u/Flat-Distribution299

These are just the tips, basics, and products I personally tend to recommend to people based on what’s worked for me and others over the years. Makeup is SUPER personal, so obviously tweak this to suit your own face shape, style, aesthetic, skin type, budget, and comfort level.
Some people like softer/natural makeup, some people like full glam, alt, emo, goth, douyin, clean girl, etc. There’s no “correct” way to do makeup.

This is mainly aimed at beginners who don’t know where to start yet, because makeup can feel genuinely overwhelming at first. Once you learn the basics and understand your own face better, experimenting becomes way easier and honestly way more fun.

Also:
You do not need luxury makeup to look good. A lot of the difference comes down to technique, blending, placement, and practice — not just expensive brands.

Basic Skincare

You don’t need a complicated routine. Keep it simple.
Cleanser → Moisturiser → SPF (daytime)

Moisturiser
Hydrates skin and helps makeup sit smoother. Everyone needs it, even oily skin.

Toner (optional)
Extra hydration, not required.

Eye cream
Helps under-eyes look less dry/tired (won’t fix no sleep but helps a bit).

$$ - haruharu wonder Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream, Smooths Fine Lines & Crow’s Feet, Reduces Puffiness & Dark Circles

SPF
Most important step. Protects skin and keeps it looking good long-term.

I don’t usually recommend any moisturisers and toners because everyone’s have different skin types.

Don’t ignore your body
If you want a smooth, “put together” look, don’t just do your face.
- Moisturise your body (arms, legs, chest, etc.) for overall smooth skin texture
- Body oils can help lock in hydration and give a soft glow, especially after showers
- Even simple lotion daily makes a big difference in how your skin looks and feels
- Exfoliation is key

Consistency > expensive products

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Hair Care Basics (Actually Important)
Healthy hair makes a bigger difference than people think. Even simple care can completely change how “put together” you look.

Split ends
Be aware of split ends (seriously) — they happen from heat, brushing too harshly, or no trims. Once hair splits, it can’t really be repaired, only trimmed off.

Curl control / mousse
If you have wavy or curly hair, curl control mousse helps define curls and reduce frizz without needing heat styling. It gives a softer, more controlled look.

Shampoo & conditioner (important)
Not all hair is the same — using the right shampoo/conditioner for your hair type matters a lot.
Dry hair → hydrating/moisturising formulas
Oily hair → lighter, balancing formulas
Curly hair → more moisture + frizz control

Leave-in serum
Leave-in serums help reduce frizz, add shine, and make hair feel smoother and healthier throughout the day.
$ - L’Oréal Paris Elvive Glycolic Gloss Leave-In Serum (for shine + smoothness, suitable for most hair types)

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(ADDED)

SO UNDERATED BUT IMPORATANT

Dermaplaning / Peach Fuzz (Face Shaving)

The “peach fuzz” on your face sits in the outer layer of skin (the dermal/epidermal surface area), and removing it can actually help makeup apply a lot smoother.

You don’t want residue makeup to hover over your microhairs, creates a certain cakey look.

You can just use a normal razor or a dermal razor

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Makeup Basics

Primer
Primer helps makeup stick better, last longer, smooth texture, and can help reduce dry patches or pores showing through foundation. Think of it like prepping a wall before painting it.

$$ - Neutrogena Hydro Boost Glow Booster Primer & Serum

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Foundation / BB Cream
Shade testing is REQUIRED. Foundation oxidizes after around 5–10 minutes, meaning the color can darken or slightly change once it dries. Always wait before deciding if the shade matches.

