I always felt like my skin was heavy when I followed YouTube tutorials on how to do makeup, and not that the makeup gurus were wrong in any way or form; it just always felt like it didn’t fit my skin.
I guess I did inherit my mother genes: always preferring a clean face, with only a touch of color, and that touch of color was always lipstick. Like, not even a bit of blush, mom?
I guess I can say my mother is lucky she doesn’t have eye bags, because that’s a problem for me, it is so serious that I can’t leave my house without concealer on. So, my issue was, how to do makeup without feeling like I’m wearing face paint?
It took me a long time to find a routine that worked for me, and I’m eager to share it with you at last.
So, let’s start with the fundamentals: preparing your skin. Hydrate, prime, and protect – these are the holy trinity of skincare before doing ANY makeup routine.
And don’t even think about skipping SPF – protecting your skin from harmful UV rays is non-negotiable if you want anything you put on your skin to last and to look healthy.
Point is, don’t be scared to let your freckles or imperfections peek through – after all, imperfection is what makes a natural makeup look natural. Let’s get into it.
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Preparing Your Skin
Steps
- Cleanse: Use a gentle cleanser to rid your face of any impurities. I’m talking about giving your skin the love and attention it deserves before you even think about reaching for that makeup brush.
- Moisturize: Follow up with a hydrating moisturizer to create a smooth canvas. Remember, hydrated skin means your makeup will last longer, and look better.
- Primer: Priming is crucial if you want your light makeup to grip for life on your skin. Find yourself a primer that works well with your skin type and apply it evenly across your face. Not only does primer help your makeup last longer, but it also blurs out your pores.
Recommended Products
Cleanser
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser – Gentle and effective for all skin types, especially dry or sensitive skin.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser – Perfect for sensitive skin, leaves it soft and hydrated.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Cleansing Gel – Lightweight and ideal for dry or combination skin.
Moisturizer
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion – Contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid for barrier protection.
Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré – A cult favorite for smooth and hydrated skin,
ideal under makeup.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream – Lightweight, oil-free, and deeply hydrating for all skin types.
Creating a Natural Base
When it comes to creating a natural base for your makeup look, less is always more.
For me, ditching the heavy foundations and opt for a lightweight tinted moisturizer or BB cream worked wonders.
These products not only provide a sheer coverage but also let your skin breathe, giving you that fresh and radiant look we all crave.
Another key aspect of achieving a natural base is not giving a single care about your imperfections, like I said, a natural makeup without imperfections is not a natural makeup.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to completely cover every blemish or spot on your face.
In fact, they are part of what makes you uniquely beautiful.
Instead of caking on layers of concealer, strategically apply a small amount only where needed and blend it seamlessly into your skin.
Trust me, this approach will not only save you time but also result in a more natural and effortless makeup look that truly enhances your features.
But, if you don’t trust me, trust professional makeup artists, like Fae Hammong, who stated that “there was absolutely no makeup” used while shooting Pride and Prejudice. Could you tell?
Recommended Products
BB Cream
Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream – SPF protection and buildable coverage.
Dr.Jart+ Premium BB Tinted Moisturizer – Affordable and provides a natural finish.
Covergirl Clean Matte BB Cream – Lightweight, and great for a “your skin but better” look.
Light Foundation
Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint – Sheer, breathable coverage for a natural glow.
MAC Face and Body Foundation – Lightweight and buildable, great for a radiant finish.
L’Oréal True Match Nude Tinted Serum – A weightless serum-foundation hybrid.
SPF
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 – Invisible, weightless, and makeup-friendly.
EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 – Lightweight and great for sensitive skin.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk SPF 100 – High protection with weightless finish.
Enhancing the Eyes
Enhancing the eyes is a vital element in achieving the perfect light makeup look. Your eyes are the windows to your soul, and they deserve to be accentuated in the most elegant and natural way possible. When it comes to eye makeup, less is often more.
Avoid heavy eyeliners and dark shadows that can overpower your look. Instead, opt for neutral tones like soft browns, taupes, and champagnes that will enhance your eyes without being too dramatic.
One key technique for enhancing the eyes in a light makeup look is using mascara strategically.
A few coats of a lengthening mascara can open up your eyes and make them appear more awake and refreshed.
