When the mercury rises and the sun shines, most of us don’t want to feel like our skin is caked in makeup. In spring/summer, natural looks tend to be much more popular, but if you’re used to wearing a lot of makeup, it can be daunting to go au naturel. If you’re feeling brave, and you’d like to give the minimalist look a go, here are some tips to make baring all easy.
Clinique ‘Dramatically Different’ Moisturizing Lotion+
Start with moisturizer
When you’ve cleansed your skin, apply moisturizer to nourish and hydrate your skin. If your skin is dry or flaky, your makeup won’t absorb properly, and you won’t get a smooth finish. Wait until your moisturizer has absorbed completely until you apply any other products.
Smashbox Photo Finish Pore Minimizing Foundation Primer
Use primer
Most makeup experts extol the virtues of primer, so if you don’t already use one, now is the time to start. Primer gives you an even base on which to apply concealer and foundation, and it can also help your makeup to stay in place for longer. Choose a primer that suits your skin type. You can buy products for dry, normal, sensitive, and oily skin, and you’ll find some recommendations here http://www.vogue.co.uk/gallery/10-best-primers-clinique-benefit-porefessional-smashbox.
NYX Professional Makeup High Definition Foundation
Choose your foundation carefully
There’s nothing more important than choosing the right shade and type of foundation when it comes to achieving a flawless natural look. If you’ve got a color that’s too light or dark, you’ll be able to tell that you’re wearing makeup straight away. The color of your foundation should blend with your natural complexion. Always test shades before you buy, and make sure you try the product out in natural light. Go for a shade that complements your skin tone. If you have cool skin, don’t buy a golden shade. Instead, go for something with pink or peach undertones. If you need advice on shopping for your skin type or tone, take a look at websites like beautyambition.com or ask a skincare expert or a beauty assistant for advice. Most people end up trying a whole host of products before you find their ideal match. In the summer months, when you tend to have a bit more color in your cheeks, it’s wise to go for a slightly darker shade than you would use in the winter. Layer the product, rather than applying a large amount in one go, as this makes it easier to blend.
Too Faced Sweet Peach Glow Highlighting Palette
Adding blush or bronze
Once you’ve finished applying your foundation, you can define your cheekbones and inject a little color by adding a sweep of bronzer or a flush of blush. Use a brush to apply bronzer to the areas that the sun would hit, for example, the end of the nose, the forehead, and the cheeks or add blush to the apples of the cheeks. Go for subtle shades rather than bold contouring.
Summer will be here before we know it, so are you ready to be daring and bare all with minimalist makeup? If you’re keen to give the natural look a go, hopefully, this guide will give you confidence, and help you recreate the look with minimal effort.
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