A Beginners Guide to Makeup

Did you spend elementary school uninvolved in the same obsessions as your friends, avoiding the sectioned-off makeup aisles of CVS or the corners of the mall where Sephoras and Ultas hid? What about the influence of your mother or older siblings—was it hard to relate when you watched them dip into their beauty bag and swipe on layers of mascara before a big night out?

You’re certainly not alone in this, as so many people avoided venturing into the world of makeup in their younger years for fear of mistakes or simple disinterest.

However, if you’re reading this, the beauty community has piqued your interest, and we’re so excited to guide you through this new journey. Supergreat is a world created for and by makeup lovers, ranging in all levels and areas of expertise. From newbies to seasoned professionals who work with clients, there is something for everyone. We hope that you’ll find a new home here, with our product reviews, perks, and tutorials catered to whatever look you’re in search of.

Before we dive in, here are some general tricks of the makeup trade.

Goals To Grow To

The most important "rule" to makeup is that there really aren't any! Makeup is an artistic process, a way to show different sides of your personality, and in that way, it can never be streamlined.

We’ve broken down everyday looks in the easiest and most practical order of application. Deviating from the norm and personalizing this schedule is entirely up to you, and we encourage you to explore your own individuality in these instructions (but please, please don’t skip the skincare part).

Skincare Simplified

One of the most important aspects of formulating a makeup routine is understanding the purpose and place of skincare in your life. Not only does properly taking care of your skin allow for a decrease in the rate of visible aging (i.e., wrinkles and fine lines) it also contributes largely to the aid of skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and even forms of acne.

Cleanser

Any core skincare routine begins with a good cleanse. Cleanser is perfect for the start of your day, in case you have any makeup residue leftover from the night before. It’s also great for an evening wash, so you can aim to get all that makeup off in the first place.

Toner

Toner is optional but is great for tightening large pores and clearing up signs of aging. It may not be as optional as you get older, but be careful of its potentially irritating ingredients on gentle and sensitive skin. It can also help your skin get even cleaner so that it’s prepped and ready for whatever products come next.

Serums and Moisturizers

A good Vitamin C serum comes next, followed up with a great moisturizer. Regardless of your skin type—oily, dry, combination, or acne-prone—moisturizer is a must.

You can include any daily acne treatments as well if you are combatting breakouts. Make sure that you are gentle around any open wounds or scars to perpetuate healing and avoid infection when you put on makeup.

Sunscreen: The Biggest Essential

We simply cannot stress enough the importance of SPF. It should be the last step in your skincare routine before makeup application and must have at least an SPF of 30 to be truly effective. UV rays are incredibly damaging, leading to photo-aging which speeds up the process of wrinkles and fine lines. However, sunspots from sun damage can result in something far worse—skin cancer.

Sunscreen is your key to shielding your skin from harm. After you slather on two finger-lengths of product and make sure to hit all exposed areas of skin, including your neck, hands, and ears, it’s time for a quick spritz of hydrating mist.

Prep for Presentation

What are we if not prepared when it comes to a makeup routine? You should always use a primer for any face products to make sure they adhere to the skin and outlast environmental factors. Besides a primer, you will need the right tools for the job, too.

Tools for Success

We recommend investing in a variety of makeup applicators to make your routine seamless and up your blending game. Let’s face it; an unblended face is probably the most surefire sign of an MUA newbie.

A Makeup Sponge

Beauty Blenders have made quite a name for themselves over the past decade or so, after being featured in quite literally every YouTube makeup tutorial since the days of Bethany Mota. This egg-shaped tool is made of a foam material and costs around $20 at most outlets.

It’s definitely worth the investment, allowing for even, smooth multi-use blending for foundations, creams, powders, blushes, contours, highlighters, and concealers. Yep, it really can do all that.

The Right Brushes

However, it can be best to have a few different tools at the ready for different parts of your face. A nice set of eyeshadow brushes are key, including tapered, fluffy, smudge, angled, and flat brushes. E.L.F. makes great, affordable brushes. Face brushes include foundation, stippling, contour, powder, and highlighter fan brushes.

For a little extra guard (because we know some mistakes are bound to happen), E.L.F. Mascara & Shadow Shields prevent smudging for that flawless lash look at only $3.

Eyebrows Are a Must

It is good practice to get into the habit of fixing up your eyebrows before diving into the rest of your look. Since eyebrows can have such an anchoring effect on your facial features and can pave the trajectory of the vibe you’re going with, figuring them out first is smart.

Brush out your brows with a spoolie to get them in place. They can also be brushed upwards or in a design that you may like. Brow gel is great for holding them together and keeping any flyaways from ruining their cohesion.

