Before washing your face, you should remove your makeup with a makeup remover or natural oil, such as coconut oil. Apply a dime-sized amount of cleanser to your face, massage it into your skin, and wash with warm water. If your pores look large and your face gets shiny, then you likely have oily skin. If you have large pores and shine only on your forehead and nose, then you probably have combination skin. If your skin sometimes looks a little shiny across your forehead and on your nose, then your skin is likely normal. If your skin is tight, dry, and flaky, then it’s probably dry. [1] X Research source If you have acne prone skin, then you may want to get a cleanser formulated to fight acne.
Look for a formula that provides benefits that you want, such as hydrating. Apply the toner to a cotton pad, then dab it onto your skin.
It’s important to protect your skin from sun damage too, so you may want to use a moisturizer that has an SPF of at least 15. You can also use a separate sunscreen product if you prefer. Apply it after the moisturizer and give it 5 minutes to sink into your skin before applying any makeup. If your skin looks too shiny after applying your moisturizer, use a tissue to blot your face before moving onto your makeup.
Apply a dot of primer to your nose, then start to blend outward. Add more primer as needed to cover your entire face. [4] X Research source
Make sure that your tinted moisturizer or BB cream is oil-free so it’s less likely to clog your pores. If your skin is extremely oily, you may want to skip a general moisturizer and just use a tinted version so you can moisturize and even out your complexion in one step. While tinted moisturizers and BB creams are usually more sheer than traditional foundations, it’s still important to choose a shade that matches your skin tone. Test it by blending a small amount across your cheek, and checking it in natural light to see if it’s a match. Even if you’re using a sheer tinted moisturizer or BB cream, make sure to blend it over your jawline and down onto your neck. You don’t want to wind up with a line across your jaw where your makeup ends.
Consider using a color-correcting concealer if you have acne. For instance, if you have red marks, you might use a green- or yellow-based concealer to balance out the red and make it look less noticeable. Then, you can use a little foundation or tinted moisturizer over that. [7] X Expert Source Ashleigh GroundsMakeup Artist & Hair Stylist Expert Interview. 22 April 2020. Make sure to choose a concealer that matches your skin tone as closely as possible. Otherwise, you’ll only wind up drawing attention to the areas that you’re trying to hide. As with your moisturizer, choose a concealer that’s oil-free. If you have acne, you may also want to look for one that contains acne-fighting ingredients, such as salicylic acid, to help fight the breakout while concealing it. If you’re using a stick concealer or one that features an applicator that is stored inside the tube, don’t apply the concealer directly from the container to your face. Dab some on your finger or a brush, so you don’t spread bacteria from your acne to the concealer itself. Also, feel free to skip concealer if you do not think you need it. Wearing unnecessary face makeup can do more harm to your skin than good. If your face is clear enough, do what’s best for it.
Opt for a translucent powder that won’t add much color and coverage to your face so your look stays natural. Apply the powder with a fluffy brush. That will diffuse the product so your face doesn’t look cakey or powdery. If your skin is relatively even, you may want to skip a tinted moisturizer or BB cream and use a powder foundation to set your concealer. It offers more coverage than a translucent powder, but is still light enough to look natural.
If you feel like your brows need some filling in, you can swap your clear brow gel for a tinted version that matches your brow color. It will look more natural than a brow pencil or powder.
You can use the sponge-tip applicator that comes with your eyeshadow, a brush, or even your fingertip to apply it. However, for the most natural look, use a fluffy shadow brush to apply it. The color will appear sheerer, so your eyes look soft and subtle. If you want your eyes to look bigger, use light colors to brighten them and make them look more open. If you want your eyes to look smaller, opt for darker colors. [11] X Expert Source Ashleigh GroundsMakeup Artist & Hair Stylist Expert Interview. 22 April 2020.
If you feel like your eyes really need some extra definition, try using powdered eyeshadow as a liner for a much softer, more natural look. Dip an angled brush into a brown, gray, or navy shadow, and run it as close to your upper lash line as possible.
A single layer of mascara is all you need for some definition. If you apply too much, your lashes may start to clump together and ruin the natural look. It’s best to stick with a lightweight formula, which is healthiest for your lashes. You might choose a water-resistant formula if you are extremely active and sweat a lot. However, you should avoid using waterproof mascara, which can damage your lashes.
To find the apples of your cheeks, smile – apply the blush to the fleshy part of your cheek, blending up toward your hairline. For fair skin, choose a light pink blush. For medium skin, go with a rose gold blush. For dark skin, opt for a hot pink blush. Peach blushes tend to be flattering on all skin tones. Using an angled blush brush usually makes for an easier application. That’s because the shape deposits the most color on the apple of your cheek and fades it out across your cheekbone.
Don’t go more than one or two shades darker than your natural skin tone with your bronzer. Choose a matte formula that isn’t too orange, so it looks natural. If you’re having trouble figuring out where to apply your bronzer, use the “3/E” shape method. Starting at the top of your forehead, dust it over your face in “3” shape on the right side of your face, so you cover the temple, cheekbone, and jawline, and an “E” shape on the left side of your face to cover the same areas on the other side.
Avoid lip glosses that have a lot of glitter or shimmer in them. They usually don’t look natural. If you want to go a little bolder with your lip color, opt for sheer pinks and peach shades. If your lips are flaky or dry, try rubbing a little sugar onto your lips. Gently scrub the sugar back and forth across your lips to remove any dead skin, then wipe it away with a damp washcloth. [17] X Expert Source Ashleigh GroundsMakeup Artist & Hair Stylist Expert Interview. 22 April 2020.
