When I’m browsing through magazines I rarely see models who wear makeup that looks natural and when I do, I find myself really analyzing as to how their makeup was done to achieve such a beautiful natural look. With trial and error, I found a few steps that help enhance your features with makeup and without makeup to get that natural look.
So what are the tips on how to make your makeup look natural?
- Have the right skin care regime
- Tinted moisturizers, BB Creams, and lightweight foundations
- Maintained brows
- Lips stains, natural colored lipsticks – nudes
- Bronzers
- Blushes
- Eyeshadows, neutral eyeshadows
- Mascara
- Natural Highlighters
I hope that these steps can certainly help you…
#1: Have The Right Skin Care Regime
Before all the makeup is put on your face, the main thing that is a must is a consistent skin regime.
The number one thing that should always be considered is a skin care regime. The reason being is because our skin needs to be looked after in order for any other products being applied on top of it. In order to come out with a natural look, we need to look after our skin and make sure its always cleansed exfoliated, moisturized consistently.
What Is Exfoliating Your Face
The purpose of exfoliating the skin is the removal of any skin cells on the surface of the skin. This is supposed to give the skin a smoother surface making it easier for serums and moisturizers to soak in. It can also help dry skin types. There are many types of facial exfoliators us on the market one of them being a two in one type of product which includes a cleanser with a scrub. The other type of exfoliator that I personally use is a buffer the one I use is by The Body Shop known as The Gentle Exfoliating Buffer.
This particular exfoliator is soft as a sponge and works by applying a cleanser on the buffer and slowly buffing in a cleanser into your skin. I personally buff it into the skin in a circular motion. This also allows the cleanser to work through the skin while the buffer exfoliates any dead skin off the skin. Another type of exfoliator is a buffing brush, these brushes are usually electric and the brush usually works in a circular motion once in use. Similar to The Gentle Exfoliator Buffer the electric exfoliator requires a few drops of a cleanser to be placed on the brush and it begins to buff the product into the skin.
Exfoliating the skin should be done at least 2-3 times per week to help prevent the build-up of dried skin cell.
In order to determine what skin care regime works well with your skin, it’s important to determine the proper skin type you are. It’s really important to know what will benefit your skin type by knowing the following basic information:
Normal to Combination: to determine whether your skin is normal-combination skin type you will find that the skin is neither too oily or too dry. The main area that it will be oily is the “T-zone” section of the face. Normal to combination skin types require products that are pH-balanced products.
Dry Skin Types: to determine whether you are a dry skin type you will find that the skin lacks emollients, has a tightened feel to it. It also rarely has any pores and is more common in mature skin types. Dry skin types need to find products that are more moisturizing in the formulation and should also look for formulas containing emollients and antioxidants.
Oily Skin types: to determine if you are an oily skin type you will find skin gets shiny fast and that pores are larger and are prone to breakouts more. It’s important to look for products that are oil-free and products that absorb oils.
Sensitive skin types: in order to determine whether or not you’re a sensitive skin type its important to know sensitive skin types burn easier, flushes easier, can be blotchy and can have dry patches. Rosacea is more likely to occur. It’s important to look for products that are hypoallergenic tested and that are fragrance-free and are also moisturizing in the formulation.
What Is A Cleanser
A cleanser is something important that should be implemented in your day to day skin regime. The right cleanser will cleanse any excess oils and makeup impurities off the skin. Knowing your correct skin type you can always determine which cleanser would be best for your skin.
Cleansers for Normal to combination skin:
The Body Shop’s Vitamin C Daily Glow Exfoliating Cleansing Face Polish- This product can work as an exfoliator because it has microbeads which can gently remove dead skin cells off the skin.
Estee Lauders Nutritious Radiant Vitality 2 in 1 Foam Cleanser is the one I am currently using my Normal to Combination skin type. I use this in a combination of The Gentle Exfoliator Buffer by The Body shop in order to exfoliate my face. I use this product on its own daily. Another cleanser to consider is Estee Lauders Perfectly Clean Cleansing Mask which is suitable for all skin types.
Cleansers for oily skin:
The Body Shops Seaweed Deep Cleansing Gel Face Wash- this face wash helps control the oil on the skin.
Estee Lauders Perfectly Clean Cleansing Mask which is suitable for all skin types.
Cleansers For Dry Skin Types:
The Body Shop’s Vitamin E Gentle Facial Wash. This facial cleanser is enriched with moisture which will help hydrate dry skin types.
