How to apply makeup, step by step

What you'll need

• Moisturizer and sunscreen
• Foundation or a lighter skin tint
• Concealer
• Setting powder
• Brow pencil or brow gel
• Eyeshadow (one light, one medium shade) and mascara
• Blush; bronzer and highlighter if you like
• Lipstick or a tinted lip balm

Step by step

1. Prep your skin

   Cleanse, then apply a thin layer of moisturizer and, in the daytime, sunscreen. Give it a minute or two — foundation over damp, unabsorbed skin slides around and pills.

2. Even out your skin

   Dot foundation on the center of your face, beside your nose and on your chin, then press it outward with a damp sponge. Don't rub — press, like stamping an envelope. Take only what's left on the sponge out to the edges and hairline.

   Tip: Test the shade on your jawline: there shouldn't be a line between your face and neck. Not sure of your undertone? Take the skin undertone test first.

3. Concealer only where you need it

   Under the eye, draw a thin triangle from the inner corner to below your pupil; dot a little on any redness. Tap it in with your ring finger — the skin under your eyes is thin, so don't rub.

4. Set it with powder

   Press powder only onto your forehead, nose and chin — the T-zone that gets shiny. Leaving your cheeks bare keeps your skin looking alive.

5. Fill in your brows

   Brush your brows upward. In sparse spots, draw short, hair-like strokes in the direction the hairs grow; keep the start of the brow softest and the tail most defined. Then set the hairs upward with gel.

6. Add color to your eyes

   Lower your gaze slightly. Sweep the light shade over the whole lid and the medium shade into the crease — the hollow you can feel just under your brow bone. Move the brush back and forth like a tiny windshield wiper to soften the edge.

   Tip: Full walkthrough: the eye makeup guide.

7. Mascara

   Keep your eye open and look slightly down. Place the wand at the very base of your upper lashes and wiggle it side to side as you pull out to the tips. Pause at the root — that's what holds the curl.

8. Bring life to your cheeks

   Sweep blush from the fullest part of the apple up toward your temple, slightly diagonally. Start with a little and build; taking too much off is harder.

   Tip: Adjust the placement to your face shape: see the blush guide.

9. Lips

   Put on balm first and blot the excess. Apply lipstick from the center outward, and finish the corners last.

10. Lock it in

    Hold setting spray an arm's length away and mist with your eyes closed. No spray? Press a very light veil of powder over your face when you're done.

If you're just starting: the short version

You don't need all 10 steps every day. To begin, these four are enough: skin tint → mascara → blush → lips. Once they feel easy, add brows and eyeshadow.

Common mistakes

• Rubbing foundation in: it pushes product around and leaves streaks. Press it on.
• Packing concealer under the whole eye: it settles into lines. Thin, and only where needed.
• Powdering your whole face: skin looks flat and tired. Only where you get shiny.
• Starting blush with a loaded brush: hard to undo. Start light and build.

FAQ

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