I Followed Jaclyn Hill Beauty Tutorials For A Week

Prior to my induction into the Jaclyn Hill makeup tutorials fan club, I can honestly say my knowledge of cosmetic artistry was at its bare minimum. I could tell you what the basic products were and how to use them, but as for my go-to beauty look, I used neutral tones on the daily. It wasn’t until my editor sent over a Hill tutorial that I decided it was time my makeup skills needed a serious revamp.

After two beauty internships, my cosmetic collection is pretty impressive, but you can’t build a house if you don’t know how to use the tools. Every time I watched a beauty tutorial, I felt at a loss. While I adored the looks, I didn’t have the exact products each artist used. I felt defeated. Could I really master these intricate looks without spending a fortune?

During my Hill tutorial binge, I came across a style she created using only drugstore products. It was in that moment that I saw the light. I decided then and there to dedicate my last week of August to a makeup makeover. For one whole week I followed seven tutorials from Hill’s channel on YouTube, using beauty products I already owned.

Seven days later and seven days smarter, I now know the difference between a cat eye and winged liner, how to contour the correct way, and that "no makeup makeup" is actually a thing.

Please also take note that makeup tutorials are a source of reference, not a strict routine. Feel free to deviate and experiment, and you might just learn something new.

Check out below how I followed Jaclyn Hill's makeup tutorials using mostly drugstore products.

Monday: Basic 5 Minute Makeup

To cover up the dark circles under my eyes and any red areas or blemishes, I used the Almay Clear Complexion Concealer. Next, I zigged and zagged the Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 mascara over my lashes to score subtle, yet voluminous, lashes. Next up, I took care of my brows - which are thick. Not Cara Delevingne thick, but pretty darn close. To keep them on fleek, I used the MAC Wash and Dry Brow Set gel.

Almay Clear Complexion Concealer, $9, Amazon; Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara, $26, Amazon; MAC Brow Set Gel, $17, Nordstrom

For blush, I used the MAC Archie's Girl blush, which is, unfortunately, discontinued. As far as lip stains are concerned, I figured this was the time to emerge out of my comfort zone and give a bolder color a shot. I applied the MAC Cosmetics PatentPolish Lip Pencil in Hopelessly Devoted.

MAC Cosmetics PatentPolish Lip Pencil In Hopelessly Devoted, $21, Nordstrom

Tuesday: Daytime Glam Look

I applied Almay Truly Lasting Color in Naked with clean fingers as my foundation for this look and applied the Almay Clear Complexion Concealer around splotchy patches with a damp beauty blender.

Almay Truly Lasting Color In Naked, $7, Amazon; Beauty Blender, $20, Amazon

I used to love watching my older sisters do their makeup. They would sit in front of the mirror and apply all these powders and creams with big, fluffy brushes so I wanted to put powder and cream on my own face with big, fluffy brushes. Enter: Kat Von D's Lock-It Tattoo Powder Foundation in Light 46.

Kat Von D Lock-It Tattoo Powder Foundation In Light 46, $35, Sephora

For my eyes I used a combination of e.l.f. eyeshadows. I usually only line my eyes with a black or brown liner, but the Mally Evercolor Ultimate Waterproof Eyeliner in Gold (discontinued) was too perfect to pass up. I applied the Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 mascara on my top and bottom lashes. For my top lids, I glided on a thin line of L'oreal Infallible Blackest Black gel eyeliner.

e.l.f. Endless Eyes 100 Color Eyeshadow Palette, $20, Target; L'Oreal Infallible Gel Eyeliner In Blackest Black, $8, Amazon

My skin is so pale that I do not know what I would do without bronzer to give my complexion some color. I opted to stick with the MAC Alluring Aquatic Bronzing Powder in Golden (discontinued). Using the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle, I applied highlighter to the top and bottoms of my cheeks.

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish In Soft And Gentle, $33, Nordstrom

Wednesday: Cat Eye Makeup Tutorial

Hill always, always, always primes her lids prior to eye makeup application, whether she uses eye shadow specific primer, or concealer. So I used my handy dandy Exaggerate Undercover Shadow Primer. I totally wish I had specific eyeshadow colors to relay to you guys as reference, but my all-time favorite palette to date has been my e.l.f. 100 Piece Eyeshadow Palette and, unfortunately, the colors are not labeled!

Rimmel London Exaggerate Undercover Shadow Primer, $5, Amazon

I know Hill prefaces this tutorial with how easy it really is, but for a girl born with shaky finger syndrome and little to no patience, this was a project. If you mess up, take a deep breath and try, try again. Gel liners are your best friend for this technique. I used the L'Oreal's Infallible liner which is my latest obsession due to its smooth application and fiercely dark hue.

My lashes pretty much emulate butterfly antennae, so I personally never found a need to use faux lashes. I applied a coat of the Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 mascara to exaggerate their length. For my brows, I selected a favorite out of my brow collection, the Shiseido Cle De Peau Beaute Eyebrow and Eyeliner Compact.

Cle De Peau Beaute Eyebrow and Eyeliner Compact, $70, Nordstrom

Unlike Hill, I actually do not own more than one bottle of liquid foundation at a time. These days I'm sticking to Almay Truly Lasting Color Foundation and Clear Complexion Concealer.

Now, I'll be honest with you, guys. I didn't even know the term "setting powder" was a thing until Hill's videos. I like a little shimmer, so I used the MAKE Glossing Powder and an off-white e.l.f. eyeshadow to highlight my under-brow.

MAKE Glossing Powder, $35, Amazon

For my face, I used the MAC Bronzing Powder in Golden as my bronzer, and the MAC Extra Dimension Blush in Blazing Haute to coat the apples of my cheeks. To get Hill's soft, pinky tone, I used the NYX Round Lipstick in Marrakesh Pink.

