If you are new to makeup, or looking to step up your skills, you may be wondering what the best way is to learn. These days, many are turning to Youtube, learning to do makeup by watching several tutorials, with great results. These videos are also fun and relaxing to watch for many people.

However, with hundreds of thousands of makeup videos on Youtube, it can be hard to know where to start, and it is important to approach tutorials with a critical and keen eye. Here are some of our best tips for learning makeup from Youtube videos.

#1. First, watch full-face tutorials.

Full-face tutorials will give you an idea of the best order of product application, from beginning to end. Without an understanding of the overarching process, learning individual steps won’t do much. For example, learning an elaborate eyeshadow look won’t do much good if your foundation looks cakey or patchy, or if you haven’t laid down a correct base on your eyelids. Work on getting the whole process down before learning more granual skills.

#2. Watch several different Youtubers.

Different people do their makeup differently. Throughout Youtube, you will find creators with totally different styles and techniques. You can learn makeup from Youtube most effectively if you see several different application methods, and hear several different opinions. This way, if one method doesn’t work well for you, you’ll have several backup plans, and have some idea of how you might try differently next time.

#3. Be careful about product recommendations.

When Youtubers recommend products, it is worth it to look into whether or not they are being paid to do so. Many Youtubers make money through sponsorships, which often mean talking about a given product, service, or company for a paycheck. Legally, advertisers are required to disclose if their content contains an advertisement – and, we would like to believe that all of our favorite creators are honest and genuine with their audiences. However, there are rumors that some creators do not disclose sponsorship, instead acting like the product shout-out is unsolicited. So if a Youtuber says a certain product is their favorite, check the description to see if there is a sponsorship happening, and do a little googling to see if they have a pre-established relationship with the brand. Then, make your own decision.

#4. Don’t worry if you can’t keep up.

You may feel it’s best to follow along with a Youtuber’s tutorial while you’re watching. Keep in mind, however, that Youtubers edit their videos for time. So a full-face tutorial may only be 20 minutes long, even though in real life, it took them an hour to film! So be sure to have your finger near the pause button between steps to give yourself plenty of time to catch up.

#5. Don’t Use Cheap Eyeshadow

If you are looking to learn eyeshadow techniques from a tutorial, don’t skimp. Eyeshadows are a difficult product to work with if it is not high-quality. While there are a few rare drugstore brands that work well, the majority are harder to work with than more mid-range eyeshadows. Start with a neutral palette you know you will use a lot, and make a modest investment. It is unlikely that a palette under $10 will be made with the best pigmentation, blendability, and color layout to help you get a good result. And you won’t be able to properly test your skills if you’re not using a decent product.

#6. Match your skin tone in person.

While it is tempting to try to match your skin tone to a Youtuber’s, it’s close to impossible. Studio lighting changes the appearance of skin tone quite dramatically. Therefore if your favorite “close match” Youtuber uses foundation shade Beige, it is not necessarily safe to assume you are also Beige, just because you look alike. Instead, go to your local beauty store and ask for help shade-matching if needed. Stores like Sephora that have testers readily available will be most foolproof.

#7. Avoid “challenge” videos (or only watch them for fun)

Many Youtubers film videos known as “challenge” videos, which challenge them to do their makeup in a specific way – often by using only one product or application method (e.g. “Full Face Using Only Highlighter), using only cheap makeup (e.g. “Full Face of Dollar Store Makeup), or other unusual challenges (e.g. “Doing Makeup On An Airplane”) that make their rounds around Youtube. While fun to watch, these are less educational videos, as you would never normally be in a situation to do your makeup with restrictions.

#8. Try during your downtime.

The time to try a new makeup look, product, or application is when you are alone, with no plans to go out. Too often people make the mistake of trying something new right before an event. This causes panic, especially if you run short on time and need to start over. It also increases frustration, and makes you not want to try again in the future. However when you are all alone and stakes are low, mistakes are much easier to tolerate and learn from. It can even be fun to try new colors or “artsy” application techniques you never thought you would try, because no one is around to judge the outcome!

#9. Practice, practice, practice!

Makeup, like any artistic skill, takes time and practice. As you continue to learn, you will develop stronger preferences for what products look best on you, and for what application techniques you enjoy the most. You will also become more precise and steady-handed in your application, after you have spent lots of time learning makeup from Youtube and watching professionals in action. If your first several tries don’t turn out well, that’s totally normal. Keep trying, and you will get there!