This is a tutorial on how to apply a full face of makeup that would be suitable for everyday wear. This look would be appropriate for most work or school situations or just to make you feel more polished. This is just the way I would go about creating this type of look but feel free to use your own favorite products and colors.
Step 1: Skincare
Start with a clean, moisturized face. If you have oily skin, your makeup will last longer if you apply it to clean skin. If you have dry skin, moisturizer will help smooth out your skin so your makeup will look more natural.
Step 2: Primer
This is one of those steps that you can skip if you don’t have one of these products, don’t have time, or just want to simplify your routine. Depending on what you are looking for, it might be helpful to use one though. Different primers serve different purposes. Some are used to prolong the wear time of your makeup (good for long work days, hot summer days, humid climates, etc.), others are used to fill in pores and fine lines, and others can give your skin a smoother appearance if you have dry patches. Most of them will make your foundation glide on more smoothly and make blending easier. A lot of primers are mainly composed of silicones which create a barrier between your skin and the makeup although there are silicone-free options. I primed my skin with Rimmel Fix & Perfect Primer in shade 001. This one is good for minimizing the look of my pores.
Step 3: Tinted Moisturizer
I chose to use a tinted moisturizer in this tutorial but you can use a foundation, bb cream, or anything else that you like in this category. If you prefer a powder or mineral foundation, apply cream and liquid products first and then apply the powder products. Applying a cream over a powder can create a cakey appearance. The tinted moisturizer will help to tone down redness, even out the skintone and further conceal pores. I first applied it with my fingertips and then blended it in with a brush. The one I used here was elf Tinted Moisturizer in Porcelain.
Step 4: Corrector and Concealer
I used the Graftobian Corrector Palette to correct minor skin discolorations and Mac Studio Finish Concealer in NW20 to cover up acne marks and dark circles. Correctors are like concealers but they are made in specific colors to help cancel out other colors. For example I used a yellow corrector on my acne marks to help cancel out the redness and a salmon colored corrector on my dark circles. Then I used my concealer on top of the correctors to blend it in with the rest of my skin.
Step 5: Setting Powder
After you’ve finished applying cream and liquid products, set them all lightly with a powder. I used Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Light. This will make it harder to accidently rub the makeup off and help it last longer throughout the day. There are different formulas that are better for oily or dry skin depending on what you need. The Mac one is a good one if you have drier skin or prefer a less mattified look.
Step 6: Bronzer
Apply bronzer carefully! You only need just enough to bring some balance to the complexion. After applying all that foundation and concealer, sometimes you can end up with a flat appearance since everything is one color. Your skin naturally has variations in color and this step helps bring that natural variation back – but this way you can apply it specifically where you want it. I applied bronzer on the the sides of my cheeks, just above the hollow of my cheek. I also applied it above my temples and around my hairline to give the appearance of a naturally sun kissed complexion. It adds dimension and a healthy looking glow to the skin. It’s better to use a matte or nearly-matte bronzer for this step.
Step 7: Blush
Skin also naturally blushes so I chose to add one of my favorite coral colors – Sonia Kashuk Beautifying Blush in Sunset. I used a light hand with this product since it is very pigmented.
Step 8: Eyes and Lips
For the rest of my makeup I wore Fresh Sugar Lip Balm in Coral, Lorac Taupe eyeshadow (from the Lorac Pro Palette) in the crease, Covergirl Lashblast Length Mascara, and Palladio Taupe Eyeliner on my brows. And that’s it! Nothing too fancy but more polished than not wearing anything.