African Tribal Makeup Tutorial

This African Tribal makeup tutorial is dedicated to the young women who defied conventional standards, went against the perceived status quo, and proudly celebrated their heritage by wearing beautiful African print gowns to their proms. With this makeup tutorial, you’ll leave feeling inspired, cultured, and aching to visit the beautiful, vast plains of Africa.  

*Content pulled from third party–not original.

Since it’s launch, YouTube has become the go-to source for beauty tutorials and tips and tricks alike. There are a lot of step-by-step videos that can be found on said website from how to do your first fishtail plait to how to transform yourself into Johnny Depp from Black Mass, although given the amount of shiz Johnny Depp has been going through, he’s probably the last person you want to become, even if it is for one night. While we normally dedicate ourselves to finding the hottest, most trending tutorials of that particular moment, this time around we decided to give this how-to a different spin, one rooted in culture and history. By filming instructional videos on how to achieve traditional African tribal makeup from different parts of the continent, these women are not only celebrating and honoring the beauty of their heritage, they’re introducing users like ourselves to new norms, traditions, and makeup looks.

With women like the 18-year-old went from designing her own prom dress to designing a dress for a Hollywood starlet at the 2015 BET Awards and the other 18-year-old who wear a gorgeous African print dress for prom (after being told by a teacher that it would be a tacky decision), we too wanted to show our solidarity by bringing our readers this wonderful makeup tutorial.

When trying this makeup look, it’s important to respect other people’s culture and backgrounds. This look isn’t a costume; it’s a glimpse into history, one that has helped shape our present.

Go ahead and give this tutorial a shot! Even if you don’t wear it, you’ll love it.

Step 1: Primer & Base

Starting with a clean face, apply your primer. In this tutorial, Ashleigh uses Smashbox Pore Minimizing Primer. To save time, she started the tutorial with her eyebrows already done. To see how she did them, click here.

For her base, Ashleigh mixed together two foundations–L’Oreal Infallible in Classic Tan and Maybelline Liquid Shimmer–for a dewy finish. Blend it with either your fingertips, a sponge, or a brush like the e.l.f. Flat Top Powder Brush.

Step 2: Conceal

Conceal those blemishes with LA Girl Pro Conceal in Cool Tan. Apply the product under the eyes, on the bridge of your nose, forehead, cupid’s bow, and chin. Blend it out with a Beauty Blender that’s been dipped in rosewater.

Set the highlighted areas with a setting powder like Ruby Kisses Ready & Set Banana Powder.

Tip: If using this powder or other silica-containing formulas, be sure to blend thoroughly as these will give you flashback. Think Nicole Kidman every time she’s photographed on the red carpet.

Step 3: Contour

In this tutorial, Ashleigh uses LA Girl Pro Conceal in Chestnut as a cream contour and the e.l.f. Small Stipple Brush to blend it out. Apply your cream contour under the cheekbones and near the hairline for warmth. Using the same brush, blend whatever is left beside the bridge of the nose.

Using NYX Highlight and Contour Pro Palette (Tan & Toffee), apply it on the areas where you applied your cream contour. This will set and make your bronze makeup shimmer.

Step 4: Eyes

Apply LA Girl Pro Conceal Orange Corrector on your lids as a base. Blend it with your fingers. Then you’re going to take Wet N Wild California Roll Palette and use the light peach shade as your transition color. Sweep it back and forth on your eyelids. Take NYX Blush in Double Dare and apply it on the crease. Lastly, you’re going to use the reddish-berry shade in your Wet N Wild palette and apply it on the lid to the crease line. Make sure to blend the colors seamlessly together.

On the lower lash line, apply Ruby Kisses Matte Lip Cream in Pool Party as eyeliner that extends outside the water line. Do not apply mascara on your bottom lashes with this eyeliner on. If you want to apply mascara, do it before you draw on your under eyeliner.

Next, you’re going to create dots above the eyebrows, below the eyes and anywhere else you see fit with NYX Eyeshadow Base in White.

Apply mascara on the upper eyelashes and, if you’re going to apply falsies, now’s the time to do it. In this tutorial, Ashleigh uses Covergirl Super Size Mascara and Ardell Double Up Lashes.

Step 5: Lips

To complete this look, apply a nude lipstick like NYX Liquid Lip Suede in Sandstorm.

Then you’re going to take a wet brush and pick up Smashbox Eyeshadow in Ambient. Wetting the brush will enhance the color payoff, so make sure yours is damp. Apply the color onto the inner corners of the eyes towards the crease line to achieve a foil-effect.To complete the look you’re going to take your NYX Eyeshadow Base again and draw a white line down the center of both your upper and bottom lip.

History, meet beauty, meet this amazing African-inspired look! 

Watch the full tutorial below.

Are you excited to try this look? I sure am! Share your comments on this tutorial below or on Facebook! Tried this tutorial on yourself? Show us your work on Instagram with the tag #MTMakeupBlog.