How to Apply Subtle Daytime Makeup

Co-authored by Kelly Chu

Last Updated: August 26, 2024

The purpose of daytime makeup is often to highlight natural features, conceal flaws and blemishes in the skin, and promote a fresh and awake appearance. Daytime makeup looks are generally subtler than evening or nighttime looks, because the natural light of the sun makes heavy makeup jobs more apparent. However, makeup you wear during the day must also be long-lasting without being too thick, and there are a few tips and tricks you can try next time you want to achieve a subtle daytime look with your makeup.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Performing a Morning Skin Routine

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1
Wash your face. For the health of your skin and the sake of longer lasting makeup, start each morning by washing your face.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Kelly Chu
Professional Makeup Artist

Expert Interview. 9 May 2019.} Be sure to use a gentle cream or gel cleanser designed for the face.
- Massage the cleanser into your skin for about 30 seconds, using a circular motion,^{[2]
  X
  Research source} and rinse well using lukewarm water. Gently pat your face dry with a soft towel to remove most, but not all, of the moisture.
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Moisturize your skin. To give your makeup a soft, smooth surface over which to be applied, make sure your face is moisturized.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Kelly Chu
Professional Makeup Artist

Expert Interview. 9 May 2019.} You can use toners, serums, eye creams, or just a basic moisturizing facial lotion. Be sure to apply it when your skin is still slightly damp.
- To prevent dryness, moisturize your face after every time you wash it.
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3
Apply sunscreen.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Kelly Chu
Professional Makeup Artist

Expert Interview. 9 May 2019.} This is especially important in the summer months, but you should actually wear sunscreen year-round.^{[5]
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Research source} Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, and apply it liberally to your face, neck, and ears.
- Sunscreen and proper sun-protection habits will help protect your skin from skin cancer, freckles, wrinkles, and premature aging.

Part 2

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Applying Basic Daytime Makeup

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Put on a thin base of primer. Basic daytime makeup can be as simple and easy as applying a little foundation, concealer, and blush, or it can be as complicated as doing your eyes, lips, and brows as well. Primer isn't strictly necessary, but it will help make your cosmetics last longer if you plan to wear more than just basic daytime makeup.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Kelly Chu
Professional Makeup Artist

Expert Interview. 9 May 2019.}
- The purpose of primer is to give your makeup something to stick to, fill in small wrinkles and creases, and control oil.
- To apply primer, put a small amount onto your index finger and gently rub a thin layer all over your face.^{[7]
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2
Apply a foundation. Use a lightweight foundation that matches your skin tone as closely as possible.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Kelly Chu
Professional Makeup Artist

Expert Interview. 9 May 2019.} Use your finger or a sponge to apply a thin layer all over your face. Foundation will help even out your skin tone, create a smooth surface, and cover discoloration, and because it serves such a similar purpose to primer, the primer isn't always necessary.
- Go for a matte or oil-free finish if you have oily skin, try a moisturizing or cream foundation if you have dry skin, and opt for hypoallergenic and scent-free if your skin is sensitive.^{[9]
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- You can also use your undertones to choose a foundation. Go for a reddish or bluish foundation if you have cool skin, a golden or yellowish foundation if your undertone is warm, and try ivory or praline foundation shades if you have neutral undertones.^{[10]
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EXPERT TIP

Nini Efia Yang
Makeup Artist
Nini Efia Yang is a Makeup Artist based in San Francisco, California. She is the Owner of Nini's Epiphany, a makeup and hair studio. Nini’s Epiphany offers makeup and hair styling services for clients, and also perform permanent brow and lash procedures. They also perform special event styling services, including features like custom lashes, bridal hairstyles, airbrush makeup, bridal makeup trials, and makeup and hair changes for receptions. The company is also known for their classes, where they teach customers in personal or group settings how to improve their makeup and hair abilities. Nini has over 10 years of experience in the industry, and specializes in bridal makeup. Her work has been featured in Ceremony Magazine, They So Loved, and Wedding Window.

Nini Efia Yang
Makeup Artist

Look for a foundation with sheer coverage for a more natural look. If you're just looking for a light, natural look, try a BB cream or some other kind of light foundation. You can even use one that contains moisturizer and SPF to limit how many products you have to use. If you want a little more coverage, you can set the BB cream with powder.
3
Use a concealer. Concealer is similar to foundation, but it’s even more capable of covering redness, flaws, and blemishes. Apply small amounts of concealer under your eyes and on all blemishes, and then use your fingers to delicately blend it in.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Kelly Chu
Professional Makeup Artist

Expert Interview. 9 May 2019.}
- You can also use the concealer to provide some contouring to your face, by applying some down the bridge of the nose and above the eyebrows. Use your fingers to blend it in.
- Use the same criteria to choose concealer that you used for foundation, and try to match the color of your concealer to the color of your foundation. If you want to brighten your under-eye area, you can try a concealer that’s up to two shades lighter than your skin tone.^{[12]
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4
Finish with a powder. This is another optional step, but if you want to help set your foundation and concealer for the day, use a sponge or brush to apply a thin layer of loose or pressed powder on your face, especially areas that are prone to oiliness.^{[13]
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Expert Source

