Every guy says he loves the “natural look” on a girl. But what does that even mean, anyway? Women know that creating a “natural” beauty look can take time, but it shouldn’t have to. Follow these simple tips to be the best version of your natural self.
1. DO THE DEW
A dab of concealer never hurts, but caked on foundation looks anything but natural. Covering up your imperfections is one thing, but looking like you’ve been poorly photoshopped (in real life) isn’t generally appealing. For a natural makeup look, you want to look glowy and healthy. Dewy skin is all the rage right now, and looks young and fresh.
Start by taking care of your skin. Find a routine that works for you, whether you’re working at preventing acne, fine lines, dryness….consulting a dermatologist about this can also be very helpful. And no matter what your skin type, be sure to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! This will help to keep your skin supple and glowy, the perfect base for a natural face. Also—always wear sunscreen. Embrace your natural skin color.
If your skin is naturally really great, with little to no redness, spots, or other imperfections, you can probably skip the next step! (And we’re totally jealous of you for it.)
Try these products for a quick skin fix:
Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Swivel Stick
2. COVER UP
Use a creamy concealer on the redness around your nose, that acne scar on your chin…on any little imperfections. Blend it in with your (clean) fingers for a smooth finish. If that’s not enough coverage for you, try a tinted moisturizer or a brush of powder on your t-zone (but not too much powder—the dewy look is much more natural). You still want to be able to see your skin—and a few imperfections showing through can actually make you look more natural, as long as you’re comfortable with that. And please, please—girls who are blessed with freckles—don’t cover them up!
As for blush, a cream-based blush will also help you achieve a natural, glowy look—just be sure to use one in a soft pink or peachy color. If your cheeks have a natural flush, just go with that!
Check out these skin-perfecting products:
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer
MAC Studio Finish Concealer
NYX Cream Blush
3. GET RID OF THE GLITTER
Who do you know, other than Edward Cullen, who actually glitters, naturally? No one. You can certainly still shine with glitter-free makeup, so avoid it at all costs if you want a natural look. This tip applies for all of your makeup, from blush to eyeshadow. Choose products with a sheer or matte finish as opposed to a chunky glittery one.
Have a look at these glitter-free products:
Physician’s Formula Multi-Colored Blush
Revlon Illuminance Cream Shadow
Covergirl Outlast Lipstain
4. LOOK ALIVE
While we understand that your choice to look like the undead by rimming your eyes in black can represent the music scene you’re a part of, it looks anything but natural. Raccoon eyes are only natural if you are, in fact, a raccoon. However, depending on your interest in makeup and skill level, you may want to wear more or less eye makeup. But I must again stress: less is more. If you can’t part with your beloved eyeshadows, at least choose neutral ones, and apply eyeliner with a light hand.
For those of you who rarely wear eye makeup, a simple lash curl and a few coats of mascara should do you just fine—simple and natural.
Use these products to enhance your eyes:
Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler
Rimmel Glam Eyes Mascara
Wet ‘n’ Wild Creme Eyeliner
5. SKIP THE SPRAY
As with skin, it’s important to maintain healthy hair so it looks its best, naturally. Choose enriching shampoos that won’t weigh down your hair, and avoid dyeing your hair with any dyes you might find at Hot Topic. When it comes to styling, put away your irons and aerosol hairspray—play with your natural texture and keep the style in place with a clay or light hairspray.
Invest in healthier hair products:
Organix Enriching Shampoo
Sebastian Crude Clay
TRESemme Naturals Finishing Spray
NATURALLY INSPIRED
Some of our favorite bloggers rock the natural look!
Rumi of Fashion Toast
Emily of Cupcakes and Cashmere
Shini of Park & Cube
Alix of The Cherry Blossom Girl
The Benefits of Being More Natural
Aside from looking great, you’re also helping yourself in the long run. Taking care of your skin and wearing less makeup can help you to prevent irritation, acne, and premature signs of aging. Using organic products is also a good idea, whenever possible: many beauty products contain ingredients that can be harmful to you and the environment.
Learn more about natural beauty and natural living on YouTube:
MichellePhan shows how to achieve a natural makeup look.
AndreasChoice shows how to style natural-looking curls, without heat.
Model Lonneke Engel talks about organic living on Modelina.
What do you do to look more natural? Leave a comment or send us a tweet @everybodyisugly.
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by Heather (headbandit)
main image via Matteo Montanari for AMICA March 2011
additional images via Google
