How to Apply Makeup: A Step-By-Step Guide

What Makeup Do You Do First?

Generally, makeup primer and foundation should be applied first because it creates a base for the rest of your makeup. That said, if you are planning to wear a smoky eye or a dramatic eye look with dark shadows, it may be wise to do your eyes first so that eyeshadow fallout doesn’t disrupt your foundation and concealer. 

How to Apply Makeup Primer

Before applying makeup, it’s important to prep your skin to create an even base, so, be sure to complete your skin care routine before diving into makeup. That means you should always cleanse your skin and moisturize first (don’t forget your SPF). Once you’ve done that, then you want to apply a primer.

Face primers are great for creating an even base for your makeup and extending the wear time. If you have dry skin, go for a luminous primer, like the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Makeup Blurring Face Primer Infused with Serum. To target specific skin concerns like redness, try the L’Oréal Paris Prime Lab Up to 24H Redness Eraser. Not only does this primer cancel out redness with counteracting green tones, but it also extends your makeup for up to 24 hours. If redness isn’t a concern, try the dullness reducer, pore minimizer or matte setter options from the Prime Lab line. 

How to Apply Face Makeup

Once your skin is cleansed, moisturized and primed, it’s time for the complexion products. Keep reading to see the best order of application. 

How to Apply Foundation

Foundation is among the few makeup essentials that you don’t want others to see, meaning it’s supposed to look like your skin but better. So be sure to choose a formula that suits your specific needs and be sure to choose a shade that matches your skin tone and undertones. If you’re buying online, make sure you examine the foundation swatches of your preferred pick or you use a virtual try-on tool to get the best shade match.  

If you have oily skin, you may want to consider using a matte foundation, like the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear in a Powder. Its breathable and weightless formula completely evens out your skin tone while staying put for up to 24 hours. Plus, it’s waterproof and sweatproof, so you won’t have to worry about touch-ups throughout the day. Use the sponge in the compact for full coverage or a blush brush for medium coverage and sweep the soft formula over your face until you have an even layer of foundation.

If you have dry skin, consider using a liquid foundation, like the L'Oréal Paris Infallible 24 Hour Fresh Wear Foundation, Lightweight. The thin liquid formula provides buildable, medium to full coverage and creates an even complexion that doesn’t look cakey. Use a damp makeup blender when applying liquid foundation to get even and natural-looking coverage. Wet the blender and squeeze it until it’s slightly damp, then bounce and roll it over your complexion to buff in the product.

How to Apply Concealer

Foundation does a great job of evening out the complexion, but concealer can target any stubborn imperfections. There are two types of concealer you may want to use when you’re figuring out how to do makeup but this can make the matter of where to apply concealer quite tricky. You can use an all-over concealer that helps to brighten and illuminate areas of your face, or you can use under-eye concealer to mask dark circles and fine lines. Of course, you can also opt to use both depending on your makeup needs.

If you have an all-over concealer, you can apply it under your eyes and over any blemishes or areas you want to brighten. For a full-coverage option, try the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer up to 24H Full Coverage, which has a long-wearing, matte formula. 

If you’re looking to cover up dark under-eye circles only and prefer a more lightweight option, try the L'Oréal Paris True Match Eye Cream in a Concealer, 0.5% hyaluronic acid. This multitasking product provides all-day hydration that works to keep the eye area looking fresh and bright, thanks to its dose of hyaluronic acid. 

Foundation and concealer are often used interchangeably but they have very different functions. Still, some wonder if you should apply foundation or concealer first. The standard rule of thumb says foundation should go on before concealer but viral, social media hacks like underpainting say otherwise. When you’re just starting out, stick to the basics and graduate to more complex methods of application as you become more skilled at applying your makeup.

How to Apply Bronzer

Now that you’ve created an even base, it’s time to add dimension by bronzing or contouring your skin. For a natural look, apply bronzer like the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Bronzer just under your cheekbones and around the perimeter of your face with a large, fluffy brush. Sweep it on lightly and build up the coverage until you get your desired look. For a more sculpted visage, you can contour your cheekbones and nose with a cool-toned bronzing product that’s two to three shades deeper than your skin tone.

Have you ever painstakingly applied makeup only to feel like the end result isn’t as you had been expecting? Does it feel like there is something amiss and your makeup does not look quite so flawless? Applying makeup is an art that can completely transform you, but there are certain rules that you need to follow. This is where you will need to have access to a proper guide on step by step makeup for beginners. 

Makeup for Beginners – The Basics 

The most important thing to remember when it comes to applying flawless makeup is that you need to follow a general order of products. This will help you ensure that you achieve the most beautiful end result. We know that makeup is a form of expression for a lot of people and many of you enjoy the creative freedom of trying out different things, but following a makeup step-by-step guide will make you flawless each time. Each one of us has our very own style and preferences but the basics of nailing your makeup – in whatever kind you like – be it simple or intricate are the same. 

