While we love our makeup, there are times when we want to look a little more natural.
The no-makeup makeup is basically the bare minimum, focusing more on the application than the number of products.
This look goes against the typical “Instagram” beauty looks we see a lot of today — bold dark brows, heavy contour , winged liner, you know what we’re talking about.
Read on for tips on how to subtly enhance your features and natural beauty with makeup.
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For an even, bare-skinned look, replace foundation with a tinted moisturiser with SPF. Instead of full-on coverage, what you get is a sheer finish.
The best part about using a tinted moisturiser: you don’t have to worry about getting an exact match to your skin tone – you can even go with a slightly deeper shade to warm up your complexion.
To apply, use a damp blending sponge to stipple it on so there are no steaks or lines.
If you find you still need more coverage, you can finish off with a foundation but only on areas that are problematic or over-pigmented.
Photo: Instagram/Sooyoung
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Instead of packing on any concealer, a key element to pegging that bright-eyed “I woke up like this” look is to use a brightening concealer on the undereye area.
Use it under foundation to cover blemishes, or after for added radiance. It’s important to use one in the same shade as your skin, rather than one that’s a few shades lighter, which looks unnatural.
Photo: Instagram/Fan Fan
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Run a tinted brow gel through your brows to keep them in place. A brow gel also helps to lighten your natural brows and fill in any bald spots – which is all you need to keep things natural yet polished.
Photo: Instagram/Ann Hsu
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Sweep a neutral brown or peach shadow over your lids for natural-looking eye makeup. Choose a hue that is a shade or two darker than your natural skin tone; anything deeper will look harsh and unnatural.
Photo: Instagram/Cheryl Yang
Photo: Instagram/Sooyoung
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While a winged eye is great for dramatic eyes, it doesn’t fit in with the natural makeup vibe.
For a more understated look, bring the eyeliner into the upper waterline. This creates the illusion of fuller lashes but won’t leave you looking overly made up.
Photo: Instagram/Rainie Yang
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Some days, you just don’t want to bother with the care it takes to apply a bold lip. You can still go lipstick-free yet look as groomed.
Use a lip scrub to gently slough off dead skin cells and increase blood flow. Then, simply slick on some lip gloss.
Photo: Instagram/Shu Qi
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Like with most makeup products, a little bit of blush goes a long way. The last thing you want is large pink splotches on your face. Start small and build up the colour.
Dip your brush into your powder blush and tap off the excess before applying in a circular motion across the cheek. This will create a diffused and natural finish.
Photo: Joanne Tseng/Instagram
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With your fingers, apply a cream highlighter over these three areas.
You want to create a subtle pearly radiance that catches the light when you move, enhancing your natural complexion, so don’t get one that is too glittery or frosted.
Photo: Instagram/Vivian Hsu
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Spray a face mist all over your face. Look for one that contains moisturising ingredients like hyaluronic acid and squalene.
Hold the bottle at least 10cm away from your face and gently spritz two to three times. This will hydrate your skin and give it a healthy and dewy look.
Photo: Park Shin Hye/Instagram
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