The ABCs of Makeup: Makeup Products for Beginners Explained

Diving into the ocean of beauty and cosmetics allows you to explore and experiment with various looks and styles. While techniques and tricks make makeup a beautiful art to learn, knowing different beauty products online is also a must for a beginner. The right products and good quality cosmetics can impact the entire outcome of the makeup look. Various formulations for different skin types and shades are available in the market, which ensures you find the best fit for yourself. 

While it might still sound confusing as a newbie which products to buy, having basic makeup products in your arsenal is essential. With a few beauty products, you can rock any trending makeup look and even explore your horizons of creativity. From makeup foundation, lipstick, pencil eyeliner, and other products, here is a list of makeup products for beginners that can help you create dazzling looks.

Basic Makeup Products for Face

Makeup Primer

Makeup or face primer is often an ignored product. For beginners, skipping it would seem like the biggest mistake once you understand the importance of face primer. The makeup primer work as a thin layer of protection for your skin. It creates a barrier between your face and external factors like dust, pollution, UV rays, cosmetic products, etc., and stops them from directly entering the pores of your skin. The makeup primer locks in the hydration and blurs out the pores, giving you a smooth canvas for further makeup.

How to Use:

To apply makeup primer, always start with a clean and exfoliated face. This allows for better absorption of primer and protection of skin. Drop some makeup primer on the face and spread it. Allow it to dry naturally before layering any other product.

Makeup Foundation

Full coverage foundation is a basic makeup product that helps create a neutral and even skin tone and gives you a base for all other makeup products. Using liquid foundation allows for easy blending and is available in multiple shades. Choosing the shade as per your skin tone and undertone has a major role in the final makeup look. Using a hydrating formula that adds glow to your skin can elevate the makeup look.

How to Use:

While applying foundation is simple, blending well is all that matters. Apply small dots of foundation on the face and blend using a brush or a sponge. Blend in a stippling motion to ensure an even finish and avoid a cakey look. Slowly build a foundation as needed to avoid excess layered makeup.

Concealer

As the name goes, concealer helps conceal all the flaws and imperfections of the skin. Concealer is available in different shades, like foundation. Use a matching shade of foundation to help cover minor imperfections. Combining concealer with a color corrector can help instantly hide any marks.

How to Use:

Concealer can be applied both before and after the layer of foundation. Apply small dots on the places that have imperfections and blend using fingers, brush, or beauty blender. Use a color corrector before concealer if the marks are deep and too discolored.

Corrector Palette

Color corrector makeup for beginners can be tricky, especially understanding which colors work for which areas and marks on the face. Orange, red, yellow, green, and purple are the basic color shades used to help hide blemishes, dark circles, skin redness, acne, uneven skin tone, and other flaws.

How to Use:

Understand the different marks on the skin. Based on them, use different colors of concealer and apply using a brush. Blend smoothly to ensure the marks are not visible and you can achieve a spotless finish.

Loose and Compact Face Powder

Baking makeup is important after doing the base using primer, foundation, concealer, and color corrector. Adding loose or compact powder is vital when buying basic makeup products. The powder helps absorb excess makeup, oil, and sweat, leaving your face with smooth and long-lasting makeup.

How to Use:

To bake your makeup, dust loose or compact powder using a makeup brush all over your face, especially the T zone and places where you have applied concealer. Let it stay for a few minutes before dusting excess powder using a clean brush.

Blusher Palette

Bronzer and blusher palette are basic makeup products that can instantly uplift your makeup from ordinary to extraordinary. The blush adds the perfect sun-kissed look and a rush of blood to your face. It makes your skin look natural and youthful. Bronzer helps to add depth and tan effect.

How to Use:

Using a blush brush, dab some blusher and apply it on the apples of your cheek, nose, and chin. Control the color according to the look you desire. Use bronzer to add depth to your face.

Highlighter and Contour Palette

Makeup for beginners can never be complete without the highlighter and contour palette. Highlighter powder is a magical product that adds shine, light, and a luminous finish to your makeup. At the same time, the contour powder palette adds a shadow effect. The combination helps you structure your face and give it a chiseled look.

How to Use:

Start by contouring your face. Apply contour below the cheekbone, going towards the hairline, corners of the forehead, jawline, nose, and wherever you want to create depth and shadow. Using makeup brushes, blend in an outward direction. Just above the contoured area, apply highlighter powder. To keep it simple, highlight the high points of the face to reflect light and give you a dazzling look.

Setting Spray

After applying all the cosmetic products, setting spray helps lock and keep your makeup intact. Using a few sprays allows the makeup to stay longer and keeps it protected from smudging and spreading.

How to Use:

To apply the setting spray, shake the bottle well and hold it at an elbow distance. Now spray it on the face from the same distance in an ‘X’ or ‘T’ shape. This will allow an even layer on the face. Allow the spray to dry before applying lipstick and stepping out for the perfect glam day.

