Richie wore her hair down in soft waves with a deep middle part. She opted for a sultry smokey eye. This created a very chic addition to the look.
Natural makeup has become a staple for anyone who wants to look effortlessly polished. It’s about enhancing your features without heavy layers, making it perfect for everything from day-to-day activities to elegant events. Natural makeup isn’t about masking who you are; it’s about letting your best features shine. Let’s break down the essential steps to achieve this look, from prepping your skin to applying subtle enhancements.
1. Skin Prep: The Key to a Flawless Base
A radiant natural look starts with well-prepared skin. Hydrated, well-nourished skin provides the ideal canvas for makeup, ensuring it looks fresh and smooth.
- Cleanse: Start with a gentle cleanser that suits your skin type to remove any dirt and oil buildup.
- Exfoliate: Exfoliate lightly to smooth out any texture. Use a mild exfoliator if your skin can handle it, as it helps to remove dead cells.
- Moisturize: Apply a hydrating moisturizer that matches your skin type. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin to boost hydration and keep the skin plump.
- Prime: For a natural look, use a lightweight, hydrating primer. It minimizes pores and smooths skin texture. This primer does not add too much shine.
2. Foundation: Light Coverage with a Radiant Finish
A natural makeup look relies on a foundation that enhances your skin rather than covering it completely. Opt for a foundation or tinted moisturizer that lets your natural skin tone show through while evening out any imperfections.
- Choose a light formula: BB creams, CC creams, or light foundations are ideal for this look. They offer enough coverage to even out skin tone while still appearing natural.
- Application: Apply with a damp beauty sponge or a foundation brush. Focus on blending it into the skin to avoid any visible lines. Start with a small amount and build up only where needed.
- Set with powder (optional): For areas prone to shine, such as the T-zone, apply a light dusting of translucent powder. Keep it minimal to maintain that natural glow.
3. Concealer: Targeted Coverage
Instead of heavy layers, focus on spot-concealing areas that need extra coverage.
- Brighten under the eyes: Choose a concealer one shade lighter than your skin tone to brighten the under-eye area. Apply it in small dots and blend with your finger or a sponge.
- Conceal blemishes: For blemishes or redness, use a concealer that matches your skin tone exactly. Tap it on gently to blend seamlessly with your foundation.
- Set with powder: Lightly set the concealer with a setting powder. This helps prevent it from creasing or moving throughout the day.
4. Subtle Contour and Highlight: Enhance, Don’t Mask
Natural makeup looks often involve minimal contouring. However, a touch of bronzer or contour can add depth and shape to the face.
- Contour lightly: Use a cream or powder contour that’s just a shade or two darker than your skin tone. Apply it to the hollows of your cheeks, jawline, and sides of your nose for subtle definition.
- Highlight strategically: A cream or liquid highlighter gives a dewy, natural finish. Apply it to the high points of your face: the tops of your cheekbones, bridge of your nose, and cupid’s bow. Blend well for a seamless look.
5. Blush: A Fresh Pop of Color
A hint of blush can bring a healthy, youthful glow to the face.
- Choose a natural shade: Opt for soft pinks, peaches, or nude tones that complement your skin’s undertone. Cream blushes work beautifully for a dewy finish.
- Application: Smile and apply the blush to the apples of your cheeks, blending upwards towards the temples. This placement mimics a natural flush and lifts the face.
6. Brows: Soft and Defined
Natural makeup calls for defined yet soft brows that frame the face without looking overly sculpted.
- Fill in sparse areas: Use a brow pencil or powder that matches your natural brow color. Apply with light, feathery strokes to fill in any sparse areas.
- Set with a brow gel: A clear or tinted brow gel can help hold brow hairs in place and add a little extra definition without looking heavy.
7. Eyes: Subtle Definition
For a natural look, keep eye makeup simple. Focus on enhancing your eyes without dramatic colors or heavy liner.
- Eyeshadow: Choose neutral shades like taupe, beige, or soft browns. Apply a light shade across the lid and a slightly darker shade in the crease for subtle depth.
- Liner: If you want more definition, use a brown or dark gray liner instead of black. Apply it close to the lash line and smudge it slightly to soften the look.
- Mascara: Finish with a coat or two of mascara to enhance your lashes. Avoid clumps by wiggling the wand from the base of the lashes to the tips.
8. Lips: Keep It Soft and Natural
A natural makeup look often pairs best with lips that are soft and close to your natural lip color.
- Choose a nude or rosy shade: Look for lip colors that enhance your natural lip tone. Sheer formulas, tinted balms, or matte nudes are all great options.
- Application: Apply directly from the tube for a soft, sheer effect or use a lip brush for precision. For added hydration, dab a bit of clear gloss or balm in the center of the lips.
9. Setting Spray: Lock It All In
To make sure your natural makeup look lasts all day, use a setting spray with a natural or dewy finish.
- Application: Hold the spray at arm’s length and mist it over your face. This not only helps the makeup set but also removes any powdery finish, giving the skin a refreshed look.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions (for the Look!)
This natural makeup look pairs beautifully with both casual and formal outfits. It’s ideal for brunches, daytime outings, or even professional settings where you want to appear polished but not overly done. It also pairs perfectly with hairstyles that are loose and effortless, such as soft waves, a low bun, or even a sleek ponytail.
For those occasions that call for a bit more drama, you can easily elevate this look by adding a bold lip color or a slightly more defined eyeliner. However, the core principles remain the same: simplicity, balance, and an emphasis on your natural beauty.
