How to Apply Makeup with Your Hands

Maybe you’re a beginner when it comes to makeup and don’t have all the brushes, makeup blenders, and other application tools you see pros using to create your favorite makeup looks. Or maybe you’re traveling and can’t manage to bring all your beauty tools with you. Perhaps you’re in the midst of cleaning your makeup brushes and makeup blenders. Whatever the case, there are times where you may have to rely on your hands to apply your makeup. Not sure how? Keep reading to learn how to apply a full face of makeup using only your hands!

HOW TO APPLY MAKEUP WITH YOUR HANDS

Applying makeup with your hands requires the proper technique to ensure your makeup is blended and seamless. Here’s how to do it:

Step #1: Wash your hands

We can’t talk about applying makeup with your hands without mentioning hygiene! To ensure you aren’t spreading oils or germs onto your skin, wash up before starting on your makeup routine.

Step #2: Apply your primer

Like any makeup look, you want to start by applying a makeup primer to ensure your skin is prepped for foundation. Smooth the L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer over your skin, as you would a facial moisturizer, for a fresh, natural glow.

Step #3: Grab your foundation

If you’re applying foundation with your hands, stick with a liquid formula. Try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation. Apply the foundation in dots all over your face. Then, use the pads of your pointer and middle fingers to blend and spread the foundation out with a patting motion. This patting motion will mimic the use of a makeup blender and while it may take a little longer than simply smearing your foundation on, it'll leave you with a more flawless finish.

Step #4: Layer on concealer

To apply concealer using your hands, you want to use the same patting motion that you did for your foundation. Apply your concealer where you desire, then blend it out with your fingertips. Just as with foundation, a concealer with a liquid formula will be easiest to apply with your hands. Try the L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Super-Blendable Multi-Use Concealer.

Step #5: Add some color

When applying blush with your hands, it’s best to use a blush that has a cream formula so you can easily blend it onto your skin without worrying about the fallout that could occur with a powder formula. Swipe one of the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Longwear Blush Shaping Sticks onto the apples of your cheeks, then use the same patting technique to blend the product and smooth out any harsh lines.

Step #6: Highlight your face

The same rules we shared for applying blush can be applied to using highlighter. Apply one of the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Longwear Highlighter Shaping Sticks above your cheekbones, down the bridge of your nose, and on your cupid’s bow before blending out with your fingers using a patting motion.

Step #7: Apply eye shadow

Unfortunately, you won’t be able to create a bold smoky eye using just your hands—but that doesn’t mean you can’t sport some eye shadow! First, apply your base color (we recommend a cream shadow) to your eyelid by patting it on with your fingertips. Then, apply a nude or white eye shadow to the inner corner of your eye to instantly brighten your eyes and add some depth to your eye makeup look.

Step #8: Coat your lashes

While mascara doesn’t require using your hands for application (besides holding the wand, of course), no makeup look is complete without mascara. Apply a few coats of the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Washable Mascara in Blackest Black for voluptuous volume and intense length.

Step #9: Lipstick

A brush isn’t really necessary for lipstick application but instead of applying directly from the tube, you can use your fingers to pat on your lip color of choice for an on-trend blurred lip.

Want more makeup application tips? Check out our article, How to Apply Makeup: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide.