How to Pick Shades for Nude Makeup

Do you want to appear more polished without the obvious aid of cosmetics? The nude make-up look is a hit with those who want to enhance their natural beauty without using a lot of color. You can find out the secret to picking your most flattering nude make-up shades and wearing them well. Here's how you can look good nude.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Foundation brush or makeup sponge
• Fluffy oversize brush
• Your every day foundation
• Taupe eyeshadow
• Brown or caramel eyeliner
• Black or brown mascara
• Rosy-golden blush
• Lip liner that matches your lip color
• Nude lipstick with a touch of pink
• Under-eye concealer
• Translucent powder

Apply Foundation

1. Smooth on your every day foundation with a sponge or brush especially made for base application. Blend well to eradicate hard edges and to give the appearance of perfect, or close to perfect, skin. You'll know that this is your correct base by how effortlessly it disappears into your skin even before you are even finished blending.

2. Apply taupe or any other flesh-toned shadow you favor to your eyelids, from lash line to crease. A subtle shimmer is key here, as it livens up your eye area even as you keep the color natural. Smudge some brown or caramel-colored eyeliner into your upper and lower lash lines for extra eye definition. For more drama, apply mascara to your upper lashes--black if your hair is dark, soft black or brown if you are light-haired. It is your choice whether you wish to emphasize your bottom lashes as well.

3. Use your fully brush to stroke on a golden blush, with a hint of rose that mimics your own coloring when your skin is flushed, onto the apples of your cheeks. Blend the color so that it appears as though you are glowing from within and not deliberately telling the world that you have make-up on.

4. Pick out a lip liner that matches the color of your lips. Fill in your lips with the pencil. The waxy texture will help hold lipstick in place longer, and also prevent lipstick from bleeding outside of your natural lip line. The lipstick you choose to layer over your lip liner should not be completely flesh-colored. Select a nude one with pink in it to keep you from looking washed out and pale. Feel free, at your discretion, to top off with clear gloss to maintain the appearance of moistened lips.

5. 
   Your makeup doesn't have to be obvious for you to benefit!

   Dab under-eye concealer underneath your eyes. With your sponge, gently smooth the concealer upwards and outwards towards the outer corners of your eyes. This brightens up your under-eye region, as well as cleans up any smudges from mascara and eyeliner. Blend edges until the concealer appears seamless. With the fluffy oversize brush, set the concealer and the rest of your makeup with translucent powder.

Tips & Warnings

• Begin with clean, fresh skin; the more you've taken care of it, the better. With no color to distract anyone from perceived flaws, a smooth complexion is most helpful for the nude make-up look to work on you. Remember, the focus is on you now, not on your make-up. After washing your face with your best cleanser, apply your regular moisturizer and let sit before your actual make-up application.
• Your eyebrows should be well-groomed as well to minimize any distracting elements. It helps if you use an eyebrow pencil or brow powder for the purpose of eradicating noticeable spaces between hairs and to create a clean brow line.
• One option to dress up your look is to use universally flattering pink-gold highlighter. Touch lightly to browbones, tops of cheekbones, inner eye corners and on the Cupid's bow of your lips. With the sponge, blend anywhere highlighter appears too evident.
• Not just any shade of under-eye concealer will do. For dark circles, pick one with pinkish tones in it. For reddish circles, one with golden tones in it is ideal. You'll know that you have the best match if your eyes appear brighter and more awake. An experienced make-up artist can help you if you remain uncertain.
• Adjust the colors given here according to your skin tone and personal preferences.

Who Can Help:

• Are you tired of cakey makeup? Try RawMinerals Free.

Resources

• A reputable source for makeup that looks pleasantly natural.