College Makeup 101
- Alena Black
- May 13, 2019
- 10 min read
So while I was in my freshman hall, I kind of become known as the "makeup guru" according to my friends. While I do not consider myself a beauty guru, I do really enjoy makeup and getting to do my own and other people's. I really suck at drawing, so this is a great artistic outlet for me.
A lot of my friends are not quite into makeup as much as I am, I was able to give them a few pointers, but I still got some requests to create a Makeup 101 Guide for the non-makeup user. So here it is! I will go step by step of my own makeup routine as well as some quick tips about each thing. I will also link to a couple products that I have either tried or heard good reviews for. Let me know if there is a topic you want me to go into even more depth into such as eyeshadow techniques or skincare.
Just a quick disclaimer. I am not a professional makeup artist. I am just giving my own tips and tricks to what I have learned and what has worked for me. Not everyone will have the same experiences as I have had. I also realize not everyone is looking to wear a full face of makeup everyday, so I have put a star (*) by the products I believe are optional to people who want to look more natural.
1. Tools for Success
To get started, just like in painting, it is important to have the right tools to create a polished finished product. That means using quality brushes to do your makeup. There a lot of kits out there to get a set of brushes that will cover your whole face, but the brand I recommend the most is Morphe Brushes. They sell brushes and sponges online and at Ulta stores that are a very fair price and great quality. I suggest getting a dense foundation brush or sponge, a fluffy contour brush, a blush brush, an angled liner brush, a large eyeshadow blending brush, a small blending brush, and an eyeshadow packer brush to start out. Don't be afraid to ask store consultants if you are not sure about a brush. Don't try to cheap out on brushes because you will realize you need to buy other ones in the future anyways.
2. Moisturizer
The first step to any good face of makeup is to take care of your face. This means moisturize moisturize moisturize!!! Day and night. During the day, use a lighter formula and at night, do not be afraid to lather up. Foundation and powders cling onto dry patches and make them even more noticeable. I used to have really dry skin since I have eczema, but I have grown into have a more combo skin type. That being said, even if you have oily skin, it is VERY important to still moisturize, it will just require a different kind of moisturizer. My favorite that I have used for a long time now is the Clinque Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel.
This is made for combo/oily skin, but it works amazing on dry skin as well and goes great under makeup. Another great daily moisturizer that my dermatologist recommended was the EltaMD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen. I put this on everyday as well. It is a little pricey, but in my opinion, it is better to spend more on keeping your own skin as clear and beautiful as possible so that makeup that goes on top looks even more flawless. I could do a whole separate post about my skincare that has worked for me so let me know if that is something you are interested in.
3. Primer*
This next step is sometimes thought of as a gimmick. Primer really works for some people and others do not see a difference which is why I put it under the "optional" category. For me, primers never worked until I started using the Milk Makeup Hydro-Grip Primer.
This primer really has made my makeup stay all day looking very flawless, and by all day, I mean a good 12-15 hours. A very long time. I like this primer a lot and I have found nothing like it. That being said, I have heard of some people breaking out because of this primer, so just be aware. Another popular primer on the market is the Benefit POREfessional Primer. They sell minis of both of these primers to test out. Not everything will work on everyone's skin. Luckily, many makeup stores such as Sephora and Ulta are very generous with their return policies. If you don't like a product after a couple tries, don't be afraid to return it. Do NOT abuse the return policy though.
4. Foundation*
Foundation is different for literally everyone. Some people want full faces that are full coverage while others just want a slightly more even skin tone. BB or CC creams will give you that light coverage if you want it which is why I put a star by it. Some people also just don't want anything on their whole face. Personally, my face is a lighter color than the rest of my body, so I like foundation to make it the same color. I use the L.A. Girl Pro. Matte Foundation or the Flower Beauty Lighter Illusion Foundation. The first one is for more heavy makeup that I would wear as part of a full glam face. The latter is for a more natural and luminous look. My main tip with foundation is to make sure that you are getting the right shade and that it will cater towards your skin type. If you have oily skin, you do not want an oily foundation formula, and if you have dry skin you do not want one that will accentuate dry patches. Ask store employees if you are unsure about your color, or pick up a couple and return the ones that do not match.
5. Concealer
Though foundation is optional, I think concealer is a must. You can cover any flaws with concealer as well as dark under eye circles while keep the skin looking natural, but depending on the concealer, you can also get a full coverage glam look. I personally use Tarte Shapetape Concealer, but a popular and affordable dupe would be the Makeup Revolution Conceal and Define Concealer. These are high coverage concealers and can look cakey if you put too much on. Start with a dot and dab it out with your finger or sponge to warm up the product and spread it around the area. With concealer, it is also best to go one or two shades lighter than your skin tone so that it can also have a brightening effect.
6. Powder
Since moving to Utah, surprisingly my skin has become more oily so I find myself needing powder to keep my concealer from creasing under my eyes and to make everything stay a little longer without getting oily and breaking apart. Since I started using it, I have found a much bigger difference in the longevity of my makeup. I use the Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder, and I would say that the investment is worth the price. This product will last a very long time and a little goes a long way. Some beauty gurus like to "bake" their face and let the setting powder sit, but I just press the powder in with a sponge where I put my concealer. The biggest thing about setting powder is to make sure it does not give you a white flashback when you take a picture with flash...it's bad. I would know. Get a translucent powder. If you have a darker skin tone find a color that will match your skin well.
