How to Apply Makeup for a Natural Look

Co-authored by Charina Redugerio

Last Updated: September 11, 2024 Approved

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Whether you’re just starting to wear makeup or you want to embrace a more subtle look, natural-looking makeup can be pretty and flattering. Even if you’ve never tried it before, this look is easy to accomplish yourself!

Part 1

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Applying Makeup to Your Face

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^{[1]
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Expert Source

Charina Redugerio
Makeup Artist

Expert Interview. 26 May 2020.} Put makeup remover or water on a cotton ball. Dab or rub the cotton ball in small circles to remove old makeup. Determine your skin type and cleanse, tone and moisturize with suitable products twice daily.^{[2]
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Research source} If you have skin problems like spots/blackheads, exfoliate your skin.
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Moisturize your face. Using a small dab the size of a pea, gently rub in an unscented, oil free lotion. Scented lotions can aggravate your skin and cause breakouts or an allergic reaction, and oily lotions will encourage acne.^{[3]
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- For a more natural look, instead of using foundation, use a tinted moisturizer. Tinted moisturizers blend in while evening out your skin tone and commonly contain SPF. People with clearer skin will look best using tinted moisturizer.^{[4]
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Apply concealer to any blemishes and around your eyes. Applying your concealer before foundation helps keep foundation to a minimal amount.^{[5]
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Charina Redugerio
Makeup Artist

Expert Interview. 26 May 2020.}^{[6]
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Research source} Make sure this is the exact same color as your skin. When you apply the concealer, do so directly on the spot and not around it. This is to avoid a halo effect and emphasis of the spot. Optionally set with beige powder.
- Be careful not to overdo it on the concealer; you only need enough to cover the spot.
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Apply a powder foundation on the oilier parts of your face. Before you start, it’s best to determine whether or not you’re using the right foundation color. Get in a natural light and test the foundation to make sure it's the right color for your skin. Dab a few marks on your cheek and angle your face different ways to see if the color matches.^{[7]
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- Take your finger or a sponge dab in the foundation, and dab it on your face, blending it until it looks like your skin tone. Be sure to go underneath your jaw line; if you stop at the edge of your face, there will be a clear line where the foundation ends, making it look like you’re wearing a mask.
- You don't need to apply foundation to your entire face. Just put it on areas that don't have a consistent color and blend it in.^{[8]
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  Charina Redugerio
  Makeup Artist
  
  Expert Interview. 26 May 2020.}
- If you have bags or discoloration under your eyes, make 3 dots on the line of the circles under your eyes. Blend it gently using your ring finger.
Some people wait until after they have applied makeup to their eyes to add bronzer or blush. Bronzer is a great way to give yourself a natural glow. Lightly brush bronzer all over your face (or just along your cheekbones and T-Zone for a natural suntan appearance).^{[9]
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Research source} However, bronzer can look silly on people with pale skin if applied incorrectly. Practice at home with bronzer to see if it looks good on you before going out with it on. If you don't like the way it looks, skip this step.
If you were not happy with bronzer, you can apply blush instead. Crème blush generally works better than powder because it gives you a dewy look and lasts longer. Using a champagne-tinted crème blush, rub a little on your ring finger and blend onto your cheekbones. Note that you should not apply both blush and bronzer; choose one.

Rihanna, Founder, Fenty Beauty

Have fun and take risks with makeup. "Makeup is there for you to have fun with. It should never feel like pressure. It should never feel like a uniform. Feel free to take chances, and take risks, and dare to do something new or different."

Part 2

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Applying Eye Makeup

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Some women prefer not to do this, as eyeliner looks a little less natural than an eye with just mascara. Other beauty specialists say to line your eyes with a roasted-colored gel liner. Pencil looks less natural than liquid or gel liner and gel is easier to blend. Line two thirds of your top lashline and one third of your bottom lashline. Smudge the line with a cotton bud.
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Use a white eyeliner to make your eyes look larger. Line the inside corners of your eyes with either white eyeliner or white eyeshadow to give your eyes a brighter look.^{[10]
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- Some people also like to add a bit of white eyeliner or shadow under the brow bone to make their eyes appear brighter and more awake.
Use two shades of eyeshadow for a professional look. The colors you choose should be golds, browns or silvers, depending on your skin tone and coloring. Apply a light, neutral tone all over your lid and just above your crease and use slightly darker to softly line the top lid and outline your crease. For a natural look, remember to blend the colors.^{[11]
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Curl your lashes and apply one layer of mascara. Curling your eyelashes will give you a bright, awake look. If you want to make your eyelashes stand out against your skin, put on one layer of your favorite mascara.
- If you use mascara, avoid clumping by using a de-clumping brush or an eyebrow brush.

Part 3

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Applying Makeup to Your Lips

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Avoid using chalky lipsticks or shiny lip glosses. Lip stain is generally best because it looks natural and lasts all day. Use a color that's close to your natural lip color.
Test this step out at home before going out with it on--some people do not like the look of blush in the center of your lips. Do what feels (and looks) best to you!

How Do You Achieve a Natural Makeup Look?

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How do I do natural makeup as a beginner?

Charina Redugerio
Makeup Artist
Charina Redugerio is a Makeup Artist based in New York City. With over 13 years of experience in the beauty industry, Charina has worked for Sephora, NARS Cosmetics, L'Oreal, Parfums Christian Dior, Natasha Denona Makeup, and is now a freelance makeup artist. She has conducted makeup for numerous fashion week shows, editorial shoots, and one-on-one client makeovers. She has worked and trained with several global celebrity makeup artists including Dior's Ricky Wilson.

Charina Redugerio

Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

Don't go too heavy on foundation since it can look cakey. Only apply it where you need to and blend it into your skin.

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What can I wear instead of foundation?

Charina Redugerio
Makeup Artist
Charina Redugerio is a Makeup Artist based in New York City. With over 13 years of experience in the beauty industry, Charina has worked for Sephora, NARS Cosmetics, L'Oreal, Parfums Christian Dior, Natasha Denona Makeup, and is now a freelance makeup artist. She has conducted makeup for numerous fashion week shows, editorial shoots, and one-on-one client makeovers. She has worked and trained with several global celebrity makeup artists including Dior's Ricky Wilson.

Charina Redugerio

Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

You might be able to go lighter on foundation if you use concealer on any blemishes you have.

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I am a 13 year old girl. What kind of makeup should I wear, especially on my eyes?

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Since you're probably just a beginner, this is a great article to follow! Natural makeup is the best choice for beginners because you can feel comfortable wearing it out rather than a more bold look. Start with one or two shades of eyeshadow, which should be blended. These should be lighter colors, preferably not too sparkly as it can get messy if it's too glittery. Cream is a color that will look good on everyone, and so is light brown. Use a light brown eyeliner that is applied very close to your lash line, and don't attempt anything like a cat eye just yet. Then try lip gloss or a natural pink, coral, or very light orange lipstick or tinted lip balm.

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Using natural makeup is healthier for your skin and can reduce blemishes. In fact, the mineral foundation doesn't clog your pores and is actually good for your skin, so you may want to invest in a good brand, but make sure to put a bit of the makeup on the back of your hand for 48 hours to make sure you are not allergic.^{[12]
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Try to go for a similar colour with blush and lipstick. It will bring out your natural features.

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Make sure you apply makeup in a bright, sunny place so you can see all your features clearly.

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