How to Do a Natural Glow Makeup Look In 7 Steps

Introduction

The natural glow makeup look has gained popularity for its ability to enhance the skin’s radiance and create a fresh, youthful appearance. Through subtle techniques and the use of specific products, this makeup style aims to mimic a healthy, dewy complexion. Embracing your natural features and achieving a luminous finish are central to this approach.

Importance of Following a Step-by-Step Process

The importance of following a step-by-step process for achieving the desired look cannot be overstated. Each stage builds upon the last, creating a seamless and harmonious result. Rushing through or skipping steps can compromise the overall effect.

What You’ll Learn in This Guide

This 7-step guide will take you through each phase in detail, providing product recommendations, application techniques, and tips for achieving a flawless natural glow makeup look. From preparing the skin to adding the finishing touches, every step contributes to the final outcome. Whether you’re new to makeup application or seeking to elevate your skills, this comprehensive guide is designed to help you master the art of creating a natural glow.

Intrigued? Let’s dive into the first step: applying primer.

Step 1: Apply Primer

When it comes to achieving a natural glow makeup look, using a primer is key. Primer acts as a base for your makeup, creating a smooth canvas and helping your makeup last longer throughout the day. Here are some important points to consider when applying primer:

Importance of using primer for a smooth and long-lasting makeup application

Primer helps to fill in fine lines, pores, and texture on the skin, creating a smoother surface for foundation application.
It helps to control oil production and keeps your makeup from sliding off or melting away.
By applying primer, your foundation will adhere better to the skin, resulting in a more even and flawless finish.
Primer can also help to minimize the appearance of redness or discoloration on the skin.

Recommended primer products for creating a natural glow

Becca Backlight Priming Filter: This popular primer has a subtle shimmer that adds a beautiful luminosity to the skin. It creates a soft-focus effect, blurring imperfections and giving your skin a natural-looking glow.
Laura Mercier Radiance Foundation Primer: This primer is infused with pearl pigments that reflect light and give the skin a radiant glow. It also helps to hydrate and nourish the skin, leaving it looking healthy and luminous.
NYX Professional Makeup Bare With Me Hydrating Jelly Primer: If you prefer a more lightweight option, this jelly primer is perfect. It provides hydration while creating a smooth base for your makeup. It gives your skin a natural radiance without feeling heavy.

Step-by-step instructions for applying primer

Start with clean, moisturized skin.
Take a pea-sized amount of primer onto your fingertips or use a brush or sponge for application.
Apply the primer onto the center of your face (forehead, nose, cheeks, chin) and blend it outwards towards the hairline and jawline.
Gently pat the primer onto your skin, allowing it to melt in and adhere to your skin.
Pay extra attention to areas where you have larger pores or texture, as these areas can benefit from a little extra primer.
Let the primer set for a minute or two before moving on to the next step.

Remember, a little goes a long way with primers. Using too much product can make your makeup feel heavy and look cakey. Experiment with different primers to find the one that works best for you and gives you the natural glow you desire.

Step 2: Create a Base with Glow

Creating a radiant and natural glow starts with the right base. In this step, we will explore how to choose the perfect foundation and use illuminating products to enhance the glow. Let’s dive in!

Choosing the Right Foundation for a Natural Glowy Finish

When you want a natural glowy look, choose a foundation that:

Finish: Foundations with a radiant or luminous finish work best for creating a natural glow. These finishes add brightness and radiance to your skin, giving you that lit-from-within look.
Shade: It’s essential to find a foundation shade that matches your skin tone perfectly. Avoid shades that are too light or too dark, as they can make your skin look unnatural or muddy.
Formula: Opt for foundations with hydrating properties, such as those enriched with hyaluronic acid or glycerin. These ingredients help keep your skin moisturized and plump, contributing to a healthy-looking glow.
Application: When applying foundation, start with a small amount and build it up gradually if necessary. Use a damp beauty sponge or a dense brush to blend the foundation seamlessly into your skin.

Using Illuminating Products to Enhance the Glow

To take your natural glow to the next level, incorporate illuminating products into your routine. These products add luminosity and dimension to your base, giving you that coveted lit-from-within radiance. Here are some illuminating products you can try:

Liquid Highlighter: Mix a few drops of liquid highlighter with your foundation before applying it to your face. This technique creates an all-over glow and helps blur imperfections.
Illuminating Primer: Apply an illuminating primer before your foundation to create a luminous base. These primers contain light-reflecting particles that give your skin a radiant glow.
Cream Highlighter: After applying your foundation, use a cream highlighter on the high points of your face, such as the cheekbones, brow bone, and down the bridge of your nose. Gently tap and blend the product with your fingertips for a natural-looking sheen.

