How to Apply Makeup – The Ultimate Step by Step Guide

Achieving flawless makeup requires more than just skill. It also involves understanding the correct steps and products to use ensuring you achieve a long-lasting look every time.

Looking to enhance your beauty routine but unsure where to start? This article, is here to help. Whether you’re wondering, “How do you do makeup?” or want to master specific techniques like how to apply eye makeup, this guide has you covered.

We’ll break down everything from applying moisturizer, how to apply eyeshadow, how to apply eyeliner, to applyng setting spray, ensuring you’re equipped with all the skills you need for a flawless look. Perfect for beginners and makeup experts alike, follow our easy-to-follow steps and boast your makeup skills.

1, Apply Moisturizer

Moisturizer is a skincare product designed to hydrate and nourish the skin.

Use: Moisturizer creates a smooth canvas for makeup application by hydrating the skin and preventing makeup from settling into fine lines and dry patches.

How to apply moisturizer

1. Cleanse your face to remove any dirt or impurities.
2. Apply a small amount of moisturizer evenly onto your face and neck.
3. Allow the moisturizer to absorb into the skin before proceeding to the next step.

2, Apply Primer

Primer is a makeup product applied after moisturizer to create a smooth base for foundation and other makeup.

Use: Primer helps to blur imperfections, minimize the appearance of pores, and extend the wear of makeup.

How to apply primer

1. Choose a primer suitable for your skin type (e.g., hydrating primer for dry skin, mattifying primer for oily skin).
2. Apply a pea-sized amount of primer to your entire face or focus on areas with enlarged pores or fine lines.
3. Gently blend the primer into the skin using your fingertips or a makeup brush.

3, Apply Color Corrector

Color correctors are tinted products designed to neutralize skin discoloration such as redness, dark circles, or sallowness.

Use: Color correctors help to even out skin tone and create a flawless base for foundation.

How to apply color corrector

1. Identify any areas of discoloration on your face.
2. Choose a color corrector that corresponds to the specific concern (e.g, green for redness, peach for dark circles).
3. Apply a small amount of color corrector directly onto the affected areas and blend gently with your fingertips or a makeup brush.

4, Apply Foundation

Foundation is a base makeup product that evens out skin tone and provides coverage.

Use: Foundation creates a smooth and uniform complexion, covering imperfections and blemishes.

How to apply foundation

1. Select a foundation formula and shade that matches your skin tone.
2. Apply small dots of foundation onto your forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin.
3. Blend the foundation outward using a makeup sponge, brush, or your fingertips until it seamlessly merges with your skin.

5, Apply Concealer

Concealer is a highly pigmented product used to camouflage dark circles, blemishes, and other imperfections.

Use: Concealer provides additional coverage where needed and brightens the under-eye area.

How to apply concealer

1. Choose a concealer that matches your skin tone or is slightly lighter for highlighting purposes.
2. Apply concealer directly onto areas that require extra coverage, such as under the eyes, blemishes, or redness.
3. Blend the concealer gently using a makeup sponge or fingertip until it seamlessly blends into the skin.

6, Apply Powder

Powder is a cosmetic product applied over foundation and concealer to set makeup and control shine.

Use: Powder helps to mattify the skin, minimize the appearance of pores, and prolong the wear of makeup.

How to apply powder

1. Choose a translucent or tinted powder that matches your skin tone.
2. Using a fluffy brush, lightly dust powder over areas prone to shine, such as the T-zone.
3. Blend the powder evenly across the face to set your makeup and create a smooth finish.

7, Apply Bronzer

Bronzer is a powder or cream product used to add warmth and dimension to the face.

Use: Bronzer creates a sun-kissed glow and contours the face for a more sculpted appearance.

How to apply bronzee

1. Select a bronzer shade that is one to two shades darker than your natural skin tone.
2. Using a fluffy brush, apply bronzer to the hollows of your cheeks, temples, and jawline in a “3” or “E” shape.
3. Blend the bronzer seamlessly to avoid harsh lines and achieve a natural-looking contour.

8, Apply Highlighter

Highlighter is a shimmery product applied to the high points of the face to add luminosity and enhance features.

Use: Highlighter creates a radiant glow, accentuates the cheekbones, and brings light to the face.

How to apply highlighter

1. Choose a highlighter shade that complements your skin tone and has a luminous finish.
2. Apply highlighter to the tops of your cheekbones, brow bone, bridge of the nose, and cupid’s bow.
3. Blend the highlighter gently using a makeup brush or fingertip for a seamless, lit-from-within glow.

9, Apply Brow Pencil

Brow pencil is a makeup product used to fill in and define eyebrows.

Use: Brow pencil helps to shape and enhance the brows, framing the face and completing the makeup look.

How to apply brow pencil

1. Select a brow pencil shade that matches your natural hair color or is slightly lighter for a softer effect.
2. Use short, feathery strokes to fill in sparse areas of the eyebrows, following the natural shape.
3. Brush through the brows with a spoolie brush to blend the pencil and groom the hairs into place.

10, Apply Brow Gel

Brow gel is a clear or tinted gel formula designed to tame, shape, and set eyebrows in place.

