Before beauty influencers dominated our feeds and before every makeup technique had a name, learning how to apply makeup often involved a lot of trial and error. Today, however, YouTube tutorials, TikTok videos and social media creators have made beauty education more accessible than ever.
For many women, the path to mastering makeup was finding a creator whose content seemed relatable, practicing consistently, and developing a personal style over time. We asked several women how they learned to apply makeup, and their answers reveal a common theme: There’s not just one way to become good at it.
“I was watching YouTube”
For a 27-year-old FlowsYouTube was the ultimate beauty school.
“I was watching YouTube. Dinmma Umeh and Uche NatoriUser channels have helped a lot.”
Like many beauty enthusiasts, she learned the fundamental techniques by following creators whose content broke down makeup in a way that was easy to understand and replicate.
“I learned before I even bought the products”
Deborah23, spent her time consuming beauty content long before she had any makeup herself.
“I started watching beauty TikTok a lot even when I didn’t buy the products. So when I finally got the products, I already knew what and where to use them.”
For her, learning began with observation. By the time she was ready to put together a makeup collection, she already had a solid understanding of application techniques.
“Learning never stops”
Bisi31, initially took a course in professional make-up, but quickly realized that her real education would happen outside of the classroom.
“I paid for a makeup course and only went three times. Then I figured out my own way. With makeup, there’s continuous learning, so I just look at other people’s work.”
Her experience highlights an important truth about beauty: trends evolve, techniques change, and even seasoned makeup lovers are constantly learning.
“I experimented until I found my style”
For a 19 year old It hurtscreativity has played a huge role in her beauty journey.
“I bought products and started experimenting until I found my own style. I already have an artistic background, so it was easy.”
Instead of following strict rules, she approached makeup as an art form, allowing personal preference and creativity to shape her technique.
“Beauty creators have changed everything”
Esther22, laughs when she thinks about her first days of applying make-up.
“I used to have the worst face lol. Then I started watching some Nigerian beauties like MUA Glam by Omoye and Bibyonce.“
Like many others, discovering talented beauty creators helped her improve her skills and gain confidence in applying makeup.
Whether through YouTube tutorials, TikTok videos, professional courses, or simple experimentation, one thing is clear: learning makeup is a journey. There is no perfect formula, only practice, patience and the will to keep trying. And thanks to the wealth of beauty content available online today, finding your makeup style has never been easier.