Techniques for Applying Foundation and Illuminators to Achieve a Radiant Base

Now that you have chosen the right foundation and illuminating products, let’s explore some techniques to achieve a radiant base:

Fingertip Application: Using clean fingers, dot small amounts of foundation onto your forehead, cheeks, chin, and nose. Gently blend the foundation into your skin using circular motions for a seamless finish. This technique allows for better control over the coverage and ensures that the foundation melts into your skin for a natural glow.
Beauty Sponge: Dampen a beauty sponge and squeeze out any excess water. Apply small dots of foundation onto your face and use the sponge to bounce and blend the product into your skin. The sponge helps achieve an airbrushed finish while keeping the glow intact.
Buffing Brush: If you prefer using brushes, opt for a dense buffing brush. Swirl the brush in circular motions over your face to blend the foundation evenly. This technique provides a flawless yet natural-looking base.

Remember to blend

Step 3: Set Face Makeup

When it comes to achieving a natural glow makeup look, setting your face makeup is an essential step. Setting powder and setting spray play a crucial role in preventing your makeup from creasing or melting throughout the day. Here are some key points to consider:

The role of setting powder

Setting powder helps to lock in your foundation, concealer, and other face products, ensuring they stay in place for longer. It absorbs excess oil and minimizes shine, giving your skin a more matte finish without compromising the glowy effect.

Recommended setting powders and sprays

Look for lightweight, finely milled setting powders that won’t cake or settle into fine lines. Translucent powders are a popular choice as they work well on all skin tones. Some recommended setting powders for a natural finish include:

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
RCMA No Color Powder
Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder

Additionally, if you prefer a dewier finish, you can opt for a setting spray with a luminous or hydrating formula. Some popular options include:

MAC Prep + Prime Fix+
Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray
NYX Professional Makeup Dewy Finish Makeup Setting Spray

How to properly set face makeup without compromising the glow

To set your face makeup while maintaining the natural glow, follow these steps:

Take a fluffy powder brush and lightly dip it into the setting powder. Tap off any excess product to avoid over-powdering.
Gently sweep the brush across your T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) where oil tends to accumulate. This helps control shine without mattifying the entire face.
Use a smaller brush or sponge to apply setting powder under your eyes, focusing on areas where concealer is applied to prevent creasing.
Avoid applying too much powder on the cheeks, as it can diminish the glowy effect. Instead, concentrate on the areas prone to oiliness.
If you’re using a setting spray, hold it about an arm’s length away from your face and mist it evenly in a sweeping motion. This helps to set the makeup and adds a natural radiance.

Remember, the key is to use a light hand when applying setting powder and spray. You want to set your makeup without taking away the luminosity and dewiness that you’ve created with your base products.

By setting your face makeup properly, you can ensure that your natural glow lasts longer throughout the day while keeping unwanted shine at bay. It’s an essential step in achieving a flawless and long-lasting makeup look.

Step 4: Highlight High Points of the Face

Highlighting the high points of your face is an essential step in achieving a natural glow makeup look. By strategically placing highlighter on areas that catch the light, you can create a radiant and youthful effect. Here are some key points to consider:

Selecting the Right Highlighter Shade

Natural-looking sheen: When choosing a highlighter shade, opt for one that gives a natural-looking sheen rather than an overly shimmery finish. Look for highlighters with finely milled pigments that blend seamlessly into the skin.
Complement your skin tone: Consider your undertone and skin color when selecting a highlighter shade. For fair to light skin tones, champagne or pearl shades work well. Medium to deep skin tones can go for golden or bronze hues.

Identifying and Highlighting High Points of the Face

To achieve a subtle and radiant effect with your highlighter, it’s important to identify and focus on the high points of your face:

Cheekbones: Sweep the highlighter along the top of your cheekbones, starting from the outer corner of your eyes towards the temples. This will accentuate your cheekbones and add dimension to your face.
Brow bone: Apply a small amount of highlighter on your brow bone, just beneath the arch of your eyebrows. This will lift and brighten your eyes, giving them a more awake appearance.
Cupid’s bow: Dab a tiny amount of highlighter on your cupid’s bow (the curve at the center of your upper lip). This will make your lips appear fuller and more defined.
Bridge of the nose: If desired, you can lightly dust some highlighter down the bridge of your nose to create a subtle glow.

