid your makeup from becoming cakey

• Apply a lightweight foundation in thin layers.
• Blend thoroughly using a damp beauty sponge.
• Avoid over-powdering; use a light dusting to set the makeup.
• Finish with a fine mist of setting spray for a natural finish.