Make Your Makeup Look Natural

Concealer

One difficult part about "going au natural" is the little imperfections that pop up around your face and neck. Blemishes, red and patchy skin, dark circles under your eyes and even a patch of blackheads are nothing you want to reveal to the public. Find a concealer that closely matches your skin tone. A great way to apply concealer to any part of your face is to use your ring finger, as this finger has the lightest touch and will gently place concealer right where you want it. You don't want to rub concealer into the target area, so make sure you are dabbing it on.

Foundation

If you're going for a natural look, basic instinct will usually lead you away from applying foundation, as it covers up any natural beauty that lays behind it. However, if you have scarring from acne or uneven skin tones, foundations can be used correctly. The most important thing about finding a foundation that is right for you is choosing a color that matches your skin tone. The worst thing you can possibly do in regards to foundation is purchase a color that does not match your skin. You may even need to purchase different shades for different times of the year, like a tinted foundation for summer and a paler foundation for winter.

After you've found your perfect foundation, apply it lightly. Afterwards, you can take a makeup sponge and dab it lightly all over your face to remove excess foundation to give your face a natural, blended look. Pay special attention to your facial skin tone and your neck skin tone, as this area is the telltale sign of a well-blended and well matched foundation.

Powder

Having a little shine on your face is a natural thing. However, if your shine is out of control or you feel self-conscious about it, go ahead with powder. Make sure you add it lightly enough to where it's not visible anywhere on the face. You can even try shine controllers before applying makeup as to avoid wearing powder. Or simply pack along with you anti-shine blotting papers that you can find at your local pharmacy. You can also try a powder that corrects uneven skin. These powders will include pinks, greens and browns as these colors work best to offset any patchy areas of your skin.

Blush/Bronzer

Blush is one thing you need to be careful with when applying natural makeup. You don't want to go overboard with it, but adding a little blush will add life to your cheeks. Try keeping the color of the blush similar to the natural color of your lips. This way all the colors of your face will be in tune with one another. You can even use your natural lipstick color to rub into your cheeks, keeping in mind that with any natural look, less is definitely more.

Depending on your skin tone, these colors will be shades ranging from brown to pink. If you prefer to use bronzer instead of blush, apply it very lightly and remember to match the color to the natural highlights of your skin. Achieving a sun-kissed look is simple with only a few brush strokes of your favorite bronzer. Be careful, however, to not overdo your cheeks with tanned bronzer. Especially if you're going for a natural look, you'll want to possibly buy a bronzer that's lighter in shade than what you would wear out to a club on a Friday night.

Mascara

When choosing a mascara for your natural look, you want to look at your natural eyelash color. If you're blonde, stick to mascara that matches or closely resembles your natural eyelash color. The same goes for brown and black eyelashes. You don't want to draw attention with your mascara if you're going for a natural look.

Lipstick

Lipstick doesn't seem like a tool included in natural looking makeup, but with the right shade it can be perfect. You just have to match it to the natural shade of your lips and avoid any bright colors. You can even use a light pink or clear gloss if you like, for added natural sheen.