Techniques for Applying Highlighter

To achieve a seamless and natural-looking glow, follow these techniques for applying highlighter:

Fingertips: For a more subtle effect, use your fingertips to apply cream or liquid highlighter. Gently tap the product onto the high points of your face and blend it out using a patting motion.
Fan brush: A fan brush can be used with both powder and liquid highlighters. Dip the brush into the product, tapping off any excess, and lightly sweep it onto the desired areas. This will give you a soft and diffused glow.
Beauty sponge: If you prefer a more airbrushed finish, use a damp beauty sponge to apply your highlighter. Dab the sponge into the product and bounce it along the high points of your face for a seamless blend.

Remember, less is more when it comes to applying highlighter. Start with a small amount and build up the intensity gradually until you achieve your desired level of glow. It’s better to add more product than to have to remove excess.

Pro Tip: To enhance the natural glow even further, you can layer a cream or liquid highlighter underneath a powder highlighter. This will create a multidimensional effect that catches the light beautifully.

By selecting the right highlighter shade, identifying and highlighting the high points of your face, and using appropriate application techniques, you can achieve a subtle yet radiant effect with your highlighter. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different shades and formulas to find what works best for your skin tone and desired level of glow.

Step 5: Dust Color onto Cheeks

Blush is a crucial step in achieving a natural glow makeup look. It adds a touch of color and dimension to the cheeks, creating a healthy and flushed complexion. Here are some key points to consider when dusting color onto your cheeks:

Choosing blush shades that complement the natural glow look

When selecting a blush shade, opt for colors that mimic a natural flush. Soft pinks, peaches, and warm rose tones work well for most skin tones. Avoid shades that are too vibrant or cool-toned, as they may appear unnatural on the skin.

Applying blush to add color and dimension to the cheeks

To apply blush for a natural glow:

Smile slightly to locate the apples of your cheeks.
Using a fluffy blush brush, lightly swirl the product onto the apples of your cheeks and blend it towards your temples.
Start with a small amount of product and build up gradually to achieve your desired level of color intensity.

Tips for achieving a healthy and flushed complexion

To enhance the overall natural glow makeup look, consider these tips:

Blend well: After applying blush, make sure to blend it seamlessly into your foundation for a seamless finish. This will prevent any harsh lines or patchiness.
Less is more: Remember that the goal is to achieve a subtle flush rather than heavy-handed color. Start with a light application and build up if necessary.
Consider your skin undertone: Take into account your skin’s undertone when selecting a blush shade. If you have warm undertones, peachy or coral shades will complement your complexion. For cooler undertones, opt for pink or mauve tones.
Keep it sheer: Instead of using highly pigmented blushes, choose sheer formulas or use a light hand when applying intense shades. This will give you more control over the color and help maintain a natural look.
Consider your skin type: If you have oily skin, choose a blush formula that is long-lasting and oil-free to prevent excess shine. For dry skin, opt for cream or liquid blushes that provide a dewy finish and hydrating properties.

Remember, the key to achieving a natural glow makeup look is to enhance your features subtly. Blush adds warmth and life to the face, giving you a radiant and healthy complexion. Experiment with different blush shades and application techniques to find what works best for you.

Step 6: Add Definition with Bronzer

Adding definition to the face is an essential step in achieving a natural glow makeup look. Bronzer is the perfect product for this, as it adds warmth and dimension without compromising the overall radiance of the skin. In this step, we will explore how to select the right bronzer shade, contour with precision, and apply bronzer for a defined and sculpted look.

Selecting a Bronzer Shade

When choosing a bronzer shade, it’s important to find one that adds warmth to your complexion without looking muddy or orange. Opt for a shade that is only one or two shades darker than your natural skin tone. This will create a subtle and natural-looking effect.

Tip: If you have fair skin, go for a light, cool-toned bronzer. For medium to deep skin tones, warm-toned bronzers work best.

Contouring Techniques

Contouring is all about enhancing your facial features while maintaining a natural glow. Here are some contouring techniques to consider:

Cheekbones: To emphasize your cheekbones, suck in your cheeks and apply bronzer in the hollows beneath them. Blend the bronzer upwards towards your temples for a seamless transition.
Forehead: If you want to minimize the appearance of a larger forehead, lightly sweep some bronzer along your hairline, focusing on the outer edges.
Jawline: Define your jawline by applying bronzer along the underside of your jawbone. This will create a shadow effect and add definition.
Nose: Use a smaller brush to apply bronzer along the sides of your nose. Start from the inner corner near your eyebrows and blend down towards the tip. This technique can create the illusion of a slimmer nose.

