As you know I love to experiment with different colors for makeup and nails, but sometimes it's also really nice to strip everything away and go back to basics for a very natural look. But what does natural actually look like? I associate natural with colors that are similar to my skin tone like buff, beige, tan and wheat, but at the same time no one wants to look washed out or anonymous. Isn't it ironic how the "no makeup" makeup look really is quite difficult to do, and how we take great care to apply products and shades, sometimes lots of them that make us look as if we have absolutely nothing on? Regardless, here are some of my favorite products to achieve that deceptively effortless natural look.
A great foundation is the base for all makeup, and it's even more important when you're going for a nude, bare-faced look and for me the YSL Serum Foundation (£37) is perfect for achieving a flawless radiant look. Since I have reviewed this foundation before (see here) I won't go into too much detail, but it's a wonderful product that combines anti-aging and rejuvenating skincare with a medium-full color correcting foundation coverage. The formula has just the right light weight consistency and it's easy to blend into your skin using either fingers or a brush for a subtle and natural radiance. This is a very long lasting product and on me the coverage lasts about 9-10 hrs without any need to correct and it also moisturises the skin throughout the day. There's no denying that this is a luxurious product, but when you barely wear anything on your skin it's even more important to be 100% confident in the product that you do wear, and YSL makes your skin look and feel amazing.
Having found a great natural looking eyeshadow, you want to make it stay on as long as possible, and to help with that I use the amazing Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion (£15) that helps your makeup last all day. The consistency is wonderfully smooth, creamy and quick drying and with this product a little goes a long way, so you could say that it's long lasting in more than one way e.g. I've had mine for almost a year... It comes in four different versions; the transparent original and three others that all have a very subtle color. I absolutely love the shade Eden, which is a nude matte color that looks so natural that sometimes I have even worn it just on its own on the lid without any eye shadow.
One of the easiest and best tricks to achieve a wide-eyed fresh and natural look is to apply an eye pencil on the lower waterline in a light shade. You can go for white if you wish, but personally I think that a nude shade works even better. Lately I've been using the Isadora Inliner Kajal in Blonde which is a soft and creamy kajal, and although it's not specifically smudge- or waterproof it's very resistant to daily wear and it stays put for hrs before you need to touch it up so it's perfect to use on the upper or lower waterline to add that little extra brightness to the eyes.
From left to right:
L'Oréal Color Riche Collection Privée Lipstick - Julianne Moore
Isadora Inliner Kajal - Blonde
Bourjois Eyeshadow - Rose Beige
Last in this row of natural looking products is a nail polish that I picked up fairly recently - it's the Maybelline Color Show Nude Nail Polish (3.99) in the shade In Your Flesh. It's a wonderful, classic nude shade that creates the illusion of longer fingers and it's a very clean, understated and chic look that would go with most outfits. The formula is a little bit thicker than most nail polishes, but despite this it's actually very easy to apply evenly and even though nude colors are by nature quite sheer, the formula is pigmented enough that you'll get a nice opaque look after two coats. Since I'm going for a paired down finish, I'm not wearing a top coat in the photos and there's enough shine in the polish for a fresh natural sheen. The polish will last for about 3 days before you need to touch it up and it's nice and easy to remove.
It's taken me a while to find products in nude shades that I'm comfortable in wearing and that look just like my natural colors - only better. After many frustrating visits to MAC I have also accepted that more often than not, the most popular nude shades don't work as well on me as they might do on others and I've had to look for other color options. But a natural look doesn't have to be just beige colored and the key to carry it off and to avoid a bland, non descript appearance - is to find products that work with your own skin tone, that blend in seamlessly and that also enhance your colors in a subtle "je ne sais quoi" way. Have you found the colors that work for you? What are your favorite natural shades?
what lovely makeup you have!
ReplyDeletegreat post!
x
♥ Ellen
SHOPSTYLECONQUER.COM
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That's so nice of you - thank you :o). Xx
DeleteI love natural make up x
ReplyDeletefabheadtotoe.blogspot.co.uk
Isn't it funny though that it's actually quite tricky to do :o). Xx
DeleteLovely post! I absolutely agree with you :) sometimes it's good to tone down the make up and let your natural features do the talking.
ReplyDeletezara xx
Hey Zara, thank you so much :o). Xx
DeleteI think I may need to look at getting myself one of these L'oreal lipsticks. They really do sound great!
ReplyDeleteRachael x
All The Little Things x | Rachael McClenaghan
The shades are so lovely, and I can't believe I've finally got myself a good nude lipstick :o). Xx
DeleteI definitely prefer natural make-up! Love that nail colour & the L'Oreal lipstick!!
ReplyDeleteHugs & Kisses,
Selorm | SheJustTalks | Xx
I'm so pleased with the Julianne shade - it's perfect for me :o) Xx
DeleteHi dear!! I've just discovered your blog :)
ReplyDeleteThis is an amazing post, it is so cool :)
Come and give your opinion about my new post "A different day"
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Hello Sandra, thank you so much for visiting and for leaving such a lovely comment :o). Xx
DeleteHi Charlotte, how are you? I hope you are well. The Maybelline nude nails polish look like something i could get away with at work. xx
ReplyDeleteHey Anna - I'm so glad it's Friday :o)!!! It's a lovely sophisticated shade - timeless :o). Xx
Deletelovely make up!!
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lovely colours ! :)
ReplyDeletesaralookbook.blogspot.com
Thank you very much :o). Xx
DeleteI bought that nail polish from Maybelline in Electric Yellow in summer and I'm very pleased with its formula and quality. The colour is very bright, shiny and well pigmented, so like you say, 2 layers will do :) This nude colour looks very pretty as well!
