I am here to dispel a huge beauty myth. "No Makeup" makeup (or, if you prefer, "natural makeup") is not harder to apply than your regular, run o' the mill kind.
Nude makeup is quick, easy, and nearly goof-proof. Plus, it goes with just about anything and has the added benefit of helping turn up the dial on your own innate beauty without smothering it beneath some mask.
The key to pulling it off? Having the right products on hand and knowing how to use them. Here's a rundown of my must-haves along with some pro tips to get you started.
Sheer foundation
The less makeup you have on, the more natural your look; so if your skin is in good condition, feel free to skip foundation. However, if you just want to even out your complexion, use a light formula (I love the American brand
COVERGIRL NatureLuxe Silk Foundation, £20). You can also thin out a thicker foundation by mixing it with a touch of primer or moisturizer.
To avoid those telltale "I'm wearing foundation" lines around your jaw and hairline, celebrity makeup artist and Make-up Designory instructor Cyndi Welch advises matching foundation to your neck and chest, which tend to be darker than your face.
Luminizing concealer
Healthy skin has a bit of shine to it. But if yours looks more dull than dewy, fake it 'till you make it with a luminizing concealer (try
Givenchy Mister Bright Touch of Light Pen, £21.90). Just apply it where light would naturally hit your best features (e.g., your browbone, cheekbones, cupid's bow, etc.). You can also use it to conceal dark circles and balance out uneven color around the creases of your nose.
Nude lips
When choosing a nude lip shade, common mistakes include going matte or trying to match the color of your skin exactly. Both of these acts will make you look unhealthy and too pale. To add warmth to your face, go for a neutral, satin-finish lipstick with a slight peach or pink tint to it instead. (Try
Rimmel Kate Lasting Finish Lipstick in #003, £5.49.)
To give your lip color more staying power, use a lip liner that
does match your lips beneath your lipstick. (Try
17 Lipliner in Buff, £2.49.)
Creamy cheeks
With nude makeup, it's easy to look washed out. The best way to avoid this is to apply a rosy cream blush, which can look more natural than a powder blush, on the apples of your cheeks. (Try
Nars Cream Blush in Lokoum, £20.50.) For a sun-kissed look, add a touch of tawny (for darker skin) or peachy (for lighter skin) bronzer along your cheekbones, too. (Try
Nars Multiple Bronzer, £29.) Blend your cheeks well for a barely-there effect.
Note: If you are using powder formulas instead of cream formulas and the results look too dusty, mist some water over your face and let it sink in.
Precision brow pencil
Brows frame the face, which is a definite necessity when bright colors aren't around to steal the show. Keep them groomed and shaded in with a soft, fine-point brow pencil. (Try
DiorShow Brow Styler Ultra-Fine Precision Brow Pencil, £19.09.) Apply the pencil using light, diagonal strokes; then run a brow brush or dry mascara wand over your brows to help blend the color in seamlessly.
When choosing a pencil shade, a light brown pencil generally works best if you have blonde hair, while honey brown works best for red hair and deep brown works best for brown hair.
Shimmery shadows
All you need are at least two shimmery nude eyeshadows to add dimension to your lids and help bring out your eyes. First, apply a shadow that's slightly lighter than your skin tone as a base color from lashline to lid. Then apply a shadow that's slightly darker than your skin tone in your crease, or at the base of your lid if you lack a crease. (Try
ELF Custom Eyes in Moondust and Mocha, £1.50 each.)
Beige eyeliner
Beige eyeliner -- which looks more natural than white eyeliner -- brightens your eyes and makes you look more awake. Use it the same way makeup artist and Procter & Gamble Global Creative Design Director Pat McGrath uses it on runway models: to line your inner eye rims. (Try
W7 Eye Stix Eyeliner Pen by Beige Pearl , £2.99.) And don't forget to apply a few coats of black mascara. (Try
MaxFactor False Lash Effect Mascara, £10.99.)
Nude nails
And, finally, we get to nude nails -- my favorite finishing touch for any look, any time. A good nude nail minimizes redness, elongates your hand, conceals imperfections, and lasts longer (chips look less noticeable than when you've got a brightly-colored mani). But the wrong shade could make your nails look unhealthy or stained with nicotine. (Try
ELF's Nail Polish in Nude or Blush, £1.50)
To find the right shade, "choose a nude that matches as closely to your face foundation as possible," says green celebrity nail artist Jenna Hipp. If you have light or fair skin, opt for a shade with a touch of cream in it to neutralize the pink in your skin. If you have medium or dark skin, choose peach and brown tones over yellowish or pinky nudes.
I hope you've all had an awesome weekend and that you are all safely back to work, school or wherever you may be.
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