How Do You Achieve a Natural Makeup Look?
Achieving a natural makeup look is an art that requires specific techniques, as revealed by our panel of directors and managers. From incorporating cheek tints for color to focusing on enhancing rather than covering up, discover the top ten key techniques shared by industry experts for that flawless, barely-there beauty.
- Incorporate Cheek Tints for Color
- Add Vaseline for Sheer Finish
- Embrace “Less Is More” Eye Makeup
- Prepare Skin for Flawless Base
- Balance Skin Primers with Health and Makeup Type
- Prioritize Lightweight Products
- Use Subtle Contouring Techniques
- Moisturize for Flawless Makeup Canvas
- Master Light Application and Blending
- Focus on Enhancing Instead of Covering
Incorporate Cheek Tints for Color
A tint is a real game-changer. There are so many methods to achieve a natural makeup appearance, but one of the simplest is using a cheek tint. Nowadays, almost every beauty brand offers some form of cheek tints, providing a wide selection to choose from. They are straightforward to use and can add a beautiful touch of color to your cheeks, maintaining a natural look.
Cheek tints are available in various shades, including red, pink, orange, and even purple. To use, just apply the tint to both cheeks and blend it with your fingers, or alternatively, you can use a soft brush or sponge. This method results in a fresh, naturally dewy appearance.
Amy Tribe
Director, OGLF (Our Good Living Formula)
Add Vaseline for Sheer Finish
If you’re going for a natural makeup look, it’s best to keep it light and simple. One of the beauty hacks that I personally use is adding a small amount of Vaseline to my base makeup for a more natural and sheer finish. The Vaseline helps me to blend the makeup seamlessly into my skin, giving it a natural look.
The trick is to use a tiny amount of Vaseline, so it won’t make your skin look too greasy or oily. You can apply it directly to your face or mix it with your foundation or BB cream. This technique is especially useful if you have dry skin or if you want to achieve a dewy, glowing look.
Naima Ch
Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Set Alarm Online
Embrace “Less Is More” Eye Makeup
A crucial technique for nailing the natural makeup look is perfecting the “less is more” approach, especially when it comes to eye makeup. I focus on enhancing my eyes in the most subtle way possible. This usually means curling my lashes to open up the eyes, followed by a coat of brown mascara instead of black for a softer look.
For eyeshadow, I choose matte shades that are close to my skin tone or slightly warmer to add depth without obvious color. I finish by lightly filling in my brows with a pencil or powder that matches my brow color, using feathery strokes to mimic natural hair. This keeps the focus on the eyes without overwhelming them with product.
Gillian Dewar
Chief Financial Officer, Crediful
Prepare Skin for Flawless Base
One key technique for achieving a natural makeup look is mastering the art of skin preparation. Before applying any makeup, I always focus on ensuring my skin is well-hydrated and smooth.
I start with a gentle exfoliant to remove any dead skin cells, followed by a hydrating serum and a lightweight moisturizer. This creates a flawless base, reducing the need for heavy foundation.
When I do apply foundation, I opt for a sheer, liquid formula that I blend well with a damp beauty sponge, ensuring it melds seamlessly with my skin. This approach helps me achieve a fresh, “no-makeup” makeup look that enhances my natural features without masking them.
Allison Kesselring
Sales Manager, Oaks Roofing and Siding
Balance Skin Primers with Health and Makeup Type
Any makeup routine, no matter how natural or glamorous you want it to be, starts with skin preparation. Having a good base makes it easier to use fewer products to achieve a glowy, natural look. A good skincare routine helps create a smooth and even canvas for makeup application by addressing concerns such as dryness, texture, and uneven skin tone. Well-hydrated and exfoliated skin provides a seamless base for makeup, allowing products to blend more easily and ensuring a natural finish.
When the skin is well-maintained and in good condition, there is less reliance on heavy makeup products to conceal imperfections. Skincare can help minimize the appearance of blemishes, redness, and discoloration, allowing for a more natural makeup look with lighter coverage products.
