Makeup Product Types Explained
From skin-perfecting bases to colour-defining finishes, understanding what each makeup product does — and how to choose the right formula — is the foundation of a great beauty routine.
Foundation
Foundation evens skin tone and provides a uniform base for the rest of your makeup. Formulas range from sheer tinted moisturisers to full-coverage liquid foundations. Choose a formula matched to your skin type — oil-free or matte for oily skin, hydrating or serum foundations for dry skin. Apply with a damp beauty sponge, foundation brush, or fingers. Always blend down the neck to avoid a visible line.
Concealer
Concealer covers blemishes, dark circles, redness, and pigmentation. It is typically more pigmented and thicker than foundation. Use a peach or orange-toned concealer under the eyes to counteract blue or purple shadows, then layer your shade-matched concealer on top. For blemishes, apply with a small brush and dab gently — do not drag. Set with a fine powder to prevent creasing.
Primer
Primer creates a smooth surface between skincare and makeup. Silicone primers blur pores and fine lines. Hydrating primers add a dewy base for dry skin. Colour-correcting primers (green for redness, lilac for sallowness) adjust skin tone before foundation. Apply a small amount and allow it to absorb before applying foundation.
Mascara
Mascara darkens, lengthens, and volumises lashes. Lengthening formulas use a thinner consistency with a long-bristled wand. Volumising mascaras contain more wax and use a dense brush. Waterproof formulas resist humidity and moisture but require an oil-based remover. Fibre mascaras add micro-fibres for dramatic length. See our mascara tutorials.
Eyeliner
Eyeliner defines the eyes and comes in pencil, liquid, gel, and kohl varieties. Pencil liners are beginner-friendly and smudgeable. Liquid liners create a precise, bold line and are ideal for cat-eye flicks. Gel liners applied with a brush offer precision and longevity. Kohl is soft and easily blended into a smoky effect. Apply to the upper lash line for impact, or the waterline for definition.
Eyeshadow
Eyeshadow adds colour, depth, and dimension to the eyes. Formulas include pressed powder, loose pigment, cream, and liquid. Matte shades add depth and define the crease. Shimmer and foil shades reflect light and highlight the lid. Always use a primer beneath eyeshadow for colour payoff and longevity. Neutrals work for daytime; deeper pigments for evening looks.
Lipstick
Lipstick is available in matte, satin, gloss, sheer, and liquid formulas. Matte lipsticks offer bold, long-lasting colour but can emphasise dryness — exfoliate lips beforehand. Satin finishes are comfortable and flattering on most lip shapes. Liquid lipsticks provide high pigment and extreme durability. Tinted balms offer a hint of colour with hydration for everyday wear.
Blush & Bronzer
Blush adds colour and dimension to the cheeks. Bronzer warms and sculpts the face. Powder formulas work well for oily skin, while cream products are preferred for dry skin and a dewy finish. Apply blush to the cheekbones and temples; bronzer to the perimeter of the face, forehead, and sides of the nose. See placement guides by face shape.
Setting Products
Setting powder absorbs oil and mattifies the skin. Translucent powders work across all skin tones, while tinted powders add coverage. Baking — applying a thick layer of powder under the eyes and allowing it to sit before dusting off — intensifies concealer. Setting spray seals the entire look, extends wear, and can shift the finish from powder to skin-like. Press the spray in; do not rub.