Makeup is simple but not easy.
Especially if you factor in your skin type.
If you’re someone who
- loses patience while applying makeup,
- frequently changes your makeup products,
- Or are confused about what’s the right product for your skin type
then this makeup guide is for you.
The best part?
We’ll be sharing expert-approved makeup tips and tricks that are practical and simple to use even if you’re a beginner in makeup.
Ready to dive in? Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Determine your Skin Type
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Determining your skin type is an important first step in knowing how to treat your skin and what products to use.
Basic skin types are:
- Normal
- Combination
- Oily
- Dry
- Sensitive
You can use the following methods to quickly determine your skin type and start caring for your face accordingly.
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Bare-Faced Method
The steps for the bare-faced method are as follows:
- All you have to do is wash your face properly and pat it dry.
- Spend at least 30 minutes without covering your skin.
- After that, look at your face to see whether there is any shine on your cheeks, nose, forehead, or chin.
- After another 30 minutes, check to see whether your skin still feels dry, especially when making facial expressions.
It’s probably dry if your skin feels tight. However, you probably have normal or combination skin if there is a detectable shine on some areas of your face.
You probably have oily skin if you have a lot of oil on your cheeks, nose, and forehead.
Blotting Sheet Method
The blotting sheet method is another way to determine your skin type.
- Apply blotting paper to different areas of your face.
- To determine how much oil is present, hold the sheet up to the light.
- You have dry skin if the sheet only gathers up a tiny amount of oil or none at all.
- You have normal or combination skin if there is oil on your forehead and nose areas.
- If the blotting paper is covered in oil, you have oily skin.
The Meaning Behind Skin Types
Now, what is the meaning behind your skin type?
Dry Skin
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A deficiency of sufficient water in the skin’s outermost layer is what causes dry skin. The daylong tightness of this skin type is accompanied by possible peeling. Typically, genetics, environmental factors, and climate play a major role in this skin disorder.
The signs of dry skin are:
- Itching
- Red plaques
- Rough dry skin
Normal & Combination Skin
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Normal/combination skin has dryness on the cheeks. While their t-zone usually feels well-moisturized, this skin type is more prone to breakouts on their cheeks.
An individual with combination skin has dry patches of skin and oily patches on their face. This skin type is caused by a number of things, although heredity is usually the main culprit.
Oily Skin
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It’s crucial to remember that everyone has oil on their skin. The overproduction of natural oils by the sebaceous gland, which is produced to keep the skin moisturized and healthy underneath the pores, leads to oily skin.
When your skin is constantly glossy and you frequently need to use blotting sheets, you have oily skin. Furthermore, oily skin will still feel greasy hours after cleansing.
Like other skin types, oily skin is frequently brought on by larger pores, age, location, and heredity. It’s also possible that you’re using the wrong skin care products that are causing too much oil on your skin.
Sensitive Skin
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Sensitive skin is difficult to care for. To identify the substances that cause irritation and inflammation, you need to put in a lot of time and effort.
Utilizing one skincare or cosmetic product at a time will help you manage this. Be careful to opt for products with ingredients that are non-irritating and paraben-free.
Choosing Makeup Products that Suit your Skin
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Makeup that matches your skin tone doesn’t always match your undertones.
Sounds confusing?
Look at your veins in daylight.
- If they appear blue, you have cool undertones;
- If they have a greenish hue, you have warm undertones.
- You most likely fall into the neutral or olive category if you are unable to identify the colour.
Not many women consider their skin undertone while buying makeup and generally end up making wrong choices.
If your eyeshadow powder falls off before lunch or your foundation is excessively oily, it’s not worth it.
Here are some tips to avoid some makeup pitfalls:
- Avoid using cosmetics that dry out or aggravate the skin.
Different cosmetics affect different skin types differently. It’s possible that a brand that works great for eyeshadow won’t work well for lipstick. This is due to the possibility that the skin type on your eyelids may differ from that of your lips. Avoid applying cosmetics that dry out your skin, such as foundation. You may need to test a number of products before deciding which ones are best for you.
- Considering your skin tone, when selecting cosmetics.
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The improper shade or product will detract from the appeal of cosmetics, even if you have the right type. Minor texture flaws in the skin will be covered up by makeup that matches your skin tone. Skin tones should not be overpowered by cosmetics.
