Matte Finish Makeup Tutorials

Easy

Viral & Aesthetic

Doe Eye

Creates a round, innocent, wide-awake look.

Hard

Viral & Aesthetic

Siren Eye

Elongated, sultry, and lifted.

Hard

Viral & Aesthetic

Fox Eye

Simulates a lifted, slanted eye shape.

Easy

Global Beauty

Puppy Eye

A K-Beauty staple for a sweet, youthful look.

Medium

Viral & Aesthetic

Cat Eye

The classic retro lift.

Easy

Viral & Aesthetic

Sleepy Eye

A grungy, 'tired-chic' look.

Hard

Viral & Aesthetic

Cut Crease

A sharp line of concealer is used to 'cut' across the eyelid crease, creating a stark contrast between the lid color and the crease shade.

Hard

Viral & Aesthetic

Half Cut Crease

The 'cut' only goes halfway across the lid (usually from inner corner to middle) and blends out softly at the outer edge.

Hard

Creative & Theatrical

Floating Crease

A graphic line drawn just above the natural crease, leaving negative space between the lash line and the liner.

Medium

Viral & Aesthetic

Smokey Eye

A seamless gradient of dark to light, with the darkest pigment at the lash line and no harsh lines.

Spotlight / Vertical Gradient makeup look

Medium

Viral & Aesthetic

Spotlight / Vertical Gradient

Colors are applied in vertical columns (e.g., light inner corner, medium center, dark outer V).

Hard

Creative & Theatrical

Graphic Liner

Geometric shapes, floating lines, and negative space designs using colored or black liner.

Hard

Viral & Aesthetic

Double Wing

Two parallel flicks at the outer corner.

Medium

Viral & Aesthetic

Reverse Cat Eye

The 'wing' comes from the bottom lash line rather than the top.

Hard

Global Beauty

Arabian / Bollywood Liner

Bold, jet-black liner that fully rims the eye (upper and lower waterlines) with a dramatic double wing.

Hard

Decade Throwbacks

1920s Flapper

Thin, downward-turned eyebrows, dark 'cupid's bow' lips, kohl-rimmed sad eyes.

Easy

Decade Throwbacks

1940s Utility

Minimal eye, 'victory red' matte lips, natural brows.

Medium

Decade Throwbacks

1950s Pin-Up

Winged black liner, matte skin, bold red lip, defined brows (Marilyn Monroe style).

Hard

Decade Throwbacks

1960s Mod

Twiggy-inspired.

Medium

Decade Throwbacks

1980s Power

Bright blue/purple eyeshadow, heavy 'draping' blush (blush up to the temples), bold fuchsia lips.

Medium

Decade Throwbacks

1990s Grunge (Era)

Smudged black eyeliner, matte brown lipstick, thin over-plucked brows, matte skin.

Hard

Decade Throwbacks

2016 Glam

The 'Instagram Era.' Heavy contour, 'baking' powder, thick dip-brow eyebrows, cut crease, ultra-matte liquid lipstick.

Medium

Viral & Aesthetic

Goth

White/pale base, heavy black eyeliner, black or dark red lipstick, sharp contour.

Medium

Decade Throwbacks

Scene

(Mid-2000s) Heavy black eyeliner rimming the whole eye, bright neon eyeshadows, concealer lips.

Easy

Viral & Aesthetic

Emo

Similar to Scene but darker; focused on black/red eyeshadow and heavy liner.

Easy

Viral & Aesthetic

Grunge (Aesthetic)

Messy, 'lived-in' makeup.

Medium

Viral & Aesthetic

E-Girl

Heavy blush over the nose, faux freckles, winged liner, hearts/stamps under eyes.

Medium

Viral & Aesthetic

Soft Glam

Full coverage but neutral tones.

Easy

Viral & Aesthetic

Cottagecore

Sun-kissed blush, faux freckles, minimal eye makeup, berry-stained lips.

Medium

Viral & Aesthetic

Latte Makeup

Monochromatic browns, caramels, and tans.

Medium

Viral & Aesthetic

Mob Wife

Smudged 'messy' smokey eye, brown lipliner, opulence over perfection.

Medium

Viral & Aesthetic

Office Siren

90s corporate chic.

Easy

Global Beauty

Igari (Japanese)

'Hangover makeup.' Heavy blush placed high under the eyes and over the bridge of the nose.

Medium

Techniques

Contouring

Using cool-toned dark shades to create shadows and recede features (cheekbones, jaw).

Medium

Techniques

Baking

Leaving loose powder on the face for 5-10 minutes to set concealer and sharpen contour lines.

Medium

Techniques

Draping

Using blush as contour, bringing it from the cheeks up to the temples and brow bone.

Medium

Techniques

Overlining

Drawing the lip liner slightly outside the natural lip border to fake fuller lips.

Hard

Decade Throwbacks

Ancient Egyptian

Kohl-rimmed eyes (to ward off evil/sun), green malachite eyeshadow, ochre lips.

Medium

Decade Throwbacks

Ancient Greek/Roman

Unibrow (sign of intelligence), pale skin (lead powder), beet-stained cheeks.

