Expert Advice From Makeup Artists Everyone Can Use

Makeup has boomed in the last couple years and there's so many places to seek out the best tips and tricks , but some of the best come from makeup artists themselves

Courtney M White

beauty · 4 min

Youtube is filled to the brim with makeup tutorials. Some are more realistic than others, some require more talent but there are many tips and tricks the gurus don't tell you.

Some colleges and beauty schools offer a makeup artistry certification program, many of the classes taught by those who work in the industry. Often, these are artists who have skills in knowing how to do work on different skin types, different ages, different occasions, and many other variations. There’s a lot that Youtube misses when it comes to some of the best tips and tricks.

This is a list of advice that makeup experts stick to when it comes to makeup go-to's :

1. Skincare is Key

You can’t build a house without a good foundation so why would you neglect skincare in a beauty routine? Skincare is honestly one of the biggest things anyone in the industry will preach. The best thing to know is your skin type drier, or is it oiler? This depends greatly on the products you buy. You have to try many things to figure out what works best for you but, no matter what, remember to moisturize.

Lack of proper skincare from a young age affects your skin as you age. To have nice skin that lasts a lifetime, proper skincare starts young. To avoid wrinkles, breakouts, and other skin maladies, properly wash, exfoliate, and moisturize your skin.

2. Products and Where You Use Them

Just because something is labeled as one thing doesn't mean it can't be used for other things. If it's safe for your face, you can practically put it anywhere. Instead of buying eyebrow pencils or fillers, you can use eyeshadow. Want a shimmery look on your eyelids? Use highlight. Liquid lipstick can be used as eyeliner for a different look. Always check the product labels to make sure it's skin-safe everywhere. Everything is expendable within your comfort zone.

3. Foundation Placement

If you don't want a full face, multiple layers of foundation kind of look but still want coverage, there are many ways around it. Foundation doesn't have to cover your entire face. You can combine foundation and a good concealer to cover any areas of your face that are problematic. You can also spot-heal, by using an easily blendable concealer on spots. The most important thing is to know how to blend it out and make it even, which can be done with a good light source and a decent brush.

4. The Importance of Lighting

When applying your makeup, the light your in can make a world of difference. If you're in an interior room only using an overhead light, there will be shadows cast on your face. One of the best things you can do is have a good light source, such as a lighted mirror or a ring light. One of the best lights you can have is natural light, so doing your makeup by a window is also a good idea.

By using good lighting, you can see if you blended everything okay and if the colors you chose to compliment your skin.

5. Which Brushes to Own

There are hundreds of brush sets sold online, but which ones do you really need? It depends on what you do for your daily look, but there isn't much reason to splurge on pricey brushes. Some of the basics you'll need are a blush brush, a spoolie, an eyebrow brush, and a couple of blending brushes.

6. Cleanliness is Most Important

Keeping your stuff clean is what makes it last. Cleaning your brushes often is incredibly necessary. Even if you clean them often, you can always clean them more. Keeping a towel with your brushes is a great way to remove excess product from them after you've finished a look. Even spraying your stuff down with rubbing alcohol when you're done is a good idea.

Having dirty tools can lead to breakouts. Keeping your skin and your tools clean is the best thing you can do for your face, especially if you put makeup on daily.

7. Expiration Dates Still Apply

Much like food, makeup also has an expiration date. Typically, this can be found on the packaging. It’ll usually be an image shaped like the product with a number inside it, typically six or twelve. This is when the product starts to lose its effectiveness. For eyeshadows, it means fading pigment. For mascaras, it means more crumbiness. This doesn't necessarily mean you need to throw it out, but it does mean it might not work as well and it may be time to invest in a new product.

Makeup is like any other hobby which takes practice and patience. There's a lot of trial and error to the process but it's always fun to experiment in. Liking how you look and feel confident in your own skin is all that matters in the end.

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Opinions and Perspectives

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HustleWithHeart 3 years ago

Been doing makeup for years and still learned some new tricks from this article.

