Makeup Artist Course

Different Types of Makeup Styles: by National Institute of Cosmetology, India

Introduction:

Welcome to the exciting world of beauty in 2025! This year, makeup trends have taken a bold turn, offering a diverse array of styles that cater to every preference. In makeup styles of 2025, we are exploring everything from the subtle allure of nude makeup to the glamour of bridal makeup. Join us on this beauty journey as we highlight key products for each style, ensuring you’re on-trend and ready to experiment.

Different Types of Makeup Styles

1. Nude Makeup

Nude makeup aims to enhance natural beauty without appearing heavily made-up. It focuses on achieving a flawless complexion while keeping the overall look subtle. Use lightweight foundations and concealers to even out your skin tone. emphasize features with neutral tones, and opt for sheer lip colors. This look is all about enhancing your natural beauty with soft, neutral tones. Think light foundations or BB creams, nude lip shades, subtle blush, and a touch of mascara.

  • Ideal for: Everyday wear, office settings, and minimal bridal looks
  • Ideal Season: Although natural cosmetics may be worn in any season, its fresh-faced, natural look makes it more popular in the spring and summer. A gentle, neutral nude style might go well with the lighter attire and flowering hues of spring. Summer, with its emphasis on a sun-kissed glow, is also a great time to wear cream-based makeup with a dewy finish for a nude look.

2. Dewy Makeup

Dewy makeup creates a fresh, radiant, “lit-from-within” glow, mimicking healthy, hydrated skin with a subtle sheen, the opposite of matte finishes. It focuses on moisture, light reflection, and natural texture, using hydrating formulas, glowy primers, cream products, and strategic highlighter for a youthful, plump, and effortless look that enhances rather than masks the skin.  Dewy makeup emphasizes a luminous, healthy glow. It involves products that create a fresh and hydrated appearance, giving the skin a radiant sheen. Apply illuminating primers, liquid highlighters, and dewy-finish foundations. Use cream-based blushes for a youthful flush. Hydrating primer, water based moisturizer for a dewy base, and liquid highlighter for a radiant complexion. The opposite of matte, dewy makeup emphasizes a glowy, radiant complexion. It incorporates hydrating products, light-reflecting highlighters, and cream-based products to create a fresh, youthful vibe.

  • Ideal for: Dry skin types, spring/summer weddings, Gen Z trends
  • Ideal Season: Despite being adaptable and suitable for all seasons, dewy makeup is especially well-liked in the fall and winter since it helps with the dryness and drabness that come with the colder months. In humid locations, it’s also a fantastic choice for the monsoon season, giving off a bright, natural appearance.
  • Spring is here, and we’re ready to celebrate it with a fresh, glowing face. The dewy makeup look we see all over social media and runways is the perfect way to celebrate this season of new beginnings. It’s all about making your skin look like it’s been kissed by the early morning dew in the garden.  We love this look because it’s on-trend and accessible. With six steps and a few Beauty Society favorites, you can master the spring-dew trend.

    1. Establish a Dew-Ready Base

    A smooth foundation is a must for creating a dewy makeup look. Start by cleansing your skin and applying your favorite Beauty Society moisturizer. Keep It Light is an excellent choice for oily or combination skin. If your skin tends to be dry, use Anytime Anywhere or another intensive moisturizer.

    Next, apply a thin layer of Photo Shoot Facial Primer. It might seem contradictory to apply a mattifying primer when you’re going for a dewy look, but the goal here is to control oil. Using a matte primer helps prevent oiliness from overtaking your dew-kissed glow. It also provides a gripping base for your foundation and glow products.

    2. Even Skin Tone & Hide Imperfections

    Once you’ve primed your skin, it’s time to even out your skin tone and make your face look flawless. We’re using our Sheer Joy tint to provide coverage that doesn’t look too heavy. The trick here? Use a light hand. Thick or caked-on foundation will diminish the natural glow that the dewy makeup look is supposed to mimic. Use as little tint or foundation as possible to even out your skin tone.

    We usually apply Sheer Joy with a foundation brush. For a dew-kissed look, though, we’re going to switch to makeup sponges. Start by misting or wetting your sponge so that it’s barely moist to the touch. A slightly damp sponge will add to the dewy look and boost your skin’s overall hydration. Next, apply just enough tint or foundation to even out your skin tone and cover any blemishes.

    3. Add a Little Flush

    You’ve created a perfect foundation. Now it’s time to add a pop of color for that flushed, spring-forward look. You can use your favorite blush or bronzer to apply some color to your cheekbones. The classic dewy look features light blush, but you can use as little or as much color as you want here.

