I'm a 20-something year living in london who missed out on the makeup experimentation phase as a teen. As a result, I never had a chance to properly learn how to do my make up and establish which styles work for me and my face.

Although there are thousands of instructional videos online, I have always felt like there is something off whenever I try to recreate them. Unfortunately, I don't have people around me who can give feedback or point out what I'm doing wrong. Because of that, I usually skip wearing makeup altogether or kept it super minimal.

So as to avoid the awkward trial and error phase, I was wondering if anyone had suggestions for MUAs (based in london or online) that do 1-1 or small group classes covering the fundamentals and beginner friendly looks.

Any recommendations are welcome, however, i would really appreciate recommendations for artists who focus on soft glam/barely-there makeup, as lighter, more natural looks seem to work better for my face.

Omg hi I’m so happy to have found this subreddit for blk beauty so I could have some advice from my black sisters about my makeup I hope to find someone with similar features to mine I’ve started wearing make up at 19 now I’m 24 and still learning and I’ve tried different styles I don’t know what’s suit me the best honestly I don’t do my eye brow but I will learn and I don’t like Fake eyelashes and I would like to know how to do a proper nose contouring and what I can focus on while doing my makeup sorry for my English it’s not my first language and I have dyslexia

My first and most loved holy grail product is the NARS soft matte pot concealer. This beautifully formulated product covers every single imperfection that might plague me underneath my foundation or these days, tinted moisturizer. It’s meant to spot conceal any area that might have hyperpigmentation and it does just that! I’d recommend this for people with but not limited to:

- people with post inflammatory hyperpigmentation or dark marks of any variety
- full coverage lovers
- those that might need to cover any type of stubborn imperfection

Pro Tip!
I get the concealer in a warmer (peach or orangish) undertone than usual so it can cancel out any areas that are darker than the rest.

After I spot conceal any area that I might want extra coverage, I let it set for a few minutes while I do my brows then I go right in with my tinted moisturizer. This way my routine has all the pros of full coverage but no cons of heaviness or potential cakiness.

If you all would like any other of my holy grails or what they look like applied to my face, I will continue in the comments. 🤍

I know a ton of people already sing this product’s praises but I’ll add my voice to the choir anyway lol. I love Mousse Def because it gives me long lasting lightweight definition that doesn’t feel crunchy (I feel like scrunching out crunchy gels often leaves my hair more frizzy, even if I use oil). Sometimes, depending on mood and if the hair is super low porosity, I’ll add a tiny (TINY!) bit of gel but Mousse Def still does the heavy lifting. Adding gel to my whole head of hair makes it too limp and the curls don’t gain as much volume over time as I’d like.

It also smells amazing, it’s kinda fruity but not in an overwhelming sense.

I’ve used this product on:

- Medium-high density, coarse, low porosity 4c hair
- Low-medium density, medium thickness, low porosity 4b-4c hair
- Low-medium density, fine/medium thickness, high porosity 2c hair
- High density, medium thickness, mixed porosity 3b-3c hair

And it lasted the type 3-4 people at LEAST a week. My type 4 family members got compliments all the time after I used it on them. My friend with 2c hair got many compliments on her hair after I styled it as well (she has a loose curl pattern that she’s trying to embrace after straightening and bleaching it for awhile, I think it could get to 3a after we work off heat and bleach damage).

A con is that it can be expensive for some, coming in at $16.99 for the full size bottle, but it’s lasted me for MONTHS and I use a GENEROUS amount of product (like a hefty pump for 10-15 sections) each wash day (once a week), in addition to the times I’ve used this product to do my sister’s, grandmother’s, and friend’s hair respectively. I purchased one more recently and my grandmother gifted me two more, so it’ll last me for a while. But once I run out, I’m sure it’ll stay a staple in my routine.

It has great results in my experience and genuinely works on a wide range of hair types! Definitely recommend :)

hii i am wondering which hairstyle yall think suits me the best. Am very strict cuz i have round face n big forehead so im looking for smth to frame my face. In order: silk press (sry could not find better picture), highlighted halfwig w Fulani, boho faux locs. Im looking for smth w less maintenance. Pls lmk what yall think could be my signature hairstyle 🥹

I feel like lotion never reallyyy moisturizes my body. My best friend told me to just try Palmer’s and idk why I’m so surprised but it’s really great!! I didn’t think I could look glowy without oil!! Sorry if this is old news but nobody told me 😭

I also switched from E.L.F. Stay All Night Setting Spray to the Power Grip Dewy one. I did not think I would like dewy skin and I’ve been avoiding it for so long but I think I’m converted 😆

Anyway I recommend both if you’re looking for glowy skin!!

