Last updated on December 27th, 2021 at 10:52 pm
There’s always more to learn about doing your makeup, whether it’s an all-new technique or brushing up on the basics. These are some of the best makeup tips I’ve learned over many, many years of doing my makeup!
- Make sure your skin is moisturized and prepped before starting your makeup
I’ve shared my skincare routine here, but find what works best for you! Just make sure your face is moisturized to create the right base before you start your makeup. If your face is dry and flaky, your makeup doesn’t stand a chance!
- To find the right shade of foundation test the shade on your jaw, and make sure you put foundation on your neck and ears
The color of the back of your hand isn’t the same shade as your face! If and when you can sample makeup again, your jaw is the right place to swatch foundation. Or, hold the foundation up against your jaw to see how it matches up. Make sure you know your skin undertone too, to find the best match. Check out this post on how to find your perfect foundation shade!
And when you’re doing your foundation, make sure you blend it down your neck, and cover your ears! It’s going to look obvious and terrible if your foundation stops at your jaw and just before your ears.
- Put concealer on after your foundation, or you can even use concealer as foundation if you don’t need a lot of coverage
If you don’t have really dark circles, foundation might be enough to cover them up. So you can use less concealer.
Alternately, if you don’t want to wear a lot of foundation, you can use a concealer instead! Just dab concealer wherever you need a little coverage and blend it in!
Also, make sure your concealer shade isn’t too white!
- Set your concealer and foundation with a powder so it doesn’t move during the day
It doesn’t have to be an expensive powder, and you don’t have to use a lot. Just a light dusting to keep all your liquid products in place.
- Eyebrows are SO IMPORTANT
Of all my makeup tips, make sure you read this one! Eyebrows frame your face, and make everything look better overall. Don’t over pluck! If you don’t know what shape your eyebrows should be, get a set of stencils. Super affordable, and super helpful.
Rule of thumb for the shape of your eyebrows –
Grab an eyeliner, a makeup brush, or anything straight.
From the side of your nostril, to the inner corner of your eye, this is where your eyebrow should start.
The side of your nostril, through the pupil of your eye (look straight forward!) is where the arch of your eyebrow should be.
Side of your nostril, to the outer corner of your eye is where your eyebrow should end.
- Cream products on top of cream, powder products on top of powder
If you’re going to use a cream bronzer or a cream blush, put it on before you powder your face! If you try to put a cream product on top of an already powdered face, it’s going to break up your foundation and look like a mess.
- Apply bronzer in a 3 shape
Start on your forehead, sweep your bronzer down your temple and slightly in toward your nose along your cheekbone. Then continue down the side of your face and along your jawline.
Also, you can put a little bronzer on the bridge of your nose, where the sun would naturally give you a little tan.
- You don’t need a million different colors of eyeshadow, 3-4 shades ranging from light to dark is really all you need. You could even just use one shade all over your lid and you’ll look stunning!
Don’t feel like you need a ton of different eyeshadows to do your makeup. You can get one neutral eyeshadow palette and be set for most makeup looks! And you don’t have to spend a lot either. I’m obsessed with these e.l.f Cosmetics Bite Sized eyeshadow palettes, that are only $3 each. Amazing quality, a ton of different shades, and more than affordable so you don’t feel bad about getting more than one (or five in my case!).
- It’s ok if you don’t want to wear lipliner, but if you do, put it on before lipstick
Lip liner can help define your lips and keep your lipstick on longer, but sometimes it’s a pain to put on. I totally get it. If you want to use lip liner, put it on first so you have a guide for where to put your lipstick. Fill in your lips too with lip liner to keep your lipstick on longer!
If you love the color of your lip liner, fill in your lips, and top with a balm or clear gloss. Beautiful!
- Make sure you have decent brushes – they don’t have to cost a fortune!
If you don’t have nice brushes, your makeup ultimately isn’t going to look as good. And don’t forget to wash your bushes too!
Brushes don’t have to cost a fortune, there’s so many affordable options to choose from!
This set of twelve makeup brushes from e.l.f is only $12! What?! I don’t have a lot of e.l.f brushes, but the ones that I do have I love!
Real Techniques brushes are also super affordable, and I’ve had mine for years and they’re still going strong!
This 10-piece brush set by Sonia Kashuk is a little more on the pricey side ($50), but that’s only $5 a brush for great quality!
And don’t forget, your fingers are great makeup tools too! Just make sure you wash your hands so you don’t get any bacteria on your face.
What are some of the best makeup tips you’ve picked up? Did you not know any of these makeup tips before, and are going to use them now?
Have you gotten to a point in your beauty journey where “what you’ve always done” doesn’t work anymore? Then check out Dianne’s post on “How to Update Your Makeup Look and Still Be You“.
