This season, as we finally emerge from the long months of lockdown, it’s all about the natural look. After all, many of us have gone makeup free for months on end, so a full face of glamour still seems a long way off. Plus, with skincare sales through the roof, we all want to show off that healthy, dewy glow we’ve been fostering.
But don’t worry – that doesn’t mean leaving off the makeup altogether. Instead, it’s all about choosing subtle, nourishing products that enhance your natural beauty rather than cover it over. While it might sound simple, there are plenty of ways to get this look wrong. So we’ve compiled a list of the most common pitfalls, plus tips on how to avoid them.
Skipping the primer
Although primers are a relative newcomer on the beauty scene, they have fast become an essential part of our daily routines. For those wanting to achieve the natural look, primer is an absolute must. Like its name suggests, it prepares your skin for makeup, helping to create a flawless blank canvas. Without it, foundation tends to crack and crease – which won’t help your healthy glow.
Too much matte/powder
For the natural look, cream products are usually the best choice. Because they blend effortlessly into the skin, they create a smooth, airbrushed look that won’t get cakey. If you have an oily complexion and can’t face the idea of giving up powder completely, try and stick to a light dusting as a final touch.
Not enough blush
Let’s be honest here. With holidays having been off the cards for months, and most of us spending large chunks of time indoors, there’s not many people at the moment who are rocking a naturally healthy glow. And that’s where blusher comes in. For a subtle flush rather than garish colour, choose highly pigmented, cream-based products and sweep upwards from the apples to the cheekbone area.
Overdoing the eye makeup
Of course, no one is naturally equipped with cat eyeliner, false lashes and bold sweeps of colour on their lids. So if you want to create an understated look, you’ll need to ditch the glamour in favour of something a little more girl-next-door. Choose brown mascara to subtly maximise your lashes, and use a nude shade of shadow to emphasise your eyes.