How to Do Makeup: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Quick answer: How to do makeup in short: prep skin with moisturizer and sunscreen, apply a thin base, spot-conceal, add cheek color, define eyes and brows, finish with lips, then set. Keep tools clean and never share makeup; the FDA warns that sharing can spread infection and that mascara is usually tossed 2 to 4 months after purchase (FDA).

Save

7 steps for an everyday makeup look

1. Prep. Moisturize, then apply sunscreen in the morning. Let it settle for a minute.
2. Base. A thin layer of foundation, tinted moisturizer or tinted SPF, blended outward from the center.
3. Conceal. Tap concealer only where you want more coverage.
4. Cheeks. Blush on the apples, blended up toward the temples.
5. Eyes and brows. Brush brows up, add a neutral shadow and a coat of mascara.
6. Lips. Balm, tint or lipstick.
7. Set. A light mist or powder where you get shiny.

Time: about 10 minutes once you’ve practiced.

Pick your base

Our base guides: tinted moisturizer, tinted SPF, how to apply foundation and foundation for older skin.

How to do makeup for different occasions

Once you know how to do makeup for everyday, the other looks are the same steps with more or less of each product. Start with the everyday version and practice it a few times a week. Then try one change at a time, such as a deeper eyeshadow or a bolder lip.

If you’re learning how to do makeup from scratch, good light matters more than expensive products. Sit near a window or use a bright, even mirror light, and check your blending in daylight before you head out.

How to do makeup with fewer products. A tinted SPF, one concealer, a cream blush you can also use on lips, mascara and a brow gel make a full face with five products. Add more only when you know what you’ll use.

Practice is the real secret. Try the seven steps on a relaxed day, take a photo in daylight and see what you’d change next time. Most people find a look they love after a few tries. Keep your kit small at first, learn how each product behaves on your skin, then add new colors or textures once the basics feel easy and quick.

Easy looks to start with

• Natural makeup look: a fresh, everyday face in seven steps.
• Setting spray: how to make makeup last all day.

We haven’t lab-tested these looks. They’re general techniques to practice.

Makeup hygiene basics

• Don’t share makeup. The FDA warns you may be sharing an infection (FDA).
• Replace mascara. Manufacturers commonly suggest tossing it 2 to 4 months after purchase.
• Keep it cool. The FDA notes heat, such as a hot car, can break down preservatives.
• Never add water or saliva to dried mascara.
• Wash brushes and sponges regularly.

Patch test anything new. The AAD suggests applying a new product to a quarter-sized spot on the underside of your arm or the bend of your elbow twice a day for 7 to 10 days, and stopping if your skin reacts (AAD).

Beginner makeup mistakes

• Too much base. Start thin and build only where needed.
• Skipping skin prep. Makeup sits better on moisturized skin.
• Harsh lines. Blend edges of blush and shadow.
• Old products. Toss anything that smells off or changes texture.

FAQ

What order do you apply makeup in?

Skin prep, base, concealer, cheeks, eyes and brows, lips, then setting spray or powder.

What makeup do beginners need?

A base (tinted moisturizer or foundation), concealer, blush, mascara, a brow product and a lip color.

How long does makeup last once opened?

There’s no legal expiration requirement for most cosmetics in the U.S., the FDA says, but mascara is commonly replaced 2 to 4 months after purchase (FDA).

How do I make my makeup look natural?

Use thin layers, blend edges well and choose shades close to your skin tone.

Written by Mahmoud Abdelmaksoud.