BASIC MAKEUPS TIPS AND RULES

How to Apply Makeup like a PRO (Even if You're a Beginner)

BASIC scenario

 you ever found yourself shopping for new beauty products and feeling totally confused over why there were so many options? What’s the difference between an eyebrow pencil and eyebrow gel? After a while, the items in your shopping cart can start to seem redundant. The good news? You’re not alone. Whether you’ve never created a contoured beauty look or you love trying all the latest trends, we’ve got you covered.

Buckle up, because we’re about to school you with our crash course in makeup for beginners. Find out how to master your makeup technique and read on for tips and tricks to help you achieve a flawless finish, all with pointers from a red carpet pro.

First Things First: What Are All These Products?

Whether you’ve totally mastered your everyday makeup look or you’re just a beginner, we can all use a refresher when it comes to what’s in our cosmetic case. Brush up on your makeup basics with our comprehensive guide below. 

Complexion Product Basics

Primer: Primers come in gels, creams, and even sprays. They create an even canvas for your makeup application by filling in fine lines and large pores. The result? Your makeup glides on evenly, lasts longer, and doesn’t look cakey.

Foundation: Foundation evens out your complexion, smooths over imperfections, and comes in three forms: liquid, cream and powder. While there are a variety of types available, the most important thing to consider is the coverage level you’re hoping to achieve. If you want to take a more natural approach, opt for lighter coverage. It creates a thin veil and smooths over your complexion. If you have freckles, for example, you’ll still be able to see them with a light coverage foundation on your face. If you want a more airbrushed look, a heavier, full-coverage foundation is your best bet. These types of foundations are thicker in consistency and can cover up blemishes, hyperpigmentation, and even acne scars. Unsure which formula is right for you? Check out our breakdown or contact JEYS'COSMETOLOGY

Concealer: Concealer is meant to add an extra layer of coverage over dark spots, pimples, scars, or wherever you want more coverage. Depending on the look you want to achieve, you can opt for a concealer with either a matte or dewy finish. Just like foundation, concealers offer a varying level of coverage. While some are strictly meant to conceal, others can help brighten and are often used in conjunction with highlighter. You contact us for guidance on concealer

Highlighter and Contour: Want to know the secret behind the perfectly chiseled face we so often see on celebs and influencers? These two magical makeup products that can completely transform your complexion. While contour creates shadows and adds dimension to your face, highlighter enhances the high points of your face. “Contour colors always recede, meaning they will add depth, where light and highlighter brings that light forward,” says Robert Sesnek, celebrity makeup artist for CATRICE—Chances are you’ve seen his handy work on the faces of Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner. Both highlighter and contour come in liquid, powder, and cream formulas. We broke down  and to help you perfect your technique. 

Blush and Bronzer: While some may think bronzer seems interchangeable with contour, they actually serve two totally different purposes. While contour is used to create shadows, bronzer creates a natural, sun-kissed glow that accentuates and lifts your cheekbones and other features. Bronzers come in liquids, creams, and powders. Blush is used to add a flushed color to your cheeks and comes in liquid, powder, and cream formulas.

Setting or Finishing Powder: In order to get the most mileage from your makeup and have your glam face last all day, you should set it. While setting powder sets your makeup and locks it in place, finishing powder smooths fine lines and blurs pores, creating an airbrushed finish. While some think you can opt out of using a setting powder if you want a more dewey glow, it should always be a non-negotiable step in your makeup routine.  “It’s a step I never skip, even if the client wants a glowing look,” says Sesnek. Just powder select areas (like your T-zone and under your eyes) and leave others dewy (like your cheeks).

Eye Product Basics:

Eyeshadow Primer: Eyeshadow primer is just like a face primer, however it’s made up of a formula that specifically targets the skin above the eye. Your standard primer won’t be able to do the trick. While most primers for your complexion contain silicone or water, eyeshadow primers offer up more of a grip and aren’t as smooth. This allows your eye makeup to stay in place all day.

Eyeshadow: Eyeshadow is powder applied to your eyelids to accentuate your eyes. The colored powder comes in a variety of formulas and shades, ranging from matte to shimmering. They also contain varying levels of pigmentation.

Eyeliner: Eyeliner is used to define the eyes, enhance their shape, and create different looks. When it comes to eyeliner, you can opt for a gel, liquid, or pencil. “Pencils are usually the easiest to use and have the most wiggle room to blend since they are mostly creamy,” says Sesnek. 

Mascara: Mascara is used to define and enhance eyelashes. Depending on the formula, you can make your lashes look fuller, thicker, longer, or darker. With so many options available it can be tricky deciding which to use, so always contact JEYS'COSMETOLOG for anything

Eyebrow Basics:

Eyebrow Gel: Eyebrow gel keeps unruly brows in place.The formula is usually either clear or tinted.

Eyebrow Pencil: An eyebrow pencil is used to draw in hairs and allows you to achieve the most natural-looking approach. Not only does a fine tip create strokes that resemble real hair, but “the wax texture mimics real brow hairs,” says Sesnek.

Eyebrow Powder: Powder is perfect for filling in sparse spots and is a great go-to for beginners--in fact, if you don’t have a powder on hand, you can use an eyeshadow to achieve the same effect. Just be sure to select a shade most similar to your eyebrow color. “Brow powder is what most people find the easiest to use,” says Sesnek.