This makeup tutorial from crimson-haired YouTube doll Kandee Johnson removes all of the mystery surrounding contouring. (Sure, we know everyone says contouring is out, but that doesn't mean makeup artists aren't still using it on their celebrity clients.) In this video, she shows us how to contour as well as highlight the face from all angles (see our strobing makeup tutorial here) for that lit-from-within glow.
Along the way, Kandee explains the ideal face shape as well as makeup color theory, in a way that only she knows how -- with tons of humor. She also shows us how to spotlight our best features, while downplaying our less-favorable ones. When her entire face is covered in highlighter and contour, and we worry she's steered us wrong, she pulls out her trusted Beautyblender and shows us the way to a beautiful, chiseled end result.
Kandee's Tools: RCMA VK 11 Palette, $72, L'Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Crayon Concealer, $8.95, Cover FX Total Cover Cream Foundation, $42
Along the way, Kandee explains the ideal face shape as well as makeup color theory, in a way that only she knows how -- with tons of humor. She also shows us how to spotlight our best features, while downplaying our less-favorable ones. When her entire face is covered in highlighter and contour, and we worry she's steered us wrong, she pulls out her trusted Beautyblender and shows us the way to a beautiful, chiseled end result.
Kandee's Tools: RCMA VK 11 Palette, $72, L'Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Crayon Concealer, $8.95, Cover FX Total Cover Cream Foundation, $42
A smoky eye is one of those eye makeup techniques that doesn't seem very hard until you try to execute it. If a smoky eye is your personal struggle, this tutorial from beauty blogger Dulce Candy will up your game in no time.
Dulce shows us how to create the dramatic eye look by starting with a white bristled brush (they pick up less product) and holding it at the very end to ensure a light touch, gradually building the smoky eye from lightest to darkest colors. She shows us how to add black shadow by using a flat brush -- "packing" the color onto the lid then using a fluffier brush to blend and smudge outward. She accentuates the eye shadow with a lighter brown shade, lines the eye and uses a lash curler before applying mascara -- all to really make the eye pop. The woman knows her brushes, and it shows. The end result is a gorgeous, black smoky eye.
Dulce's Tools: LORAC Pro Matte Eyeshadow Palette, $28, M.A.C. Paint Pot, $22, Kevyn Aucoin Basic Black Eyeliner, $26, Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Mascara, $26
Dulce shows us how to create the dramatic eye look by starting with a white bristled brush (they pick up less product) and holding it at the very end to ensure a light touch, gradually building the smoky eye from lightest to darkest colors. She shows us how to add black shadow by using a flat brush -- "packing" the color onto the lid then using a fluffier brush to blend and smudge outward. She accentuates the eye shadow with a lighter brown shade, lines the eye and uses a lash curler before applying mascara -- all to really make the eye pop. The woman knows her brushes, and it shows. The end result is a gorgeous, black smoky eye.
Dulce's Tools: LORAC Pro Matte Eyeshadow Palette, $28, M.A.C. Paint Pot, $22, Kevyn Aucoin Basic Black Eyeliner, $26, Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Mascara, $26
MyPaleSkin is the woman to turn to for blemish-concealing makeup tutorials. When she developed adult acne, Em Ford, a beauty aficionado from London, decided to start a blog about her experience -- and all of the makeup tricks she learned to hide it. She's also a vocal campaigner to end body shaming -- especially in the form of hurtful YouTube comments.
In this makeup tutorial, Em reels us in from the very beginning with surprising tips like using a grey-toned concealer underneath foundation to neutralize blemishes. After a meticulous application of her foundation, Em applies one more layer of concealer with a brush and feathers it out with a Beautyblender. The trick, she says, is to slowly build up coverage in layers. Instead of using powder to set her look, she sprays her face and Beautyblender with finishing spray, then taps the concealed spots with her sponge for a completely flawless finish. You would never know she had a pimple a day in her whole life.
