There are no fixed rules for applying natural makeup. As with fashion, the art of makeup application is incredibly personal, cultural, and ever changing. One of the most fascinating aspects to makeup application is the endless approaches to the craft. Not only can natural makeup bring out your inner artist, it can also accentuate your most positive and outstanding features. Makeup, as with fashion, is yet another tool in your own personal tool box to further express your unique style and creativity. Makeup can be that tool to allow you to step into the most authentic outward expression of your personality and beauty. The most accomplished artists of any craft will tell you that they owe their talents, not only to their inspiration and creativity but also to knowing “the basics” of their craft that serve as the foundation to bolster their creative expression. For painters, these basics are composition, scale,rendering, and color theory. The following are the five most important “basics” you’ll need to master for that flawless natural makeup look we all aspire to. From there anything is possible!
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Prep Your Canvas
Before you apply makeup at all, make sure you always clean and moisturize your skin first. Not only does this prevent your skin from drying out, it also helps your foundation apply more evenly. Be sure that your moisturizer has fully absorbed into your skin before applying your concealer or foundation. If you find that your skin looks dry after applying your foundation it’s likely that you aren’t using a heavy enough moisturizer.
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Conceal Conservatively
Whether you are using your finger or a brush to spot conceal, be sure not to pack the concealer on too heavily. Since the bump you are trying to conceal has volume there is nothing that will erase it completely. That’s why well placed and well blended concealer is your best bet. Take your time, spot conceal once and blend. Touch up one last time with a natural concealing powder or a setting powder after your foundation application if you see the discoloration peeping through.
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Use High Quality Cosmetic Brushes
The cosmetic brushes you use to apply your makeup are just as important as the makeup itself. Choose high quality, professional-grade vegan cosmetic brushes with soft, supple bristles. In the world of makeup application where blending is everything, your brushes can make or break you. Even if your makeup application technique never improves, the quality of your brushes will help you achieve a more natural look. High quality vegan cosmetic brushes are definitely worth the investment.
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Understand Skin Tones and Undertones
Learn how to choose the right foundation shade for your skin tone. Once you nail your foundation shade and your undertone, you will unlock the code to your most complimentary shades for all your makeup products.
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Blend and then Blend Some More
One of the hallmarks of an excellent natural makeup application is the placement of the pigment and the quality of the blending of that pigment into the skin. Regardless of what kind of foundation you are using, mineral foundation, liquid foundation, gel foundation or cream foundation, you need to buff your foundation into your skin using a high quality cosmetic brush. For example, if you are using a mineral foundation you would use a kabuki brush to buff the product into your skin. This small circular buffing motion allows you to slowly apply light layers of the product to your skin. The result is a look that looks more like your natural skin than a shield of cosmetic product.