Instead of masking your beautiful face, enhance your natural features with a simple application of makeup. When simplifying your makeup application, adhere to the adage "less is more." Use a minimal amount of foundational makeup to even your tone and cover your problem areas; lightly apply eye, lip, and cheek makeup to highlight and intensify your gorgeous assets.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Prepping Your Face For Makeup

  1. 1
    Wash your face. Prior to applying makeup, you must properly prepare your skin for the application.[1] To remove dirt and oils, thoroughly cleanse your skin with a gentle facial wash product. Dab your face dry with a clean towel.[2]
    • If there are any traces of makeup remaining, scrub your face in small circles with a cotton ball or swab dipped in makeup remover.
    • Avoid face washes that contain exfoliants. Exfoliants cause your skin to redden.[3]
  2. 2
    Moisturize your face. Moisturizers soften and hydrate your skin. Evenly spread a pea-sized amount of moisturizer over the contours of your face.[4] Allow the moisturizer to dry for approximately five minutes.[5]
    • If you are prone to skin irritation, avoid scented moisturizers.
    • If your skin is naturally oily, avoid moisturizers that contain additional oils. Moisturizers with oils can cause acne.
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  3. 3
    Prime your face. Primer is formulated to provide a smooth base for foundation, combat shine, and keep your makeup in place throughout the day.[6] Dab a pea-sized amount of primer onto your fingertip. Dab the primer along your cheekbones, above your brows, and along the bridge of your nose. Use your fingers to evenly spread the primer out to the edges.[7] Allow the primer to set on your face for a few minutes. This application method produces a light, even layer of primer that will help your foundation appear to rest naturally on your face.[8]
    • Primer, like all of the products listed, is optional.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Creating an Even and Natural Complexion with Subtle Highlights

  1. 1
    Assess your skin tone. Uneven skin tone is caused by hyper pigmentation. Uneven skin tone is characterized by isolated dark spots, blotches, and freckles. The presence of scars, especially acne scars, and sun spots are also markers of uneven skin tone. Note the areas of your complexion that are uneven.[9] When applying foundation and concealer, take extra measures to cover these problem areas.
  2. 2
    Apply foundation. Foundation is designed to even out the areas of your complexion that are overly pigmented, red, or contain imperfections. To achieve a natural, light look, apply foundation only to the areas of your face that need the coverage. Use a foundation brush, makeup sponge, or your fingers to blend the foundation seamlessly with your natural complexion.[10] [11]
  3. 3
    Apply concealer. Concealer is meant to cover the problem areas that your foundation could not even out. Use a brush to apply a sparse amount of concealer to blemishes and around the edges of your nose. Apply a generous amount of concealer under your eyes to mask dark circles.[13] Pat the application areas with your fingers to blend the concealer.[14]
    • For a natural look, use a concealer that is one shade lighter than your skin tone.
  4. 4
    Apply powder.[15] Powders help to combat oil and set your foundation. You may use a translucent powder or a tinted powder that perfectly matches your skin tone. Apply the powder to your face with a large brush. With the brush, create a “W” pattern on your face. Begin at the top left corner of your hairline, bring the brush down to your cheekbone, to the bridge of your nose, down to the opposite cheekbone, and up to the top right corner of your hairline.
    • Translucent powders are universal and may be used on any skin tone.[16] They reflect light, which enhances your skin’s a natural glow.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Enhancing Your Lips, Cheeks, and Eyes

  1. 1
    Apply blush to your cheeks. When striving for a natural look, opt for blush over bronzer. Choose a blush that is subtle, soft, and as close to your natural flush as possible. Apply the blush to the apples of your cheeks. Blend the product until it subtly falls where your natural flush occurs.[17]
  2. 2
    Curl your lashes and apply a thin coat of mascara. Keep your eye makeup simple and clean. Prior to applying mascara, curl your lashes.[18] Apply up to two coats of mascara to each set of eyelashes with a thin-wand mascara comb.[19]
    • If you have naturally dark lashes, skip this step or simply curl your lashes.[20]
    • If you mess up putting on mascara or eyeshadow, you can use a makeup remover wipe to erase any small mistakes easily.[21]
  3. 3
    Enhance your lips’ natural pigment. Complete your simple look with a lipstick and or gloss that intensifies the natural pigment of your lips. Select a light pink, peach, or sand colored lipstick.[22] Lightly dab the lipstick on your bottom lip and rub your lips together.[23] Apply a dash of clear lip gloss.[24]
    • For an even simpler look, skip the lipstick and just apply a gloss.[25]
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Expert Q&A

