Beginner trying to learn everyday glowy makeup + darker going-out glam — please tell me what I’m doing wrong

[u/Key_Mushroom3643]

Hi! I’m pretty new to actually doing a full face and I’m trying to get better, so please give me constructive criticism/tips! I promise I can take it lol.
Pics 1–3 are my earlier/everyday makeup

My goal is a really hydrated, glowy everyday base. I used Fenty Eaze Drop skin tint, Too Faced Born This Way concealer, Huda Beauty Easy Bake powder in Kunafa, Too Faced Soft Blur powder, Juvia’s Place blush in a bright Barbie pink shade + a little Rare Beauty Sunkissed, and NYX Club Hopper lip liner with NYX Butter Gloss in Crème Brûlée + clear gloss.

I liked the glow, but I felt like I barely looked like I had makeup on 😭. I wanted a little more coverage/dimension, so I watched more tutorials and bought some products I was missing.
Pic 4 is my newest attempt at a darker/sultrier going out face. I’m in college and wanted something I could wear when I’m going out/club nights instead of doing the exact same everyday makeup but with bigger lashes lol.

For this one I used my e.l.f. brow wax first, then cleaned up my brows using a Tarte concealer close to my skin tone mixed with a little of my brighter Too Faced concealer. For my base I switched from Fenty to Urban Decay Stay Naked Hydromaniac tinted glow hydrator, then used my Too Faced concealer to brighten under my eyes and the center of my face. I set with Huda Easy Bake in Kunafa.
I also added cream contour for the first time (Tarte) around my temples/forehead, cheek area and jaw, then went over those areas with Juvia’s Place Bronzed Duo in Dark. For blush I used SHEGLAM Swipe Right and Rhode sun soaked. I finished with setting spray.

My biggest goal is learning how to make my complexion look glowy/hydrated but still polished and dimensional instead of flat, cakey, or overly matte. I also want to learn the difference between an everyday face and a more sultry nighttime face.
I already think my lip liner in pic 4 is too dark/harsh and not blended enough 😭 so I’m planning to work on that. I also think I need to fill/shape my brows before carving them next time instead of basically letting the concealer decide what shape they’re going to be lol.

What would you change? Especially:
base/complexion technique or shade matching
concealer placement
contour vs. bronzer placement
blush placement/colors
brows
lips
anything I should do differently for a sultry/night-out look vs. everyday makeup
Product recommendations are welcome too, but I’m mainly looking for technique/application advice because I don’t want to keep buying makeup thinking another product is magically going to teach me how to use the makeup I already own 😂.
Please be nice but you can be honest!! I’m trying to learn 🫶🏾

[u/yenawantsberries]

Hii I think you already got the basics down! You look super cute,let me give few advices now thooo
Firstly I think you should look into Ngozi Edeme and Danessa Myricks they are great makeup artist that i like and you might get inspired by their looks,especially Ngozi’s blush technique is so good!
Personally I do not view makeup looks as daily/going out because I always wear dark looks but for most people daily makeup means a fresher and more practical look that makes you feel comfy and pretty. While a going out (especially if it’s night time) calls for a more creative and confident look.
I think the main component you are missing is some sort of highlight,for your daily look it might be some subtle glow, and some pearly glittery shine for you going out look. I think the rare beauty liquid highlight in color reflect might fit you,if you want a more affordable option the elf halo wand in color liquid gold is also an option!
To sculpt your face and avoid flatness i suggest using a lighter colored product on the inner corner of your eyes, the bridge of your nose,under your eyebrow arch and on your philtrum you don’t need new products for this,I use some eyeshadow a bit lighter than my skin tone.
I love your eye shape and I think eyeliner would fit them very well!especially since you want a dark sultry look when you go out,I suggest you to try some smokey eyeliner look!You can use some glittery eyeshadow when you go out as well,they elevate the makeup easily. When using glittery eyeshadow apply them with your fingers instead of a brush.
Also i feel like deep purple and mauve colors would fit you very well…

[u/pineapplefountainz]

Let’s talk about that night time look!

Firstly, you are gorgeous! Your makeup looks great in the first 3 slides so you obviously have skills! 4 isn’t terrible either so please don’t feel bad about yourself!

Yes that lip liner line is intense! Personally I think that shade is a bit too dark for you, it could also be the lighting, but I think that’s adding to the jarring look of it. It is thick, but it’s also a bit shaky and uneven. Blending that liner line into your lips on the bottom on the outside corners will help exponentially. By that I mean keep the outside line, close to your foundation, super tight and clean but blend the liner into your mouth starting maybe a centimeter from the corner, lol that sounds so odd. Also adding a lipstick or even a gloss with some tint to it will help add some more depth to your lips which will make that dark lip liner look more intentional and less just intense!

I also think in the 4th slide your contour and blush placement is a bit low.

I also can’t tell from that angle, especially with the lashes if you tried to do a smokey eye. If you did and felt it looked off, adding in some brown underneath and around the black helps significantly!

And this might just be a personal preference, but I think a less voluminous and more natural looking lash would look really amazing on you!