Skincare products such as primers and moisturizers can also create a hydrated and smooth surface for makeup application, improving the longevity and performance of makeup products throughout the day. Properly prepped skin holds makeup better, preventing it from settling into fine lines or becoming patchy over time.
Be sure to incorporate the right moisturizers, serums, and primers that work well not only on your skin but with the type of makeup you are using. Also, include sunscreen to prevent skin damage.
Sam Rock
Operations Manager, Infinity Laser Spa
Prioritize Lightweight Products
A key technique for achieving a natural makeup look is to focus on enhancing your features rather than masking them. That was what I was doing when I worked as a makeup artist before. Start with a good skincare routine to create a smooth canvas. Then, opt for lightweight products like tinted moisturizers or BB creams to even out the skin tone without looking heavy. Use a concealer only where needed to cover blemishes or dark circles. For the eyes, choose neutral eyeshadows and apply them lightly for subtle definition; a good brush is always the secret to achieving well-blended color.
Finish with a swipe of mascara and a natural-looking lipstick or lip gloss. My tip for the perfect nude lip is to find the shade closest to your inner lip in a natural satin finish, as matte lipsticks create a texture that doesn’t look natural. The goal is to enhance your natural beauty while still looking effortlessly polished.
Adam Garfield
Marketing Director, Hairbro
Use Subtle Contouring Techniques
A natural makeup look is all about working with and enhancing your natural features rather than concealing them. The key technique to achieve this type of look can be done by using subtle contouring, which is used for defining the structure of the face by creating highlights and shadows.
For this technique, you will want to use a cream or powder bronzer that is slightly darker than your skin tone. Avoid products with orange undertones or heavy shimmer, as this will look unnatural. You can use a small, fluffy contour brush to apply the product to the hollows of your cheeks to create a subtle shadow. You can also contour other areas of your face, such as your jawline, nose, and temples. Make sure to blend well, as this will ensure that there are no harsh lines or obvious contour stripes.
Andrea Cuevas
Marketing Coordinator, Achievable
Moisturize for Flawless Makeup Canvas
When it comes to natural makeup, the power of skincare is hard to overstate. Remember to moisturize. That’s a fundamental step in creating a flawless canvas for makeup application and achieving a natural, fresh-looking finish.
While dry and flaky skin causes makeup to appear patchy or cakey, moisturizing gives your skin essential hydration, smooths its texture, and creates a healthy glow. It also allows products to blend seamlessly and better fill fine lines and wrinkles. Additionally, properly moisturized skin forms a protective barrier, which prevents makeup from being absorbed too quickly. As a result, foundation and concealer stay in place throughout the day, allowing you to avoid frequent touch-ups and look fresh for longer.
Last but not least, I’m a great fan of BB creams and recommend trying them out to anyone. In short, BB cream is a multitasking skincare and makeup hybrid, offering a lighter coverage look than foundation.
Agata Szczepanek
Career Expert, LiveCareer
Master Light Application and Blending
One essential technique for achieving a natural makeup look is mastering the art of light application and blending. The goal is to enhance, not mask, your natural features. Using lightweight formulas and tools like beauty sponges or stippling brushes allows for a more controlled, sheer application.
Furthermore, meticulous blending ensures there are no harsh lines or obvious makeup edges, creating a seamless transition that complements your natural skin texture. This approach emphasizes subtlety and refinement, which are key components of the natural makeup aesthetic, reflecting an individual’s intrinsic beauty with a minimalistic touch.
Katrina Elbahey
CEO & Founder, Practical Psychologist, Matchmaking Services
Focus on Enhancing Instead of Covering
A key technique is using a light hand with products; it’s all about enhancing rather than masking. Starting with a tinted moisturizer or a lightweight foundation provides a breathable base. Then, subtly defining features with neutral tones and a touch of mascara can elevate one’s natural beauty without appearing overdone.
Will Li
Hardware Engineer, MOKO Technology
Submit Your Answer
Would you like to submit an alternate answer to the question, “What’s a key technique for achieving a natural makeup look?”