In the wake of the Kardashians and their signature contour makeup, came the reemergence of a more classic and natural makeup look. In fact, since 2021, natural makeup looks have been getting requested more and more! And while makeup trends come and go, a glowing, skin-like complexion will always be in fashion.
It’s always fun to get dolled up to go out on occasion. I mean, who doesn’t love a fake lash and smoky eye, am I right?
But for a casual day at work, lunch with a friend, or when you’re just going for a more low-key glam look, the natural makeup or “no makeup” makeup look is your best friend! This style of makeup application highlights your natural features while lightly covering up the incidental red blotch or tired under eye area. Leave the effort to your skin care routine and use this popular natural look to showcase your beautiful skin with these easy to follow steps.
Your primer is your first step to preparing the perfect canvas. A perfect go-to is a priming moisturizer. These are formulated not only to moisturize your skin, but to prime your face so that your makeup lasts all day. It is important to choose a priming moisturizer that doesn’t cause pilling when you apply your foundation. My two favorites are Lait-Crème Concentre by Embryolisse or Good Molecules’ Silicone-Free Priming Moisturizer.
A buildable foundation is the perfect way to give your face an effortlessly smooth base. My top three picks for foundation are Make Up For Ever’s HD Skin Foundation, Fenty’s Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint, and Danessa Myrick’s Yummy Skin Serum Foundation. All three are lightweight, easy to use, and have beautiful buildable pigment to cover up those stubborn blemishes. Use a Beauty Blender to better control the amount of foundation being used, and remember you can go over any areas of concern with extra pigment or use a concealer.
Even though you’re not going for a perfectly airbrushed look, you still want to cover up some unwanted marks or blotches. This means those dark circles under the eyes, a zit or maybe three, dilated capillaries, and any hyperpigmentation you’d rather hide. Try NARS Color Corrector Concealer or Maybelline’s Instant Age Rewind Concealer. I recommend choosing a concealer that is one shade lighter than your foundation, this way you avoid creating dark blotches on the face.
To achieve a natural glow, go for cream complexion products. A cream bronzer, cream blush, and liquid highlight give your face natural looking highlights without looking overly contoured. My kit always has Fenty’s Cheek’s Out Cream Bronzer and Blush and Liquid Killawatt for a natural highlight.
No matter how natural you’re going, no makeup look is complete without a little pop! Accentuate and open up your eyes with a little bit of mascara- my personal favorite is Dark Star Volumizing Mascara by Pat McGrath because the formula offers length and color without feeling heavy on the eyes. Neutral-colored lipgloss is a must for moisturized and soft-looking lips. Look for a gloss with nourishing ingredients like Addict Lip Maximizer Plumping Gloss by Dior so you can make sure you are hydrating, protecting, and healing your lips every day.
Finally, the last and arguably most important step: setting your makeup. Why is it so important to set your makeup? Because you don’t want all your beautiful work to shift, smear, and crease as you go about your day. I recommend a double-setting routine, first with powder and then with a setting spray. Set your entire face with a translucent powder like Laura Mercian’s Translucent Powder, making sure to add a little extra-setting powder under your eyes. Next, finish it up with a setting spray.Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray is my go-to. It truly sets your makeup in place all day and is oil-free and hydrating.