Basic Makeup Products for Eyes

Eye Primer

Similar to face primer, eye primer is an essential makeup product for beginners. It keeps your eyes protected from direct contact with color pigments and gives a longer stay of eye makeup. It even helps reduce crease lines, giving you a smooth base for applying eyeshadow.

How to Use:

Take a small amount and apply it to your eyelids. Let it dry before starting your eye makeup. You can apply shimmer eye primer and skip other makeup products for a neutral look.

Eyeshadow Palette

Regular or glitter eyeshadow palette is the most versatile palette in your makeup arsenal. Makeup for beginners involves practicing, making mistakes, and learning from them to create unique styles. The glitter and shades of shimmer eyeshadow palette allow you to experiment and create mesmerizing eye makeup looks. Whether you want to go subtle or bold, a simple eyeshadow palette can be a game-changer.

How to Use:

Once the eyes are primed, apply a layer on your eyelids using a neutral shade. Follow the shimmer makeup using shades that suit your outfit and the occasion. Go bold or keep your eyes subtle according to the mood.

Pencil Eyeliner

Waterproof kajal and pencil eyeliner are a perfect addition to make your eyes grab all the attention. The simple product is the love of every makeup enthusiast. Combining waterproof liner and kajal makes your eyes look bigger, bolder, and more communicative.

How to Use:

After applying eyeshadow, use pencil eyeliner and apply it on the upper eye line. Holding the eyes stretched upwards, use the dot and dash method to create a perfect eyeliner. Follow the same on the lower eye line. Use kajal for the waterline and apply using the tightling technique.

Mascara

Mascara adds volume and makes your lashes look longer and fuller. Using good quality mascara can change the way your eyes appear. Use a volume eye mascara to make perfect lashes and complete your eye makeup.

How to Use:

Take the mascara wand and apply the liquid mascara on your upper lash using a wiggling motion. Use the same process for the lower lash.

Eyebrow Pencil and Powder

Eyebrow pencils and powder are used to fill and shape the eyebrows while adding dimension and structure to your eyes. Different shades of eyebrow pencil and powder allow you to choose the most natural color for your skin.

How to Use:

Use eyebrow powder to fill the eyebrow and add a shape to your eyebrow. Then, using an eyebrow pencil, create hair-like strokes. The sharp tip gives you a microblading effect and the most natural look.

Basic Makeup Products for Lips

Lip Primer

A layer of lip primer helps keep your lips plump and look hydrated. It helps fill in the cracks and provides a smooth base for the lipstick or lip paint to stay vibrant for long hours. A lip primer can be applied daily with or without makeup to keep your lips healthy and supple.

How to Use:

After scrubbing and exfoliating your lips, apply a thin layer of lip primer. Allow it to dry so the stickiness disappears, and lips are prepared for lipstick application.

Lipsticks and Lip Liner

Lipstick and lip liner is the love of every woman. The vibrant colors can add instant freshness and drama to your look. Whether you want a simple look or a fancy, extravagant look, the different textures help you grab attention instantly. From matte lip paint, glossy lip stains, sheer and metallic tints, etc., there are innumerable options and shades to choose from. Cream, matte, and liquid lipsticks are a few common types to have in your lip makeup kit. Lip liner in all shades as lipstick helps prevent lipstick from feathering and adds dimension to the lips.

How to Use:

Pick the color and texture of lipstick and lip liner that goes with your outfit and occasion. First, using the lip liner, draw an outline of your lips. Using lip liners can help create a thinner or fuller appearance instantly. Then, use the same lipstick shade and apply from the middle to the end. Ensure to fill your lips using a brush if needed. After applying lip paint, use blotting paper to blot your lipstick for an all day stay.

Lip Balm or Gloss

Lip gloss or balm are the essentials that you can never miss out on. The formulation helps keep your lips hydrated. It helps heal the dry and chapped lips and turn your look into picture-perfect.

How to Use:

Use lip balm or gloss with or without makeup to keep lips soft. After exfoliating, apply a lip balm generously. It is good to apply balm before sleep to help your lips repair itself.

Makeup Tools for Beginners

When it comes to basic makeup products, makeup tools are a must-have. The right tools can change how cosmetics blend and help you get a smooth finish. Using makeup brushes to apply different products is essential. Eye makeup brushes, blush brushes, foundation brushes, eyebrow brushes, lip brushes, highlighter brushes, etc., are a few to have in your arsenal. Along with makeup brushes, a beauty blender or makeup sponge helps in effective blending to avoid a patchy and cakey look. Add blotting paper to your kit to get rid of excess makeup and create a perfect look every time you step out. Using the right tools with different products can instantly switch the beginner look to a professional finish look.