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Have you ever spent an hour doing your makeup only to feel unsatisfied with the end result? While some people seem naturally gifted with makeup skills, it actually takes time to learn the best techniques.

If you struggle to apply makeup, here is a step-by-step process for beginners with expert tips for achieving a flawless look. 

Beginner Tips for Applying Makeup

Putting on makeup is a skill that takes practice to perfect. If you’re trying to improve your technique, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.

Rica Elysee, founder of BeautyLynk, and on-demand hair and makeup company, recommends starting simple and working your way up to a full routine.

“Start with two products, not twelve,” Elysee says. “Something that evens the skin and something on the lips. Add one product a month.”

Whether you’re just starting out or trying to take your skills to the next level, here are some tips for each step of a standard makeup routine.

1. Prep Your Face

Starting on a clean slate is the first rule of makeup. Use a gentle face wash to remove the dirt, oil and remaining makeup on your face. After washing, apply a moisturizer to hydrate your skin.

Katelyn Fitzgerald, founder and CEO of Luminous Skin Lab, says that skin prep is the most important step in any makeup routine.

“Makeup doesn’t sit on makeup skills, but it sits on skin,” Fitzgerald says. “When the barrier is dry, flaky, or over-exfoliated, product clings to texture, separates by lunch, and cakes into every fine line no matter how good your technique is.”

If your makeup looks flaky or dry, Fitzgerald says, “Give me two weeks of proper hydration and half your makeup problems disappear.”

Our Pick: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

Our Pick: CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion with SPF

2. Start With a Primer

Primer serves as the base to smooth the skin, blur pores and reduce the appearance of texture. It also keeps your makeup in place all day. Spread a thin layer of your favorite primer and let it dry completely before applying the next product.

“Primer is optional, not mandatory, and matters most on oily skin or in heat,” Elysee says. “If skin is dry, prep matters more than any product you put over it.”

Our Pick: e.l.f. Power Grip Primer

3. Add a Foundation

Foundations come in different forms — liquid, powder and cream. You can decide which feels best based on your skin type and desired coverage. What matters more is finding the best color match.  

“Shade-match in daylight, never under store lighting, and match along the jaw and neck rather than the back of the hand,” Elysee advises. “Deeper skin tones get mismatched constantly because undertone matters more than depth, and a foundation that is right in depth but wrong in undertone will read grey or orange all day.”

Once you have the right shade, apply the product with a brush or beauty blender evenly on your face. Start with a minimal amount, blend it out and layer on more as needed.

Our Pick: L’Oreal Paris True Match

4. Conceal Imperfections

Apply a concealer to cover blemishes, dark spots and bumps. Remember to dab some under the eyes to hide the dark circles. Include the chin, beside the nose wings, in between your eyebrows and any other areas you need to conceal. Use a brush or a clean finger to dab the product on.

Our Pick: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer

5. Set With a Powder

A setting powder holds the concealer and foundation in place. Use a large, fluffy brush and apply a thin layer to your face. You may use a loose or compact powder to set the makeup base.

Powder also helps remove the shine or excess oil, but you may consider skipping it if you have dry skin. 

Our Pick: Anastasia Beverly Hills Loose Setting Powder

6. Apply a Highlighter

Highlighter adds a touch of brightness or subtle shimmer to your look. You can use it to accentuate your features and the high points of your face. These are the cheekbones, forehead, cupid’s bow, nose, chin and brow bones. Use your fingers or a brush to apply it. 

Highlighter can have a dramatic effect, so you may skip this step in your everyday makeup routine. However, it can elevate your look for a night out or special occasion.

Our Pick: e.l.f. Halo Glow

7. Contour

Contouring works to chisel your features, such as your cheekbones, jawline and nose. You can use a cream, powder or stick to draw lines along your bone structure and blend out to accentuate your face’s dimension.

Use a big bronzing brush or beauty blender to buff out the product so it looks natural. Elysee says blending edges can be the most challenging step for some.

“For blending, use a clean brush and small circular motions at the boundary, and work in thin layers so there is no hard line,” Elysee says.

Our Pick: Anastasia Smooth Blur Contour Stick

8. Add Blush

A slight blush gives your face a rosy, fresh or sun-kissed glow. Use a large brush to apply the product on the apples of your cheeks, focusing on the area where you would naturally blush.

Liquid products have a beautiful glowy finish, but be careful with highly pigmented products. If you apply too much, it can be hard to blend it in fully. Start with a small dot, blend it out and add more if needed.

Our Pick: goop Beauty Cream Blush

9. Fill the Eyebrows

After the basic face makeup, you can work on your eyes. Starting with the eyebrows, fill them in with a brow pencil. Target sparse areas and use light strokes to mimick hair.

If you want to shape your brows and keep them in place all day, use a brow gel. Use a light amount of product and sweep the brush through your brow in your desired shape.

Our Pick: NYX Micro Brow Pencil

Our Pick: L’Oreal Paris Infallible Brow Lamination

10. Put on Eyeshadow

Eyeshadow can accentuate your eyes and make them look bigger and brighter. Begin by applying a primer to the eyelid to ensure your powder stays in place.

For a beginner-friendly routine, stick to one color for a basic everyday look. A light shimmery color can be just enough to make your eyes pop without feeling too heavy.

Our Pick: L.A. Girl Beauty Brick Eyeshadow

11. Line Your Eyes

Applying eyeliner defines your eyes even more. It’s beneficial if you want to create a variety of eye looks for different occasions. The goal is to create a line as close to your lash line as possible. 

“For liner, draw short dashes along the lash line and connect them instead of attempting one long stroke, and rest your elbow on a hard surface.” Elysee recommends.

Our Pick: Maybelline Liquid Eyeliner

12. Add Mascara

Mascara is the final step in your eye routine. Apply your mascara as close to the lash roots as possible. Wiggle the brush gently while coating each lash to cover it entirely.  

Our Pick: L’Oreal Paris Telescopic Mascara

13. Prime the Lips 

After completing the eyes, it’s time to prep your lips. Apply your favorite lip balm to moisturize and make your lips soft. It can be easier to apply other lip products when the lips are smooth.

Our Pick: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Lip Balm

14. Line the Lips

Lip liner is not a required step, but it can give your lips depth. Choose a lip liner that coordinates with the color of your lipstick. Outline the natural line of your upper and lower lips. Start from the outer edges of the lips and slowly move the product to the other side. 

Our Pick: NYX Line Loud Lip Liner

15. Apply Lipstick

Putting on lipstick can be easier after you’ve lined the lips, as it can keep you from over-applying. Choose your lip color and begin at the center of the lip, applying as close to the inside of the lip liner as possible. Blend the color evenly using a lip brush, your finger or by pursing your lips. If you accidentally go outside the lip line, grab a tissue or a cotton swab and wipe it off slowly. 

Our Pick: L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Lipstick

16. Lock in With Setting Spray

Finish off the look by checking for minor details. See if there are smudges to fix or harsh lines to blend. If everything looks perfect, set the makeup with a setting spray. Hold the bottle a few inches away, close your eyes and spray on your whole face. Setting spray can help everything blend together for a seamless finish. 

Our Pick: Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray: $36.00 on Amazon

Apply Your Makeup Successfully With These Step-By-Step Process

Applying makeup can be frustrating if you don’t know the right techniques. With some practice, you can work your way up to a flawless routine.

Remember, you don’t need to master every step at once. Focus on a couple of products at a time, and soon enough you’ll have a makeup routine you love.

Originally Published 9/20/2023 – Updated 9/22/2026