How to Apply Makeup (with Pictures)

Co-authored by:

Licensed Esthetician & Brazilian Wax Educator

This article was co-authored by Melissa Jannes. Melissa Jannes is a Licensed Esthetician and the owner of Maebee’s Beauty Studio in Philadelphia, a single practitioner space providing quality services with individualized attention. Melissa is also a National Educator for Universal Companies. She received her esthetics degree at The Beauty School of Middletown in 2008 and is licensed in both New York and Pennsylvania. Melissa won the “Best of Beauty” award from Allure magazine in 2012 for the quality of her bikini waxing. This article has been viewed 6,623,438 times.

Co-authors: 374

Updated: January 8, 2023

Article SummaryX

To apply makeup, first prepare your skin by applying a light moisturizer or sunblock followed by a makeup primer. This will protect your skin and help your makeup last longer. Next, use a sponge, makeup brush, or lightly dampened beauty blender to apply a light layer of foundation. Then, use concealer to cover any blemishes. A green concealer helps reduce the appearance of redness, and a light concealer helps brighten under the eyes and dark spots. To emphasize your cheekbones, nose, and jawline, consider contouring. Simply dust bronzer along your temples, the hollow of your cheeks, and the sides of your nose. Then, dab highlighter on your cheekbones, the tip of your nose, and the tip of your chin. To add some more color, you can also apply blush to the apples of your cheeks in an upward sweeping motion. For your eyebrows, start by gently brushing them in short, outward strokes. Line the outer edges of your brows with a colored brow gel, powder, or pencil to accentuate the natural shape of each brow. Finish with a clear brow gel to hold them in place. For your eyes, start by applying a light dab of concealer or eyeshadow primer to your eyelids. Then, using a brush or your finger, dust eyeshadow in a light circular motion. Start from the center of your lid and work your way outward toward each corner of your eye. Then, with a steady hand, use a liquid or pencil eyeliner along your upper lash line. For a more dramatic look, consider winging the tips of your liner up and out. For an edgier look, you can smudge pencil eyeliner around the outer corner of your top and bottom lash lines using a q-tip or your finger. For a daytime look, consider using white eyeliner along the waterline of your eyes to make eyes look bigger. Finish your eyes with one to two coats of mascara. Finally, apply your favorite lipstick or lip gloss, and you’re ready to go! To learn more makeup tips, read on!