Friday, February 25, 2011

Au Naturale...Sort of.

I love the look of a fresh, clean face but unfortunately not all of us are lucky enough to have clear and perfect skin. I would kill to be able to walk out the door without a touch of makeup on, but I would never dare! Instead, I like to use a few simple products to help me achieve a fresh-faced look. Here are some products to help you fake that natural glow.

When I think of a natural, put together look I always think of Jessica Biel or Kate Hudson. Their skin is flawless and dewy and their eye makeup is very subtle. They never look overly made up but are always effortlessly beautiful.

To begin, a tinted moisturizer is key. They are lighter than foundation and act as both a moisturizer and a light coverage. Benefit You Rebel is a light beige color that blends easily into most lighter skin tones. The formula is pretty moisturizing but I still layer my regular moisturizer underneath it to keep my skin extra hydrated. When you're going for a natural look like this you want to make sure your skin is smooth and dewy, and not dry or flakey. You Rebel also contains SPF 10 which is an added plus for the summer months.

A good concealer is really important for this look to conceal any dark circles, redness or blemishes you may have. You want to make your skin look as naturally flawless as possible so go for products that do not look cakey or heavy but have a high level of coverage. I like creamy formulas that can be easily blended into your skin with a brush or your fingertips. Benefit Boi-ing is a super creamy concealer that is really pigmented and covers any imperfection. This is a perfect concealer for blemishes and redness because it really masks your imperfections without looking too dark or heavy and stays on all day without having to reapply. The Bobbi Brown Corrector is great for minimizing dark under-eye circles because it is pink-based, which neutralizes the dark blue shadows. It can be layered under a yellow-based concealer for extra coverage or worn on its own to add brightness. Another great brightener is the YSL Touche Eclat. It is a brightener pen that adds a touch of gleam and highlight to wherever you put it. It's perfect for the inner corners of your eyes and even on top of under-eye circles to totally awaken and liven up your face.

It's important to set your concealers and brighteners so they don't fade or crease throughout the day. Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder is a great translucent powder to mattify your skin and set all makeup. It leaves your skin feeling super soft and adds a pretty glow to your face. If you find that your skin is more on the dry side, skip this step because it will take away any shine or oil you may have and dryer skin needs that extra moisture. But if you do have oily skin, this is a great way to minimize the shine. Apply all over with a big powder brush.

To achieve a natural pink flush go for a matte cream blush. Stila Convertible Color in Gerbera is a bright coral-pink. It adds a non-greasy glow to your cheeks and can even be used as a lip color. Apply it to the apples of your cheeks with your finger-tips for a pretty pop of color.

Finish your look with a natural-looking mascara to add definition to your eyes and a natural pink lip balm. Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara gives a great natural looking lash. It adds volume and length and separates your lashes in one coat. It's really important to define your eyes with a mascara to make your eyes pop and not get lost in your face. Use any natural balm or light lip color of your choice on your lips. I love Dior Addict Lip Glow. It's a light pink color that contains an SPF of 10. Plus the packaging is super cute.

If you want a more defined eye and can't leave the house without a little shadow, try the Too Faced Natural Eye Palette. It comes with 9 shades that can be used for natural daytime looks or builded and mixed together for nighttime options. Most of the colors are light enough to be used on their own during the day. For a really natural eye I love using Velvet Revolver all over my lid and Heaven on my brow bone. The palette is a great mix of matte and shimmery colors to satisfy any shadow lover.

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