It is a misconception to think that natural makeup should look as if you are not wearing any makeup. Natural makeup, according to the Makeup Artist World makeup, refers to makeup that mimics the colors and tones within a woman’s complexion. It is applied carefully and lightly to bring out a woman’s natural beauty. If your makeup is applied properly, when people see you, they won’t think, “Wow, what a great makeup job,” but rather, “Wow, what a beautiful face.”
Skin Care
Just as an artist begins with a clean canvas, makeup should be applied to a clean and moisturized face. Use a gentle cleanser that is formulated for your skin; otherwise, your skin might react and leave you with redness or breakouts. Use a toner if you wish, and apply a light layer of moisturizer to nourish your skin.
Concealer
While you might naturally have dark under-eye circles, they are not part of a natural-looking makeup. Use a concealer that is one shade lighter than your foundation. Avoid concealer that has “luminescent” qualities, especially if you are preparing to have your picture taken; it can give you the look of an opossum.
Using a small brush or the edge of a clean sponge, dot the concealer under your eye, beginning at the inner corner of the eye and following the eye muscle to the outer edge, just below the lash line. Blend the concealer gently, using a fresh brush, a clean edge of the sponge or your cleansed fingertip. Carefully blend the edge of the concealer to remove any lines.
Cover blemishes in the same way, by dotting on concealer and then blending the edge.
Foundation
For those blessed with a clear complexion, a lightly tinted moisturizer might be all the foundation they need. If you need a foundation to even out skin tones or cover blemishes, use light makeup, such as mineral powder, liquid or a whipped mousse foundation. Avoid cream foundations that come in a stick; they are thicker and heavier on the skin.
Select a foundation that matches your skin tone. Skin with warm tones has yellow undertones, greenish veins and burns easily, explains Shelly Ballestero in her 2009 book, “Beauty by God.” Skin with cool tones has pinkish undertones and bluish veins.
Test a foundation color by applying a small line between the cheek and jaw line. If it disappears, it is the right color.
Use a light touch and apply foundation either all over or just on the areas where the complexion needs to be, suggests the Makeup Artist World website. Feather the foundation under the jaw line to avoid lines of demarcation.
Blush
Blushes are available in powder, cream or gel. Powders work well for those with oily skin, giving the cheeks a matte finish. Cream or gel works for dry skin, adding a hint of dewiness.
Blush for warm undertones includes honey, peach, salmon or tawny. Blush for cool undertones includes rose, apple or soft mauve.
Looking straight into the mirror and smile to find the “apple” of your cheeks. Apply the blush directly to the apple. Sweep it upward along the cheek line, ending with a gentle curve toward the side of your eye. Keep the blush light, to suggest the color.
Eye Makeup
Natural-looking eye shadow should either be a nude color or reflect the color of the blush. Use a lighter color on the lower lid and under the eyebrow. Use a medium color on the outer third of the lower lid and sweep it gently up into the crease.
Apply a thin line of brown eye liner along the upper lashes and outer half of the lower lashes. Use a cotton swab to smudge the line gently.
Brown or brown-black mascara gives a more natural look than a dark black mascara. Curl the lashes and then apply one or two light coats of mascara.
Lips
For a natural lip, use a tinted lip gloss or a lipstick that matches your natural lip color, or line your lips with a neutral lip liner, and apply a sheer gloss to the center of your bottom lip.
Photo Credit
- makeup image by Kurhan from Fotolia.com
