Let's follow on as pro makeup artists Emma Chen, Alana Mevissen and more, share their insights into their secrets to achieving that natural glow.
Expert Makeup Artists Share Their Secrets To Natural Beauty
In this article
Personally, my makeup style is on the natural side. I'm inspired by that dewy, glowy, barely-there makeup. It's using makeup to accentuate your natural features.
In the words of hair and makeup artist Alana Mevissen: "Natural makeup is harder to master than a good smokey eye. It needs to cover the bad bits, accentuate the good, even your skin tone and highlight and contour the correct areas, all while looking like you wake up this way."
Read on as Alana and some of our other favourite hair and makeup artists share their best tips on 'no makeup' makeup.
Read next: The Best Hair Products of the Year, As Recommended By Stylists
Top makeup tips for mastering natural beauty
The foundation of good makeup is that flawless, 'natural' smooth skin.
How does one conceal blotchy redness or stubborn spots without having to apply copious amounts of concealer and foundation?
And HOW can I make my cheekbones look a little more defined and flushed without becoming an example of contouring gone wrong???
All our burning questions answered here.
Natural Beauty Tip #1: Focus on skin.
"Skincare and skin prep prior to makeup application is key to achieving that perfect glowy natural makeup base," says Helen Samaryan, "I am a huge fan of using multiple products including a toner, face oil, eye cream, and face moisturiser as well as a great illuminating primer to enhance the skin prior to putting on any makeup. So that the skin is naturally looking it’s best and I don’t have to go in with a super heavy coverage foundation/concealer which almost always looks unnatural. I am loving the Tom Ford Illuminating Primer."
Emma Chen recommends "Always wear an SPF. A great skincare routine is also crucial to ensure an amazing canvas that will make your foundation sit and blend seamlessly on your skin."
"Skin prep is vital!!!" says Thanh Vo, "I usually come in with a cleanser before makeup application, and then come in with a really hydrating moisturiser and face oil. Better skin prep = longer lasting makeup and also a glowing base. Cleanser: Bioderma Micelle Solution or Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser"
"I love less is more on the skin, my favorite makeup is fresh light, radiant and dewy," says Leah Baines, "Teamed with a light smokey eye and a nude gloss is my beauty go-to."
You might also love: Jordan Simek's Daily Beauty Routine + Evening Glam Tutorial
Natural Beauty Tip #2: Less is more.
The key to natural makeup is using products to compliment your own features, rather than masking them.
"I like to use a light-medium coverage of foundation all over the face and then go in with a full coverage concealer. Only in the areas that still show slight imperfections, like blemishes or dark circles that might actually need extra coverage," says Helen. "This way you will let some of the natural skin underneath the makeup shine through, making the look more natural to the eye. I love the Tom Ford Traceless Perfecting Foundation for a natural finish. I've never had it oxidise on anyone. Also the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation is pretty good although the finish and feel of these two are definitely different to one another. Definitely go and try before you buy."
And when you don't want to wear foundation at all, Emma suggests "For a more natural day-time look to enhance and supplement your natural features, instead of using a foundation, contour with a liquid bronzer and conceal only in the areas you need a little extra coverage. This will give you more of a natural daytime glow."
Thanh adds "If I want a really natural base, I'd either use a tinted moisturiser or a light layer of foundation and then if I needed extra coverage, use concealer on the parts that need it. That way the base doesn’t look too cake-y and skin still looks like skin." Thanh's product pick: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser
Alana's tip for natural contouring "Remember - anything light (highlighter) will bring forward and anything dark (contour) will take back. You don’t want to go out for brunch looking like Angelia Jolie in Maleficent so less is sometimes more when it comes to contouring!"
Leah suggests use the less is more method when it comes to eye makeup too. "My favorite way to apply eyeshadow is little by little to build the perfect shade. Then blend, blend blend. You can't go wrong when you blend. I love using eyeshadow instead of eyeliner and buffing it into the top and bottom lash line to give a very subtle, soft smokey look. My favorite all time mascara for natural looking, long lashes is Dior Diorshow Lash Extension Mascara. I love the wand - it helps create the perfect natural fluffy lashes."
Natural Beauty Tip #3: Face mist is your best friend.
Ashleigh Menin styled by Leah Baines. Ashleigh is wearing the THICK Sitting Pretty Halo in col. Beige Blonde + Dark Blonde 613/10.
"I love using a face mist after completing a makeup look to help the makeup sink and blend better into the skin." says Helen. "I find this especially useful if you have used a lot of powder products on the skin or if you've set your makeup with a powder, as this can make your skin look dry and flat. Finishing the makeup with a generous spray of a face mist/setting spray can bring so much life back to your skin that was taken away with flat powdery products. For face mists I like a few different ones. The La Mer Face Mist one is a fave if you want a touch of luxury or for a more budget friendly one the Mac Fix + does the trick! For concealer I’m loving the Mac Studio Fix 24hr Concealer. It gives coverage and definitely sets, but I don’t find it drying."
Read next: Why I Have Two Halo Hair Extensions
Natural Beauty Tip #4: Create a naturally 'flushed' look
Jemma Rubach styled by Emma Chen. Jemma wears the THICK halo in col. Beige Blonde 613.
Emma is the queen of natural rosy cheeks that make your face look flushed in all the right places.
Her secret? Cheek and lip stain.
"A cheek and lip stain is a product I couldn’t live without. This versatile product allows you to give your cheeks a flush of colour or plump up your lips. You can even apply it to your eyes for a dusting of colour. It's a great product to have in your bag on the go. My favourite at the moment is the Becca Beach Tint. It smells great and adds a pop of colour to your lips, cheeks and eyes."
Natural Beauty Tip #5: Use bronzer, for everything.
Mia Stook styled by Alana Mevissen. Mia wears the THICK Sitting Pretty Halo in col. Dark Brown 2.
No surprises here, bronzer is the way to go to achieve that summer glow and add natural-looking dimension to your face.
Thanh's cheeky tip: "I like to use bronzer on the eyelids to give the face that sun-kissed look. One of my favourite bronzers is Laguna Bronzing Powder by Nars."
Alana suggest a staple for your natural beauty makeup kit is "A matt bronzer that you can use to contour and add warmth and colour. I also use this same bronzer as an eyeshadow."
So, what's in their makeup bag?
"It actually takes a lot of effort and practice to master [the natural beauty] look but you really don’t need a whole bag load of products." says Alana.
Alana suggests filling your makeup bag with:
- Serum and moisturiser which suits your skin type and provides the nourishment required for a beautiful glow.
- Concealer
- A buildable foundation (a product that you can apply lightly and build on to suit your needs)
- A matte bronzer
- A cream highlighter
- Mascara
- Brow gel and pencil
- Lip gloss with a slight tint of colour or a lip tint.
- Lip and cheek stain if you prefer the rosy glow
There you have it. When it comes to natural beauty "less is more" is the mantra.
Conceal only where necessary. Skincare comes first. Substitute powders for liquids where possible. Then be on your way... Like you woke up like this.
For naturally thicker, longer hair...
Now that you've uncovered the secrets to natural makeup. Let's talk hair.
If your hair is:
- On the thin side
- Not growing
- Damaged from colour
And you just feel like it needs more oomph. The Sitting Pretty Halo is for you.
Made with 100% real human Remy hair, our halo hair extensions look as natural as your own. Shop the Sitting Pretty Halo here.
Read next:
Just high quality, beautifully designed halo hair extensions for natural, down to earth bombshells.
Shop now
