Creating a fresh, natural no-makeup look doesn’t have to be complicated. With a little practice and patience – and the right products – you can create an even, polished look that still feels like you.
Start With Your Complexion
Beautiful makeup starts with your skin. Begin with clean, exfoliated and hydrated skin.
Apply a foundation primer over your moisturizer. Primer helps smooth the skin and keeps your foundation from fading or looking splotchy throughout the day.
Test your foundation or face tint on your décolletage to find the best color match. If your foundation feels too heavy, mix a small amount of moisturizer with it. Blend and warm the product with your fingertips before applying.
Apply foundation to your face, including under the eyes and over the eyelids. The goal is to create an even skin tone while helping to minimize redness on the lids and dark circles under the eyes.
If needed, apply concealer to under-eye circles, breakouts or sun spots.
Define Your Brows
Define Your BrowsBrush your brows in the direction of the hair growth using a clean brow brush.
If your brows need additional definition or color, apply a brow product that works for you. Pencils are great for filling in gaps, while tinted gels can add color to existing brow hairs and help keep unruly hairs in place.
Keep the Eyes Bright and Natural
Choose a neutral eyeshadow that brightens the eyelids, such as a warm cream tone or a shade with a cool pink undertone.
Apply a slightly darker shade to the lid and blend it into the crease for subtle definition.
Apply eyeliner only at the lash line, making sure to create a clean line beneath the upper lashes. This can help open the eyes, brighten the whites of the eyes and create a nice base at the roots of the lashes for mascara.
For a softer effect, try black mascara on the upper lashes and brown mascara on the lower lashes.
Add Color and Lift to the Cheeks
Apply a highlighter to the high points of the cheekbones and temples to create a subtle lifted effect. You can use either a cream or powder formula.
Apply blush to the apples of the cheeks, then lightly sweep it back toward the upper ear area.
Finish With the Lips
Choose a natural lipstick or gloss.
Finish with a matching lip liner to define the edges and give your lips a polished appearance.
A Few Helpful Tools
A Few Helpful ToolsYou don’t need an overflowing makeup bag to create a beautiful natural look. A few useful tools can make application easier:
- Makeup sponges: Dampen before using to apply liquid foundation or blend other complexion products.
- Cotton swabs: Keep these handy for cleaning up eyeliner or mascara.
- Clean makeup brushes: Clean brushes are essential for smooth, even application.
The most important thing to remember is that you don’t need a lot of products – you just need the right products. With a little practice and patience, creating a clean, natural look can become an easy part of your everyday routine.