How to Apply Makeup Base for Beginners

The secret to a beautiful makeup look isn't just in bright eyeshadows or the perfect lip color; it's in the foundation.

A great makeup base is the behind-the-scenes hero that makes every other product shine by giving the skin an even, smooth surface. 

For newbies, the notion of using makeup base can be intimidating, with so many products and methods to navigate.

Don't worry! This thorough guide will detail each step, so it's easy and within reach, even if you're beginning your makeup process.

If you're curious about what exactly is makeup base and why you need it, we strongly suggest taking a look at our old blog post: What Is Makeup Base and Why You Need It. It will provide you with a clear understanding of the "why" behind this beauty step.

In this tutorial, we will guide you through preparing your skin, selecting the proper products, and applying them to perfection.

We'll focus particular attention on two fantastic products created specifically with beginners in mind: Sheaffer Easy Base and Sheaffer Real Base, reputed for their easy application and phenomenal results.

Chapter 1: The Essential First Steps – Prepping Your Canvas

Even prior to actually applying any makeup, the skin must be primed first. It is similar to painting a work of art; you must have a clean, smooth canvas in order to achieve the best outcome.

1. Wash Your Face

Start with a wash face so that you can remove any impurities, oil, or dirt that may prevent your makeup from staying flat or lasting long.

How to do it: Apply a mild cleanser appropriate for your skin type.

Massage onto your wet face in a circular motion, then wash off thoroughly with warm water. Pat face dry lightly with a clean towel.

Why it's important: A fresh canvas means better makeup adhesion and appearance.

2. Moisturize Your Skin

Even if you're oily, you must moisturize. It keeps your skin hydrated, so it's smooth and plumped up, which means your makeup glides on smoothly and doesn't dry out or flake off or come off in patchy or cakey pieces.

How to do it: Apply a dime-sized amount of moisturizer to your face and neck. Massage it in until absorbed. Let it sit a few minutes before moving on to the next step.

Why it's necessary: Moisturized skin is an even, smooth surface for your foundation to sit on, preventing dryness and flakiness.

3. Use Sunscreen (Daytime Must)

If you are going to be wearing makeup all day, sunscreen is a must. Sunscreen protects the skin from harmful UV rays for the long-term health and look of your skin.

Various studies have established that most modern moisturizers or base lines now include SPF, which is a one-stop shop.

How to do it: If your moisturizer or base does not contain SPF, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 as your final step.

Why it matters: Protecting your skin from the sun is critical for preventing premature aging and maintaining healthy skin.

Chapter 2: Understanding Your Makeup Base Options

Makeup bases are available in different formulations, each providing a range of finishes and levels of coverage. Some are more forgiving and convenient for beginners to use.

1. Primers: The Unsung Heroes

Though not necessary, a good primer can greatly improve the wear and finish of your makeup base. Primers provide a protective layer between your skin and foundation, evening out the complexion, reducing pores, and making your makeup last longer.

Types of Primers:

Hydrating Primers: Suitable for dry or normal skin, they add an extra dose of hydration.

Mattifying Primers: Great for combination or oily skin, they stay shine under control throughout the day.

Blurring Primers: Wonders at minimizing the appearance of pores and fine lines.

Color-Correcting Primers: Counteract redness, sallowness, or dullness.

How to use: After the moisturizer has been absorbed, use a pea-sized dose of foundation primer and smooth across the face, particularly on the areas you desire to minimize pores or contain shine. Allow one minute of drying time before proceeding.

2. Foundations: Your Skin's Best Friend

Foundation is where the magic really happens. It smooths out your complexion and leaves a flawless canvas. As a beginner, selecting a foundation that has buildable coverage and blends easily is important.

Types of Foundations (and what to seek as a beginner):

Liquid Foundation: Usually the most versatile and trendiest. Seek out lightweight, buildable formulas that leave a natural finish.

Cream Foundation: Provides slightly more coverage than liquid and can be wonderful for dry skin but feels heavy.

Powder Foundation: Great for oily skin or if you like the light feel and matte look. Can be applied in seconds.

Tinted Moisturizer/BB/CC Cream: If you want very light coverage and natural look, these are perfect. They even provide skincare benefits.

Chapter 3: Meet Your Beginner-Friendly Bases: Sheaffer Easy Base & Sheaffer Real Base

For those just stepping into the world of makeup, selecting products that are forgiving and deliver reliable results is crucial.

That's why we highly recommend exploring Sheaffer Easy Base and Sheaffer Real Base.

These products are formulated with ease of use in mind, making them perfect for beginners to achieve a flawless look without feeling overwhelmed.

Sheaffer Easy Base: Your Go-To for Effortless Perfection

Sheaffer Easy Base is an excellent choice for beginners due to its light consistency and easy blending.

It's designed to melt into the skin, evening out evenly without ever feeling heavy or cakey. 

