Applying Makeup For A Natural Look

By Tatin Yang for Yahoo! Southeast Asia

Let's face it, when you receive a compliment you'd rather hear, "Your skin looks amazing, you're blooming, what's your secret?" than, "Wow, your foundation application technique is superb, I can barely see it." The art of applying makeup to look like you're wearing none at all is no small feat—when done properly, it can show off your best features, hide the flaws, and not bring attention to the cosmetics you've piled on.

Step 1: Camouflage like a pro

Foundation in any form, whether liquid, cream, mousse or powder is intended to mimic your skin's natural color. It's not meant to look like a mask, so finding the right formula and shade that works for your skin is the most important step to looking flawless but not made up.

Look for sheer, lightweight formulas and use it to spot apply only on problem areas—under the eyes, in the corners of the nose, around the mouth and any red or blotchy areas. Help your base glide on your skin by applying moisturizer before you start camouflaging—this is a vital skincare step and will also make your skin look dewy, healthy and glowing.

Step 2: Blend and blush

Make sure to blend. Applying your base makeup and blush using a synthetic fiber stippling brush or an egg-shaped blending sponge with rounded tip (available in most makeup stores) will help you seamlessly blend the foundation and color on your skin, giving you an 'airbrushed' appearance (without having to go through Photoshop!).

To apply foundation with a stippling brush, dispense product on the back of your palm or onto a flat surface like an artist's palette, dip your brush, wipe away excess then apply on your face in circular, stippling motions. Work your base from the inside going outward and pay attention to your hairline and jaw to make sure the foundation is blended properly without any streaks.

To achieve a natural flush on your cheeks, lightly dip your brush in a cream blush in a rosy pink or peach and stipple on the apples of your cheek (smiling helps you find the apples of your cheeks) and blend outward.

Step 3: Less is more

When it comes to the no-makeup makeup look, less is definitely more. Avoid piling on the products, particularly powder, which can give you a cakey and flat appearance.

Use a fat, fluffy brush dipped in loose powder (shake out the excess!) and brush lightly on your face to set your base makeup and blush. Dab a little more on your T-zone to help keep the oil at bay.

Step 4: Define your features

Whenever you check out magazine ads featuring flawless looking girls in skincare ads, you'll notice that all of them have groomed eyebrows, rosy cheeks, dewy skin and moist, pink lips. Good-looking brows are key to looking polished and pretty; but avoid going overboard with your eyebrow product.

Look for a thin, eyeliner brush (you can also use hairline thin painting brushes they sell at art stores or book stores), wet it slightly and dip into a powder that closely matches your brow hair color (if your brows are dark, use a light charcoal instead of black to avoid severe looking brows).

Use the thin brush to draw hair-like lines in the gap between your brows—the idea is to "add" hair using color instead of drawing on an entire brow shape, make sure to draw the strokes to follow the growth of your brows. Set the shape by finishing off with a clear brow gel or a few spritzes of hairspray on a toothbrush.

Step 5: Color coding

Another important factor to consider when going for a no-makeup makeup look is color. The colors you will use to define your features—blush, eyeshadow and lip color should complement your skin tone, e.g. fair-skinned girls would look more natural with pale pinks, light-skinned girls in peachy hues, and dusky-toned ladies can get away using bright red blush (applied sparingly) as an all-natural flush.

Tatin Yang is a makeup artist and freelance beauty writer for Candy magazine, Good Housekeeping Philippines, and Philippine Daily Inquirer. Aside from writing, she's been doing makeup for six years and is also a self-confessed dog lover, bookworm and Steve Jobs devotee.