What Are the Basic Makeup Steps?

Ask around, and you’ll probably hear about a dozen different takes on what constitutes a complete makeup routine. Realistically, that’s how it should be: Every face, preference, and goal is different, and at its best, your makeup routine should be a reflection of you, not whatever’s trending.

All you really need is an understanding of the fundamentals. That’s why we created this ultimate beginner’s guide. Regardless of whether you’re building from scratch or revamping a routine that’s served you since the 90s, the basic makeup steps below will help you create a complete makeup routine that feels uniquely you.

Step #1 Prep Your Base

Before we talk about concealer, mascara, or anything with pigment, we have to talk about skincare. Skincare—and taking care of your pores—is what keeps makeup looking smooth, even, and naturally radiant.

Just think about it: Makeup can only look as good as the surface it’s sitting on. When skin is healthy and hydrated, products glide on easily and look more seamless.

An effective skincare routine doesn’t need to be complicated. Most people benefit from:

●      Cleanser – To remove makeup, dirt, and oil

●      Toner – To refine the appearance of pores

●      Moisturizer – To hydrate your skin and prepare it for makeup

●      Sunscreen – To protect your skin from UV rays

When your skin isn’t properly prepped, makeup can look cakey, textured, or uneven, no matter how good your products are. Well-prepared skin allows makeup to look more natural and often requires fewer touch-ups.

The last step of your skin prep? A reliable primer, the bridge between your skincare and your makeup. A smoothing primer like The POREfessional helps blur pores and create a silky surface that improves both makeup application and staying power.

Step #2 Play Up Your Skin

Face makeup can help make your complexion look brighter, healthier, and more awake.

There are two baseline ways to approach this step:

1. Foundation – Foundation is meant to be distributed over the entire face to even out skin tone. Beginners may want to start with a light layer and build up to fuller coverage if desired. Fingers, a beauty sponge, or a brush can all work for application; it’s about finding a method that feels intuitive to you. For the most natural result, start by applying foundation to the center of the face and blend outward. about finding a method that feels intuitive. For the most natural result, start by applying foundation to the center of the face and blend outward.
2. Concealer – Concealer is used for more strategic, targeted coverage for undereye darkness, blemishes, or redness. Many people skip foundation entirely and use just concealer to keep makeup more lightweight and fuss-free (while still enhancing their complexion) so totally up to you!

Some routines use both products; others stick to one and call it a day. It all depends on what feels good on your skin, what you’re trying to achieve, and how detailed you want your routine to be.

Step #3 Polish Your Brows

If we had to recommend one area to prioritize, it’d be the brows. Beautifully done brows can frame your face and tie your features together. With a little extra effort to groom them, the rest of your makeup can stay low-key and still look polished.

Gimme Brow+ brow-volumizing fiber gel packs all of the essential steps of a brow routine into one versatile tool: a tinted fiber formula adds volume and color, while the tiny, tapered spoolie brush shapes and sets brows in place. It’s a simple, high-impact way to deliver on brows without the need for precision.

From here, you can build your routine to your liking—a swipe of mascara, a hint of liner, and so on. But care for your arches first, and everything else will fall into place.

Step #4 Add Color to Cheeks

Blush is timeless for a reason. A touch of tint on the cheeks can instantly add warmth and dimension to the complexion, making skin appear healthier and more vibrant. But it helps to use a shade that naturally complements your skin tone.

Finding a flattering shade starts with knowing your undertones:

●      Cool undertones – Opt for berries, plums, and rosy pinks.

●      Warm undertones – Choose peach, coral, golden, terracotta, or bronze.

●      Neutral undertones – Play around with any of the above or look for neutral-toned blushes.

Not sure about your undertones? Here’s a quick trick: Take a look at the veins in your wrists. Blue or purple often suggest cooler undertones, while greenish veins usually point to a warmer undertone. If you’ve got a mix of both, you’re likely neutral.

As for the format of your blush, tints are excellent for beginners. They’re easy to blend with fingers (no brush required), feel lightweight on the skin, and result in a natural-looking flush that’s hard to overdo.

Juice Stick is another beginner-friendly option. Juice Stick gel blush is dewy, hydrating, and gives skin a healthy-looking glow.

Step #5 Finish With Lips

Lip color is like the punctuation mark on your makeup. Bold or understated, glossy or matte, lip shades and textures can set the tone for your entire look.

When you’re just starting out, it can be helpful to start with a shade that resembles your natural lip color, but a few shades deeper. These tones tend to be the most flattering and wearable.

To streamline your routine even further, reach for a product that multitasks with both lips and cheeks. Lip-and-cheek stains, like Benetint, create instant harmony across the face, eliminating the need to decide which lip color will match which cheek shade.

Benefit Cosmetics. Your Signature Makeup

Your face is the only one you have , and your signature makeup should reflect that. Whether you’re focusing on skin health, brow care, or something entirely your own, the process of building your unique makeup routine should be intuitive, playful, and fun!

Discover what makes you feel your best by exploring Benefit best sellers.