Estee Lauder’s Soft Clean Moisture Rich Cleanser is a cleanser that is made specifically for dry skin types it gives the skin the hydration that it’s lacking.
Cleansers for sensitive skin types:
The Body Shops Aloe Vera Gentle Foaming Wash
Eau Thermale Avene Cleansing Foam.
What Does A Toner Do To Your Face
Toners are usually used after cleansing the skin. It gives the skin a deep clean by removing any excess dirt and oils that may be sitting in the skin. I personally find that using a toner can change the texture of your skin. Toners for Normal to Combination skin usually help deep clean the pores and help balance the pH level of the skin.
Toners for oily skin types usually help reduce the oil secretion which can help with larger pores and reduces acne. Lastly, a toner for more drier skin types can help add moisture to the skin making it more hydrated without feeling greasy. Toners usually help prep the skin for a moisturizer and I personally found it helps a moisturizer sink into the skin.
How Often Do You Use A Toner
Toner’s are usually placed on cotton and applied gently on the face on freshly cleansed skin. Toners are usually used twice a day once in the morning hours and the second time in the evening hours. I personally apply a few drops on a cotton pad and gently wipe the face with it. During this step, I find that the dirt captured on the dirt, oils, and makeup that the cleanser wasn’t able to wash off the face. It will really surprise you what you can find on a cotton pad.
What Is Face Serum And What Does It Do
A face serum is usually not greasy and is usually a liquid or gel formulation. Its another form of adding hydration to the skin. When applying a face serum I personally use a quarter-sized amount and use my finger to apply the serum into my skin. It takes about a minute or two before it sinks into the skin and dries. A face serum can be used on its own but works better with a moisturizer. I personally find some face serums are stickier and thinner than a moisturizer.
This is used after toner and before your moisturizer. A serum usually helps a moisturizer sink deeper under the layers of the skin. I personally found that my moisturizer won’t sit on top of the skin and get the most of my moisturizer by using a serum. Most serums are made for all skin types, this will eliminate the guessing work in what serum is for your skin type.
Why Is A Face Moisturizer Important
When applying a moisturizer its best applied to a freshly cleansed skin or on top of a serum. It applies more evenly to a damp face. I personally use a quarter-sized amount of moisturizer with my fingertips and apply it all over the face including the neck. It takes a few minutes for it to absorb into the skin so wait before applying any other makeup products on top.
Using the right facial moisturizer has many benefits to the skin. It’s important to provide the right hydration to your skin on a daily basis as this can prevent aging of the skin. If we don’t moisturize the skin our skin can have fine lines those fine lines over time become wrinkles. Many formulations are high in antioxidants which also help prevent the skin from aging.
Most moisturizers have UVA/UVB and an SPF in it, such formulations help protect the skin from overexposure of the sun which can create damage to the skin. Using the correct moisturizer for your skin type can help certain skin conditions improve. A moisturizer for normal to combination skin can help balance pH levels of the skin. A moisturizer targeted for oily skin types can help with the over secretion in the pores while still hydrating the skin. For drier skin types a moisturizer can provide hydration to that skin types.
#2: Tinted Moisturizers, BB Creams, And Lightweight Foundations
What is a tinted moisturizer
When looking for a more natural look instead of using a full coverage foundation the best option is using a tinted moisturizer. A tinted moisturizer is a lightweight foundation and gives sheer coverage. There are formulations out there for oily skin type as well. Tinted moisturizers are more popular during the summer months due to its lightweight and sun protecting formulations. Its another way to achieve a “makeup without look like makeup products.”
Some tinted moisturizers take the guessing work on deciding what color will go with your skin type. These types of tinted moisturizers go on white and slowly camouflage into the skin once it oxidizes. A good example of this type of a tinted moisturizer would be Estee Lauders Day Wear Multi-protection Sheer Tint Release Moisturizer.
What is a BB cream
Another form of a tinted moisturizer would be a BB Cream which stands for Blemish Balm. If you need more than a sheer coverage a BB Cream could just do the trick. BB creams originated in Germany and given to patients who had cosmetic surgery done to their face. A lot of the formulations created were to help heal blemishes and heal the skin after surgery. The popularity of BB creams was more recognized in Asia where women enjoyed BB creams because of the lightweight formulations and the skin benefits that came with it. Another key factor BB creams have are a higher SPF factor.
