A Basic Guide to Makeup in 2016

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Over the past couple of years, we have seen the industry of makeup truly take off. Gone are the days of tacky blush and clumpy mascara! Now thanks to the onset of YouTube, almost anyone can become a self-taught makeup artist.

I think that is what is most beautiful about makeup. Some people believe it to be silly or “not that big of a deal.” However, makeup is truly a talent and an art form that can be very complex. Hundreds of people, both women and men, have become household names on Instagram and YouTube through makeup which for some has led to their own makeup brand and collaborations with top makeup companies.

And you know what all these successful people have in common? They are all majorly self-taught artists!

Now for some of you this may be of great interest. The field of makeup has grown so much that it may seem daunting to dive into at first. But don’t worry, it’s really not that difficult! All it takes is practice and patience. Let me tell you some of the basics that every makeup lover should have and know.

First and foremost, for a great application, you need to develop great skin! It is imperative to invest in great skincare products like face wash and moisturizers. Some great products that aren’t too pricey are Clinique’s 3-step system and any products from Aveeno. Twice a day use for these are recommended.

Now let’s get into the exciting stuff …

Primer, baby, primer: The first step that should be completed is a facial primer. The primer will act as a barrier between the heavy makeup you’ll be applying and your skin. You don’t want your skin breaking out! It will also keep your foundation from streaking.

If you have oily combination skin, I recommend Becca Ever-Matte Poreless Primer and if you have normal to dry skin then Smashbox Photo Finish. This will transform your look, making your skin a blank canvas to work on.

Foundation: Foundation is probably one of the most important steps in makeup. It sets the base for your entire look. Foundation comes in liquid and powder form. Liquid can be used for a full coverage while powders are used for a light airbrushed finish. Like primers, foundation varies for people with different types of skin.

If there is anything that you should splurge on, it should be your foundation! However, there are also some great cheap alternatives. For example, Maybelline’s Fit Me Collection. This product has two lines for oily and dry skin: the Fit Me Dewy, and Fit Me Matte +Poreless.

Concealer and translucent powder: After you apply your foundation it’s time for highlighting and contouring. For highlighting you must use a shade that is only two or three shades lighter than your skin tone. Put the lighter color underneath your eyes. Applying concealer is easiest with a damp beauty blender or sponge. The key to applying concealer is blending, blending, blending! There should be no harsh lines between your foundation color the lighter concealer.

After you put on your concealer, you should apply a translucent powder, Laura Mercier, to avoid creasing throughout the day. Let that set and “bake” for about 5 minutes so the powder can absorb into the skin! An awesome brand of concealer is L.A Pro Girl HD Concealer.

Contouring and bronzer: One of my favorite steps to makeup application is contouring and bronzing! This step can chisel your face and add incredible dimension. Just like concealing, contouring should be two or three shades darker than your skin tone.

Now depending on the structure of your face, you should apply the deeper color accordingly. The main parts of your face that you will want to contour are your forehead, hollows of your cheeks, jaw line, and on both sides of your nose. Blending with a beauty blender is also extremely important to avoid muddy patches of contour. After your contouring add a bronzer in the same areas. Some great products are Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit which is available in both cream and powder.

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Brows and setting spray: Brows are what shape the face and can alter your face completely. You can make them big and bold or lightly fill them in with an eyebrow pencil. The really popular items are Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow Pomade, $18, for a thicker application. And the ABH Brow Wiz pencil, made by the same company, is for filling in sparse areas. Both great items!

Last but not least for your base makeup, you should apply setting spray. Setting spray will lock in your makeup for up to 12 hours. It allows the makeup not to transfer or streak, especially if it is a hot day outside. There are two finishes, dewy and matte. An amazing dewy setting is by NYX Cosmetics. And for a matte finish, Urban Decay All Nighter Spray.

There you have it, your go-to products and techniques that every makeup lover and beginner should own and know. You can always add anything extra! Makeup is all about self expression and learning what works just for you! Now go out there and slay!!

All products listed can be purchased at Sephora, Amazon.com, or your local convenience store.