Tools for applying helps as well (you can use your fingers but if you want to have a more even application use the below). Just remember to wash after or else you risk pimples after extended use)
- Brush
- Sponge Blender

BB Cream = lighter, more natural coverage
Foundation = more coverage and better for hiding beard shadow/redness

$ - Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless (Medium Coverage)
$$ - Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream (Medium Coverage)
$$$ - Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Matte Foundation (Full Coverage)

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Blush

Blush adds life back into the face after foundation flattens everything out. [Alternatively you can opt out if you prefer a more emo/alt style]

Liquid Blush (Harder to use)
Powder Blush (Easier to use)

Also: blush blindness is REAL. You stop noticing how much blush you’ve added. Check your makeup in different lighting before leaving the house 😭

$ - NYX Buttermelt Blush
$ - NYX Fat Cheeks Blush
$$ - ColourPop Powder & Liquid Blushes

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Setting Spray

Setting powder = controls oil and physically sets makeup

Setting spray = melts makeup together and helps everything look more skin like/natural

Setting spray helps melt makeup together and keeps it from separating throughout the day. Different sprays give different finishes:
Matte = less shiny/oily
Dewy = glowy skin look
Long-wear = makeup survives longer

$ - KOSE Make Keep Mist EX Setting Spray

$ - NYX setting Power

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Eyes / Lashes / Brows

Eyebrows

Eyebrows shape your face WAY more than people realize. If you can’t afford brow techs or don’t know how to shape brows yet, literally just clean up the random outer corner hairs and obvious stray hairs. Even basic maintenance makes a huge difference.

Mascara
Mascara opens the eyes and makes lashes more visible. Honestly, most mascaras are pretty similar. Technique matters more.

$ - Any eyelash curler
$ - Maybelline mascaras (great cheap options)
$$$ - Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara

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Eyeshadow

You do NOT need crazy colors immediately. Start with neutral shades first and learn blending.

$ - ColourPop Eyeshadows
$ - NYX Neutral Eyeshadow Palettes
$$$ - Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Palette

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Makeup Brushes
$ - ColourPop Brush Sets
$$$ - MECCA Brush Sets

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Eyeliner

Liquid Eyeliner
Best for sharp wings and dramatic looks. Harder to learn but looks amasing once mastered. (Prati ce makes perfect)
$ - NYX Epic Ink Pen
$ - NYX Epic Ink Micro Liner

Pencil Eyeliner
Way easier for beginners and softer looking.
$ - NYX Epic Wear Liner Stick (Black)

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Secret Tech: White Waterline Eyeliner
Putting white eyeliner on your lower waterline makes your eyes look bigger and brighter. Small trick but genuinely changes the whole eye look.

Liquid (hard mode):
$ - NYX Epic Wear Semi-Permanent Liquid Liner White
Pencil (easy mode):
$ - NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil “Milk”

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Eyelash Extensions / False Lashes
I highly recommend people try false lashes at least once. They completely change a makeup look and honestly were a game changer for a lot of people getting into makeup.

Personally, I think they help a LOT with dysphoria because they make your eyes look softer, bigger, and more feminine even without makeup on. They also reduce how much effort you need daily since you can wake up already looking more “done.”

$ - DUO Eyelash Glue
$ - Literally any Cheap AliExpress/Temu lash sets

Eyelash Extensions
Eyelash extensions are semi-permanent lashes individually attached to your natural lashes by a lash technician. Depending on care and your natural lash cycle, they usually last around 2–4 weeks before needing refills.

$$ - Manual lash kit
Manual lash extension kits are honestly a game changer if you can’t afford regular lash appointments or don’t want the maintenance of salon extensions. Def increasing trend so it’s a bit more affordable and available.

$$$$ - Professional lash technician
[Requires money lol]

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Eyebrow Pencils

Used to fill sparse areas and shape brows slightly.

You honestly don’t need expensive ones.

$ - NYX or Maybelline brow pencils

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Lipstick

Completely personal preference honestly.

Just wear whatever makes you feel good.

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Removal of makeup

micellar water

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Other “Secret Tech”
Freckle pens/stamps
Freckle face stickers
Sparkle freckles
White inner-corner highlight
Lip liner slightly outside natural lip line
Brown liner + gloss combo
Color corrector for beard shadow
Lash clusters instead of full strip lashes
Setting powder ONLY where needed

This is mainly based on what I usually recommend to people starting makeup, especially transfems/trans girls who feel overwhelmed at first, so I’m curious what other people consider essential starter knowledge/products too.

I also have my own perspectives on basic exercise, diet, and general health if anyone is interested in that kind of stuff as well. I’m happy to share what’s worked for me and what I’ve learned over time, but again it’s all just general advice and everyone’s body and situation is different.