I personally found most generic creams that have a high SPF cream clog pores and causes white heads but with BB creams I never had that problem. The coverage with most BB creams is that medium coverage which looks. Another benefit of using BB creams is because it has a lot of skin care ingredients it’s known to improve the skins overall appearance.
The one that I currently use is Estee Lauders DayWear BB cream multi-perfecting which is suitable for all skin types.
What is a CC Cream
A CC cream is known as a color correcting cream. CC creams usually color correct redness, black spots and helps brighten the skin’s complexion. The technology CC creams help correct various skin problems with light-infused particles. The formulation with CC creams is lighter than a foundation which is why it would be categorized as tinted moisture. CC creams also have the benefit of having skincare ingredients infused in the formulation such as skipping the step of applying a moisturizer on.
I personally still use my daily moisturizer under my CC creams. If an ordinary sheer tinted moisturizer isn’t enough coverage I find CC creams can really provide all the coverage one person may need. A CC cream can really replace an everyday foundation. The coverage for a CC cream can be light to medium and can even build to full coverage and still give the skin a beautiful glow. CC creams being similar to BB creams have a high SPF as well and helps improve the skin over time.
The CC cream that I currently use is by IT Cosmetics CC Cream- Its Your Skin But Better.
#3: Maintained Brows
How do I take care of my eyebrows
Well groomed brows are something everyone has to consider. Groomed brows frame the feature of the face. With the correct shape, it can change the way certain features on the face, for example, it can make the eyes appear larger and lift the face. Fuller eyebrows can make the face look younger. Its always good to get the eyebrows shaped by a professional every 2-3 weeks which can either be done with waxing or threading.
Once the desired shape is obtained, there are some tips to maintain the eyebrows, I have written below and it starts by trimming the eyebrows.
- Trimming the eyebrows avoids them looking bush and gives them a neater appearance overall in case there are any long stray hairs growing outside the eyebrow shape.
- once the eyebrows are trimmed the next tip is to tweeze extra hairs. It’s always wise to tweeze hairs after a hot shower to avoid pain. Tweeze hairs the direction of hair growth to avoid hairs growing in the wrong direction or to prevent ingrown hairs. This is an excellent way to keep the eyebrows look cleaner.
- fill in the brows if its necessary. In case there are any gaps in the eyebrow shape the best way to maintain the eyebrows is by gently drawing in he eyebrow hairs in order to fill gaps. Draw in the brows by using gentle strokes to get a more natural looking brow. There are three products that can be used to fill the eyebrows. The one product I find that works well with filling the brows and making them look more natural and fuller is IT Cosmetics Universal Brow Pencil that suits most brow colors and lasts all day due to its formulation.
- Set the eyebrows with an eyebrow gel or a clear mascara. Setting the brows can make thicker eyebrows stay in place and appear neater throughout the day.
#4: Lip Stains, Natural Colored Lipsticks- Nudes
When trying to enhance facial features naturally the best way to determine is by looking at the color of natural features and trying to enhance that color which is usually by neutral colors. Another way is by looking at our skin complexion and looking at what neutral colors will complement our skin color.
A lip stain is another alternative to wearing lip color. Lip stains last longer on the lips and give a more natural look. Once the formulation of a lip stain sinks into the lips it leaves a nice natural color to the lips without having much of a finish. Lip stain formulations usually also work as a blush which can help to take the guessing work out of what matching blush to apply. A good example of this type of lip stain is The Body Shops Lip and Cheek Stain.
If your not a fan of lip stains the other alternative is wearing a neutral colored lipstick. Neutral colors help makeup looks look more natural. There are many textures to play with when it comes to a neutral lip. The one I personally like is a sheer or glazed lipstick which provides a glossy finish. Sheer lipsticks provide a nice wash of color without looking overpowering.
How to choose a nude lipstick for our skin tone:
Choosing the correct nude lipstick for your skin tone can be tricky, what looks nice on your best friend may not look the same on your skin tone. The first thing is to determine your skin tone:
Fair skin tones should choose warm pinks and soft nude colors with a peachy undertone
Medium skin tones- have more depth in their skin tone. It’s always good to remember that the darker your lip color the darker you can go with lip color. The lipstick colors that will suit these skin tones is a rose or lipsticks with an apricot undertone.
Olive skin tones- are skin tones which have a bronzed look are flattered more with richer colors. Nude lipstick colors that would suit this skin tone would be tawny shade and anything with rich Carmel undertone.
Deeper skin tones- usually benefit from richer choices. The appropriate nude colors would be colors which have dark ginger-tone browns.
