The words radiant, dewy and barely-there are common words to describe current make-up trends, especially when talking about the skin and as a make-up artist it is a brief that I regularly receive. But, as we all start to have concerns of those telltale signs of ageing, how do we create this radiant skin, while covering concerns and looking fresh?
By Michael Brown
Twitter: @mbrown_beauty
Facebook: facebook.com/michaelbrownbeauty
Alexa Chung, who normally sports barely-there nude tones, has been spotted wearing this warm red bold lip and very fresh dewy skin – LOVE! Let’s see how this can be created.
One of the biggest mistakes women make is applying their foundation in the same thickness over the entire face, it instantly screams ‘I’m wearing a mask!’
Once that look is there, it is very hard to gain back any freshness, as everything you apply over that base tends to look like it is just sitting there, struggling to have any type of fusion between products and textures.
Everything in makeup should bond together beautifully, appearing as though it is coming from within the skin – the best anti-age secret with makeup, I hope you are all taking notes!
The ‘mixed textured’ skin trend is one I love and it can make a difference to actually softening the appearance of dehydration and build up of product caught in expression lines.
Primers are normally applied first with foundation second to bond together for a lasting look. This still can leave a foundation looking more into the full coverage category.
My tip is to actually mix a small amount of your primer into foundation to melt the textures into one; this dilutes the fullness of foundation, makes application easier to sweep over skin, plus gives an overall fresher look
*MB Tip – Always start foundation application from centre of face, sweeping outwards to avoid lines and build up around jaw and hairlines.
MB Recommends: Inika Pure Primer and Inika Liquid Mineral Foundation
Once your skin looks even in tone and not covered, you are in business!
Now all you have to do is conceal anything that is still showing through your fresh base, like redness, under eye dark circles or a spot/pigmentation.
*MB Tip – less concealer should be applied on areas of the face that move the most to avoid creasing later in the day/night.
Highlighter is my best friend as it can make your look from drab to fab in seconds. Foundation does come in dewy textures, but don’t only rely on your foundation to give skin a glow as you may then be heavy handed.
Add highlighter over your foundation in a dabbing application with fingertips to really fuse and melt the product into skin.
Above cheekbones, under brow, cupids bow are the main areas for highlighter and only apply in centre of face if not oily. This will create light, lower the look of thick foundation and bring forward these areas for face structure, definitely a must have product!
MB Recommends: Napoleon Perdis Light Patrol
This wheel is great as you can choose your highlight shade from bronze, gold to silver and use the plum as a lip or cheek stain
Once the fresh, radiant, unmasked and highlighted skin is created it’s all about adding pops of colour to get Alexa’s look.
A small amount of blush applied to the apple of the cheek, in a rounded shape blending up into the highlighter gives such a lift – always a win!
Wearing a Bold lip such as this needs colour on the cheek otherwise if the cheeks are only skin tone, the lips will take over any chance of anyone noticing your fresh skin. A warm red lip works so well on a pale or pink base skin, plus lifts the look to become super fresh for this summer season rather than that of a blue undertone.
Now, Add mascara, brush up the brows and you will look fresh, lifted and ready to combat any occasion feeling youthful!
MB Recommends: NVEY ECO Blush 953 and CK One Color Lipstick in Little Liar 700
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