What did we ever do without Youtube's endless bank of beauty tutorials? An endless source of make-up inspiration - and procrastination - there's an easy to follow how-to video for just about every beauty look imaginable. We've scoured the site to find the very best tutorials for the most-wanted looks, from contouring to the classic cat's eye flick, via strobing, colour correcting and some dramatic lip looks. Happy watching!
The smokey eye
Classic smokey eye tutorial by Lisa Eldridge
Make-up artist Lisa Eldridge's beauty tutorials are in a league of their own (her blog is also an exhaustive source of must-try hero products and cosmetic expertise, FYI.) The classic smokey eye is one of the most sought-after of make-up looks, and Lisa's tutorial provides a failsafe formula that you'll want to wear again and again.
The introduction to contouring
How to contour for your face shape by Pixiwoo
Have you ever looked at *that * Kim Kardashian contour map and felt very, very confused? Whether you’re an oval, a heart or a square, Pixiwoo’s video provides a sculpting 101 for your face shape, niftily explaining how to subtly emphasise your bone structure without resorting to layer upon layer of heavy product. The result feels simple, fresh and easy to wear.
The cream contouring lesson
Cream contouring made easy by Huda Beauty
Blend, blend and blend again – according to beauty blogger extraordinaire Huda Kattan, that’s the secret to creating an effortless contour with cream products. With an Instagram reach of over 14 million (yes, really) and a burgeoning empire of own-brand beauty products, Kattan certainly knows one end of a foundation brush from the other, and her chatty vlogging manner makes her tutorials feel less like a lesson and more like hearing advice from a pal. Once you’ve mastered the cream contour, try Huda’s viral ‘tape’ contouring video at your own risk…
The colour correcting masterclass
Colour correcting do's and don'ts by Kaushal Beauty
Colour correcting can look a little crazy, but once you’ve mastered the colour wheel, it’s an easy way of counteracting specific skin concerns. Vlogger Kaushal breaks down the technique for biggers, explaining which colours do what and providing us with a handy list of colour correction do’s and don’ts – including how to counteract ashy tones, nix under eye circles and get rid of tell-tale orangey patches.
The dramatic dark lip
Dark lip make-up tutorial by Lily Pebbles
Always been slightly frightened of rocking a darker shade on your lips? You needn’t be, as Brit blogger Lily Pebbles explains in this video. What’s her secret? Layering two complimentary berry shades layered over one another (Tom Ford’s Black Dahlia and Crimson Noir are her weapons of choice, FYI.) Lily also breaks down a complimentary make-up look for the rest of the face, including a bronzed smoky eye and subtly sculpted cheekbones.
The subtle strobing
How to strobe by Bobbi Brown Cosmetics
If anyone knows how to create subtle and eminently wearable takes on catwalk or Insta-friendly trends, it's Bobbi Brown and her team of pro artists. Favouring powder products in fresh, natural shades, this tutorial offers a lighter take on the strobed look favoured by the likes of Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid, resulting in a radiant, lit-from-within finish that'll have people thinking you've just got back from a spa trip...
The first date look
How to get the perfect first date look by Charlotte Tilbury
Flame-haired make-up supremo Charlotte Tilbury has tended to the likes of Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and when she dishes out beauty advice, we sit up and take notice. Her YouTube channel is a veritable goldmine of backstage tips and tricks, and while the production values are far glossier than those of your average bedroom vlogger, Charlotte’s warm and engaging manner make her clips a fun, relaxed watch. We particularly love her easy-to-follow ‘first date’ tutorial – the finished result of which promises glowing skin, flushed cheeks and a barely-there pink lip.
The classic red lip
Ultimate guide to red lips by Lisa Eldridge
Whether you're a red lip novice or you're never seen without a swipe of Ruby Woo, Lisa's guide to this make-up bag staple has something for everyone. First, she lays out the best shades for a spectrum of skin tones, before explaining how to make sure your colour sticks around all day. What would we do without you, Lisa?
The cat's eye liner hack
Bold cat eye tutorial using a sticky note by Sazan Hendrix
It's a truth universally acknowledged that the so-called 'effortless' cat eye flick actually requires a lot of time, a lot of effort and a lot of patience. So imagine our relief when we discovered this simple beauty hack (using a sticky Post-It note, of all things...) which makes this classic liner look a much easier proposition. The sticky note itself helps you to sculpt a killer flick at the perfect angle - no smudges or wobbly lines invited.
The retro 1920s tutorial
Gatsby 1920s flapper girl by Michelle Phan
Michelle Phan is one of the world's most watched beauty vloggers, and her 'transformation'-style tutorials - perfect for fancy dress or a more dramatic night-time look - are unrivalled online. Take her cues from the make-up in Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of The Great Gatsby, Michelle schools us in the art of '20s beauty, serving up a glossy smokey eye and artfully sculpted cupid's bow.
READ MORE: Huda Kattan On The Secret To Beauty Blogging Success