*for more information on skin tones and lip colors please download pdf
#5: Bronzers
Bronzer is one of those products that can really add to making your skin look as if it has a healthy natural glow. The purpose of the bronzer is that it makes it look like you have been out in the sun and have got a sun-kissed look without damaging the skin. Bronzer can also be used for lightly sculpting the nose and also defining the jawline and chin.
How To Apply Bronzer
There are different formulations out on the market when it comes to bronzing the skin. The one trick that I found worked well with all products is by using the “ number 3 technique and the backward E technique”.
By using the three and backward E technique it helps distribute the product along the temples down to the cheekbones and down to the jawline. The backward three would start and be drawn from the temples on your left side of your face and the E would be drawn on the right side of your face starting at the temples. This is supposed to be where the sun would naturally hit. This works with liquid, creams and powdered bronzers. After the bronzer is applied than its best to use blush.
When using a powdered bronzer its always good to remember to use a large fluffy brush because it will help blend out the product evenly and make it appear more natural.
The bronzer that I find works really well for a natural bronzed look is Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer. It comes in three shades which are for light, medium and dark skin tones so it makes it easy for many of us to find the right colored bronzer.
#6: Blushes
Applying the right color of blush can give the face a younger and more youthful glow. Blush benefits the face by applying a color that compliments the skin tone and makes it seem healthier. A quick tip to finding the right color for your skin tone is by pinching the cheeks. This will make the blood rush to the surface of the skin and show you the natural color your skin will flush, this is an indication of what your blush is supposed to naturally look like.
How To Apply Blush
Blush should always be applied to the cheekbone. There are a few simple steps to determine where your cheekbone based on your individual face.
Step 1: Smile, makes your natural features forward
Step 2: find the apple of your cheeks and place your index finger there
Step 3: place your thumb on the top of your ear where it connects your head
Step 4: take your thumb and bring I forward to your index finger. You should feel a bone, this is where your cheekbone is
Step 5: Apply blush directly to the cheekbone
#7: Eyeshadows- Neutral Eyeshadows
When applying eyeshadow to the eyes the purpose would be to make the eyes appear a lot more away and structured. Because we are trying to keep the look more natural its smart to keep the color choice of eyeshadows on the neutral side. Neutral colors with eyeshadows are more earthy toned colors like white, beige and browns. There should be three basic colors to help define the eyes. One being the base color, usually, this color is the same as your skin tone or slightly brighter.
The second being a darker color than the base color, this color usually contours the eye shape. Lastly, there should be a highlight color which should be the brightest color this will help open up the eyes making them appear bigger.
How do you apply a neutral eyeshadow
- Apply an eyeshadow primer all over the lid- this will help the eyeshadow stay on all day. (Urban Decays primer potion)
- Using a flat eyeshadow brush apply the base color or a color similar to your own skin tone all over the eyelid.
- Using a fluffy eyeshadow brush contour the eyelids with a darker color to the crease to give the eye shape more definition.
- Using a small eyeshadow brush apply the shimmer shade or brightest shade in your makeup palette to the eyebrow bone and the inner corner of the eyes. This step should help bring features forward
- Repeat these same steps to the other eye
Make when applying eyeshadow to the eyelids that you tap off any excess product from your brush to avoid any uneven distribution of the product.
A neutral eyeshadow pallet that will have a good selection of these eyeshadows is Urban Decays Naked 2 and 3 versions which both have a good choice of earthy neutral colors.
#8: Mascara
A makeup look is never completed without mascara. Mascara is one of those products that is a must. I personally sometimes just walk out the door with just mascara on because I am confident it makes my eyes look open. It lifts the lashes making the eye appear larger and making you look awake. Applying mascara to the lashes also enhances and defines the nature of the lashes. It’s really important to stick to either a black colored mascara or black-brown when trying to keep the makeup look as natural as possible. There are many formulations out on the market when it comes to purchasing mascara. Not only do the formulation matter but also there are so many brushes to choose from. So where do we get started?
Before even applying mascara the best thing we can do is curl our lashes with an eyelash curler. An eyelash curler will make the eyelashes appear longer because they are curled. To hold this curl we need to apply mascara. When applying mascara its always good to apply at least two coats of mascara to see the benefits of mascara.
Depending on your lashes the following are some formulations to consider:
Thickening (volumizing) mascara: these types of mascara help build volume to thinner lashes and have a thicker formulation. This formulation works well with thinner lashes.
