14 makeup tips for beginners straight from the experts

And no, looking like Pennywise isn’t part of the learning curve

For most of us, our mom’s Revlon lipsticks were the stairway to makeup heaven. But who knew it was going to be a Hogwarts stairway, changing direction while you were still climbing it? From coloured eyeliner, tinted lip balms, smokey eyes and the sunkissed glow, we’ve all been there and tried that.

If you’re a beginner who has survived teenage explorations with makeup, gone with the wind of trends as an adult, failed and given up on finding your personal look, don’t throw in the towel just yet. To weed through the unlimited information available online, we roped in four makeup experts to give us some advice. We’re making some cheat notes, are you?

Noteworthy makeup advice for beginners

Face makeup tips for beginners

Face massage for the win

Skin prep is the first step for good makeup. Cleansing and moisturising your face, or even using a sheet mask before makeup, is the best way to ready your skin. Mumbai-based makeup artist Bhagyashree Vaid recommends using a small face massager or your fingers to massage in the moisturiser. This activates the facial muscles, and makes your skin appear bright and toned.

Check the weather

If you’re confused about whether to pick a powder or cream base, Vaid says you should consider two things – your skin type and the weather. “You don’t want to use a cream base if you have oily skin and live in Mumbai.”

Matte blush for day and shimmer for night

If you’re a glitter lover, feel free to wear it whenever you want. But if you’re not sure how to pick the right texture, Vaid recommends sticking to fresh matte shades of blush for the day and shimmer or sheen ones for glam evenings.

All about sprays

Setting, fixing, finishing — there are multiple sprays in the market to keep makeup in place. But which one does what and do we need them all? Mumbai-based celebrity makeup artist, Nilofer Radiowala, clears the air for us. “Setting spray prioritises a natural look with extended wear; finishing spray focuses on the final effect like matte or dewy; and fixing sprays are similar but extra-hold versions, ideal for hot weather or long events. Out of these, setting spray is the most versatile, while finishing spray can be skipped in my opinion,” she says.

Know your undertone

When we talk about makeup tips for beginners, we have to address undertones. Radiowala recommends picking shades according to your undertone. If you have a warm undertone, try brighter shades of red like brick, pinks or corals. If you have a cooler undertone, lip shades like berry or plum or those that have bluish or purplish hues will work best. With a neutral undertone, you can experiment with multiple shades of reds, pinks and nudes to see which shade suits you best.

Eye makeup tips for beginners

Hypoallergenic makeup for sensitive eyes

Be picky about ingredients if you have sensitive eyes. “Avoid (products with) fragrance, paraben and phthalates; buy more hypoallergenic products suited for sensitive eyes,” says Mumbai-based makeup artist and hairstylist, Neha Parmar.

Concealer as an eye primer

You don’t need to invest in a separate eye primer to prep your lids for eye makeup. Lightly apply concealer (this is the one Tweak readers recommend) on your eyelids to get a smooth base, recommends Surat-based makeup artist and hairstylist, Ambi Chiniwala.

All about lips

Concealer and blotting paper are kiss-proof hacks

Chiniwala suggests using blotting paper and translucent powder to make your lipstick last longer. Radiowala, on the other hand, uses a concealer on the lips. “Set it with a thin layer of setting powder to avoid a cakey feel on the lips. Then go over it with your favourite lip colour,” she says.

Nude lip liners prevent bleeding

Applying lip liner helps create a more defined look on the lips, but instead of hoarding various colours to match different shades, invest in one good nude shade “They match most lip colours and prevent your lipstick from bleeding,” says Radiowala.

Lip scrub and balm for matte lipstick woes

If you’re using a matte liquid lipstick, Chiniwala recommends applying a lip scrub, followed by a hydrating lip balm before wearing lipstick to prevent your lips from getting dry.

Fight lip pigmentation with concealer

For pigmented lips, Radiowala recommends using a small amount of a darker concealer shade to create an even base and neutralise the lip colour before application. Alternatively, you can also use highly pigmented lipsticks for better coverage.

Tool care and more

Shampoo your brushes

Chiniwala, Parmar and Radiowala all agree that you must regularly wash your makeup brushes with a gentle shampoo and conditioner mixed in warm water to keep them clean.

“You have to wash all the residue makeup from the brush. Get rid of excess water by wiping it on a paper towel and let it air dry completely. Use an alcohol-based brush sanitiser to get rid of any bacteria and store them in a clean brush pouch to avoid contact with dust,” recommends Parmar.

Picking the right brush

Flat brush, fluffy brush, angled brush or rounded brush? If you’re as confused as you were in third-standard art class, Radiowala simplifies the decision. “Generally, the smaller the brush, the darker the shade it applies,” she says.

Alcohol can fix the cracks

We’re only talking about makeup here. If your palette cracks, both Parmar and Radiowala recommend using rubbing alcohol to fix it. Transfer the cracked palette into a small container. Crush it further with a spoon until fine. Add about one or two caps of rubbing alcohol. Mix until it resembles the consistency of Nutella or peanut butter. Pour the mixture back into the palette, ensuring no air bubbles form. Allow it to dry completely.