Use: Brow gel adds definition to eyebrows, keeps stray hairs in check, and provides a polished finish.

How to apply brow gel

1. Brush the brow hairs upward using the spoolie end of the brow gel wand.
2. Apply the gel in short, upward strokes to coat each hair and sculpt the desired shape.
3. Use the spoolie to comb through the brows again to evenly distribute the product and remove any excess.

11, Apply Eye Shadow

Eye shadow is a pigmented cosmetic product applied to the eyelids to enhance and define the eyes.

Use: Eye shadow adds depth, dimension, and color to the eyes, complementing eye shape and skin tone.

How to apply eye shadow

1. Prime the eyelids with an eyeshadow primer to prolong wear and enhance color payoff.
2. Apply a neutral shade as a base color across the eyelid using a flat eyeshadow brush.
3. Use a fluffy blending brush to apply a darker shade to the crease and outer corner, blending seamlessly.
4. Optionally, apply a shimmer shade to the center of the lid or inner corner to add brightness and dimension.

12, Apply Eyeliner

Eyeliner is a cosmetic product used to define the eyes by creating lines along the lash line.

Use: Eyeliner enhances eye shape, adds intensity, and can create various looks from subtle to dramatic.

How to apply eyeliner

1. Choose your preferred eyeliner formula (liquid, pencil, or gel) and shade.
2. Starting from the inner corner, draw a thin line along the upper lash line, gradually thickening towards the outer corner.
3. For a winged eyeliner look, extend the line slightly beyond the outer corner and angle it upward.
4. Optionally, line the lower lash line for added definition, either fully or partially.

13, Apply Mascara

Mascara is a cosmetic product applied to the eyelashes to darken, lengthen, and volumize them.

Use: Mascara enhances eyelashes, making them appear longer, fuller, and more defined.

How to apply mascara

1. Curl your eyelashes using an eyelash curler for a lifted effect.
2. Remove excess mascara from the wand by wiping it against the rim of the tube.
3. Starting from the base of the lashes, wiggle the wand upward to coat each lash evenly.
4. Apply additional coats as desired, focusing on the outer lashes for a winged effect.

14, Apply Lip Liner

Lip liner is a cosmetic product used to outline and define the lips before applying lipstick or lip gloss.

Use: Lip liner enhances lip shape, prevents lipstick from feathering, and prolongs wear.

How to apply lip liner

1. Choose a lip liner shade that matches your lipstick or is slightly darker for added definition.
2. Start by outlining the cupid’s bow, then trace along the natural lip line, working outward.
3. Optionally, fill in the entire lip with lip liner to create a base for lipstick or lip gloss application.
4. Blend the lip liner with a lip brush or fingertip to soften any harsh lines.

15, Apply Lipstick

Lipstick is a cosmetic product applied to the lips to add color, hydration, and sometimes shine.

Use: Lipstick enhances lip color, provides long-lasting pigmentation, and completes the makeup look.

How to apply lipstick

1. Choose a lipstick shade and formula that complements your skin tone and desired finish.
2. Starting from the center of the lips, apply lipstick outward, following the natural lip shape.
3. Blot the lips with a tissue to remove excess product and prevent smudging.
4. Optionally, layer lipstick with lip liner or top with lip gloss for added dimension and shine.

16, Apply Lip Gloss

Lip gloss is a cosmetic product applied to the lips to add shine, moisture, and sometimes color.

Use: Lip gloss enhances lip volume, adds a glossy finish, and can be worn alone or layered over lipstick.

How to apply lip gloss

1. Choose a lip gloss shade and formula that complements your lipstick or natural lip color.
2. Apply lip gloss directly to the center of the lips, then spread outward using the applicator wand.
3. Press the lips together to distribute the gloss evenly and achieve a smooth finish.
4. Optionally, apply additional layers for more intense shine or dimension.

17, Apply Blush

Blush is a cosmetic product applied to the cheeks to add color, warmth, and a youthful glow.

Use: Blush enhances cheekbones, defines facial structure, and adds a healthy flush of color.

How to apply blush

1. Choose a blush shade that complements your skin tone and desired intensity.
2. Smile to locate the apples of your cheeks, then apply blush in a sweeping motion towards the temples.
3. Blend the blush using a blush brush or fingertips for a seamless, natural-looking finish.
4. Optionally, layer blush with highlighter for added luminosity and dimension.

18, Apply Setting Spray

Setting spray is a cosmetic product sprayed onto the face to prolong makeup wear and set it in place.

Use: Setting spray locks in makeup, prevents fading and creasing, and creates a long-lasting finish.

How to apply setting spray

1. Hold the setting spray bottle 8-10 inches away from your face.
2. Close your eyes and mouth, then mist the setting spray evenly across your face in a circular motion.
3. Allow the setting spray to dry naturally without touching your face to ensure makeup stays in place.
4. Optionally, reapply setting spray throughout the day for a refreshed makeup look.

By mastering the correct steps of applying makeup and understanding the purpose and use of each product, you can achieve a flawless and long-lasting look that enhances your natural beauty.