Em's Tools: L'Oreal Paris Infallible Mattifying Primer, $9.99, Kryolan Dermacolor Camoflage Creme Palette, $28.25, L'Oreal Paris True Match Foundation, $12.95, NYX Dewy Finish Setting Spray, $7.99
In this makeup tutorial, Em reels us in from the very beginning with surprising tips like using a grey-toned concealer underneath foundation to neutralize blemishes. After a meticulous application of her foundation, Em applies one more layer of concealer with a brush and feathers it out with a Beautyblender. The trick, she says, is to slowly build up coverage in layers. Instead of using powder to set her look, she sprays her face and Beautyblender with finishing spray, then taps the concealed spots with her sponge for a completely flawless finish. You would never know she had a pimple a day in her whole life.
Em's Tools: L'Oreal Paris Infallible Mattifying Primer, $9.99, Kryolan Dermacolor Camoflage Creme Palette, $28.25, L'Oreal Paris True Match Foundation, $12.95, NYX Dewy Finish Setting Spray, $7.99
Looking for a foolproof makeup tutorial to break down this glamorous, contoured eye look? Carli Bybel, YouTube beauty blogger with tons of gorgeous looks to choose from, shows us how to create the coveted cut crease.
Consider this your Cliffs Notes version of the cut crease. Carli cuts to the chase, skipping the blow-by-blow on foundation application and other basics, and goes straight to what we really want -- the eye tutorial. We love that she starts the video with one eye finished so we can see the final look that we are trying to achieve. And she's got a genius approach that simplifies the cut crease: She uses a pointed shadow brush to follow the eyelid crease in a line that mimics her winged liner. Then, she blends it out for a slight gradient effect. By the end, we all feel confident that we can recreate this look ourselves. .
Carli's Tools: Sigma Gel Eye Liner, $14, Anastasia Beverly Hills Master Palette by Mario, $45 (The Anastasia Palette featured in her video was limited edition, but this palette makes a great substitute.)
Consider this your Cliffs Notes version of the cut crease. Carli cuts to the chase, skipping the blow-by-blow on foundation application and other basics, and goes straight to what we really want -- the eye tutorial. We love that she starts the video with one eye finished so we can see the final look that we are trying to achieve. And she's got a genius approach that simplifies the cut crease: She uses a pointed shadow brush to follow the eyelid crease in a line that mimics her winged liner. Then, she blends it out for a slight gradient effect. By the end, we all feel confident that we can recreate this look ourselves. .
Carli's Tools: Sigma Gel Eye Liner, $14, Anastasia Beverly Hills Master Palette by Mario, $45 (The Anastasia Palette featured in her video was limited edition, but this palette makes a great substitute.)
Not quite sure how to pull off the no-makeup makeup look? No judgment here -- it's way harder than it looks. Luckily, this tutorial from self-taught YouTube makeup guru, Nicole Guerriero, will have you looking naturally flawless in 10 minutes.
Nicole hooks us immediately with her no-nonsense, goofball personality. She shows us her hack for flawless skin using a primer followed by a retractable, creamy concealer crayon to cover any blemishes. The next part is completely customizable, depending on how much time you have to commit to your no-makeup makeup look. Nicole gives the option of adding a flush of pink to cheeks and lips or a quickie brow fill-in and some mascara. This tutorial makes it supereasy to get out the door in mere moments with only a handful of products.
Nicole's Tools: Benefit The Porefessional Face Primer, $31, L'Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Crayon Concealer, $8.95, Maybelline New York Baby Lips Balm, $4.49, L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Mascara, $8.49
Nicole hooks us immediately with her no-nonsense, goofball personality. She shows us her hack for flawless skin using a primer followed by a retractable, creamy concealer crayon to cover any blemishes. The next part is completely customizable, depending on how much time you have to commit to your no-makeup makeup look. Nicole gives the option of adding a flush of pink to cheeks and lips or a quickie brow fill-in and some mascara. This tutorial makes it supereasy to get out the door in mere moments with only a handful of products.
Nicole's Tools: Benefit The Porefessional Face Primer, $31, L'Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Crayon Concealer, $8.95, Maybelline New York Baby Lips Balm, $4.49, L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Mascara, $8.49
