Natural makeup has been gracing every catwalk, Instagram post and magazine spread, serving us dewy, blushy, au naturelle goodness that has us reaching for the makeup wipes and going barefaced.
Except when we remove all traces of makeup, we aren’t looking at a clear, glowing complexion that is reminiscent of those “I just woke up” selfies on Instagram.
Instead – if you’re anything like us – you’ll have a slightly dull, pasty, unkempt reflection staring back at you, with dark circles serving as a nice reminder that we only had five hours of sleep last night.
There are a few tricks of the trade that enable you to pull off a naturally perfect complexion. So, say goodbye to the full coverage foundations, glittery eyeshadows and high pigment blush (for now) because we’re stripping things back to basics…
Tone your way to beautiful skin –
To get a long-lasting healthy sheen, you’re going to need more than just a glow-inducing primer. Clear, fresh-looking skin is the key to achieving a successful ‘no-makeup’ makeup look, which is why skin care is a key step in this ritual. Get skin looking preppy and perky with a toner, which buffs away dead skin to reveal a visibly brighter complexion.
Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise! –
Skin should both look and feel naturally beautified, which is why it’s so important to provide your complexion with long-lasting hydration. With the correct moisturiser, the appearance of fine lines and flakiness can be successfully avoided, providing you with your best glow-up yet.
Prime –
Okay, we’re nearly done with the skin prep now, we promise! Next up is priming. Want that dewy-yet-not-sweaty natural glow? Prime. Desperate for your look to stay in place all day? Prime. Fed up with creasing? PRIME. Get yourself a decent primer that has the ability to lock down your look and add that sun-reflecting glow.
Colour correct –
It’s all well and good applying a splash of sheer coverage foundation or BB cream, but it won’t get you very far if you don’t colour correct first. BB creams will give you a boost of warmth but won’t cover up red spots or dark circles. What you need is to avoid using heavy-duty foundations and concealers whilst still maintaining a flawless complexion. The answer? A strong colour correcting palette.
Add a sheer pop of warmth –
Now don’t get us wrong, we love a full coverage glam look. But to nail that fresh-faced visage you’re going to need a sheer pop of warm colour. Depending on how comfortable you are in your own skin, opt for a light-wearing BB cream. Their moisturising formulas not only keep skin looking peppy but also work to add an even amount of true-to-life colour that gives a healthy glow to paler, dulling complexions.
Glow up –
One thing you’ve probably noticed from all of these Pinterest photos is the unearthly, goddess-like glow each of these ladies has. The secret? A liquid highlighter. You’re already going to have that naturally dewy look from your skin care routine but to ramp it up a notch, add a super blendable highlighting formula for a natural glow.”
Lashes and brows –
Subtlety is key when it comes to ‘no makeup’ makeup. To save room in your makeup kit, try using either a brown or clear mascara that can be used on both your lashes and eyebrows. The aim is to define and enhance in a natural-looking way, which is why brown is a safer option than harsh blacks.