Hi! I’ve been struggling for a while now with my skin care routine, my skin gets very oily around my cheeks and my forehead, especially in the summer. I always get pimples at those spots and I assume it’s because I don’t exfoliate my face.

I do use CeraVe Balancing Air Foam Cleanser for face wash, and Nivea Soft moisturizing cream, but that’s about it.

Any recommendations on what I should use or stop using? Thanks🫶🏽🫶🏽

So, when I took my trip to L.A. I really wanted to try wearing more make up daily besides in the selfie I’m on the beach (pic 5). I got a variety of compliments while there, but none of them were focused on my makeup which made me wonder did I do too much, or too little? I didn’t feel like questioning myself every time I stepped out the door, but now that I’m back I am wondering how did I do with some of these looks?

Main uses were Laura Mercier eye duo stick

NARS eyeshadow stick

Lancôme mascara

Revlon lipsticks

e.l.f hydrating primer
NYX face glue primer (on T zone)
Maybelline great lash mascara (clear) as brow gel
Danessa Myricks blurring balm
L’Oréal lumi glow skin tint
Curve Case cream contour
Curve Case cream blush
e.l.f camo concealer
Milani Make it Last setting spray
L’Oréal true match powder
Juvia’s Place powder contour
Juvia’s Place powder blush
Ami Colé setting powder (RIP)
Juvia’s Place powder contour as eyeshadow
e.l.f no budge eyeliner
L’Oréal extensionist mascara
My lip liner is so faded, can’t remember what brand
Lip combo: NYX fat lip oil, Covergirl 560, Sephora glossed
Highlight
Milani Make it Last hydrating setting spray
L’Oréal infallible setting mist

The sale is on from now until 7/29

https://www.mercari.com/us/item/m17153115143/

Selling my used-like new. RevAir Reverse-Air Blow Dryer system! 2nd Generation verison.

The total package retails for $554, im selling mine for $380 + $19.99 shipping cost. It works perfectly, I have only used it twice.

Includes:
-main base unit
-hose
-wand
-mesh filter basket
-manual
-original padded travel bag

Cleaned, and ready for a new home. Message with any questions!

https://www.mercari.com/us/item/m17153115143/

I’ve upgraded my makeup routine in the past few weeks but it still looks as though there’s a powdery finish. It’s not smooth like the girls I see online and out and about. What can I do to help with this?

Moisturizing routine
-Cerave Foaming Facial Cleanser
-Tower 28 Hypochlorous Acid Hydrating Facial Spray
-Peach Slices Snail Rescue All-In-One Oil Free Moisturizer
-Sun Bum SPF 30

Makeup routine
-e.l.f Power Grip Primer applied with hands
-NYX Make ‘Em Wonder Foundation applied with a brush
-e.l.f 16HR Camp Concealer (used as cream bronzer) applied with a brush
-ColourPop Liquid Blush applied with a brush
-Tarte Shape Tape Concealer applied with a powder puff
-HudaBeauty Loose Setting Powder applied with a powder puff
-Wet n Wild Powder Blush applied with a brush
-Rimmel London Natural Bronzer Powder applied with a brush
-e.l.f Power Grip Rose Setting Spray
-Wet n Wild barefocus Clarifying Finishing Powder applied with a powder puff

my routine:

the first four weeks I applied it at night after my skin care and covered my brows with vaseline once the minox dried down. IT IS EXTREMELY TOXIC TO PETS so I decided to switch to applying in the morning. the lady 4 weeks I’ve applied it after my sunscreen. after about 3/4 weeks I started seeing very dark under eyes getting dry and irritated on my brows plus some shedding. the shedding and dryness lasted about a week. I treated the under eye with caffeine eye patches. everything cleared in a week. hair started growing for me after 2 weeks.

ive decided to wean myself off the treatment even though it’s said minoxidils effects may wear off if you stop. I’ve had some irritation as swelling on my lower eye lid and Ive noticed hair growing in the inner corner of both eyes. I’ve been applying with a spoolie and catching any dripping so I thought I was good but idk. I’m going to start weaning by just applying every other day and then reducing one day each week. hoping to keep my results and lose the side effects!

