For most women, the idea of facing the world completely barefaced is enough to bring on a serious panic attack. Stripped of our powders, pencils and glosses, we’d just feel . . . naked. But the fact is, while skipping the lipstick in the morning may feel like you forgot to put on your pants, you most likely don’t need it. You know that whole saying about less being more? Well, its true. In the harsh sunlight, or unflattering glow of your office, that artfully applied face can look more like a goopy, cakey mask. Not a pretty look. Too much makeup can not only clutter your cosmetic bag, but also distract from what makes you naturally gorgeous in the first place. So how do you simplify your morning makeup routine and feel confident enough to pull it off? Read on for tips on how to get that fresh-faced look:
Start with your skin
The key to feeling comfortable in your own skin is by taking good care of it. Redness, dryness and blemishes can steal the spotlight from killer eyes, envy-worthy cheekbones or pouty lips. Find and stick with a skincare routine tailored to your skin type”whether it’s dry, oily or normal. Clocking in enough snooze time, eating a balanced diet and nixing the alcohol can also go a long way to giving you a healthy, natural glow. With a happy canvas, you can trade the foundation for a tinted moisturizer or BB cream. Only use cover up where you need it and stick to your T-Zone when using powder. This will keep your skin looking fresh, dewy and naturally flawless.
Become a brow master
It’s been said that the eyes are the windows to the soul, but the truth is, they’d be nothing without eyebrows. Brows have the power to frame your entire face and take you from sloppy to polished in seconds. So make sure you keep them properly groomed, by plucking or tweezing them into shape. If you’re blessed with sexy, full brows, this is all you need to do to look instantly put together. For those with thinner, spottier brows, become besties with a brow pencil. Choose a colour a shade lighter than your hair and lightly define and fill in sparse areas. Finish with a brow gel or wax to lock in your shape and step back to admire the wow-worthy results.
Accentuate, don’t exaggerate
With healthy skin and beautiful brows, you’ll find that you don’t have to do much to finish up your daytime look. To look primped in minutes, try using brown eyeshadow as liner on your top lash line, a few coats of plumping mascara, a light swipe of blush and a neutral or clear lip gloss. It’s you, only better. By reserving the drama for the PM (think false lashes, heavy eyeliner and dark lips), you can easily avoid looking cartoony and years older during the day. With a fresher, lighter routine, you’ll feel more like a chic, glossier version of yourself and less like you’re hiding behind a thick layer of product.
Note: If you’re a seasoned slave to the full face, try dropping one makeup step at a time. For example, start off by going bare-lipped, or skipping the liner on your lower lash line. You’ll be amazed at the difference this makes, and the compliments that follow.