This guide on how to do makeup at home for beginners is for all those of you who wonder whether you should apply concealer before or after the foundation. You have come to the right place and we will help you get it perfect each time. Keep reading to learn about the best order in which to apply your makeup, starting from the face to the eyes and lips as well, along with the list of makeup products for beginners. 

Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners  

Here is how to apply makeup step by step for beginners. 

1. Prep your skin with a CTM routine 

Remember: Makeup looks a lot more flawless and a lot less cakey on skin that is naturally smooth and conditioned. Following a thorough skincare routine is the answer to naturally glowing and flawless-looking skin. The first step should always be washing your face using a gentle yet effective cleanser to rid your skin of dirt, oil and impurities. Next, in order to balance the pH levels of your skin post-cleansing, use a pH-balancing toner. A toner also helps tighten your pores and improves skin texture. Follow that up with a hydrating moisturiser to prevent the makeup from drying your skin and also ensure that it looks great all day long. The Simple Kind To Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser keeps the skin underneath your makeup healthy and prevents it from looking cakey. 

2. Use a primer 

If you want your makeup to look fresh and not melt all through the day, never skip using a primer. Primer, like the Lakmé Absolute Blur Perfect Makeup Primer, helps blur your pores and makes your skin an even canvas for all your makeup to go on. This is because a primer helps smoothen out fine lines and pores for your makeup to wear more evenly throughout the day. Always pick a matte finish primer if you have oily skin and apply it all over your face or to targeted areas, depending on your skin’s specific concerns. 

3. Apply a foundation 

Next, start by applying a little bit of foundation to make your skin look flawless and your skin tone even. It is very important that you pick a shade of foundation that is the closest match to your actual skin tone, as picking the wrong shade can make you look ghostly and weird. Also, pick a foundation based on your skin type. People with oily skin should go for a matte finish foundation, like the Lakmé Absolute Mattreal Skin Natural Mousse 16hr. On the other hand, if you have dry skin, a radiant finish foundation, like the Lakmé Absolute Skin Dew Serum Foundation might be a better option. Use a sponge or brush to apply the foundation for a natural, air-brushed finish. 

4. Conceal problem areas with a concealer 

While following the makeup step-by-step guide, the next step is to conceal all the problem areas of your face using a concealer, especially the under-eye area. You can either use a shade that is the closest match to your skin tone or pick one that is one shade lighter to help highlight the area. Lakmé Absolute White Intense Liquid Concealer to even out the skin and conceal skin imperfections. Use the included applicator to blend and buff the concealer into your skin and blend it using a sponge. Set this base makeup using a compact powder to keep sweat away. 

5. Sweep on some blush 

Blush is that part of the makeup that helps add a flush of colour to your face. It gives you a healthy glow and makes you look like you have just come back from a jog. You can use natural pink shades or use something more vibrant, depending on your mood. But always pick a shade and formulation such as the Lakmé Absolute Face Stylist Blush Duos – Rose Blush to suit your natural skin tone and skin type. This will ensure that the blush looks natural and is not made-up at all. 

6. Time for some eyeshadow 

Now is the correct time to apply eyeshadow. Start with dusting some neutral colour onto your entire lids. You can then pick a dark shade and apply it to the crease. This will help intensify your eyes and add a lot of depth and dimension. Remember to take the lightest shade from your eyeshadow palette and apply it to your brow bone to complete the look. If using multiple eyeshadows seems like a daunting task to you while doing makeup step by step, then simply pick a colour you love from the Lakmé Lakmé Absolute Infinity Eyeshadow Palette - Coral Sunset and sweep it all over your lid for instantly beautiful eyes. 

7. Eye liner, kajal and mascara 

To finish off your eye makeup, take liquid eyeliner such as the Lakmé Eyeconic Liner Pen Fine Tip - Black. You can create a wing or draw a simple line. This will instantly make your eyes look bigger and brighter. Next, apply some Lakmé Eyeconic Kajal to your waterline and finish it up with mascara. This will give you fluttery lashes and tie your entire eye makeup together. 

8. Wear your favourite shade of lipstick 

Before you wear lipstick, it is important to wear a lip liner. Lining your lips can help prevent colour from bleeding out or feathering. Choose a lip liner that’s the same shade as your lipstick and outline the natural line of your lips to help make your pout look fuller. You can also colour your lips with liner before applying the lipstick to help create a smooth base. 

FAQs about Step-by-step Guide to Makeup for Beginners   

Do I need a primer before applying makeup? 

Using primer enhances your makeup's longevity and acts as a protective barrier on your skin, allowing your makeup to last longer. 

Which comes first, moisturiser or primer? 

The primer should be applied after moisturizer in your makeup routine, as moisturizer hydrates your skin and prepares it for makeup application. Makeup can be applied more effectively if you apply moisturiser first. 

Is foundation without primer effective? 

The foundation can crease and settle into fine lines if you don't use a hydrating primer underneath. Unless you have mature skin, a matte foundation can leave your skin looking dry and cakey.