Whether you are perfecting your everyday look or preparing your flawless bridal makeup, you are sure to want your makeup to look as smooth and natural as possible. Getting a picture-perfect finish that looks as natural in real life as it does in photographs is tricky to master but is a great skill to have. It is not just the professionals who can create natural-looking makeup with perfect coverage though; you too can get perfect results. We have compiled a list of tips and tricks to help you get that flawless finish.
Table Of Contents
1. Prepare Your Skin; Cleanse, Moisturise, Prime
Preparing your skin is an important step when you are applying makeup. Gently cleansing the skin before applying makeup will remove dirt and oils that can lead to imperfections, leaving you with clearer skin that is therefore softer. A gentle exfoliator every few days will also remove dead skin and keep the surface of your skin smooth, which will help the overall look once your makeup is applied and reduce the chances of your makeup collecting in rough areas, which can appear ‘caked’.
After cleansing your skin, and especially after exfoliating, remember to moisturize to keep your skin supple. It prevents your skin drying out and tightening, which can both cause rough patches and areas where makeup can collect. While overnight you may prefer a richer, thicker moisturizer, before applying makeup it is better to choose a lightweight formula which your skin will absorb easily. This prevents surface residue which can mean makeup does not sit well on the skin.
If you are prone to acne and breakouts, choose an oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer as this will not block your pores or cause your makeup to be more likely to run or smudge.
Using a primer has different benefits to moisturizing, and the two complement each other, so ideally use both products. Primers will fill in (without clogging) fine lines and wrinkles and will make pores appear smaller. There are different types available for different skin types. For example, for oily skin, an oil-free option is best, while dry skin suits a hydrating formula.
2. Find Your Perfect Match
To ensure your makeup looks as smooth and natural as possible, you need to make sure you have a perfect match for your skin tone. Before deciding on your shade, remember to test makeup on the underside of your wrist or your jawline in natural sunlight as well as artificial light to make sure it is correct. A matte formula will give a smoother finish and will have hardly any shine which will be better in photographs.
3. Apply Your Makeup With The Right Tools
Traditional makeup can be applied with sponges, brushes or fingers. Often people tend to get used to using one and stick to it for all occasions, but in fact, different methods of application are suited to different times. For example, applying foundation using your fingers is better when you want lighter coverage, while using a sponge gives fuller coverage.
Remember to apply your makeup in the right direction, too – start at the center of your face and work outwards, blending as you go.
4. Apply Concealer after foundation
It is tempting to use concealer to disguise blemishes first, but in fact, it is better to apply concealer after you have put on your foundation as it is less likely to crease. By applying concealer after foundation, you achieve a smoother finish.
5. Finish With powder
A translucent powder will reduce any residue shine but leave a healthy, natural glow. This is particularly beneficial on the t-zone, which is prone to being more oily anyway.
6. Switch To An Airbrush Makeup Kit Instead
There is a reason why professional makeup artists and photographers favor airbrush makeup. It creates a natural-looking, flawless coverage which never looks caked-on and lasts all day. Airbrush makeup has many benefits. It is a great option for those who have acne-prone or sensitive skin as not only is it more hygienic than traditional makeup, but also it is so light that it does not block the skin, instead allowing it to breathe. This reduces the chances of makeup-induced breakouts occurring considerably.
Airbrush makeup also is applied in very thin layers which you gradually build to get the coverage you desire. It looks natural whether it is applied to be sheer or full coverage, and still hides blemishes and imperfections. It never appears caked because of this thin application; therefore, it always looks smooth, natural and beautiful.
Airbrush makeup is no longer just for the professionals. You can buy affordable kits to use easily at home.
Kits will usually come with a selection of foundations of different shades that you can use as they are or blend to match your skin tone perfectly, and are easy to get the hang of using.
If you are interested in buying an airbrush makeup kit, have a look at our reviews of the 8 best kits to find out which would be best for you.