If you’re aiming for a more contoured look, go in with your brow pencil or dip brow pomade first and outline, then fill in your brows. If a more natural look is up your alley, try a tinted brow gel and call it a day—your eyebrows will be consistent but not overpowering.

Full or Buildable Coverage Foundation

Next up is your face makeup. This might seem a little intimidating, but thankfully there are foundations for all types of needs and desires. Do you want a dewy finish? A matte face? Somewhere in between? Often, a lighter look is preferable for daytime hours. We love BB and CC creams for that tinted effect that still blurs any imperfections but doesn’t cake on.

Always make sure you are blending your foundation well, as we outlined above. Move your tool in circles to buff it in, careful not to allow for build-up that may sit in the cracks of your skin and highlight blemishes.

Speaking of blemishes, utilize concealer to cover them up as a personal spot treatment—it is also nice to add under your eyes if you have dark circles or around the area of your nose.

The Eye Makeup Edit

Here is the moment you’ve most likely been dreading: eye makeup. From eyeshadow to the perfected liner, here are our favorite hacks.

Palettes for Your Consideration

In order of importance, eyeshadow palettes must be pigmented, have a decent variety of shades, have incredible staying power, and produce limited to no fallout. These are some of our favorites:

• NYX Brights Ultimate Shadow Palette: At only $18, you get 16 incredibly pigmented and bright shades, some bordering on neon. It is incredible for beginners in makeup because it allows for play with trendy looks.
• Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette: The price sits at $45, but for 14 designer shades, it is enough to turn heads. Gorgeous pinks and reds are paired with nudes, allowing you to transform a nonchalant yet romantic daytime look into a sultry, nighttime dinner date look.
• Try the ABH Soft Glam Eyeshadow Palette next, with warm neutrals that are incredibly buildable in glitter, shimmer, and matte offerings.
• Urban Decay Naked 3 Eyeshadow Palette: $54 is the price for 12 shades and a slice of makeup history. This palette truly stands the test of time—we can guarantee it since we’ve had it in rotation for the better part of the past decade. With wearable and versatile neutral tones, day to night has never been an easier achievement.
• BH Cosmetics Neutral Eyes: With 28 shades, this palette cannot be beat. Easy to work with for new makeup lovers, including a wide range of brown shades for some smoky eye practice.

Lashes and Length

To get extensions or to not get extensions? We’re going to point in the direction of some good mascara and these simple tricks to start you off with instead of heading to the salon chair:

• Use more than one coat of a volumizing product.
• Coat underneath your lashes for a plumped effect.
• Curl your lashes before and after the application of mascara.

Liner Legends

To complete your eye makeup, check out these tried and true eyeliners for the perfect wing:

• Mistake Erase Liquid Eyeliner + Corrector: This ingenious gadget allows for all liquid liner faux pas, with an eraser end for the sharpest and fiercest wings. It is smudge-proof with a felt applicator tip that may need one extra layer for black pigment.
• Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper: As the blackest black shade of liner, the straight cat eyeliner has never been easier to apply. This liquid liner is precise with a felt tip, stays on for hours, and refuses to bleed.
• E.L.F. Cosmetics Liquid Eyeliner in Black: This drugstore steal has a thin enough applicator for a super sharp or buildable, wide wing. Either way, it’ll be clean and quick as the formula dries fast.

Lip Looks

What is a good look without the perfect ending? Here are some options for convenient, time-saving two-for-ones.

• Undone Beauty Lip + Cheek Tint: This Supergreat favorite comes in three shades of a cream palette for that “no makeup” makeup look. Blend it onto the apples of your cheeks and dab it onto your lips for an effortless and healthy glow.
• Bite Beauty Multistick: With a variety of shades, this product makes for the perfect monochromatic look, matte and buildable as an eyeshadow, blush, and lipstick.
• RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek: This cruelty-free, lightweight stain can be used for highlighter, blush, and lips as well, all from the same palette. The formula melts easily with the heat of fingers and is lightweight.

Bonus tip: Use your fingers for all of these products.

Setting It Up To Last

There are two options for look completion: setting spray or translucent powder. A setting spray, like NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray at $9, must be held a few inches from the face for the desired effect and comes in various finishes.

Powder should be applied gently with a brush, specifically in areas that may be slightly shiny or oily as the day goes on.

Where Do We Go From Here?

These tips are simply the start of your makeup experience, and here at Supergreat, we’re so elated to welcome you onboard. With room to grow and new faces to meet (and to get glam), this ever-changing beauty world is ready for you!