MAC Bronzing Powder In Golden, $27, Nordstrom; NYX Round Lipstick in Marrakesh Pink, $6, Amazon

Thursday: Kim Kardashian Makeup Tutorial

For this particular look I combined a whole lot of eyeshadow palettes. To prime my lids I applied the Mally Romantic Brown palette Shadow Base, from here on out it was a whole lot of creative collaboration between the original Naked Urban Decay and e.l.f. palettes. For added shimmer, Hill whipped out the MAC Fix +, and while I totally mastered the look with a shimmering white shadow, this baby is going on my shopping list because #glam.

Mally Romantic Brown Palette, $20, Amazon; Urban Decay Naked Palette, $54, Sephora; MAC 'Prep + Prime' Fix+ Finishing Mist, $23, Nordstrom

To finish off my eyes, I applied a thick layer of L'Oreal Infallible eyeliner gel to the bottom of my top lids and coated my lashes with the Calvin Klein (Ck) One Color Volumizing Mascara in Extreme Black for exaggeration.

Face makeup consisted of the Almay Truly Lasting Color foundation, of course, followed by heavy highlighting and concealing using the Almay's Clear Complexion Concealer and MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle to give my skin a really satisfying glow. I applied my Shiseido Cle De Peau Beaute Eyebrow product, and secured my brow hairs in place with the MAC Wash and Dry Brow Set gel.

For my bronzer of choice, I broke out the Dolce & Gabbana Bronzer in Desert and applied the MAC's Extra Dimension Blush in Blazing Haute for a peach tone blush that really complimented my bronzer. To wet my lips, I used the L'Oreal Colour Riche Lipstick in Bewitching Berry with a coat of clear gloss.

Dolce & Gabana Bronzer In Desert, $56, Nordstrom; L'Oreal Colour Riche Lipstick In Bewitching Berry, $8, Amazon

Friday: Go-To Summer Look

It brings me great sadness to report that during this makeup tutorial I used the last bit of my NARS Pro-Prime Pore Refining Primer. It will be missed until we meet again. Next, I applied the Almay TLC foundation using clean fingers and blended Almay Clear Complexion Concealer under my eyes and at the corners of my nose. To highlight my cupids bow, chin and temple, I applied the Mally Romantic Brown Palette's shadow base around each area. Luckily, I was able to use the MAKE Glossing Powder as my setting powder, with still some to spare to last me the rest of this challenge.

NARS Pro-Prime Pore Refining Primer, $35, Nordstrom

For my eye makeup, I combined my e.l.f. eyeshadow palette with a few colors from Urban Decay's original Naked Palette (always a gem). I again opted for the Calvin Klein (Ck) One Color Volumizing Mascara in Extreme Black and shaded in my brows using the Shiseido Cle De Peau Beaute Eyebrow and Eyeliner Compact, applying the Mally Evercolor Ultimate Liner in Gold (discontinued) to my lower lash line.

I brushed the MAC Alluring Aquatic Bronzing Powder in Golden (discontinued) up and down my contour line before giving my Laura Mercier Golden Pink Sheer Creme Glow Blush a spin, impressed by how my skin was almost illuminating. For my highlight of choice, I used the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle which is a very light, flattering powder against my pale skin.

Finishing off this beauty look, I used the Revlon Super Lustrous Matte Lipstick in Skye Pink to give my lips just a hint of pink.

Revlon Super Lustrous Matte Lipstick In Skye Pink, $9, Amazon

Saturday: Easy Summer Makeup

Breakthrough guys. I have never applied foundation using anything other than my clean fingers and damp beauty blender, so this was an exciting process applying the Almay TLC Foundation using the IT Cosmetics foundation brush. I then used a damp beauty blender to smooth out my Almay Clear Complexion concealer.

To prime my eyelids, I used the Revlon Exaggerate Undercover Shadow Primer. After, I used a combination of pink hues from the e.l.f. palette to create a semi smokey eye before coating my eyes with the Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara.

I gently brushed the MAC Alluring Aquatic Bronzing Powder in Golden (discontinued) around the mid-cheek area before decorating my upper cheek with the Laura Mercier Golden Pink Sheer Creme Glow Blush. To highlight, and using only a tad bit, I applied the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle above my blush line and below my bronzer. I actually opted to go neutral lip this time around, spreading only a clear coat of gloss across them.

Sunday: No Makeup Makeup Look

First, I smoothed Almay Truly Lasting Color foundation all over my face using clean fingers. Next, I used the MAC Alluring Aquatic Bronzer powder to contour ever so lightly before applying a semi-heavy helping of the Almay Clear Complexion concealer over the dark circles under my eyes.

Using the MAC brow gel, I brushed through my brows to give them a nice shape without any additional filler.Then, I gently brushed my lashes with just enough Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4 in 1 mascara to darken them.

To give my lips a little shine, I skipped the color tint and applied a clear gloss to enhance their natural pink hue.

I went into this experiment with shaky expectations. I had always gotten by with little foundation and dusted on eyeshadow over the years, but admired women whose faces were cosmetic masterpieces. I strongly agree with the notion that women do not need makeup to be beautiful. However, a little enhancement never hurt anyone, and I had never felt so glamorous before Hill's makeup artistry 101.

Beauty tutorials were designed to spark inspiration in their viewers, providing just enough of a nudge to take personal style to the next level. YouTube beauty vloggers are our teachers. You have the tools, now go out and use them.

Want more beauty tips? Check out the video below, and be sure to subscribe to Bustle’s YouTube page for more hacks and tricks!

Images: Julia Horniacek (15)