Remember to wiggle the wand at the base of your lashes and then sweep upwards for maximum impact. Also, consider curling your lashes before applying mascara, it may seem like it doesn’t make a difference, but it does.
Now, a trick I use everyday when I don’t want to use mascara is to put a bit of vaseline on my lashes and then curl them with the lash curler. It looks like I did lash lifting, I swear. You don’t feel the heaviness, and it is easy to remove afterwards.
In addition to mascara, don’t underestimate the power of groomed eyebrows when it comes to enhancing your eye makeup game.
Use a brow pencil or powder that matches your hair color to fill in any sparse areas and create a polished finish.
Remember not to overpluck or overdraw – we want our brows to look naturally full and defined.
Recommended Products
Brown Mascara
Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara in Brown – Affordable with a soft brown tone.
Clinique High Impact Mascara in Brown – Great for sensitive eyes, adds natural definition.
Glossier Lash Slick in Brown – Lengthens lashes for a subtle, fluttery look.
Vaseline + Lash Curler
Vaseline Original Healing Jelly – A multi-purpose product to condition lashes before curling.
Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler – A cult favorite for perfectly curled lashes.
Tweezerman ProMaster Lash Curler – Designed for all eye shapes to give a natural curl.
Adding a Touch of Color
Now, let’s talk about adding a touch of color to make you look healthy.
When it comes to incorporating color into your natural makeup routine, subtlety is key. Opt for soft, muted shades that complement your skin tone and enhance your features without overpowering them.
Think rosy pinks, peachy tones, and warm neutrals that add a hint of warmth and radiance to your complexion.
One of my favorite ways to introduce color into a light makeup look is by using a sheer blush or bronzer to add a healthy flush of color to the cheeks.
A light dusting of blush on the apples of the cheeks can instantly brighten your complexion and give you that coveted lit-from-within glow.
So, blend gently and build up the intensity gradually until you achieve the perfect balance of color and luminosity.
Recommended Products
Not So Pink Blushes
Milani Baked Blush in “Soleil” – A warm brown shade with a subtle shimmer.
MAC Powder Blush in “Harmony” – A Soft coral-peach blush perfect for natural warmth.
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in “Worth” – A terracotta-brown shade for a soft, natural glow.
Pinkish Blush:
NARS Blush in “Orgasm” – A classic pink with a golden shimmer.
Benefit Cosmetics “Dandelion” Brightening Blush – A soft, baby pink for a natural flush.
Tower 28 BeachPlease Lip + Cheek Cream in “Magic Hour” – A creamy pinkish hue for a dewy finish.
Setting the Makeup
Fact is, setting your makeup is a crucial step that should not be overlooked if you want your radiant appearance to last all day long.
A essential aspect of setting your light makeup is using a setting spray to seal the deal.
A good spritz of it will not only ensure your makeup stays in place but also provide a subtle dewy glow that screams freshness.
Remember, the goal here is not to mattify or completely set everything in stone but rather to enhance the natural luminosity of your skin.
And there you have it – we have reached the culmination of our light makeup journey with these key takeaways in mind: always start with a well-prepped skin canvas, opt for lightweight and natural-looking base products, enhance those eyes with soft and subtle touches, add a pop of color sparingly for that extra oomph, and seal it all in with finesse through proper setting techniques.
By following this comprehensive guide on mastering the light makeup look for a natural and radiant appearance in 2025 and beyond, you are sure to turn heads wherever you go with your effortless beauty prowess.
Remember, less is more when it comes to light makeup – let your natural radiance shine through and captivate the world with your understated elegance!
Recommended Products
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray – Long-lasting and keeps makeup in place for up to 16 hours.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray – Lightweight and locks in makeup while adding a soft-focus effect.
NYX Professional Makeup Matte Finish Setting Spray – Affordable and ideal for a matte, long-lasting finish.
If I can learn it, you can too!
Mastering the art of the light makeup look for a natural and radiant appearance is truly an empowering journey.
Through the careful selection of products that enhance your features rather than mask them, you are able to embrace your true beauty and exude confidence effortlessly.
Remember, less is often more when it comes to makeup application – a light hand and a keen eye for subtlety will always yield the most stunning results.
Experiment with different techniques and products to find what works best for your unique skin tone and features.
