Gone are the days of recontouring, baking, and smearing lips! If you follow a large number of beauty influencers and makeup accounts on Instagram, YouTube, or any social media platform, you may have noticed that gentle, subtle makeup has become the new normal!
As someone who got started with makeup in the mid-2000s, I’m only familiar with the Kardashian-esque full-coverage makeup used by popular YouTubers like Jeffree Star and Tati Beauty. That’s why I was so intrigued when I started noticing the recent cultural shift to more natural makeup, also known as “no-makeup looks.”
But to be honest, I do find myself feeling a little lost on how to navigate this new “less is more” approach to makeup. Over the years, many of our makeup enthusiasts have been keen on that full, glamorous, pore-erasing makeup style. Suddenly adapting to this trend of light, effortless makeup looks is definitely a challenge. So, I decided to put together this handy little guide on how to create a natural makeup look with ease! Read on to find out what types of products and technologies can help you achieve a gorgeous, minimalist look.
1. Replace the powder with a cream
When I first started buying cosmetics a few years ago, the shelves were filled with powdered products – blush, bronzer, eyeshadow, etc. Now the situation has completely changed. Nowadays, cream alternatives can be found in almost all categories of cosmetics. Powder products tend to look rough and often end up highlighting wrinkles or fine lines on the skin. Creams, on the other hand, melt into the skin very naturally, giving them a glow from within.
2. Apply makeup with your hands
Hear me out – I know there are countless different types of sponges and brushes out there that will guarantee you incredible application results and flawless finish. However, professional makeup artists actually prefer to apply makeup with their fingers. Don’t believe me? Do a quick Google search and check it out for yourself.
As you apply makeup with your fingers, the natural warmth of your body helps to gently melt the product into your skin. On the other hand, when you use a brush or sponge, the product tends to stay on your skin instead of blending smoothly into it, resulting in a more unnatural clumping effect.
Applying makeup with your fingers may seem daunting at first, but once you dive into it, you’ll realize that it’s actually a very intuitive process. Make sure to wash your hands first and then gently pat the product onto your skin with your index and middle fingers in circular motions. You can apply foundation, concealer, eyeshadow, lipstick, and more with just your fingers!
3. Use setting powder to touch up your makeup
This is a trick I found in my rush and ended up applying too much bright pink blush to my cheeks. I didn’t want to take it off and start over because I was already late. It occurred to me to pick up my big, fluffy brush, dip it into my setting powder jar, and gently apply it to my cheeks. To my surprise, this almost helped to lighten my blush and make it look more subtle and wearable.
I did some research and found out that setting powders are actually meant to gently blur and smooth your makeup. When I initially purchased the setting powder, I thought it was exactly the same as the setting powder and was designed to make your makeup look last longer. It turns out that setting powder and setting powder have two very different uses.
You can use the setting powder on your entire face or only on areas that you think might be overweight with the product. This will smooth everything out and give you a more natural look. Just be mindful of the amount of setting powder you use, as too much can make your face appear pale.
4. Stick to one pop color
Adopting a natural approach to makeup doesn’t mean you have to give up bright colors altogether. If you’re planning on incorporating some fun pops of color into your natural makeup, be sure to go for it! However, try to use only one popular color.
If you want bold red lips, stick to very natural, neutral eyeshadows and bronzer shades. Similarly, if you’re opting for a striking flamingo pink blush on your cheeks, opt for nude lips and minimalist eyeshadow. This will ensure that you don’t see too many changes on your face at the same time and keep your appearance interesting but still balanced and soft.
Why you should try a natural look
One of the best things about this more minimalist approach to makeup is that it encourages you to embrace your skin. The purpose of this look is to enhance your existing features, rather than giving yourself a brand new nose with contouring or mimicking Botox with plenty of lip liner. Among the thousands of makeup trends we see each year, I believe that natural makeup has the potential to change the narrative around unrealistic beauty standards in a positive way.