Kinsley_Glimmer 3 years ago

Good reminder that we don't need every new product that comes out to look good.

Madison-Perry 3 years ago

The advice about multitasking products has helped me declutter my makeup bag significantly.

SelfCare-Haven_777 3 years ago

These tips work great for everyday looks but what about special occasions?

MelanieX 3 years ago

Really appreciate the focus on skin health rather than just covering everything up.

Haute_Style 3 years ago

Started using these tips and my makeup routine is so much more efficient now.

Renee99 3 years ago

Natural light is great but not always available. A good ring light is worth the investment.

Align_Your_Soul 3 years ago

Love how these tips focus on the basics rather than complicated techniques.

Trendy_Aesthetic 3 years ago

Keeping track of expiration dates has helped me save money by not wasting products.

Emily 3 years ago

The foundation placement tips really helped me achieve a more natural look.

ValeriaK 3 years ago

Nice to see practical advice that doesn't involve buying tons of expensive products.

ElaraX 3 years ago

Finding the right moisturizer made all the difference in how my makeup applies.

RadiateJoy 3 years ago

These professional insights are so much more valuable than most YouTube tutorials.

Lumi_Blossom 3 years ago

Wonder if anyone else struggles with makeup lasting throughout the day even with these tips?

Naomi_Sky 3 years ago

The emphasis on knowing your skin type is crucial. Changed my whole approach to products.

SoulFlow_Vibes_222 3 years ago

These tips are great for beginners but also good reminders for experienced makeup users.

Runway_Dreams_999 3 years ago

Started doing skincare seriously six months ago and my makeup looks completely different now.

OOTD_Glam 3 years ago

Never thought about how shadows from overhead lighting could affect application. Mind blown!

The_Fashion_Haven 3 years ago

The tip about checking product labels for skin safety is so important and often overlooked.

SuccessStartsWithin 3 years ago

Using concealer for spot treatment instead of full coverage has made such a difference.

MckenzieR 3 years ago

Love that they mentioned affordable brushes can work well. Not everyone can spend a fortune.

Sustainable-Soul_77 3 years ago

Ring lights seem expensive but they're totally worth it for perfect application.

Talia-Oliver 3 years ago

Wish I'd known about expiration dates sooner. Just threw out so many old products!

Style_and_Substance 3 years ago

The skincare emphasis is spot on. I spend more time on that than actual makeup now.

Poppy_Rainbow 4 years ago

Great point about multipurpose products. I use bronzer as eyeshadow all the time.

Wardrobe_Fierce 4 years ago

Anyone else shocked by how often we should be cleaning our brushes?

Zoe 4 years ago

Learning that less is more with foundation was a game changer for my routine.

CelesteBishop 4 years ago

The article could have mentioned color theory. It's so important for choosing the right shades.

MiriamK 4 years ago

My makeup improved dramatically when I started paying attention to lighting.

MirandaJ 4 years ago

I've found that good brushes matter more for eye makeup than face products.

Serotonin_Seeker_42 4 years ago

True about skincare starting young. Wish I'd known this in my teens!

Addison99 4 years ago

Started using a spoolie regularly and my brows have never looked better. Such an underrated tool!

StrengthAndGrace 4 years ago

The foundation tips are great but I struggle with finding the right shade. Any advice?

Emma_Grace 4 years ago

Never thought about spraying brushes with rubbing alcohol. Such a quick and easy cleaning solution.

KoriH 4 years ago

Really wish they'd included tips about makeup storage. My products are all over the place!

Genesis-Cooper 4 years ago

Interesting how they emphasize skincare so much. Makes sense though, better canvas equals better results.

Style_Slay 4 years ago

The expiration date info is eye-opening. I've been using the same mascara for way too long.

Bella_Whimsy 4 years ago

Still learning to identify my skin type. Any suggestions on how to figure it out?

SoulHealing_Path 4 years ago

Love the point about making products multitask. My wallet thanks you for these tips!

Sacred-Serenity_2024 4 years ago

I thought I was doing something wrong by using highlighter on my lids. Glad to know it's actually a pro tip!