Lengthening mascaras: are thinner in the formulation and have particles that attach to the end of your lashes. An example of this is fiber mascaras. These types of mascaras work well for short lashes.
Defining mascaras: for a more natural look applying a defining mascara to the lashes will make them appear more defined and slightly longer.
Curling mascaras: usually help curl and lift the lashes. This will work well for those of you who have straight lashes.
Waterproof mascaras: work well if you’re looking for a long-wearing mascara. These mascaras work well during special occasions or if you’re going swimming.
Another thing to consider when shopping for an everyday mascara is choosing the wands. A mascara wand can make a difference in the application of mascara onto the lashes so it’s always a good idea to know what mascara wand to look out for.
Thick bristles and full bristles: will help thicken and lengthen the lashes.
Short and dense bristles: help with definition
Tapered bristles: defines, thickens and lengthens lashes
Curved wand: helps lift the lashes during mascara application which gives the lashes more of a curl
Widely spaced bristles: helps define and separate lashes and gives a thin coat which also coats all the lashes with mascara
Comb bristles: gives a thin coat of mascara to all the lashes and separates each lash which prevents any clumping from occurring during mascara application.
How to apply mascara:
- Curl the lashes
- Pull the mascara wand out of the tube, wipe the brush against the opening of the tube or you can wipe it off on a paper towel- this prevents too much product being applied all at once to the lashes.
- Apply mascara starting from the bottom of the lash line
- Wiggle the brush going upwards and try to coat each lash
- Wait for about a minute and a half so that the mascara is slightly so that the second coat can build better
- Repeat the process with the second coat of mascara
- Repeat the steps on the other eye
#9: Natural Highlighters
Highlighting is a technique that is used to bring forward our natural features. There is no doubt a good highlighter can make your skin really glow. A good highlighter can make your skin seem hydrated and healthy looking if applied correctly to the skin. When using a highlighter on our face it’s important to remember that we remember that we apply highlighter to where the natural lighting would hit our face. You will find that natural lighting will hit the high points of our face. The natural high points of our face would be just on top of the cheekbones, down the bridge of our nose, the inner corner of eyes, the brow bone, and our cupid’s bow.
When applying a highlighter to the face using a light hand in order to achieve a slight glow. Highlighters are compressed powders that have micro reflective pigments these pigments if applied with a heavy hand it can seem unnatural.
I personally found that there are a few techniques in order to achieve a natural-looking glow with highlighters. We have to remember there are three formulations:
Pressed powder: is usually a pressed powdered pigment with micro reflective particles. This is best applied with a fiber brush, small fluffy brush or a fan brush. A fan brush will apply a thinner layer in which blends out to the most natural. Mac’s Mineralized Skin Finish in Soft and Gentle works well on most skin types
Creams: are usually a cream formulation and best blended out with a beauty blender. I personally found I had more control over how much product I wanted on my face by blending out a cream formulation. This was easier for me to achieve a natural looking glow. Benefits Watts Up Highlighter in Luminous Champagne is a cream to powder highlighter.
Liquid: because the formulation is liquid the intensity of the micro-reflective pigments will be more intense with most formulations. You can either use your fingers to blend out a liquid highlight or use a beauty blender which will help control the even distribution of the product.
What Highlighter Do I Use For My Skin Tone
Its defiantly wise to know what highlighter will compliment your skin tone otherwise the wrong highlighter can make a natural makeup look go wrong. The first thing we need to look at is what skin tone you fall under
Very fair: this type of skin tone has a very little color. It can almost appear translucent it can burn very easily in the sun if not looked after. More blue tone colored products complement these types of skin tones. MAC’s Extra Dimension Skin Finish in Soft Frost will compliment these skin types because it has white and a break of violent tones.
Fair: this skin tone is pale but is more creamy than very fair skin types. MAC’s Extra Dimension Skin Finish in Beaming Blush can compliment these skin types because it has pink tones with gold.
Medium: are skin tones have the potential of tanning olive without burning. This would be my skin tone and found hat MAC’s Skin Finish in Soft and Gentle works as a perfect highlighter with my skin tone.
Olive: is usually characterized by golden complexion. This skin type tans easy and has a yellow undertone. Therefore a product like MAC’s Extra Dimension Skin finish in Whisper of Gilt will compliment this skin tone as a highlighter.
Deep: skin tones are different tones of black but generally this is one of the darkest skin tones. MAC’s Skin Finish in Gold Deposit would work well with darker skin tones.