- Invest in quality makeup
Although high-quality cosmetics can be expensive, it will be visible on your skin. Cheap makeup has a higher propensity to make your skin slide off creating a plastic appearance.
How to Apply Makeup like a Pro
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As a makeup rookie, it may feel like there are too many steps to consider and a million possibilities of how it can go wrong. But in the end, it really comes down to starting with the fundamentals and expanding from there. The rest will come naturally with practice.
We spoke with multiple expert makeup artists to put together all the beginner tips for makeup application in one place. Here are some product-specific application tips that you need to know:
How to Apply Moisturizer
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The first thing you may do is wash and moisturize your face. Cleansing your face before applying makeup aids in ensuring the effective application of makeup. Choose from our list of best moisturizers for your skin type.
How to Apply Primer
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Apply primer after cleansing and moisturizing your face. Use a formula that is suitable for your skin type. Applying primer prepares your face for the subsequent processes and prolongs the wear of your makeup. You can pick a budget friendly primer from here.
How to Apply Liquid Foundation
Using a makeup sponge, dab foundation all over the skin and blend it outwards. Be sure to extend it down onto your neck, too. For a full-coverage pick a liquid foundation that feels lightweight. You can pick organic and natural foundations from this list prepared by iDiva.
How to Apply Concealer
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Apply concealer below your eyes to brighten up your face and draw attention to your eyes. Considering the sensitivity of your eyes, choose the one which can mask dark circles while also keeping the delicate eye area hydrated. Pick from these best concealers for Indian skin tones.
How to Apply Bronzer
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To apply bronzer, you want a wide-rounded brush with a dense but soft head. Aim for where the sun naturally hits your face—the tops of your cheeks and cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and sometimes a tiny bit at the top of the forehead. Select your preferred bronzer from this best list curated by iDiva.
How to Apply Blush
Cream blush is popular these days because it is easily buildable and creates a natural-looking flush. Dab onto the apples of your cheeks and extend up towards the temples using a rounded brush for a youthful glow. Pick the right shade blush for your indian skin from here.
How to Apply Highlighter
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Add a bit of a liquid highlighter, along the top of your cheekbones, on the Cupid’s bow, the centre of the chin and on the bridge of your nose to brighten up the areas of your face where the sun naturally hits. Then, swipe a contour powder along the sides of your nose, along the forehead (near your hairline) and hollows of your cheekbones to add some shape and dimension to your complexion. You should always pick a highlighter based on your skin tone.
How to Apply Eyeshadow
With your fingers or a fluffy eyeshadow brush, apply a shadow of your choice to your eyelids to give them a simple but chic wash of color.
If you’re a beginner, try using a Waterproof Eyeshadow Stick, for creamy, saturated color in just a few swipes.
How to Apply Eyeliner
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The most dramatic way to emphasize and define your eyes is by using eyeliner. To apply a line as close to your lashes as possible, try looking downwards at a mirror as you apply or gently tug your eyelid upwards. You can also use a dark powder shadow to line your lids. Checkout the best waterproof liquid eyeliners that don’t smudge.
How to Apply Mascara
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The mascara formula and shape/material of the wand is your preference, but most mascaras come in lengthening, volumizing, or curling options.
Whether or not you curl your lashes before applying mascara, gently lifting your lashes upwards with a finger after the mascara is freshly applied will help set them into a curl while the makeup is drying.
Pick from the best mascara in India to get your eye makeup on point.
How to Apply Lip Makeup
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Wearing a lip balm underneath lipstick can make the lipstick more comfortable, but it will sheer out the color and finish. Applying a moisturizing lip balm and then blotting it off with a tissue will help moisturize your lips without affecting the finish too much.
How to Apply Setting Spray & Powder
Wait to the end to add setting powder, until foundation and all other cream products are set. After that, apply your setting spray, and you are ready.
Bottomline
Before we wrap up this guide, we would like to reaffirm 3 thoughts that will help make your everyday makeup routine better
- Determine your skin type
- Choose products that suit your skin
- Take note of the specific product application tips we shared
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And lastly, take care of your skin. Only consider the products that are suitable for you. For those with sensitive skin or other skin issues, we encourage you to speak with your dermatologist.
If you’ve found these makeup tips and tricks useful, let us know in the comments or share this article with your friends.