Easy Makeup for Beginners

For some bizarre reason, I’ve had a few people ask me to film a makeup tutorial showing what I use and how I apply it. I’m well known for being fairly average at makeup, so I can only assume these people are also cosmetics novices or they’re having a laugh. Hopefully option A, because I’ve filmed an “easy makeup for beginners” video. If it’s option B – feel free to have a laugh at how basic this is, because honestly this is as good as I’m gonna get and I’m okay with that.

I think one of the key things in my makeup application is the brush – it’s made a massive difference to my makeup application as I mentioned in this video way back in 2015, and I still really love me a stippling brush. The one I used in my video has been discontinued (oh the sadness!) but they do another similar one which you can find here. There is one other brush I use, which also gives me a great finish and I highly recommend, and that is the Cailyn O! WOW brush.

Before I apply my makeup, I always make sure that I’ve washed and moisturised my face, and added a layer of SPF before I get started. I like to wait for about 15 minutes between my skin routine and applying foundation, to give it a chance to absorb into my skin.

Jane Iredale Liquid Minerals A Foundation in Honey Bronze*

I love the finish on this, it’s dewy but not greasy/oily, and it’s light enough that it doesn’t feel caked on. As I mentioned in my video, I really like that it neutralises the redness that I sometimes get (currently on my cheeks and between my eyebrows) to give me a nice even skin tone. I highly recommend going in to one of their stockists and getting colour matched – I went to About Face St Lukes and not only was I a different shade than I would have picked for myself, I was also able to make sure the finish was what I wanted. I have to mention that this product doesn’t have any SPF in it, so make sure that you’re wearing some – I use this Dermalogica sunscreen over my moisturiser.

RevitaLash Volumizing Primer + Mascara*

As I mentioned, if I could only use one makeup product it would be this one. I’m a big fan of the RevitaLash Eyelash Conditioner, and the primer and mascara are a great addition to help my lashes pop even more. I got a sample of their lash primer (which you can buy separately if you already have a mascara you love) a couple of years ago and have been a convert ever since. I love that this comes as a 2 in 1 because it’s super easy to use and no fuss, and the products work really well together.

RevitaLash Hi-Def Tinted Brow Gel in Dark Brown

Once I tried the RevitaBrow Eyebrow Conditioner (you can read about my brow rehab here), I wound up with one of their tinted brow gels and haven’t looked back. It gives my brows a “natural, but under control” look that I just didn’t get with powders or pencils. Last year I switched from the soft brown to the dark brown and I think it’s a great match for my natural brow colour. If you’ve never used a brow gel, basically it adds a bit of colour to the fine lighter hairs and makes your brows look fuller without adding colour to your skin, and it helps hold them in place. Especially great when you’re hot and sweaty!

Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Red Dahlia

I’ve been using Burt’s Bees lip balms for years (their pomegranate lip balm has been a staple for a very long time because they were the first brand I found available in my local pharmacy that didn’t test on animals), but it wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I first used their tinted lip balm. The Red Dahlia one is a “my lips but better” shade and has been my go to daytime “lip colour” for a while now.

Jane Iredale Triple Luxe Long Lasting Naturally Moist Lipstick in Megan*

Did I choose this lipstick because it’s got the same name as me? Yes. I love a red lip regardless of what season it is and this darker shade is my jam (also loving Gwen, which is a bright red). Over the years I’ve learned that reds suit me best and pinks don’t work for me at all, and I mostly gravitate towards the darker reds. The two things I really look for in a lipstick is that it can stand up to a decent amount of wear and doesn’t make my lips feel like I’ve spent a week in the desert. This formula is amazing, it goes on creamy and smooth, and doesn’t make my lips feel dry – this is super important as I hate having dry lips (I definitely wasn’t a fan of the matte liquid lipstick hype, that stuff makes me want to apply twenty layers of lip balm ASAP), and it lasts really well.

Definitely not a beauty blogger or a master of flatlays

I keep my makeup really basic because, as I said, I know that is where my skill level is at. While I love having a full face of makeup done by a professional if I have a photo shoot, I prefer a more natural look when I am doing it myself. I know my strengths and makeup is definitely not it – but with good products and the right tools I have grasped the basics – if you’re like me then hopefully this is helpful!

Do you keep your makeup simple or are you all about the full face?
Let me know your one “must have” makeup item