    The brighter your cheeks, the deeper your flush will look. You can build beautiful color with our Crush Lip & Cheek Tint. Of course, no matter your blush or bronzer, stick to cream or liquid formulas. Powder products tend to sit on top of the skin and make it look uneven and flaky.

    4. Get Your Highlight On

    Adding bursts of light to the high points on your face will enhance your natural radiance and create that dewy glow. We recommend sticking with a liquid or cream highlighter. Apply the highlighter to the high points of your cheeks, the bridge of your nose, the center of your forehead, and right above the cupid’s bow on your lip. A touch of highlighter will add an extra glow that makes the spring-dew makeup look pop.

    Don’t forget to highlight your eyes too! Use our white eye pencil to add soft color to the inner corners of your eyes. Then, gently smudge with a brush or sponge for a refreshed, glowing look. You can also add a touch of white to the arch of your brows and below your lash line to make your eyes look bigger and brighter.

    If you struggle with undereye discoloration or puffiness, dab on some Upgrade caffeinated botanical eye cream before applying highlighter. It will wake up your eyes and provide a perfect base for blending your pencil highlights. You can also apply a few dabs of Upgrade in the afternoon to revive and refresh your look in a pinch.

    5. Gloss It Up

    A wet, glossy lip is a must if you’re going for a dewy-fresh face, so you’ll want to apply a little Lip Glisten. It adds that final splash of color as an opaque gloss without distracting from your dewy look. Of course, if you really want your lips to pop, line them in a lip pencil before glossing up. It’s classic ’90s.

    6. Finish & Set for Success

    The final step to achieving a fresh, dewy makeup look is to set your skin with a finishing mist or powder. Our UnderCover ultra-hydrating, blue-light protection mist is perfect for the job. This mist sets your makeup to look great all day without constant retouching. It also adds a splash of hydration to keep your skin healthy and bring out that dewy glow.

3. Airbrush Makeup

Airbrush makeup provides a flawless finish with a lightweight feel. It involves using an airbrush machine to spray a fine mist of makeup onto the skin. Practice controlled spraying for an even application. Build coverage gradually and focus on achieving a natural-looking complexion.

Applied using an airbrush machine instead of brushes or sponges, this technique gives a flawless, feather-light finish. The makeup is sprayed onto the skin in a fine mist, creating a smooth, even layer.

  • Ideal for: Brides, HD shoots, humid environments
  • Ideal Season: Because of its long-lasting, sweat-resistant, and waterproof properties, airbrush makeup is a fantastic choice for any season, but it works especially well for warmer months and outdoor events. Although it works well for many skin types, people with oily skin or those who require makeup that can resist heat, and moisture will benefit most from it.

5. Matte Makeup

Matte makeup focuses on a shine-free finish. It’s known for its long-lasting properties and velvety appearance. Use matte foundationssetting powders, and lipsticks. Control shine with blotting papers throughout the day.

This makeup style gives a velvety, shine-free finish that lasts for hours, especially in humid climates. Matte makeup uses oil-free foundations, powders, and matte lipsticks to create a clean, sophisticated look.

  • Ideal for: Oily skin types, long events, formal occasions
  • Ideal Season: Because matte makeup can control shine and oil production, it is often best suited for warmer seasons like summer and monsoon. It can, however, also be a fantastic option for fall, offering a smooth, elegant appearance, particularly when combined with richer fabrics.
  • How to Create a Matte Makeup Look to Boost Your Beauty

    How to Create a Matte Makeup Look to Boost Your Beauty Game

    Matte makeup look has set its mark on the heart of beauty enthusiasts with its smooth and finished look. For those who have oily skin and are looking to control the shine throughout the day or prefer a simple, long-lasting, polished finish, matte makeup look, it is a great go-to option for any occasion or event. If you are a newbie to the makeup world or are less aware of how to get a matte makeup look, then no worries. With us, here you can discover the world of matte makeup look and master the application techniques to become a pro.

    What Exactly is a Matte Makeup Look?

    To put it simply, the matte makeup look aims to control the shine and create a smooth, airbrushed finish. This makeup look is ideal for people with oily or combination skin. However, anyone can rock it for a long-lasting and flawless base. Oil-free products are highly preferred for this look as they absorb the excess oil on your skin and prevent makeup from slipping or fading throughout the day.

    Steps to Wear a Matte Makeup Look to Ace the Beauty

    Now that you have understood what exactly a matte makeup look is, you are all set to learn the makeup steps to achieve a flawless matte makeup look.

