Welcome to I Tried It Month, where every day in January we publish a new fashion, beauty or wellness article that includes a first person report about shaking up an old habit, stepping out of a comfort zone, or simply trying something New. Follow storytelling for 31 days, from 40 days without a cell phone to the polarizing trend of low-top pants.
As someone who's always struggling to get out the door quickly, I usually skip makeup on my morning routine. To be fair, this is partly because styling my curly hair and trying to pick the perfect outfit can be time consuming. As our lives, schedules, and routines have changed dramatically in the past few months, I've found that the extra time I would have spent shuffling around town piqued curiosity, like a makeup routine would look like for me. Granted, that's a bit strange considering that I'm a beginner to makeup and barely have a skin care routine, not to mention that there's nowhere in the world that you can really do makeup. can wear up.
Despite these facts, I now decided to be the starting point for my personal makeup exploration. To my delight, professional makeup artist Lennie Billy agreed to come up with makeup looks and tips for any beginner (including me). In front of you is seven looks to try at home, but before you pick up your brushes, a little bit about Billy …
How long have you been a makeup artist? And what do you love about makeup?
I've been a makeup artist for over eight years. What I love about my career is the ability to create, to transform, to play with colors, textures, shapes, styles, to get rules or norms out, and sometimes to innovate by creating trends. It was also amazing to be able to travel and work with other artists. I've done so many things that only confirm my love for makeup.
What's the number one tip you would give a makeup beginner?
My number one advice is always Do not be afraid of experiments. Make-up is a lot of trial and error. Whether you're a professional or just a makeup enthusiast, I always say that you have to go through everything. After you've tried everything, defining your niche is easy. This also applies to your signature look. We all have one, but before you go for an forever red lip or a black liner, try a smoky eye, a colorful look, a pink lip, or whatever calls you to do it.
Is there any makeup you can't live without? If yes why? Yes, many, but the only makeup product I personally can't live without is blush. For me, blushing is like living on boring! Blush is so versatile too. You can use it to color your eyes, lips, and cheeks. Keep scrolling for the easy to create looks Billy suggests for beginners.
Why look like this Billy shared, “I think a red lip is so classic that this has to be number one. A red lip makes you look chic, fashionable, and alert, and is also a staple that everyone should be doing. "
"My tip for makeup beginners trying to create a professional red lip is to choose the red lip that you are comfortable with first," Billy continued. "For example, some people like toned down reds; others like light reds; some like some cool reds; others like more warm reds. So just pick the one you like. If you have that, buy a lip liner and a lip brush, ”she explains.
“To improve the look, my trick is to draw the lips really well and take my time to create the perfect shape. Then, with the brush, take the paint and apply it to the corners of the lips first. Then take the lipstick and apply it straight from the ball to the center of the lip, ”instructs Billy.
“Remember, you can always correct everything and clean up and perfect the shape with a flat brush and a small piece of concealer,” Billy reminds us.
Pat McGrath's MatteTrance Lipstick in Elson is a great lipstick for any beginner in their makeup arsenal.
As Billy explained, "Wet n Wild Megalast lip color in red velvet is a real red with a cool undertone."
If you're looking for a warm, bright red with an orange undertone, Billy Bite recommends Beauty & # 39; s Outburst Longwear Lip Stain in Sangria Slush.
While I'm a newbie to this makeup life, I've always loved a red lip. Adding the lip liner was new to me and I'll definitely take more practice to really nail it down, but overall I found Billy's first look very approachable and felt all day.
"Let's talk about the famous cat eyeliner look, a look that will never go away. Every year we see different types, lengths and styles, and it's also a staple that everyone should at least try," said Billy.
“My tip for any beginner trying to create a cat's eye is to start with the tail first. With your eyes open, look straight at the mirror and do the tail – how long depends on your preference and how dramatic you want it to look. After making the tail, move to the inner corners and start the line very close to the lash line. The nice thing about this look is that it should look like it's walking in a crescendo, ”explained Billy.
Billy continued, "How do you connect the tail to the rest, well, very simple: take the end of the tail and draw a line like you're trying to make a little triangle. Then fill in the boxes and voilà ! "
"My favorite way to create the perfect cat's eye is with a liner brush and gel liner," mused Billy.
“My favorite gel liner is from an indie brand called Pretty Vulgar and it's called The Ink Gel Liner,” explained Billy. “It's super smooth, easy to work with, doesn't move and can be easily removed with a make-up remover. ”
Imma be real: I still need a lot of practice to perfect this cat-eye look. Everything went wrong with this look. My eyes didn't stop twitching, my eyeliner pen broke, I ran out of makeup remover … The fact that I even managed to create a reasonably decent liner look was a challenge. Ultimately, I'd suggest using a marker pen to create this look, and for beginners, know that it will take time to nail the perfect cat's eye.
"For those days when you feel like you haven't made up, a reduced look is perfect," says Billy. “My favorite thing to do is do my morning skin care routine and give my face life on those lazy days by using a highlighter and shine. "
She continued, “I take my cream highlighter and apply it to the highlights of my face – cheekbones, bridge of the nose, maybe my chin and temples. These last two depend on whether you have combined or oily skin. Maybe you don't want to look bright and shiny. "
"And finally, apply a nice, juicy lip gloss," instructs Billy.
Which products does Billy swear by for this look? “My favorite cream pen highlighters of all time are the Glossier Haloscope in Topaz,” she says.