The base is also really effective at oil control and blurring out light marks, making it an ideal choice for daily wear or when you want a quick, polished finish.

It's available in an enormous range of shades to match different skin tones.

Why Sheaffer Easy Base is perfect for newbies:

• The Lightweight and Non-Greasy: It feels amazing on the skin, with no heavy sensation some foundations create.
• Easy to Blend: Smooth texture that is perfect for blending out with fingers, a sponge, or a brush.
• Oil Control: Deals with shine, which is really useful for oily or combination skins.
• Natural Finish: Provides good coverage without making your skin look or feel unnatural.
• Versatile: Can be worn alone as a natural finish base or as a sub-base for more intricate makeup.

Ready to achieve effortless perfection and simplify your daily routine? Find your match made in heaven and treat yourself to a stunning complexion with a naturally luminous glow.

Shop the Sheaffer Easy Base Collection Here!

Sheaffer Real Base: Buildable Coverage for Professional Finish

For those who need a bit of extra coverage or a more finished look, Sheaffer Real Base is an excellent option.

This everyday foundation contains buildable coverage, so you can wear a sheer layer for a natural finish or build it up in layers for heavier coverage where you need it.

It's longwearing, waterproof, and oil-controlling, meaning your makeup will last all day, even on hot, humid days.

Why Sheaffer Real Base is great for newbies:

Buildable Coverage: Enables you to control the level of coverage, from natural to fuller.

Long-Lasting Wear: Stays fresh for hours without creasing or fading.

Oil Control & Waterproof: Perfect for individuals concerned with shine or who desire long-lasting makeup despite humidity or activity.

Smooth Finish: Melds perfectly for a smooth, camera-quality finish.

Dermatologist-Tested and Halal: Gives you confidence with its gentle formula.

Take your beauty routine to the next level with a base that provides trustworthy, buildable coverage for a finish that's flawlessly perfect and long-lasting. Achieve the sleek, confident look you've always wanted.

Discover about Sheaffer Real Base and Get Your Ideal Look! 

Chapter 4: The Art of Application – Tools and Techniques

Now that you've primed your skin and selected your ideal Sheaffer base, let's get to the most fun part: application! There are several tools you can use, and each produces a slightly different finish.

Start out as a beginner and experiment with them to determine which is your favorite!

1. Application with Your Fingers:

For a sheer, natural finish, your fingers work surprisingly well. The heat of your fingertips causes the product to melt into your skin perfectly.

How to do it:

• Apply a small dot of Sheaffer Easy Base or Sheaffer Real Base to the back of your hand.

• Spot the product onto your forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin.

• With clean fingertips, pat and blend the foundation from the middle of your face outwards. In a light, tap action instead of rubbing, blend for even coverage.

• Be extra careful blending along your jawline and into your neck to prevent a hard line.

• Best suited to: Lightweight textures, natural finish, fast application.

2. Application with a Makeup Sponge (Beauty Blender)

Makeup sponges, often called beauty blenders, are fantastic for achieving a smooth, airbrushed finish. They work exceptionally well with liquid and cream bases.

How to do it:

• Dampen your sponge: This is crucial! Run your sponge under water until it's fully saturated, then squeeze out all the excess water. It should be damp, not dripping wet. This prevents the sponge from absorbing too much product and helps with a seamless blend.

• Dispense your Sheaffer Real Base or Sheaffer Easy Base onto the back of your hand or directly onto the damp sponge.

• Bounce and dab: Lightly bounce or dab the sponge on your face starting from the center moving outward. Use the flatter, rounded edge for larger areas and the pointed tip for small areas such as around the nose and under the eyes.

• Keep jumping and dabbing until the base is well-mixed and appears seamless.

• Ideal for: Medium to full coverage, airbrushed look, blending perfectly.

3. Application with a Foundation Brush

Foundation brushes come in various shapes and sizes, but for beginners, a flat-top kabuki brush or a dense buffing brush is often the easiest to use.

How to do it:

• Dispense a small amount of your chosen Sheaffer Easy Base or Sheaffer Real Base onto the back of your hand.

• Pick up a small amount of product with your brush.

• Buff in circular motions: Starting from the center of your face, buff the foundation into your skin using small, circular motions. Work your way outwards, ensuring even coverage.

• For areas that need more coverage, lightly stipple (dab) the brush onto the skin.

• Make sure to blend well around the hairline, jawline, and neck.

• Best for: Medium to full coverage, precise application, smooth finish.

Chapter 5: Setting Your Masterpiece – For Lasting Wear

Once your base is applied, setting it is the final step to ensure it lasts all day, controls shine, and prevents creasing.

1. Concealer (Optional but Recommended)

If you have specific areas that need extra coverage, like dark circles under your eyes or blemishes, now is the time to apply concealer.

How to do it?