Kelly Chu
Professional Makeup Artist

Expert Interview. 9 May 2019.}
- Loose powder will provide a lighter look, while pressed powder is heavier, and will provide more coverage, especially if your skin is oily.
- For an even easier and more natural look, you can simply apply a thin layer of powder on your face instead of using foundation.
5
Add a pinch of blush. Once you’ve prepared your face, you'll be ready to head out the door with a perfect complexion and smooth skin if that’s all you want to do. But if you want to add a bit of color to your cheeks and lips and highlight your eyes, you can do so by adding some basic cosmetics. With a brush, apply a small dab of blush along your cheek bones, then use the brush to blend the blush into your skin.
- Try light pink, peach, or plum shade for fair skin.
- Go for mauve, apricot, or berry for medium skin.
- Give rose, bronze, or an orangey-peach a try if you have olive skin.
- Try raisin, brick, or tangerine if you have dark skin.
6
Add some color to your lips. You don’t necessarily have to choose natural glossy or sheer color for daytime makeup (but you certainly can), and if you want to go a little bolder, try a cream lipstick without the lip liner. After applying, use your finger to blend the lipstick.^{[14]
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- To choose a lipstick color for daytime makeup, stick to something that’s a similar shade to your natural lip color, but with an extra bit of color and brightness. When in doubt, you can always opt for a soft pink shade.
7
Apply some mascara. If you want to make your eyes pop a little as well, consider adding a bit of mascara to the top and bottom lashes. Starting with the top lashes, place the mascara want at the base of your lashes and move the wand back and forth as you work your way to the lash tips. While that coat is still wet, repeat the process, then do the same on the bottom lashes.
- Try a black mascara to draw attention to your eyes, unless you have very pale skin, in which case you may want to try brown instead.
- If you’re going to be applying eyeshadow and liner as well, hold off on the mascara until after you apply those two items.
Rihanna, Founder, Fenty Beauty

Using makeup is empowering. "Makeup is like a secret weapon. Depending on my mood, my look, or the occasion, makeup can go from very subtle to a complete transformation, and that’s the fun in makeup: being able to play and create in endless ways."

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Applying Subtle Eye Makeup

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1
Prime your eyelids. More eye makeup isn't necessary for daytime (or anytime), but if you do want to wear daytime eye makeup, applying a primer will help it last longer.
- Apply a cream primer or flesh-colored eyeshadow^{[15]
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  Research source} to your entire eyelid, from the base of the eyelid right to the brow line.
2
Apply eyeshadow. Apply a layer of light purple or brown eyeshadow to your eyelid from the inner corner to the center. Add depth to your eye by applying a medium brown eyeshadow to the crease of your eye and the outer bottom corner of the eyelid (not up toward the brow line). Use a clean brush to blend these colors together.^{[16]
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- Apply a thin line of medium brown eyeshadow to the outer corner of your bottom lash line as well.
3
Add some eyeliner. To add definition to your eyes, apply a thin line of your favourite brown^{[17]
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Research source} At the outer corners of your eyes, you can extend the liner out slightly toward your temple to make your eyes look larger.
- Once your eyeshadow and liner are complete, you can add mascara to the top and bottom lash lines.
For daytime makeup, choose a thin brush to apply some eyeshadow to your eyebrows. Use a brush or eyebrow comb to work the color through. Try to find an eyeshadow that matches your natural hair color.

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How can you use makeup to show your natural beauty?

Kelly Chu
Professional Makeup Artist
Kelly is the lead makeup artist and educator of the Soyi Makeup and Hair team that is based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Soyi Makeup and Hair specializes in wedding and event makeup and hair. Over the past 5 years, the team has created bridal looks for over 800 brides in America, Asia, and Europe.

Kelly Chu

Professional Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

You should understand your face shape, features, and skin type. Then use products made for your skin type. Try to bring out your attractive features and draw attention away from your less attractive features. Find a makeup style that fits your personality.

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How can I organize my makeup drawers?

Kelly Chu
Professional Makeup Artist
Kelly is the lead makeup artist and educator of the Soyi Makeup and Hair team that is based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Soyi Makeup and Hair specializes in wedding and event makeup and hair. Over the past 5 years, the team has created bridal looks for over 800 brides in America, Asia, and Europe.

Kelly Chu

Professional Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

Take out all your makeup products. Throw out the broken products, those past the expiry date or the ones you have not used in a long time. Get some clear drawer organizers with different compartments. Put similar makeup products together. For example, put all the eyeshadows in one of the compartments and the lipsticks in another. Always put the makeup back to its original position after use.

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What are the things I can do with a fan brush?

Kelly Chu
Professional Makeup Artist
Kelly is the lead makeup artist and educator of the Soyi Makeup and Hair team that is based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Soyi Makeup and Hair specializes in wedding and event makeup and hair. Over the past 5 years, the team has created bridal looks for over 800 brides in America, Asia, and Europe.

Kelly Chu

Professional Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

You can gently wipe the excess makeup away from the face with a fan brush. Or use it to blend and diffuse a powdery makeup product on your face for a less dramatic look. You can apply blush, clay mask, or gel mask with it.

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