7. Bronzer/Contour
I highly suggest getting a bronzer on contour powder in order to not look like a ghost. After concealer of foundation, your face tends to look really flat. Bronzer and contour adds color back into the skin and sculpts the face. Bronzer specifically is to warm up the face. Like a sun-kissed tan if you will. Contour sculpts the face using most of the time cooler tones to create shadow and dimension. If I were to recommend one over the other, it would be bronzer. Bronzer can sometimes be used as contour and from my experience, most of the people I have done makeup for want to look more tan and glowy than chiseled. I use the Benefit Hoola Bronzer, but many drugstore brands sell bronzer as well. Be sure that the bronzer is not shimmery unless you for sure want that. When applying, make a fish face by puckering your lips. Where the hollows of your cheeks are, put the bronzer in a line from our hairline to the middle of your cheek making sure to blend. From there, fluff the product in a 3 shape of bronzer on your face using your forehead and jawline. This will make your face appear slimmer and sunkissed.
8. Blush
Another powder to not look like a ghost is blush. Now we don't want to look like a clown either, so I suggest you get a nice peachy blush. I like Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso. Use your fluffy brush to add color slowly. You want to have a natural flush to your cheeks. You can always add more blush, but it's hard to take away. I also like Tarte Amazonian Clay blushes because they have lots of colors to choose from. I would steer clear of really opaque blushes because it will require a very light hand when applying which sometimes can be a disaster if you are rushing.
9. Highlighter*
Highlighter has become extremely popular within the last couple of years. Some people do not like the look of highlighter since it generally accentuates uneven texture of the skin, but I enjoy it a lot and I think it adds dimension back into the face. I also really like the added sparkle so I really like looking at new highlighters. For everyday use, I use the Wet n Wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder which comes in a variety of colors for an affordable price. For special occasions, I use one of the Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kits. The big difference between these two other than price are the amount of glow that comes from them. The Wet n WIld one is much more natural and subtle while the Anastasia one is blinding and very sparkly. Another great alternative are the Becca Pressed Highlighters which are expensive but great quality. Highlighter also comes in gel and liquid formulas, but the easiest I have found, especially for beginners, are the powders. Highlighter is put wherever the high points of your face are. Your cheekbones, the tip of the nose, the brow bone, and the cupid's bow.
10. Eyebrow Product
People always forget about their eyebrows when doing their makeup. In my opinion, eyebrows are one of the most important features of the face. Keeping them well groomed and filled in can make the face look so much more complete. Simply filling them in makes the face more balanced and cleaner. A lot of people use brow pencils, but I have used the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade for forever. It has literally lasted me forever while other people who use pencils have to rebuy often. That being said, I have heard that the pencil is much easier for beginners to use. With the pomade, I would suggest using an angled liner brush and starting your brow in the middle working toward the tail and then dragging remaining product to the front of the brow. This creates a nice fade and create that "instagram brow" I like. If you like a natural look, use a brown eyeshadow that matches your hair color and run it through your brows lightly. Use a spoolie brush to blend it and make it look even more natural.
11. Eyeshadow
Eyeshadow depends on what you want your makeup to look like. Often times, eyeshadow is where the most color comes from. Personally, I like warm browns, pinks, and reds. I used to like cooler colors like gray and purple. There are plenty of affordable options for eyeshadow, but my favorite would be Morphe Eyeshadows. They are a great price for pallets with lots of colors. High end, I really like Kylie Cosmetics or Anastasia Beverly Hills. For beginners I suggest getting a natural pallet so you can create a lot of different natural looks. For techniques, I suggest three. With your largest fluffy blending brush, use a warm brown or a medium color, do a wind-shield wiper motion all across the crease of your lid. This will be your crease shade.
Next use your smaller fluffy brush with a darker color, usually dark brown, red, or black, and fluff it in the outer corner of your lid in a v motion. Follow the line of your lash line up and make a v with the outer part of your crease. This will add definition. Finally, use a shimmery color and pack it on the first third part of your lid. This will add some sparkle. Use either the medium or dark color and use an angled brush to put it on the lower lash line to balance the eyeshadow look. I can go more into depth with this in another post, but this is the easiest technique for a beginner.
12. Eyeliner*
Eyeliner I put as optional just because I know some people will use a black or dark brown eyeshadow with an angled brush as a "natural liner". I have done both, and while I find the eyeshadow easier and faster, I like the sharp and opaqueness of a liner. Finding a good eyeliner can be hard. Especially if you have a mono lid or oily eyelids. I have found that the Stila Stay All Day Liner is a great option. It is waterproof, extremely black, and stays all day long. My tip for eyeliner is to go slow. Practice makes perfect. It takes a while to get used to eyeliner and especially wings, but practice will help you.
13. Mascara
There are so many mascaras on the market. Everything looks more complete and just better when you have mascara on. For my lashes, I have long lashes already, but I want more volume in them. I use the L'OREAL Lash Paradise Mascara for everyday, and Benefit BADgal Bang Mascara for a more dramatic look. Mascaras are pretty self-explanatory and you just have to keep trying different ones until you find ones that you like.
14. Lip gloss/stick
To be honest, I do not use lip gloss or lipstick very much just because I am lazy, but when I do I use very natural colors. I will use the MAC Lipstick in Velvet Teddy and the Fenty Gloss Bomb. I usually just use a lip balm for everyday usage.
15. Setting Spray
Finally, my very last step of my makeup routine is setting spray. Now, I say that as a general term, but what I use is not an actual setting spray. These sprays are supposed to make your makeup last longer and melt it into your skin so it blends and looks less cakey. I use the Mario Badescu Rose Water Spray. This does not claim to make your makeup last longer or anything, but I have found that is really does make my makeup blend together nicely and make me look a little more natural and glowy.
I know this seems like a lot of steps, but in all reality, I can do these steps in about 15 minutes. I have made a routine that I know like the back of my hand. I love doing my makeup everyday, but I know it is not for everyone.
I hope that my post helped some of you learn about some new steps and techniques to try in your makeup routines. If you have any questions or want me to do a skincare routine or go into more depth about techniques, I would love to do so.
XO
Alena
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