Elsie_Gold 4 years ago

The tip about spot concealing changed my life. Full coverage foundation was making my skin look worse.

SashaM 4 years ago

Finally someone addressing that we don't need every single product influencers promote!

SamanthaB_77 4 years ago

The article didn't mention blending sponges at all. I find them essential for a natural finish.

Clara_Bailey 4 years ago

My skin cleared up so much when I started cleaning my brushes regularly. Can't believe I used to skip this step.

Fiona_Lavender 4 years ago

Anyone else feel overwhelmed by all the brush options out there? Nice to know we really only need a few basics.

Lyra_Dreamer 4 years ago

The skin type advice is crucial. Took me years to realize I was using the wrong products for my skin type.

Mindful-Decluttering_07 4 years ago

Using eyeshadow for brows has saved me so much money and looks more natural than brow products.

GlowMode-On_17 4 years ago

Started doing my makeup by the window and my friends keep asking what I changed. Natural light is the real MVP!

Eliana_Rain 4 years ago

I love how this article makes makeup seem more accessible. You really don't need every product marketed to you.

Georgia_Ward 4 years ago

The lighting tip changed my whole routine. Got a ring light and now my makeup always looks even.

Effortlessly_Chic_33 4 years ago

Agreed about foundation placement. I used to cake it on everywhere but now just use it where needed.

Mikayla-Kennedy 4 years ago

I've started keeping track of when I open products using my phone calendar. Really helps with expiration dates.

Isla-Garrett 4 years ago

The point about building on good skincare reminds me of my mom always saying you can't paint a dirty canvas.

TarynJ 4 years ago

These tips are great but I think they missed mentioning the importance of a good setting spray.

Sophie_M 4 years ago

Just realized all my products are probably expired. Time for a makeup bag clean-out!

Trendy-Palette 4 years ago

Anyone know how to properly clean brushes? I've been using soap and water but feel like there must be a better way.

Balanced-Bliss_888 4 years ago

The tip about keeping a towel with brushes to remove excess product is genius. Going to start doing this immediately.

EllaMarie 4 years ago

Not sure I agree about cheap brushes being fine. I've had such bad experiences with shedding and poor application.

JulietteBell 4 years ago

Really appreciate the tip about using highlight on eyelids. Just tried it and it looks beautiful!

Piper_Watson 4 years ago

Wonder why they didn't mention primer? I find it makes such a difference in how long my makeup lasts.

Holistic_Happiness 4 years ago

The part about moisturizing is crucial. I learned this the hard way after years of skipping it.

Jocasta_Lavender 4 years ago

Totally changed my makeup game when I realized I didn't need to put foundation all over my face.

Harmony_Waves 4 years ago

I actually prefer using artificial lighting because I can control it better than natural light. Anyone else?

Vogue_Genius 4 years ago

My dermatologist would love this article's emphasis on skincare. She's always telling me good makeup starts with good skin.

Stella_L 4 years ago

Great article but I wish they'd gone into more detail about brush cleaning techniques. I'm never sure if I'm doing it right.

KiaraJ 4 years ago

I tried that liquid lipstick as eyeliner trick and it works amazingly well, especially for bright colors!

Kelsey-Fleming 4 years ago

Strongly disagree about not needing expensive brushes. I invested in some high-end ones and the difference is night and day.

MaeveX 4 years ago

The bit about expiration dates is interesting. I've definitely been guilty of keeping mascara way too long!

Lilith_Breeze 4 years ago

My skin improved so much when I started focusing on skincare first. Makeup sits so much better now.

Eva_Marie 4 years ago

I've found that doing my makeup by the window has completely changed my game. Natural light is seriously underrated!

BlissfulSoul 4 years ago

Anyone else struggling with finding the right foundation placement? I feel like I'm either wearing too much or too little.

Faith_Hope 4 years ago

Been doing makeup for years and still learning new things. Just started properly cleaning my brushes regularly and the difference in my skin is amazing.