Dot a small amount of concealer onto the areas that need it. Gently pat and blend the concealer with your ring finger, a small brush, or the pointed tip of your damp beauty sponge. Remember, a little goes a long way!

2. Setting Powder

Setting powder locks your liquid or cream base in place, helps to absorb excess oil, and creates a smooth, matte finish.

Types of Setting Powder:

• Translucent Powder: Adds no color, just sets your makeup. Ideal for all skin tones.

• Tinted Powder: Offers a little extra coverage and helps to even out skin tone further.

How to do it?

• Tap a small amount of setting powder into the lid of the product.

• Pick up the powder with a fluffy powder brush or a powder puff.

• Gently press or sweep the powder over your face, focusing on your T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) where oil tends to accumulate.

• For a more "baked" look (which offers longer wear and more oil control), you can press a generous amount of powder onto your T-zone and under your eyes, let it sit for a few minutes, then brush off the excess.

• Why it's important: Prevents creasing, controls shine, and extends the wear time of your base.

3. Setting Spray (Optional but Recommended)

A setting spray is like a topcoat for your makeup. It helps to meld all the layers together, making your makeup look less powdery and more natural, while also increasing its longevity.

• How to do it:

Hold the setting spray about 8-10 inches away from your face and mist it evenly in an "X" or "T" shape. Let it air dry.

• Why it's important:

Ensures your makeup stays locked in place, especially useful for long days or events.

Chapter 6: Common Beginner Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with the best products and intentions, beginners can sometimes make a few common mistakes. Knowing what they are can help you avoid them!

1. Not Prepping Your Skin

• Mistake: Skipping cleansing, moisturizing, or primer.

• Fix: Always start with a clean, moisturized, and (ideally) primed face. This creates the best foundation for your makeup.

2. Choosing the Wrong Shade

• Mistake: Selecting a foundation that is too light, too dark, or has the wrong undertone for your skin.

• Fix: Test foundation shades on your jawline, not your hand. Allow it to dry fully to see its true color. Step into natural light to check the match. Remember your skin tone might change with seasons!

3. Applying Too Much Product

• Mistake: Using a large amount of foundation, leading to a "cakey" or heavy look.

• Fix: Start with a small amount of Sheaffer Easy Base or Sheaffer Real Base (a pea-sized amount is often enough for your entire face) and build up coverage as needed. It's always easier to add more than to take away.

4. Poor Blending

• Mistake: Not blending foundation thoroughly, leaving harsh lines, especially around the jawline, hairline, and nose.

• Fix: Take your time! Use small, gentle motions with your chosen tool (fingers, sponge, or brush) and blend well, especially at the edges of your face. The goal is for the foundation to seamlessly disappear into your skin.

5. Not Setting Your Base

• Mistake: Skipping setting powder or spray, leading to makeup fading, creasing, or looking oily quickly.

• Fix: Always set your liquid or cream base with a light dusting of powder, especially in oily areas. Consider a setting spray for extra longevity.

6. Applying Makeup in Bad Lighting

• Mistake: Applying makeup in dim or yellow-toned bathroom lighting.

• Fix: Always apply your makeup in good, natural light if possible. If not, use bright, even, white-toned artificial light to ensure you're blending correctly and applying the right amount of product.

Chapter 7: Maintaining Your Flawless Base Throughout the Day

Even with the best application, touch-ups might be necessary, especially if you have oily skin or are out for a long time.

1. Blotting Papers

• When to use: If you notice shine appearing on your T-zone.

• How to use: Gently press a blotting paper onto oily areas. Do not rub, as this can disturb your makeup.

• Why they're great: They absorb excess oil without adding more product, keeping your base fresh.

2. Pressed Powder Compact

• When to use: To have a quick touch-up to dim shine and re-fresh your coverage.

• How to apply: Gently pat a light dusting of pressed powder to oily spots or spots where your foundation may be getting worn.

• Why they're awesome: Convenient and portable for quick on-the-go touch-ups.

3. Setting Spray Refresh

• When to use: When your makeup begins to appear slightly dry or dull, or to give it a lift and make it look fresh again.

• How to use: A swift spritz of setting spray will revive your makeup and make it appear newly applied.

Conclusion: Embrace Your Flawless Canvas

Good job, you now possess the skills and expertise to apply makeup base like a pro! Practice makes perfect, so don't hesitate to experiment with different tools and product levels to create your best look for your skin. Learning makeup is a fun and personal experience.

With Sheaffer Easy Base and Sheaffer Real Base, you have two fantastic, user-friendly products right in your hands that will enable you to achieve a silky, long-lasting, and truly flawless canvas every single time.

These bases are designed to enable you, giving you the confidence to achieve any makeup look on a solid, stunning base.

Wearing the confidence that a well-applied makeup base inspires.

It's the secret to perfect makeup, as well as feeling like the best you, inside and out. So wash those brushes, get your Sheaffer bases, and shine on!