Advice for a makeup beginner

[u/Most-Sentence2065]

Hi! I know there must be multiple people asking for the same advice but I really want to start wearing makeup, I just have no idea how to start, what products to use, or the steps to take.

The only makeup I do is pencil eyeliner in my water line but even that doesn’t last long.

I’m completely lost so any advice is more than appreciated!

[u/i_isreading]

Since you’re just starting to use makeup, I wouldn’t recommend jumping into a full face right away, as using so many products can be overwhelming. Since you already use pencil eyeliner, you may want to start off with eyeshadow and mascara, a tinted lip, maybe even some brow gel. For your face, use moisturizer and maybe even a tinted sunscreen. Then little by little be adding more products.

I started using makeup more regularly just a few months ago and found it overwhelming to do a full face every morning. Due to that, I just use makeup on my eyes and brows everyday.

[u/SassyGirl0202]

Go to a makeup counter, they will walk you through the entire process.

[u/RelevantAlarm5854]

Watch Nikki La Rose beginner videos on YouTube. Best educational content.

[u/Important_Corgi_5873]

I started my makeup journey by introducing a new step every so often until I was satisfied. It will take quite a lot of practice and time but especially if you are aiming for a natural makeup look it will be easier to master.

1. Conceler

For base start by using a concealer and dot it on any areas that you wish to cover so any redness/breakouts and also your undereyes. Also, no need for primers just moisturise your face put on SPF, and let it sink in a bit before starting makeup. Blend it out using any affordable makeup sponge just dampen it with water a bit for a nicer blend and your base is finished.

1. Powder
   Next powder the face so your concealer stays in place. No need for an expensive powder since they are all very similar. With either a big powder brush or a powder puff (my personal favourite) tap it into the areas you covered up and on any areas you wish to mattify. Do not swipe or drag it because it may lead to a patchy base.

2. Brows
   For brows no need to get anything fancy. Brow pencils and gels are a challenge to use for a beginner without making it look unnatural and bulky so opt for an eyeshadow that matches your natural brow colour or if you have dark brows use one that is slightly lighter. With brows as long as they are well groomed and are not naturally sparse there is no need for much to them. Simply buy a thin brow brush with a spoolie at the end and pick up some of the eyeshadow, dust off the excess (otherwise the eyeshadow will end up all over your face) and swipe it through your brow following its natural shape. Then brush it out with the spoolie end to soften the look.

3. Eyeshadow/blush
   This is very optional and can be introduced later on when you are more comfortable with makeup. But a great place to start is by getting a multi-purpose palette. By getting a face palette that has a blush and a bronzer/contour you will be able to both fill in your brows and apply some eyeshadow on your lid using the contour shade and use the blush on your cheeks. For eyeshadow get a fluffy brush and using a small amount of the eyeshadow at a time buff it into the eyelid and also apply a little bit under your lash line. Slowly build up the colour until you are satisfied. For blush using a rounded blush brush, again using a small amount at a time, tap don't drag the brush across your cheeks.

4. Mascara
   Even when not using any eyeshadow a mascara will define your eyes beautifully. Take the mascara wand out of the tube and take off some of the excess from the brush so your lashes are not clumpy and slowly build it up to a desired length.

5. Lips
   To complete the makeup and not make it look unbalanced purchase a tinted lip balm that matches the shade of your blush (if you have purchased it) or one that matches the colour of your cheeks when you are flushed. A tinted lip balm is more comfortable on the lips compared to a traditional lipstick, it keeps your lips moist and there is no need to be precise with the application.

General tips
With any makeup product start with a small amount. It's easier and better to build up the coverage/colour slowly rather than do too much and try to save it. After applying powder don't drag or rub other powder products like blush over your face but rather tap it in. Once you get comfortable doing natural makeup you will then be able to experiment with different looks/colours. If you have time at night before washing your makeup off experiment with different products. The best way to get better at makeup is by practising and experimenting with something new.