ReplyDeleteSofie x
Little green Sofie
Thanks - it's a great formula and yellow sounds interesting so I might need to check that out :o). Xx
Deletethat l'oreal lipstick is gorgeous! love your colour-themed posts.
ReplyDeletewritingwhimsy.com
Thank you SOOO much, that means a lot :o). Xx
DeleteLove the L'Oreal lippie and the Bourjois Round Pot Charlotte! You're right - nude/naural make-up is difficult to get right. Luckily I think I've found my perfect Soap & Glory nude lippie - it's a good feeling when you find it! xx
ReplyDeleteOoh, that's a good tip - I'll have a look at their range as well :o). Xx
DeleteGorgeous lipstick :-) We love your bracelet too. Agree with you, the "no makeup" makeup look is actually quite difficult to do!
ReplyDeletex Roch & Tash x
www.next-route-style.blogspot.co.uk
Thank you so much ladies :o). Xx
DeleteAbsolutely stunning shades!
ReplyDeleteEdita
http://www.pret-a-reporter.co.uk/
Lovely products!♥
ReplyDeleteAIMEROSE BLOG
That's so nice of you - thank you :o). Xx
DeleteLove that l'oreal lipstick :) Sweet blog xx
ReplyDelete-Chaitra|Itspinkpot
It's a gorgeous nude shade - just perfect for me :o). Xx
DeleteI am in love that nail paint
ReplyDelete1 I honestly just wear neutrals! I need to bring colour to my life!
Relationships.College.Love
LOL - And I need to make it more neutral :o). Xx
DeleteThis l'oreal lipstick looks just gorgeous! Thank you for all your tips! :)
ReplyDeleteAnya
www.annrobie.blogspot.com
awesome blog post :)
ReplyDeletewww.passport-to-fashion.com
That's so lovely of you - thank you VERY much :o). Xx
DeleteAmazing products... I love L'Oreal lipstick, great shade!!!!
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Thanks a million - you have a great one :o)! Xx
DeleteGreat Post!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.evithefashionista.blogspot.ca/
I hear really good things about that primer potion! Ive never tried it though!
ReplyDeletewww.amemoryofus.blogspot.com
Ooh, it's excellent - and it makes such a difference to the wear of eyeshadows :o). Xx
DeleteLovely looking products, and excellent post, as always! ♥ xo
ReplyDeleteThat's so sweet of you - thank you and have a super weekend :o) Xx
DeleteI have a similar nail color on now and I have been loving it!
ReplyDeleteWith A City Dream
I'm surprised at how much I like it - since I usually wear bold and vibrant colors, but it's actually a very nice change :O). Xx
DeleteUD primer potion is a amazing product! I love using it but I use the clear one <3
ReplyDeletexoxo
- Sierra Calah ♡ Berry Stylish
I agree, it's excellent and it may be a little pricey but it lasts so long too :o). Xx
DeleteSuch a pretty lipstick
ReplyDeletexoxo One Stiletto At a Time fashion and beauty blog
I'm so happy with it and might even try some of the others in the range :o). Xx
DeleteI really need to try that YSL Foundation. I have heard it is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing and although it is expensive it's definitely worth it :O). Xx
DeleteI love the look of the loreal lipsticks, defiantly my next lipstick purchase!
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xoxo
It's wonderful I just wish they would do something about that taste :o). Xx
DeleteThese photos are beautiful :)
ReplyDeletehttp://champagnelambinibudget.blogspot.co.uk/
Natural makeup can be to refreshing! I really want to try out that foundation!! I also have the same problem with nude lipsticks! The really popular shades never flatter me!
ReplyDeletewww.lilting-grace.blogspot.com
It's such a shame because MAC has so many gorgeous shades and I just look like death warmed up... LOL Xx
DeleteMakeup by Candlelight
What a great haul! Loreal lipsticks are a go-to for me. They never fail to please!
ReplyDeleteLoving this post, well done! Fabulous blog :)
xoxo
CoverGirl + Converse
PS - I'm back on the blog! Check it out!
That's very nice of you, thanks a million :o). Xx
Deletewow…lovely makeup
ReplyDeletei completely agree with your comment on nude nail polish! or anything nude in general. nude is not the same for every person and i think you've chosen a BEAUTIFUL nude for your skintone!!!
ReplyDeletewww.thestylebender.com
Thank you so much, that's really lovely of you - it's all about finding what works for you even though it may not be the most "in"shade :o). Xx
DeleteThat's such a lovely thing to say - thank you very much :o). Xx
ReplyDeleteThat Loreal lipstick looks gorgeous! Must try and find that collection :) x
ReplyDeleteIt's so lovely and very versatile too :o). Xx
DeleteI love that loreal lipstick!
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majotron.blogspot.co.uk
LOVE the shades used, especially the L'Oréal lipstick!
ReplyDeleteLa Mode D'Emm
I'm so happy with the Julianne shade and would definitely recommend the Privée range :o). Xx
DeleteThat lipstick is gorgeous! :)
ReplyDeletelipstickandlightening.blogspot.ie
It's got a lovely subtle pink tone to it and it's so versatile :o). Xx
DeleteThe L'oreal lipstick shade is beautiful! I didn't even think that was a blush shade, since it was so beige, but then again, in-pan and swatch shades do look totally different on the face. But yeah, I agree, natural looking makeup is so hard to achieve! (It probably starts with good skincare first, so you use less products!)
ReplyDeleteVanessa | Citron and Guavaberry ʘ‿ʘ | Makeup & Silly things
You're so right, good basics is the start to everything :o). Xx
DeleteBeautiful picks! I love Bourjois shadows and I've heard great things about that YSL foundation :)
ReplyDelete-Jen
www.vibrantbeautyblog.com
Thank you so much - you can always trust good old Bourjois :o). Xx
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