How to Get the Natural Look With Makeup

Has anyone ever told you that the secret to makeup is to make it look like you're not wearing any? When I first heard this, I didn't think it made any sense. Now, I do. Makeup is supposed to enhance your features, not hide them. Here are some tips on how to get the natural look with makeup.
Choose a Natural-Looking FoundationFoundation is great for evening out your skin tone and covering up any redness1`234. It can, however, look caked on and unnatural if you don't apply it correctly. A good way to prevent your foundation from looking caked on is to apply moisturizer beforehand. It will help your foundation look smoother and more natural. Then, apply a dew foundation or tinted moisturizer to your skin. They are much more natural looking than matte foundations.
Opt for Creme BlushA great way to get the natural look is to use creme blush instead of powder blush. If it is applied correctly, it will look like your natural cheek color. Apply some creme blush to the apples of your cheeks with your fingers.
Stick With Neutral Eye ShadowsWhile blue and green eye shadows can be fun to wear on certain occasions, they will not give you the natural look you're going for. Opt for beige, brown, gold, and tan eye shadow shades. If you have fair skin, stick to lighter neutral shades. If you have medium to dark skin, you can wear darker neutral colors.
Wear a Tinted Lip BalmWhile there is nothing wrong with wearing red or pink lip colors, sometimes sticking to your natural lip color is best. If you still want to give your lips a little color, wear a tinted lip balm. A tinted lip balm will give your lips just a hint of color but won't look unnatural.

• Start with a clean and moisturized face. This is your canvas.
• Use concealer for coverage. “To hide imperfections without adding color, use a concealer that has a yellow undertone,” Surratt says. Your concealer should be one shade lighter than your foundation or tinted moisturizer. Dot the concealer wherever you have a spot to cover and carefully blend it in with the rest of your skin using a makeup sponge.
• Choose the best base makeup for you. For the sheerest and most natural look, use a tinted moisturizer after your concealer and gently blend with a makeup sponge under your jaw line. If you want to use a foundation for additional coverage, use a thin layer and carefully blend it under your jaw line.
• Mineral makeup is great for a natural look and is easy to apply with a brush.
• Experiment to find the right texture for a natural look. Mix your favorite liquid or cream foundation makeup with a dab of skin cream or moisturizer for a lighter, moister finish.
• For eye makeup, stick to neutral tones. Try taupe, beige, or a light dusting of a dark pink for eye shadow and brown or gray for mascara. “For the most natural look, skip the eyeliner,” Surratt suggests. If you do use it, choose a brown or gray color rather than black.
• Go light on your lips. “Select nude or sheer pink shades that enhance your natural lip color, and forgo any lip liner,” says Pam Messy of Mary Kay Cosmetics in Owings Mills, Md.
• Blend. Blending is the secret to using blush. Choose a cream formula or a loose powder applied with a makeup brush. Both are easy to work with. Apply the blush on the apples of your cheeks and blend down. In summer months, you can use a hint of bronzer to add more color to your face. “For the most natural look, use a blush that is closest to the color of your own cheeks after a light workout,” Messy says.

More Makeup Tips for Perfectly Natural Makeup
A few more expert tips will have you putting your best face forward:

• Sheer, pale colors are great for creating a natural look with makeup. Select blush, eye shadow, and lipstick colors that are right for your skin tone: nudes, light pinks, or beiges are good choices. Surratt says: “Experiment with different colors, keeping in mind that you want to look as though you have no makeup on.
• Always check your face makeup in natural light.
• Use quality face makeup brushes for a more natural application, and have the right brush for the right cosmetic, such as a big, fluffy round brush for blusher, an almond-shaped flat brush for eye shadow, and a fine-tipped brush for cake eyeliner.

You can have natural, gorgeous-looking face makeup. With practice, people will think you aren’t even wearing any makeup!