Billy also swears by Honest Beauty Magic Stick Balm.
Due to the difficulty of creating a real cat's eye, I was extremely relieved to recreate a makeup look without makeup (simply due to the fact that I've done it many times before). I love using my Glossier Futuredew, a bit of bronzer, and some Fenty Gloss every day, all day. Who said a makeup routine must be so hard to adopt?
What exactly is a monochromatic look for the makeup newbies in the room? Billy explained, “I love being able to use just one product for different purposes. For a monochromatic look, it is better to use the same product on the eyes, lips and cheeks. Otherwise, you will just look all of them (regardless of color) and not necessarily one color as the color may have different finishes or tones. "
To create this look, Billy suggests, "Using your favorite pencil / cream blush, wash your eyes lightly, use as a blush, and apply to your lips."
"Put on a mascara, maybe a concealer if you need it, raise your browbones and you're done. You have a nice fun look to rock your day," Billy continued.
"My favorite chopsticks blush, of course, from Fenty Beauty. My favorite colors of all time are Chili Mango and Strawberry Drip," said Billy.
She continued, "Fenty's new cream blushes are the bomb, too."
Not a Fenty fanatic? Billy also loves using Nudestix Nudies Bloom in Poppy Girl to create this look.
Just when I thought I couldn't love a minimal makeup look anymore, Billy helped me take it to the next level. I'll admit I was concerned about using one product all over my face, but it turns out it's basically like my favorite highlighter look without so many products. I skipped mascara and just used Fenty & # 39; s Rum Match Stick on my lids and cheeks. And then I mixed the matchstick with Pat McGrath's Clear Lip Fetish Lip Balm to make the matchstick pop a little more on my lips.
"A brown, smoky look is one of those staples, but it's also a look that is very easy to replicate for beginners in makeup," shared Billy.
“Get a very creamy eye pencil or cream / liquid matte eye shadow first. Then with a large, buffing eyeshadow brush (like Morphe's M531), simply apply your pencil or shadow to the bottom half of your lid, "she explained." Don't worry about the shape. Simply apply and mix to make sure you get the saturation you want. "
"Then you can get a brown powder shadow and set it," Billy continued. “If you have oily eyelids, I recommend this, or if you just want to keep it that way, you can. Combine this with your favorite lipstick color and then you're done! "
“My favorite pencil for this look is UD 24/7 Glide On Pencil in whiskey,” admitted Billy.
Like a true makeup newbie, not only was I missing all of the products I needed for this look (I had to add a brown eyeshadow palette to my Sephora cart ASAP), but I was a bit panicked about it how I would successfully create this look. So I called a good friend and she guided me through the improvisation with a couple of metallic shadows I had on hand. While I'm a little scared at first, I have to say that I am obsessed with this look and recommend all beginners to try it out.
“Shiny lids. Oh yeah. You are now a thing! "Explained Billy." I love it, but you have to be committed to the look for that. It's messy, it's editorial, it's not an everyday look at all, but you can't deny that it looks so great in the picture! "
Your tip for this makeup look if you are a beginner? "You can paint it in or just make it clear and apply it to your lid with your fingers or a synthetic flat brush," Billy told us. “I do not recommend using false eyelashes if you plan to go out with them and use waterproof mascara. Warned her.
“My favorite product of all time is Danessa Myricks Color Fix 24HR glazes – choose the color you like! They are all beautiful! "she pondered.
For beginners looking for a low-effort makeup look that still pops, this was by far the easiest of them all. I decided to only use the Jelly Pop Face & Eye Gloss from E.l.f. Use along with a bare lip for a barely noticeable look that made me feel shiny without the added sheen.
"Don't be afraid of adventures with color and shimmer. Make-up is about having fun!" Explained Billy. "Playing with color is not difficult. Again, you don't have to have a billion colorful shadows and shimmers with different textures. "
To embrace this look, Billy recommends starting small. “Take your brightly colored eyeshadow palette, pick a matte color, apply it with a large shadow brush, and apply it using the same technique I showed you with the brown smoky eye,” she instructs.
"When your shadow is mixed, choose a shimmery shade – it can be the same or even a different color – and apply it to the center of the lid with your fingers, moving almost up, almost around your browbones meet, "she continued. "If you maybe need to mix something around the edges so the Matte and Simmer Fusion do it together, and that's it!"
“My favorite beginner-friendly colorful eyeshadow is the James Charles x Morphe Palette. I mean who doesn't have this palette yet? It's affordable and effective, "boasted Billy.
While some may have the guts to rock a light purple or yellow eye shadow, I'll admit: I'm not quite there on my makeup journey. So I play with a light silver shade and a little pink shade from the Storybook Cosmetics Fairy Tales palette to get Billy's final look suggestion. For any makeup beginner, this final look really encompasses what the entire journey is supposed to be, which is exploration. Learning to apply makeup is a lifelong journey of discovery. And I would be lying if I said there aren't any moments when I feel like a clown or get frustrated about not being able to destroy products – but that's all part of the journey. Along the way, you tap friends and experts, make mistakes, and sometimes buy the wrong products. Ultimately, however, a makeup routine is all about finding the typical looks that will make you feel best over time. (Please don't cram it into a week like I did.) And with a little patience and a few matching palettes, you may find that you are a makeup person, too.
Next: These 30 Volumizing Mascaras Are Better Than Any Instagram Filter
This post was originally published earlier and has been updated since then
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