    1. Clean Your Face

    Cleaning your skin and pampering it ensures a long-lasting makeup look. Hence, you should start by washing your face using a gentle cleanser that suits your skin type. This helps to remove dirt, oil, or leftover makeup from the day before from your face. Newly applied makeup adheres better on the properly cleaned and moisturized skin.

    2. Moisturize Your Skin

    After cleaning your face, thoroughly moisturize your skin with a lightweight and oil-free moisturizer. While choosing a moisturizer, look for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, which hydrates the skin without making it greasy. A good moisturizer will provide essential hydration to your skin to keep it plumpy and healthy, even when having layers of matte products on top. Here, the aim is to create a balance where your skin is hydrated but not so much that it becomes oily and disrupts your matte makeup look. Allow the moisturizer to dry completely before proceeding to the next step. This will let the product sink in and prevent your primer from slipping on top.

    3. It’s Time For Primer

    Face primer acts as a protective layer between your skin and other makeup layers. It creates a soft, smooth, and even surface for your foundation to glide on and makes it last longer. Our Character Makeup Base forms an even natural makeup base by significantly covering pores and acne scars.

    While applying this primer, remember that little is more. Take a dime-sized amount of face primer on the back of your hand. You can use your fingertips to warm up the primer slightly, then apply it in a thin layer all over your face. Ensure that you focus on areas that are prone to oiliness, like the forehead, nose, and chin. You can also apply a slightly thicker layer to specific areas where you desire extra shine control. Gently pat the primer onto your skin to ensure it’s evenly distributed and fully absorbed before moving to the next step.

    4. Create Foundation Base

    Now, it’s time to apply an even layer of foundation on your face. You have to choose a matte foundation that suits your skin tone perfectly. For a natural look, you can apply a thin layer of Character Silky Matte Foundation, as it works wonders. All you have to do is grab a damp makeup sponge or buffing brush. Start to build up the coverage where needed by focusing on areas you want to conceal. The silky matte foundation glides on your skin and blends well, offering medium to full coverage to hide the pores and acne scars. Remember to start by taking a small amount of foundation and increase gradually as required. Applying excess product will make your makeup layer look cakey.

    5. Conceal Imperfections

    Once the foundation is set, you can move towards concealing. By using concealer for face, you can quickly address and hide any blemishes, dark circles, or redness that may be peeking through your foundation. Choose the best matte concealer that is one shade lighter than your foundation shade. This will help to brighten up those areas without looking too unnatural. Now, spot the imperfections and apply the concealer directly in small dots. Using a small concealer brush or your fingertips, you can gently blend the concealer outwards. Tap the concealer into the skin rather than swiping it back and forth. This will create a flawless finish without disturbing the layer of foundation underneath. Also, be mindful while using the amount of concealer, as this can accentuate imperfections instead of concealing them.

    6. Sweep Compact Powder

    Before you move further, set these layers of foundation and concealer by blending compact or loose powder across your face with a fluffy brush. You need to choose the right compact powder to achieve the flawless results and get the desired matte makeup look.

    7. Define Your Brows

    While doing any type of makeup, well-defined brows frame your face and truly enhance your entire look. You can use an eyebrow palette or eyebrow pen to fill in sparse areas and shape your brows flawlessly the way you desire. Character Brow Palette furnishes you with multiple shade options to choose the suitable one for creating perfectly defined eyebrows.

    8. Put Eyeshadow

    Matte eyeshadows from the eyeshadow palette are your best friend when it comes to creating a matte makeup look. Select an eyeshadow palette with a mix of matte and shimmery shades to add a subtle touch of glam. Character 28 Colour Eyeshadow Palette is best for you to try different makeup looks. This shimmery and matte eyeshadow kit offers a range of shades to choose from that are suitable for your makeup look. Pick a light and subtle shade and start applying your base shade all over your lid using a brush. Then, gradually build the dimension with darker shades in the crease and outer corners of your eye. Blend the shades seamlessly to ensure a remarkable transition between colors.

    9. Add Little Blush

    A little touch of blush adds a healthy flush of colour to your cheeks. Pick a Majestic Blush Palette from Character Cosmetics that comprises a combination of shimmer and matte shades. You can choose a suitable blush shade for your skin tone. Using a fluffy brush apply a small amount of blush shade to the apple of your cheeks and blend them upwards towards your temples.