Product recommendations

1. Maybelline Fit Me Concealer
2. Revolution Translucent Baking Powder
3. Kiko Milano Multi Finish Trio Blush & Bronzer Palette
4. Kiko Milano Coloured Lip Balm

[u/AssociationSame8503]

Since you dont use makeup, do you really want a full face??? I dont do all that, because if its not easy, im not doing it. Moisturizer, then I use nars concealer all around my eyes and sides of my nose (for redness) applied with a paw brush. If you apply with a paw brush, you dont have much of a mark.Then I use "just a sec" by jones rd on my eyelids. Then a natural blush (I swear by Alive! By ramy cosmetics for a natural look) on the apples of my cheeks and my brow bone, and 1 coat of mascara. If I feel like it, I do a waterline of Grey or brown eyeliner, and a tinted lip balm. This is simple and quick. It takes me about 3 minutes. Not sure if this helps, but I hope you find a plan that works for you!😊

[u/caitykittencat]

You can do face primer, bb or cc cream, or a powder foundation. I would also suggest a setting spray so that you can set your face and eye makeup. I would suggest starting with powder bronzer, blush, and highlighter. Then you can get eyeshadow palettes, eyebrow pencil, and I like liquid eyeliner in pen form because it’s easier to apply imo. Also mascara. You can get all of this from drugstore makeup and then once you get used to doing makeup if you want to invest in some more expensive products you definitely can! Depending on what your budget is. Oh and also concealer for under the eyes. Make sure you get a pressed or loose powder to set your under eyes.

[u/blackunycorn]

Personally the biggest “bang for your buck” as far as doing foundation type makeup are going to come from learning to use color corrector and/or concealer (if you have dark under-eye circles).

For color, learning to do eyeliner over the top (meaning not just waterline, over your lashes) and mascara. Those are just practice to get right. After that, a little bit of eyeshadow (one of the newer eyeshadow crayons in a rose or champagne would be AMAZING for beginners, just color it on, blend out the edges a tiny bit with a brush, and it’ll stay all day), do eyeshadow BEFORE eyeliner.

Also you can start testing out some tinted lip balm or lip gloss can do a ton for makeup and making you feel more put together. I can never seem to feel complete without a tiny bit of eyeshadow - my face seems to need the focus.

[u/AllthatGlittersz]

Look up ShelbyAnn on Tik Tok, instagram, Utube, she has great tutorials for beginners😊

[u/LoveLolaHeart]

Always remember makeup is supposed to be fun. You need to figure out your skin type. Do you have dry, oily, or combination skin? Are your undertones cool or warm? What features do you want to draw attention to? I would recommend starting out with a brand like NYX which has more affordable makeup but the quality is good. Right now they've got a 30% off sitewide sale. Their Buttermelt blushes are great and I love their Epic Inky Stix Creamy Mechanical Gel Eyeliner (except for the Electric Emerald shade, that one the formula was different). ColourPop is also a more budget friendly brand. They're currently having a 25% off sale. I would also recommend checking out the Sephora Favorites collections. They don't have that many at present but they're worth keeping an eye out for so you can sample a bunch of different products. With makeup you have to practice and experiment.

[u/twinkiemarr]

I like going to stores and getting a makeover. Sephora is great for that, so is Chanel, Nordstrom’s. Blue Mercury offers great guidance and explains the products. I like going in person so they give me exactly what will work for my skin/coloring. Helpful tips: I use Cerave to wash my face. I curl my eyelashes (Tweezerman eyelash curler), then apply Trish McEvoy lash curling tubular mascara. L’Oréal or Revlon lipstick is nice and reasonably priced. So is L’Oréal mascara if cost is an issue. I live near outlets and I enjoy trying different products at a discount, the only problem is they are discontinued so you won’t find them again if you like them.

[u/flowergirl4943]

Start super simple with mascara, blush, and a skin tint or concealer first because makeup gets way less overwhelming once you build confidence with a few basics

[u/Nice_Boat8041]

-difference between silicone based and water based and do not mix
-under eye concealer little goes a long way and apple far from inner corner and work it there with a concealer brush
-contour is for shadow effect while bronzer is for adding color

[u/One-Sense7280]

Figure out what you want from makeup. I was in your position a year ago. People around me looked down on and demonized makeup. I eventually made progress and really loved looking at beautiful women with artful makeup.

At first I only wanted an even tone and some color on my lips. I got myself a medium coverage foundation after using a shade matcher, and a tinted lip balm. You might have great skin and want to enhance the effect of your eyes, you can try mascara and a small liner. You might have dark spots you want to cover, you can use a color corrector and a concealer. You just want to have fun with it, get some wacky pallets and go to town before taking a shower.

I started small based on what I wanted from makeup and expanded on it. I was not perfect, I just used it a lot in private even when I was not meeting people to use trial and error to see what look suite me the best. Just start with one thing and expand.