My First Makeup Tutorial: Eight Product Makeup Challenge

A long time ago, I did a little challenge. I was only allowed to use eight products for a full face of makeup. It was fun, and challenging, and I really liked the outcome. Recently, I saw a thread on Reddit where someone asked for a "no makeup makeup" tutorial. I figured my eight product look would fit the bill. I posted it there some weeks ago, but I figure I should post it here too!

Starting out: My Bare Face. 

Only moisturizer and sunscreen.

fresh from the shower!

 My Supplies:

Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation in shade 01

Urban Decay eyeshadow single in Sin

Urban Decay Revolution lipstick in Naked

YSL Touche Eclat

Starlooks Kohl Pencil in black

Clump Crusher Waterproof Mascara in black

Nyx Blush in Taupe

Anastasia Brow Wiz in Ebony

Random brushes, lash curler, and Beauty Blender

(Too Faced Shadow Insurance and Nyx primer in green. But primers don't count)

what, your "battlestation" isn't a shoebox lid on a bed?

Step One: Apply a primer to your lids

I didn't count primers in this, because I consider them necessities...like lotion and sunscreen. I can't get away with going without them, and creasing shadow is definitely not a "natural look".

Too Faced Shadow Insurance + Serious Mom Face

Step Two: Apply a Champagne-ish Shadow to your Lids

Using your finger (or a brush), apply Sin to your eyelid and a tiny bit into your inner corner...if you like. Sin is a little on the pink side of champagne, so if you have a favorite nude shimmer you can use that.

UD Sin + Slightly Less Serious Mom Face

UD Sin. Subtle shimmer. Slapped on with my finger.

Step Three: Contour the Crease

Using Nyx Taupe and a fluffy brush, apply color to your eye crease area and a wee bit under the outer 1/3 of your lower lashes. This will give a little dimension to your eyes. If your lids are a bit droopy (like mine) make sure you start applying the color with your eyes relaxed and open. You can raise your brows and blend it down after that. It might seem like the color will be too high, but if you don't do it this way, it'll get lost in the crease and only show near the outer corner. That will make your brow look heavier and lower.

Nyx Taupe + Slightly Annoyed with Heavy Camera Face

The effect is subtle. It's supposed to be. This isn't a "z0mgMAKEUPS" kinda look. But you can go as heavy as you want to, especially if you aren't ghostly.

messy brows + freckles

Step Four: Tight lining

Using your eyeliner of choice, tight line your upper and lower lash line. Unless you are fair-haired, then just do the upper lash line. I used a black here, but my brows and lashes are quite dark. I've also used a deep plum and it looked really neat. I'd love to try this with a navy next time.

very proud of only stabbing myself in the eye twice.

Sometimes, I take a little liner and smudge it into the outer 1/3 of my upper lid. You can do this using a tiny brush or a cotton swab. This is completely optional though. My outer corners tend to point down a little, so I feel like this balances my eyes a bit.

Eyes mostly done + "where did the sun go?" face

Step Five: Mascara

Curl your lashes and add mascara!

those eight seconds where my lashes
were actually curled.

Step Six: Apply primer to your face!

You can use whichever primer is your favorite. I use a color correcting primer to mitigate some of the "freshly slapped" redness my cheeks have.

thank the gods for green primer

Step Seven: Foundation

 Using a brush/fingers/sponge, apply foundation all over your face. Make sure you blend it down your neck and well into your hairline. No harsh lines!

foundation + slightly ill face

Step Seven (optional): Under-Eye Highlight

Because I wear glasses, I often feel like my under-eye area needs a bit of brightening. I use YSL Touche Eclat for this, and I really like it. It doesn't crease under my eyes, and it seems to blend flawlessly into my skin. If you have darker circles under your eye, you can also use a thicker concealer.

Oh look, I can smile...ish.

This is how I apply it. Then I use my Beauty Blender/sponge to blend it in.

This looks silly. But it works.

Step Eight: Blush

Now for blush! Apply a few swipes of lipstick to the back of your hand. Using a stippling brush or your finger, apply it lightly to your cheeks. Less is definitely more. It is easier to add than subtract when it comes to blush.

Why does lipstick look darker on my hand? Every time!

All blushed up!

It's there. I swear.

Step Nine: Contour

Now for some cheekbones. I was not blessed with glamorous cheeks, so I have to add them in. I used Nyx blush in Taupe and a Real Techniques contour brush for this. If you have a matte bronzer, you can use that for this step, since this is just a subtle suggestion of cheekbones. Most bronzers, however, are a little too warm for contouring. Use at your own risk. (though, to be honest, I love Too Faced Chocolate Soleil for contouring jobs like this. Totally not because it smells like cocoa.)

Oh look, the sun came back

Woohoo, dimension!

aaand now it's gone again

 Step Ten: Brows

I always leave my brows for one of the last things. This way, I don't mess them up while I'm applying my foundation. I could probably get away with using a heavier hand on my brows, since they are cousins and not twins...but it looks weird to me in person. I was always the kid that wished for thinner brows...and here I am filling them with a pencil. My oh my, how times change.

pointing to my brows, in case you can't find them

 Almost done!

My chin declined to participate here

Step Eleven: Lipstick

Back to lipstick again, but this time I'm actually going to use it for it's intended purpose. The nice thing about MLBB (my lips but better) shades is that you really don't have to be terribly precise when applying. No lip liners, no concealers around the edges...just kinda slap it on and call it a day. Or at least, that's how I do it.

Lipstick + "Stop hitting your sister" face

All finished!

Finished product + "LOLThekidsareplayingDoctorWho" face

I think it looks fairly natural, but still pulled together and not-dead. If you aren't restricting yourself to a certain number of products, a little setting powder and brow gel wouldn't be the worst idea you ever had. You can also use a tinted balm instead of lipstick on your lips for a much more natural look. You could add a pop of color with a hot pink, purple, or red lip while still keeping your eyes simple. I even like looks like this with colored liner (I've done it with deep purple and it looks awesome) or a less nude lid color. The possibilities are endless.

I hope you enjoyed my very first makeup tutorial. I am by no means a professional, but I do have about 20 years of practice at "superdupersimple makeup". Any suggestions or critiques are more than welcome in the comments below!