So you want to look like yourself only prettier, healthier and more confident, and create a look that can take you through the day? “The key to the natural, no-makeup look is to focus on getting the basics right,” says oAC senior makeup artist Amber D. “Natural can often be the most difficult look of all to achieve!”
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:
Natural skin First prep your skin with a moisturising primer. Then even out your skin tone by using the right foundation for your skin type. Fluid foundations are best for dry and mature skins, although creams and sticks tend to give denser coverage. Find a shade that exactly matches your skin tone by testing it on the side of your face. Don’t test on your hand or arm because the skin there is unlikely to have the same colour and tone. You’ll know you’ve got the perfect shade if it disappears into your skin. Remember that yellow-based foundations suit more women than pink-based ones.
Apply your foundation with a brush rather than a sponge or your fingers. Why? Because your fingers have natural oils in them and sponges soak up too much of your precious product. Lighten shadows beneath your eyes and hide any blemishes with concealer, then powder but only on the high-shine areas of your face. If you powder your face all over, your skin will look papery, particularly if it’s dry.
Finally, don’t skip blusher or bronzer as it’s an instant face-brightener. Choose a shade that matches the colour of your cheeks when you’re naturally flushed or after exercise. Powder blush is the easiest to blend, although creams are great for dry skin. Glaze the apples of your cheeks with a little colour and blend in.
Natural Eyes Less is more when it comes to natural eyes. Use no more than two colours, a light tone such as shell or beige all over the lid and brow area, and a mid-tone on the lid. Powders are easiest to work with and can often be used wet or dry so you can save cash by using the same product to line the eyes with the help of a dampened thin, flat brush.
Use no more than two coats of mascara and go for a brownish/black shade to soften the look. A good product shouldn’t clump or go gluggy, but have a spare clean wand to run over your lashes just in case.
Finally brush your brows and use a brow finisher to hold them gently in place.
**Natural lips
**Choose a lipstick that’s a shade deeper than the natural colour of your lips. Mr for the ultimate in natural lips, apply liner as a base, then slick on some clear gloss. Always line the outside of the lips after, rather than before, applying lipstick or gloss.
Choose a liner shade that is very slightly darker than your lipstick and if you can see a hard line after you’ve applied it, use a lip brush to soften the edges.
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