A clean, flawless look is what we want from our makeup this spring. Achieving this chic, minimalist effect requires a light hand, a few expert pointers, and the right neutral and blush shades, says makeup artist Fiona Stiles.
Prep Your Skin To Glow
For skin that looks refreshed without hours of sleep, apply a youth-enhancing primer that's formulated to counteract any red areas or purple undertones and bounce light off your face.
Make Your Foundation Invisible
Apply a liquid formula using two dome-shaped brushes. Sweep the foundation on with the first brush, blending it out and up from the center of your face. Then lightly buff your skin with the second brush to remove any excess product and smooth out the creases so all you're left with is a super-thin veil over your face.
Blush Softly
Sheer creamy blushes give you a rosy natural tint, but the trick to making the color last? Apply it after your foundation, using a dual-fiber brush so the product sits perfectly on your skin, and top with translucent powder to lock the pigment in place.
"Erase" Lines
If you do nothing else, just dust your skin with a translucent powder to blur any fine lines, then press a small amount of moisturizer between your palms and pat your cheeks to create a dewy finish.
Draw Attention to Your Eyes
To open up your eyes without looking like you're wearing makeup, trace a taupe liner along the inside of your lash lines. "This defines your eyes, but is almost undetectable," says Stiles. To add depth, brush a light brown eye shadow over the lids, into the creases, and slightly below the lower lashes. Finish by dabbing a tiny bit of Vaseline in the inner corners of the eyes for a subtle, sophisticated glow.
Enhance Your Lips
Chances are a lip color that's too pale or close to your natural skin-tone will make you look washed out or tired. Instead, invest in warm pink and beige shades one level darker than your skin, suggests Stiles, and top with matte lip balm for a soft feel.
