I recently read an article online about how underrated a natural look is, and it’s so true! I love the look and feel of a fresh face, with minimal make up on. Sure, it’s fun to play around with colorful makeup, but I find that keeping it real with minimal make up really brings out our honest God-given beauty.
I’m personally an avocet of makeup that leans more towards skin care and less of colors and gloss. There is a time and place for certain levels of makeup, not to mention wearing makeup at all is a very personal choice. I have many Christian friends that choose not to wear makeup, mostly because they don't want to draw attention to themselves for biblical reasons. I definatly respect that point of view, and my friends respect my point of view on the subject as well. That's important, not judging someone based on their personal choices, within reason, of course.
It varies from face to face, but personally my skin needs attention. Some women are born with natural flawless skin, but my oily/uneven face is not included in that bunch. And that’s okay! I thank God every day to even have skin on my face. Enough said.
Here are the steps (in order) I personally take to making my face look fresh and awake, yet natural.
1. Moisterizer
Moisterizer is the most important one, I find. Moisterizer does, well, moisterize your skin! Over time moisterizer will help bring your skin to a more even texture. If you have dry skin, moisterizer is key. The summer AND winter months take a toll on your skin, drying it out. Moisterizer isn't really makeup, but more skin care, therefore you should apply moisterizer everyday, regardless of whether you wear makeup that day or not. There are lot of inexpensive options for moisterizer, and even some amazing ones that contain SPF in them. I personally use this Lancome one I've pictured here. I like it, but I think the next time I buy a moisterizer I'll go with one that is less expensive and contains SPF.2. Primer
This step isn't really necessary, but I do use a primer. Primers basically help make your makeup last longer throughout the day. Primer gives your makeup something to stick to, making your makeup easier to apply, since it just glides on. I'm not one that likes to carry a makeup bag around with me, so anything that will make my makeup last longer is my best friend. Primers can also contain an SPF as well, like this Smashbox one. Smashbox is a pretty expensive brand, I've only bought a travel sized tube of this primer to try it out, and while it works great I'd like to spend less money, so I think next time I'll go for another brand.
3. Concealer
Concealer becomes more useful the older you get. Concealer is applied to under eye circles, and any other area you want to brighten up. Around your nose if you have redness, on your forehead, around your mouth, areas like this where the your skin could be uneven. Again, I use this Smashbox concealer, and while it is amazing quality, I don't have that many issues that requier concealer just yet, so next time I'm going to buy a more affordable brand.
4. Base
While moisterizer is the most important step, base (I find) is my lifesaver. Base is what evens out your skintone. It's tinted to match the color of your face, so it's important to find the right color for you. I personally love my Clinique base, they have so many colors, so I was able to get help from the lady at the counter who found my exactly color. Base is tricky since your skin changes color, so I'll probably need a new color in the winter months once my tan from summer has faded away. But yes, base is the best. There is liquid and powder forms, so it's definatly a makeup step to try different things with.
5. Powder
Power locks the makeup in. It gives a more matte finish to your face. If you take any makeup with you on the go, it would have to be your powder. Your face will most likely get shiney throughout the day, and perhaps you'll sweat off some of the makeup you applied earlier, so sweeping powder across your face is a quick fix. Like base, powder is colored to match your skin color. I use this Smashbox one, and unlike the other Smashbox products I use, I really don't see myself changing to another powder. For the money it's worth, it brings a lot of product and don't expire for, like, 6 years. I don't apply much makeup throughout the day, so this will last me forever. Plus, this particular tin is amazing since you twist the face of it (that silver area pictured) and it shaves off a little bit of the compacted powder. Such an awesome idea. The tiny travel brush it comes with...is terrible. All the little hairs just fall right out!
6. Eyeshadow Primer
Okay! If you are going to use an eyeshadow, THIS IS AMAZING! It's a primer for eyeshadow. I have this issue where my lids are
more deep-set in my face, so my eyelid folds in, and whenever I wear shadow it's a mess after a few hours, the shadow
melts, creases, whatever. Once I started using this eyeshadow primer I didn't have that problem anymore. My shadow lasted the whole day. Amazing!
7. Natural Eyeshadow
I'm a big fan of natural eye colors. Of course, you don't have to wear eyecolor, but if you DO, shades of pale pink, cream, brown, gold, tan, honey, are all awesome amazing colors that are subtle at the same time, depending on how much of them you apply. I ADORE the Two Faced Natural Eye Pallet, pictured here on the left. My favorite shade is that middle one on the left, the shimmery pink. Usually I'll just put that pink on, add mascara, and be done with my eyes. Or I'll take that light cream color and dab it on the inner corners of my eyes to make me look more awake. This pallet also comes with handy little cards that give you ideas for how to wear the amazing colors it comes with. Definatly a keeper. Oh! Especially on brown eyes.
8. Eyeliner
This one is give or take, since depending on how you apply it, eyeliner could look natural or make you look more glammed up. So, remember, in the case of a fresh face, less is more. If you wear shadows, a thin line of eyeliner in either brown or black is enough to look polished. If you want a cat eye kind of thing on your upper lid, maybe skip out on shadow and simply wear eyeliner! Sometimes I wear shadow and only apply eyeliner on my waterline (bottom half of my eye). There are different types of eyeliner (pencil, liquid, and gel) and the weird thing is I like to use gel eyeliner on my lid, but pencil on the bottom! It just holds up better that way! Ha.
9. Mascara
The finishing touch to eyes. Even if you don't wear eyeshadow that day, running a quick layer of mascara over your lashes really brightens up your eyes. Mascara is something you really never need to spend a lot of money on, drugstore mascaras are just as good as the high-end ones. I use this Maybelline one, and it works just fine.
10. Blush
Perfect finishing touch! Dap a fresh shade of rosey pink to give your cheeks a bit of color. Or if you're looking for more of a sunkissed look for summer, try a bronzer instead. I love these whipped cream-esque blushes from Maybelline! They have a bronzer type too, which is fun since it has little glitters in it! :)
Extra Credit: Lipgloss/Lipbalm
Add either a pale gloss or tinted lipbalm to help make your lips look less pale against all the natural makeup. I LOVE this Dr. Pepper flavored chapstick by Lipsmackers. It is subtle (since Lipsmackers is marketed toward young girls!) yet this flavor adds an amazing cherry tint! And I hate Dr. Pepper soda. But I love this chapstick/lipbalm. The watermelon flavor from Lipsmackers is awesome too :)
There are so many tutorial-style videos on YouTube from amazing makeup gurus that make learning about makeup simple. I love Michelle Phan-- look up her videos! She does several natural looks, along with many fun, more jazzed-up looks. So put your best fresh-face forward :)
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