Hard

Decade Throwbacks

Elizabethan

Dead-white skin (ceruse), high plucked hairline, no eyebrows/lashes, red rouged cheeks.

18th Century French (Rococo) makeup look

Hard

Decade Throwbacks

18th Century French (Rococo)

Heavily powdered white faces, beauty marks (patches) to hide scars, extremely pink round circles of blush.

Hard

Decade Throwbacks

1920s Flapper (The Vamp)

Kohl-rimmed sad eyes, thin downward-turned brows, 'Cupid's Bow' dark lips.

Easy

Decade Throwbacks

1940s Wartime

'Victory' red lips, minimal eye makeup (rations), groomed natural brows.

Medium

Decade Throwbacks

1950s Pin-Up (Timeline)

Winged liner, matte skin, red lip, pastel eyeshadows.

Hard

Decade Throwbacks

1960s Mod (Timeline)

Floating crease (Twiggy), white eyeshadow, painted-on lower lashes, pale nude lips.

Medium

Decade Throwbacks

1960s Hippie

Face paint flowers, natural skin, no mascara.

Medium

Decade Throwbacks

1970s Punk

Heavy black eyes, jagged liner.

Medium

Decade Throwbacks

1980s New Romantic/Power

'Draping' blush (temple to cheek), neon blue/purple eyeshadow, fuchsia lips, bushy brows.

Medium

Decade Throwbacks

1990s Supermodel

Matte brown lips, neutral matte sculpting, 'brick' tones.

Easy

Decade Throwbacks

1990s Grunge (Timeline)

Heroin chic, dark circles, smudged liner, pale skin.

2010s 'Instagram' / YouTube Guru makeup look

Hard

Decade Throwbacks

2010s 'Instagram' / YouTube Guru

Cut crease, heavy full-coverage foundation, baking, dip-brow (blocky brows), matte liquid lipstick, blinding highlighter.

Medium

Decade Throwbacks

2014 Tumblrcore

Grid aesthetic, purple holographics, dark lip.

Hard

Viral & Aesthetic

Trad Goth (Subculture)

White foundation, Siouxsie Sioux geometric liner, sharp cheekbones, black lips.

Medium

Viral & Aesthetic

Romantic Goth

Victorian influence, softer reds/purples, lace patterns.

Expert

Creative & Theatrical

Cyber Goth

Neon UV reactive makeup, bio-hazard symbols, shaved brows.

Easy

Viral & Aesthetic

Mall Goth

Smudged thick black liner, red eyeshadow, pale skin (Avril Lavigne era).

Easy

Viral & Aesthetic

Emo (Subculture)

Thick black eyeliner all around the rim, sometimes red eyeshadow.

Medium

Decade Throwbacks

Scene Queen

Neon blue/pink eyeshadow, raccoon eyeliner, nude 'concealer' lips, leopard print painted on temples.

Easy

Viral & Aesthetic

Grunge (Subculture)

'Slept-in' liner, matte skin, blurred berry lips.

Medium

Viral & Aesthetic

Punk

Anarchic, messy, often war-paint style markings.

Medium

Viral & Aesthetic

Rockabilly

50s style but harder—sharper wing, darker red lip.

Expert

Global Beauty

Visual Kei

(Japanese Rock) Androgynous, elaborate elaborate painted designs, sharp contour.

Easy

Global Beauty

Igari (J-Beauty)

'Hangover makeup.' Heavy blush right under the eyes and over the nose bridge.

Medium

Global Beauty

Jirai Kei

'Landmine' girl.

Medium

Viral & Aesthetic

Mob Wife (Modern)

Smudged smoky eye, brown lip liner.

Medium

Viral & Aesthetic

Office Siren (Modern)

90s corporate, thin brows, brown/grey tones.

Medium

Viral & Aesthetic

Latte Makeup (Modern)

Monochromatic browns, caramels, bronzes.

Medium

Viral & Aesthetic

Espresso Makeup

Darker, grunge version of Latte (deep browns).

Easy

Decade Throwbacks

Indie Sleaze

(2008-2012 Revival) Flash photography style, messy liner, effortless 'party' look.

Medium

Viral & Aesthetic

E-Girl (Modern)

Heavy blush on nose, heart stamps under eyes, winged liner.

Hard

Viral & Aesthetic

Baddie

Heavy contour, perfect matte skin, sharp brows.

Medium

Viral & Aesthetic

Dark Academia

Moody, matte browns, burgundy lips, 'tired student' eyes.

Medium

Viral & Aesthetic

Succubus Chic

Thin brows, hollow cheekbones, dark eye circles (intentional).

Hard

Global Beauty

Chola

(Mexican-American subculture) Sharp thin arched brows, dark brown lip liner with lighter center, winged liner.

Easy

Global Beauty

French Girl

Red matte lip, almost zero eye makeup, imperfect skin texture allowed.

Hard

Global Beauty

Bollywood Glam

Heavy kohl (Kajal) in waterline, gold shimmer, cut crease, bold lashes.

