The 5 Best Makeup Tutorials for Women of Color

Makeup can be very scary.

Not everyone grew up wearing it, so for the uninitiated, the world of lip stains, eye shadow primers, highlighting, contouring and bronzing can be overwhelming.

So what's the solution? For those of you all who are already straight on makeup, very good, but for the rest of us, there's YouTube. From tutorials to product reviews, YouTube has videos that are fantastic for anyone who wants to learn how to apply makeup or just try something new.

Here are some of our favorite beauty tutorial videos for women of color and some helpful hints on finding your own favorite vids.

1. Miss Vanisha, AfricanExport

Not only is AfricanExport vlogger Miss Vanisha's tutorial on applying E.L.F products on darker skin great for a basic everyday look, it's easy to follow. Miss Vanisha explains what she's doing every step of the way, which is incredibly helpful for beginners.

2. Krishna, EyeLuvMakeup

We love how Krishna makes even the most daring eye shadow colors look wearable on her EyeLuvMakeup page. This tutorial on applying purple eyeshadow is a great alternative to a traditional smoky eye, and it's a great spring trend!

3. Ebony, ColouredBeautiful

It's no secret that orange blush looks amazing on brown skin (and it's another big color for spring). We love this video because vlogger Ebony, of ColouredBeautiful, shows viewers exactly how she applies the skin-warming color. She also suggests great alternatives to more expensive brands, which is great for makeup beginners and those on a budget.

4. Andrea, AndreasChoice

Everyone applies makeup a little differently, and for that, we love AndreasChoice vlogger Andrea, for her foundation routine video. The tutorial is pretty straightforward, and the routine is perfect for those events when we want to look absolutely flawless.

5. Destiny, DestinyGodley

It's hard to find the perfect concealer for brown skin. In her video, Destiny, of DestinyGodley, recommends a bunch of concealers that are perfect for women of color. We love the fact that she gives so many options and explains why and how each product works.

Ready to get your makeup on? Here are some tips on getting the best out of your YouTube tutorial experience:

*** Be specific. Looking for makeup tutorials on YouTube can be overwhelming and time consuming, but it's totally worth it. Type in what you're looking for in the search engine. A great place to start is "makeup tutorial for black women" for a broader spectrum or keywords like "smoky eye tutorial" for specific looks. You can also check the words a video is tagged with (dark, makeup, black, women) to find similar videos. Just remember, the more specific you are, the less videos you'll be able to choose from.

*** Figure out what works for you. If you're a beginner, you may prefer a tutorial where the vlogger explains what they're doing every step of the way. Some people prefer videos where the vlogger has the steps listed instead. It's really about preference.

*** Don't be afraid to look at tutorials even if the vlogger isn't a woman of color. Makeup is makeup is makeup. Just because a vlogger isn't a brown beauty doesn't mean her technique for a sexy date night look won't work for you -- just use an alternative color!

*** Find out who's popular. A great way to find other tutorials is by looking at the channels your favorite vlogger subscribes to. The YouTube beauty community appears to be very supportive of one another; there's a good chance your perfect "mineral makeup application" tutorial is friends with your "Valentine's Day look" tutorial.

*** Don't stop at just makeup tutorials. There are hundreds of videos on skin care and hair care as well. Take the guesswork out of shopping by checking out product reviews. Learn how to clean your makeup brushes or remove eye makeup without irritating delicate skin. Learn how to thread your own eyebrows or trim your own hair. The sky really is the limit!