test lab: youtube makeup tutorials

Do you ever see trendy foods, beauty techniques or odd products and think “now that I have to try?” In this month’s Test Lab, I’m trying to make myself into a Kardashian by following YouTube makeup tutorials. ›

By Katie McPherson

The Claims

There are hundreds of thousands of makeup tutorial videos on YouTube, teaching everything from the basics of applying foundation to insane artistry. Watching YouTube is how I, and many others in my generation, learned to do our makeup (#raisedbytheinternet). But one thing I still haven’t mastered: eyeshadow. So, I’m going to follow a beginner’s tutorial on the halo eye, a supposedly easy way to get glam in a short amount of time. This could be lovely, or it could look like a black eye. Only time will tell.

The Experiment

I opted to follow a tutorial by RawBeautyKristi on doing a halo eye—darker on both corners, bright and metallic in the middle. I’ve never done this sort of look before, so I watched the video before committing to make sure I had the right tools and eyeshadows. All I needed was concealer, one flu y eyeshadow brush

The Results

Overall, I’m super happy with the results! I’m no pro by any means, but I now feel like dragging my husband to the nearest place with cocktails just so I can take my face out on the town. That said, I see a thousand ways this could have gone wrong if I weren’t used to following tutorial videos. With that in mind: and a flat concealer brush (or a craft paintbrush, honestly). And of course, shadows and mascara.

1. Be sure to watch a few videos about your topic of choice before starting. Find one that you really understand and think you can accomplish so you set yourself up for success.

I watched the video all the way through once to see how Kristi did the look first, and then played and paused as I went to make sure I was getting it right along the way.

2. Look for a YouTuber who has a similar ____ as you. If it’s an eye look, you want someone with similarly sized and shaped eyes. If it’s about foundation, find someone with the same type of skin (oily, dry, green and alien-like, whatever) and stick with them. The makeup artists who have these things in common with you will demonstrate the ways to make a look work for you.

3. Like cooking with a new recipe, watch the video all the way through before beginning. This ensures you have everything you need before you’re halfway done, looking like an angry raccoon, raging because you don’t have the right brush. This has been me. Don’t let it be you.