    10. Bronze It Up

    Bronzer can be used while doing matte makeup look to add warmth and definition to your face. Pick a shade that’s slightly warmer than your foundation and apply it in a subtle “3” shape on the sides of your forehead, temples, and cheekbones. Grab a sponge and blend it thoroughly to avoid any harsh lines.

    11. Dust Some Highlighter

    While a matte makeup look aims to minimize shine, you can still incorporate a touch of face highlighter for a subtle glow. Grab a suitable shade of Character Promise Highlighter and dust it on the tops of your cheekbones, brow bone, and cupid’s bow.

    12. Mattify Your Lips

    After completing all the makeup steps, it’s now time to apply a matte lipstick. Pick from the range of liquid matte lipstick or matte bullet lipstick. Apply lip primer before lipstick to create a smooth base, then evenly apply the lipstick shade across your lips. Allow it to dry and set properly. You can even try Character Revolution Matte Lipstick or Creamy Matte Long Lasting Lipstick to complete your matte makeup look and make lipstick last longer.

    13. Finish It With Makeup Setting Spray

    This is an essential step for a long-lasting matte look. You can grab a Character Mattifying Setting Spray to lock in your makeup and prevent shine throughout the day. Hold the spray at your arm’s length and mist your face evenly. Later, allow it to dry completely before moving on.

 6. Pastel Makeup

Pastel makeup involves soft, muted shades that create a dreamy and whimsical look. Experiment with pastel eye shadows, blushes, and lip colors. Blend shades seamlessly for a subtle yet impactful effect.

7. Natural Makeup

Natural makeup aims to enhance features while maintaining a barely-there look. It’s perfect for a casual, everyday appearance. Use minimal foundation, focus on enhancing the eyes and brows, and opt for sheer lip colors.

8. HD Makeup

HD makeup is designed to look flawless on high-definition cameras, providing a smooth and polished appearance. Use products with finely milled pigments for a seamless finish. Blend meticulously to avoid any visible lines.

High Definition (HD) makeup is formulated to offer seamless, pore less coverage that looks flawless on camera—especially under harsh lighting or 4K video. It uses finely milled products that reflect light in a way that conceals imperfections.

  • Ideal for: Brides, models, TV presenters
  • Ideal Season: HD makeup works well in any season, although its advantages are most noticeable in the warmer months and on special occasions like weddings. It is an excellent option for occasions where you want your makeup to remain fresh and photo-ready for prolonged periods of time because to its long-lasting and natural-looking results.

9. Bridal Makeup

Bridal makeup is characterized by a long-lasting, radiant look that enhances the bride’s natural beauty. Use waterproof and long-wearing products. Focus on a balanced complexion, defined eyes, and a romantic lip color. Bridal makeup is tailored to ensure the bride looks flawless, elegant, and photo-ready throughout the wedding day. It blends long-lasting base products, waterproof liners, and high-definition techniques.

  • Comes in various styles: Minimal, glam, traditional, airbrush
  • Ideal Technique: To guarantee a faultless, long-lasting look, pay close attention to skincare, application methods, and product selections when getting ready for bridal makeup. Using the appropriate primer and setting spray, maintaining a regular.
  • 8. Smokey Makeup

    Smokey Makeup

    A classic eye-focused look, smokey makeup uses blended dark eyeshadows, kohls, and liners to create a sultry, dramatic effect. It can range from black and brown tones to more colorful versions like plum or green.

    • Ideal for: Parties, evening events, bridal receptions
    • Ideal Season: You may wear smokey eye makeup in any season because it is so adaptable. The secret is to modify the hues and level of intensity according to the situation and your own tastes. Darker, deeper hues like black, gray, and deep browns are perfect for evening appearances, while softer, more neutral hues like browns, taupes, or even a light plum are best for daytime.
    • 9. Shimmery Makeup

      Shimmery Makeup

      Shimmery makeup incorporates light-reflecting pigments—such as highlighters, glitter eyeshadows, and glossy lips—to create a glowing, party-ready look. It adds dimension and sparkle to any makeup style.

      • Ideal for: Festivals, weddings, night-outs
      • Ideal Season: Although it may be used all year round, shimmery makeup is especially well-liked in the summer and around the holidays. While the festive season demands more sparkle, summer is a fantastic time for a dewy, radiant appearance.

      These are some types of makeup you see, depending on occasion, skin type, purpose, face shape, colour, and more. When it comes to makeup, there is NO one size fits all! Every face is unique, and so is the makeup that goes on it.

      And if you’re not sure where to start your career as a makeup artist, or how to evaluate your options, this guide on choosing the right makeup artist course can help you make an informed decision based on your career goals and learning style.