Calvin Klein once said, “The best thing is to look natural… but it takes makeup to look natural.” He’s right, of course. Everyone thinks the new natural, barely there makeup look is makeup-less, but you’ll actually need at least five or six products to get it right. The trend which has been seen on runways from New York to Milan is super-minimalist and has a certain simplicity about it. L’Oréal Paris NZ makeup director Lisa Matson says, “The trick to looking like you’re not wearing makeup is to keep the application and any colour sheer, and blend it well.” Sounds simple, right? Well, it is if you stick to the following steps.
1. Prep
To look like you have perfect skin you need to prep it properly pre-makeup. “It’s imperative you exfoliate and hydrate the skin as it will turn your complexion into the ultimate canvas,” says Bobbi Brown makeup artist James Tai. A primer or blur product is essential to even out skin tone and minimise fine lines and open pores.
2. Base
Next apply a foundation base. “Choose one that’s super-sheer and hard to detect, even on close inspection,” Matson says. This is when it is best to opt for a lightweight BB or CC cream – or alternatively a tinted moisturiser. Conceal any imperfections that are still visible such as dark under-eye circles or blemishes.
Top tip: Use a dabbing motion to blend and build the right amount of coverage with your concealer. Make sure you soften the outer edges to match your base.
3. Clarins Opalescence Face and Blush powder, $76.
3. Blush
Use a small amount of blush, particularly a cream blush, in a nude or pinky tone as it will give you that natural, flushed look.
Top tip: If your eyes are looking a little bare, sweep the leftover colour from your blush brush over your lids.
4. Lashes
Enhance your lashes with a light coat of mascara. Try not to create clumps; you want your lashes to look like they’re in their natural state, only better.
5. Brows
Use a brow pencil to fill in the gaps in your brows and finish with a gel to set them in place. Matson says for natural-looking brows “use small strokes with the pencil to mimic the individual brow hairs”.
6. Lips
To finish your ‘no makeup’ look, use your ring finger to lightly dab on a nude or sheer lip shade. For best results find one that subtly enhances your own natural lip colour.
