How to Apply Makeup for Beginners

Makeup application can cause the inexperienced makeup lover serious anxiety, but honestly applying makeup is not a mystery. Makeup, like your wardrobe and jewelry selections, is a personal expression of style. Beside a few major sticking points, you really cannot get it wrong. For convenience sake, learning how to apply makeup is important because who has time to trot off to the cosmetics counter before every hot date. Master the basics of makeup application with practice and the right products.

Fresh Skin
Never apply makeup to skin that is not clean. Apply skin to oily or dry skin will give you a bad makeup look. Regularly clean skin with a gentle cleanser and apply a moisturizer, made for facial skin, every day.

Mineral Foundation
Select a mineral foundation that is closest to your skin tone and color. Tip the foundation over, living the lid on it. The powder will fall into the lid. Rub your flat kabuki makeup brush in the powder. Tap the brush handle on your arm to shake off excess powder. Start at your forehead and swirl on the foundation in a circular motion. Continue down the face applying more mineral powder to the brush head as needed. Beginners should use mineral foundation because it is easy to use and looks great.

Beginners Eye Makeup
Apply a liquid eye shadow in a light neutral color to the entire eyelid. Squirt a tiny amount on to the tip of your finger and then swipe it over the lid. Do this for both eyes. Squirt a dab of slightly darker eye shadow on your finger. A taupe or hazelnut works well with the lighter color. Apply it using your finger to the crease of your finger. Use a soft tipped eyeliner pencil and dash on the eyeliner along the top lash line. Blend the dashes together with a sponge tip applicator.

Apply mascara in layers. Apply a coat to both top lashes and let them dry. The best application style for beginners is to lay the brush parallel to your lashes and gentle blink over the wand. Use the tip of the wand to apply mascara to lower lashes.

Cheeks
Apply mineral-based blush to your cheeks. Start at the back of the cheeks and sweep forward to the apple. The reverse may seem more natural but that method does not deliver the makeup efficiently. You could end up with clown cheeks if you start at your cheeks and sweep back. Start lightly and add a second sweep if you need. It is easier to add to your look then take away excess.

Lips
Beginners who are nervous about applying lipstick should start with a glide on gloss instead. Lip glosses today are bright and beautiful. Apply lip gloss using a wand tip applicator or roll on ball. Use a lip liner on lips before applying lipstick. Line the lips carefully with a light lip liner then fill in the lines with your choice of lipstick.