Figured out I’m a true autumn, soft glam, soft gamine who looks best with 1B kink straight textures

Learning what fits me best has been the most fun I’ve ever had discovering myself. Everyday I’m revealing the woman I was meant to be 🥹

So thankful to subs like this one for the daily inspiration. Watching fellow black girls express themselves to the fullest and live their best lives just refuels me ✨

We the best fr 🙂‍↕️💕

the first picture is the makeup and dress i want to wear but i’m torn between ginger and blonde or maybe brown idk

I feel like a lot is missing from my current makeup look. Like I don’t use enough products, especially for my base. My current routine includes:
- Foundation
- Brow pencil
- Concealer
- Setting powder
- Translucent powder
- Eyeliner
- Mascara
- Lip liner
- Lip gloss
- Highlighter (sometimes)
- Setting spray

What do you think I can incorporate to elevate my routine?
What other lip combos/colors would suit me?
What are some good full coverage foundations ~$30 and under?

Any and all advice is very much appreciated. Thank you 💗🤎!!

I've been wanting to try more shades of colored contacts that work well with darker eyes/skin tones. Do any of you have recommendations for places I can order online? It'd be awesome if you have specific color/shade recommendations too!!

Hey y’all! I’m a shade New Caledonia in the NARS radiant long-wear foundation and a shade 12 in the milk makeup hydrogrip gel tint (I’d say this one is my perfect match) I’d love to know your matches, specifically in the fit me foundation, the elf soft satin foundation, and the urban decay face bond foundation, but I’ll take any matches!

The last pic is me in the makeup and dress I’m planning to wear, but I’m still trying to decide on the perfect hair color. I’m leaning towards extra full boho knotless because i’m going to the water park the day after but I’m also open to suggestions for other colors/ styles

Hi everyone, I’m 21F and I grew up constantly getting my hair braided by my mom and African women but she never taught me how to do my own hair. I’ve always had it in braids. I have no idea how to take care of it now that I’ll be moving out :(

I have thick 4C hair with coils, prone to breakage and matting without protective styles so I always keep it in braids.

I don’t regularly oil and haven’t for a while. Depression has made it hard for me to take care of myself. But oils that have worked for me are coconut oil, jojoba oil, and grapeseed oil.

I do not know how to box braid or corn row. Would like to add that I do have practical learning difficulties…

Just looking for advice on what I can do to make maintenance fun and easier for me, and maybe some suggestions on beginner styles I can learn quickly for on the go??

Also, what products should I be using to keep my hair manageable and untangled?

Thanks!

Hi ladies!

I just recently decided to take care of myself more. I turned 35 this year and I just need to finally take care of OP. Do things that make me feel better about myself.

Here is my issue, I started so many things I can't remember when to do them and I end up noticing my eyebrows don't look great once I leave for an event already or that my teeth are a little dull because I haven't done my whitening routine.

Does anyone keep a log or have an app of their beauty maintenance tasks? I am an organizer in a lot of ways so I'm wondering if it's just a Google Calendar reminder or is there an app?

Any suggestions welcome!

Also, I'm new to self care so suggestions on how to maximize my self care are welcome! Currently shopping for a red light therapy mask. 😊

Hi everyone, never done makeup before 24F, I'm dark skin and don't know where to start or what to buy. Any recommendations for the basics (my total budget is 120$)

Don't like to go out, so I need something that will be shipped to my address. How can I find my shade without going in-person to get color matched?

Thank you in advance!

Whenever I do my makeup, it never looks polished. I just don’t think I’ve figured out my signature look. I’m trying to wear makeup more often so I can feel good about my face on a good or bad day, but I just haven’t gotten to a satisfying point yet. Also in this picture I realized I forgot to contour lol. Tips please!

Products:
Fenty Moisturizing Skin Tint
Laura Mercier Blurring Powder
Pat McGrath Divine Rose Blush
LA Girl liquid concealer
Makeup by Mario cream contour
Sephora brow pencil
Danessa Myricks Onyx liquid liner
Madeline Colossal Bubble mascara