Want to shave minutes of your daily beauty routine and still rock a natural look that lasts? Here are your need-to-know tricks.
Prep to perfection
The more groomed you are, the less makeup you will need. Caring for your skin morning and night will give your foundation a smooth surface to adhere to, making your face look polished and glowing. Rather than going overboard with harsh exfoliants, use a hydrating or purifying mask every two weeks to help loosen surface skin cells, minimise pores and ensure skin is silky soft to touch. With a smooth canvas, the rest of your makeup will be done in no time!
Less is more
Choose a foundation with lovely natural ingredients and a lightweight feel. With clean fingers, apply it with light feathery strokes starting from the centre of your face and blend outwards. The warmth from your fingertips will help the foundation 'melt' into skin, giving a barely-there look. Try not to be heavy handed, it may seem small but only a pea sized amount is all that's needed for your whole face.
Pro tip: The idea is to let your skin show through, not completely cover it. For a very fine texture, use a dampened sponge to apply the foundation. Not only will this impart a sheer texture, it's also super speedy if you're short of time.
Keep it simple
Natural doesn't mean no makeup — it's you, only better! Choose shades that mimic your complexion but will still enhance your features. For eyes, sweep on a slightly shimmery champagne or bronze toned shadow from lash line to crease. A slick of mascara from root to tip is all you need to finish the eye look. For cheeks, one sweep of matte bronzer just under the cheekbone will give the face shape and warm the complexion. To complete the look, add clear or peach tinted balm or gloss to lips.
Pro tip: Resist the urge to swirl bronzer all over your face, it could end up an unflattering orange offering no definition to your features.
Grooming's a must
If you've never had a professional brow wax, treat yourself to one and you won't be sorry. The brow defines the eyes, giving shape to the whole face. If they are perfectly groomed, you won't need as much makeup everywhere else. It sounds crazy but it works!
Top tips
1. Trick everyone into thinking you're not wearing mascara, yet still look naturally fab by wiggling the mascara wand into the base of the lashes. Don't pull the wand all the way through to give definition to eyes while making the lashes look thicker.
2. Apply foundation right after you have moisturised to ensure skin looks glowing. When it's touch dry, apply the rest of your makeup.
3. Use a cheek stain under a sheer foundation to give a oh-so-real flushed look.
4. A visible brown foundation line along the jaw is a big no-no, so wait until you are in natural light, then check to see if you need to blend down the neck.
5. If your skin's looking a little dull, cheat your way to a supernatural glow using a creamy illuminiser on the top part of your cheekbones. This is where light naturally hits, so it creates a youthful, dewy effect.
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