  • Question
    How can I use a fan brush?
    Kelly Chu
    Kelly Chu
    Professional Makeup Artist
    Kelly is the lead makeup artist and educator of the Soyi Makeup and Hair team that is based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Soyi Makeup and Hair specializes in wedding and event makeup and hair. Over the past 5 years, the team has created bridal looks for over 800 brides in America, Asia, and Europe.
    Kelly Chu
    Professional Makeup Artist
    Expert Answer
    You can use a fan brush to wipe away the excess makeup powder on your face or remove eyeshadow fallout. You can use it to apply a highlighter and bronzer.
  • Question
    What are the things I should do or avoid while using makeup?
    Kelly Chu
    Kelly Chu
    Professional Makeup Artist
    Kelly is the lead makeup artist and educator of the Soyi Makeup and Hair team that is based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Soyi Makeup and Hair specializes in wedding and event makeup and hair. Over the past 5 years, the team has created bridal looks for over 800 brides in America, Asia, and Europe.
    Kelly Chu
    Professional Makeup Artist
    Expert Answer
    Remember to clean and moisturize the skin before applying makeup. Pick the correct shade of foundation and blend it well. Do not fill the brows too dark, apply blush too low, overuse mascara on the lower lashes, or put on too much makeup product.
  • Question
    How can I learn to apply makeup?
    Kelly Chu
    Kelly Chu
    Professional Makeup Artist
    Kelly is the lead makeup artist and educator of the Soyi Makeup and Hair team that is based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Soyi Makeup and Hair specializes in wedding and event makeup and hair. Over the past 5 years, the team has created bridal looks for over 800 brides in America, Asia, and Europe.
    Kelly Chu
    Professional Makeup Artist
    Expert Answer
    Invest in a personal makeup class with a professional makeup artist. It will help you understand your face shape and what color and makeup style are suitable for you. The makeup artist can also recommend products that are suitable for you. Besides this, watch youtube videos and practice applying makeup.
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Warnings

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Things You'll Need

  • Facial cleanser
  • Moisturizer
  • Primer
  • Foundation
  • Concealer
  • Translucent or Tinted Powder
  • Blush
  • Lipstick or Lipgloss
  • Eyelash Curler
  • Mascara
  • A variety of brushes and sponges
  1. Kelly Chu. Professional Makeup Artist. Expert Interview. 9 May 2019.
  2. Nini Efia Yang. Makeup Artist. Expert Interview. 27 August 2019.
  3. Nini Efia Yang. Makeup Artist. Expert Interview. 27 August 2019.
  4. Kelly Chu. Professional Makeup Artist. Expert Interview. 9 May 2019.
  5. http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/beauty/celebrity/2015/03/how-to-do-no-make-up-make-up-barely-there-natural
  6. Kelly Chu. Professional Makeup Artist. Expert Interview. 9 May 2019.
  7. http://beautyeditor.ca/2010/11/22/no-offense-but-youre-probably-making-one-of-these-7-mistakes-with-your-foundation
  8. http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/beauty/celebrity/2015/03/how-to-do-no-make-up-make-up-barely-there-natural
  9. Kelly Chu. Professional Makeup Artist. Expert Interview. 9 May 2019.
  10. http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/beauty/celebrity/2015/03/how-to-do-no-make-up-make-up-barely-there-natural
  11. http://stylecaster.com/beauty/natural-looking-makeup/
  12. Nini Efia Yang. Makeup Artist. Expert Interview. 27 August 2019.
  13. http://stylecaster.com/beauty/natural-looking-makeup/
  14. Kelly Chu. Professional Makeup Artist. Expert Interview. 9 May 2019.
  15. http://advicefromatwentysomething.com/a-simple-everyday-makeup-routine/
  16. http://stylecaster.com/beauty/natural-looking-makeup/
  17. http://www.moneycrashers.com/high-end-designer-makeup-worth-it/

About This Article

Kelly Chu
Co-authored by:
Professional Makeup Artist
This article was co-authored by Kelly Chu. Kelly is the lead makeup artist and educator of the Soyi Makeup and Hair team that is based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Soyi Makeup and Hair specializes in wedding and event makeup and hair. Over the past 5 years, the team has created bridal looks for over 800 brides in America, Asia, and Europe. This article has been viewed 288,401 times.
4 votes - 75%
Co-authors: 29
Updated: September 8, 2022
Views: 288,401
Categories: Natural Makeup
Article SummaryX

To apply a simple, everyday look with makeup, first cleanse and moisturize your face. To create a smooth base, dab a pea-sized amount of primer along your cheekbones, brows, and nose. Apply foundation with your fingers or a makeup sponge to even out your complexion, then use dab concealer over problem areas with your fingers. Set your makeup with powder and apply blush to your cheeks. Brush on a thin coat of mascara, then dab lipstick or lip gloss on your lips to enhance your natural pigment. For tips on finding the right products and adapting them for your needs, read on!

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