Hard

Global Beauty

Arabian Glam

Double winged liner, heavy black kohl, full coverage, sharp contour.

Expert

Creative & Theatrical

Drag (Western)

Blocking out natural brows, drawing new high brows, heavy baking, 'cutting' the cheek, overlining lips into nose area.

Expert

Creative & Theatrical

Club Kid

Avant-garde, face painting, gluing objects to face, masking features.

Hard

Creative & Theatrical

Clown

White base, exaggerated red mouth, geometric eye shapes.

Medium

Creative & Theatrical

Mime

White face, black tear, black lips, expressive brows.

Expert

Creative & Theatrical

Kabuki

(Japanese Theatre) White rice powder base, red/black distinct lines representing character traits (Kumadori).

Expert

Creative & Theatrical

Geisha

White base, red lips painted smaller than natural mouth, red accents on eyes.

Expert

Creative & Theatrical

Special Effects (SFX)

Gore, prosthetics, aging, bruising, creature design.

Expert

Creative & Theatrical

Body Painting

Full coverage art where the body is the canvas.

Hard

Techniques

Airbrush

Flawless, pixel-perfect finish (often for weddings/TV).

Easy

Techniques

Mineral Makeup

Powder-based, natural finish.

Medium

Techniques

Bakery Method

Baking (powder), cooking (letting product sit).

Medium

Techniques

Striping / Draping

Using blush to contour.

Medium

Viral & Aesthetic

Cloud Skin

Soft matte, hazy.

Medium

Viral & Aesthetic

Barbiecore

Hyper-feminine, hot pink everything.

Easy

Viral & Aesthetic

Brat

Chaotic, lime-green centric, messy 'party girl' aesthetic.

Medium

Viral & Aesthetic

Pastel Goth

Creepy but cute.

Medium

Global Beauty

Decora

Japanese street style focused on excessive accessories.

Medium

Creative & Theatrical

Steampunk

Victorian industrial sci-fi.

Easy

Viral & Aesthetic

Boyfriend Blush

Blush placed lower on the cheeks (below the cheekbone) to mimic a natural, athletic flush from exercise.

Hard

Viral & Aesthetic

Bleached Brows

Lightening eyebrows until they are invisible or blonde to create a high-fashion, alienesque canvas for eye makeup.

Easy

Viral & Aesthetic

Monochromatic

Using the exact same shade (often peach, mauve, or terracotta) for eyes, cheeks, and lips.

Hard

Creative & Theatrical

Negative Space Liner

Eyeliner that outlines a shape (like a cat eye) but leaves the inside empty/skin-colored.

Medium

Viral & Aesthetic

Old Money

More structured than 'Clean Girl'.

Hard

Global Beauty

Ganguro

A specific 90s/2000s Gyaru sub-style.

Hard

Viral & Aesthetic

Classic Bridal

Timeless, photography-friendly makeup.

Easy

Viral & Aesthetic

Corporate / Professional

Polished and commanding but conservative.

Hard

Viral & Aesthetic

Passport / ID Photo

Viral trend focused on extreme symmetry and matte finishes.

Expert

Viral & Aesthetic

Red Carpet / Black Tie

Full coverage and high durability.

Hard

Viral & Aesthetic

TV / Broadcast News

Full matte coverage to combat studio lights.

Medium

Creative & Theatrical

Festival Glam (Coachella)

Boho-chic mixed with durability.

Matte Finish Looks

Doe Eye

Siren Eye

Fox Eye

Puppy Eye

Cat Eye

Sleepy Eye

Cut Crease

Half Cut Crease

Floating Crease

Smokey Eye

Spotlight / Vertical Gradient

Graphic Liner

Double Wing

Reverse Cat Eye

Arabian / Bollywood Liner

1920s Flapper

1940s Utility

1950s Pin-Up

1960s Mod

1980s Power

1990s Grunge (Era)

2016 Glam

Goth

Scene

Emo

Grunge (Aesthetic)

E-Girl

Soft Glam

Cottagecore

Latte Makeup

Mob Wife

Office Siren

Igari (Japanese)

Contouring

Baking

Draping

Overlining

Ancient Egyptian

Ancient Greek/Roman

Elizabethan

18th Century French (Rococo)

1920s Flapper (The Vamp)

1940s Wartime

1950s Pin-Up (Timeline)

1960s Mod (Timeline)

1960s Hippie

1970s Punk

1980s New Romantic/Power

1990s Supermodel

1990s Grunge (Timeline)

2010s 'Instagram' / YouTube Guru

2014 Tumblrcore

Trad Goth (Subculture)

Romantic Goth

Cyber Goth

Mall Goth

Emo (Subculture)

Scene Queen

Grunge (Subculture)

Punk

Rockabilly

Visual Kei

Igari (J-Beauty)

Jirai Kei

Mob Wife (Modern)

Office Siren (Modern)

Latte Makeup (Modern)

Espresso Makeup

Indie Sleaze

E-Girl (Modern)

Baddie

Dark Academia

Succubus Chic

Chola

French Girl

Bollywood Glam

Arabian Glam

Drag (Western)

Club Kid