Tip: Remember to use a light hand when contouring with bronzer. Build up the product gradually to avoid any harsh lines or an overly dramatic effect.

Proper Application of Bronzer

To achieve a defined and sculpted look with bronzer, follow these application techniques:

Brush Selection: Use a fluffy, angled brush to apply bronzer. This type of brush allows for precise application and seamless blending.
Product Placement: Lightly dip your brush into the bronzer and tap off any excess. Start by applying bronzer to the areas you want to contour, such as the hollows of your cheeks or along your jawline. Remember, less is more – you can always build up the intensity if needed.
Blending: After applying the bronzer, blend it out using circular motions or gentle sweeping motions. This will ensure a natural-looking finish and prevent any harsh lines.
Overall Face Application: For a cohesive look, lightly dust some bronzer across your forehead, temples, and chin. This will add warmth to your face and create a sun-kissed effect.

Tip: When applying bronzer, always take natural lighting into consideration. Step outside or near a window to check how the bronzer looks in different lighting conditions.

By selecting the right bronzer shade, mastering contouring techniques, and applying bronzer with precision, you can add definition to your face while maintaining a natural glow. Remember to blend well and build up the product gradually for a seamless finish.

Step 7: Define and Fill in Lips

When it comes to achieving a natural glow makeup look, don’t forget about your lips! Defined and filled-in lips can add the perfect finishing touch to your overall look. In this step, we will explore the importance of lip liner, choosing the right lipstick shades, and techniques for applying lip liner and lipstick to complete the natural glow makeup look.

Importance of Lip Liner for Defining the Lips

Using lip liner is essential for creating well-defined and shapely lips. Lip liner not only helps prevent your lipstick from feathering or bleeding, but it also allows you to enhance the natural shape of your lips. Here’s why lip liner is a must-have in your makeup routine:

Define the lip shape: Lip liner helps you create a precise outline for your lips, making them appear fuller or altering their shape if desired.
Prevent color bleeding: By creating a barrier around your lips, lip liner prevents lipstick from smudging or bleeding into fine lines around the mouth.
Enhance longevity: Lip liner provides a base for your lipstick, helping it last longer throughout the day.

Choosing Lipstick Shades that Enhance the Natural Lip Color

To achieve a natural glow makeup look, it’s important to choose lipstick shades that enhance your natural lip color rather than overpower it. Here are some tips for selecting the right shades:

Nude shades: Opt for nude shades that closely match your natural lip color. These shades will give your lips a subtle enhancement without looking too bold or heavy.
Sheer formulas: Consider using sheer or satin-finish lipsticks that allow some of your natural lip color to shine through. These formulas provide a more effortless and natural appearance.
Soft pinks and peaches: Soft pink and peach tones are universally flattering and can give your lips a fresh and youthful look.

Techniques for Applying Lip Liner and Lipstick

Now that you have chosen the right lip liner and lipstick shades, it’s time to apply them to complete your natural glow makeup look. Here are some techniques to consider:

Prep your lips: Before applying lip liner, make sure your lips are well moisturized and exfoliated. This will create a smooth canvas for the products and prevent any dryness or flakiness.
Outline the lips: Start by lining your lips with the lip liner, following the natural shape of your lips. If you want to enhance or alter the shape, do so subtly for a more natural effect.
Fill in with color: After outlining, fill in your lips with the lip liner to create a base for your lipstick. This will help the color last longer and prevent it from fading unevenly.
Apply lipstick: Using a lip brush or directly from the tube, apply your chosen lipstick shade onto your lips, starting from the center and blending outwards. For a more natural look, you can use your finger to gently pat and blend the color into your lips.
Blot and touch up: To ensure long-lasting wear, blot your lips with a tissue and reapply another layer of lipstick. This will help set the color and give it a more natural finish.

Remember, practice makes perfect when it comes to applying lip liner and lipstick. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different shades and techniques to find what works best for you.

Defining and filling in your lips is an essential step in achieving a natural glow makeup look. By using lip liner to define the shape of your lips and choosing lipstick shades that enhance your natural lip color, you can create a beautiful and effortless pout. Experiment with different techniques until you find what suits you best, and don’t forget to have fun with your makeup!

Conclusion

Achieving a natural glow makeup look is all about enhancing your natural features and creating a radiant, healthy complexion. By following the 7-step guide outlined in this article, you can easily achieve that coveted lit-from-within glow. Remember, makeup should be fun and creative, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different products and techniques to find what works best for you.

Here are some final thoughts to keep in mind as you embark on your journey to create a natural glow makeup look:

Embrace your unique features: The purpose of a natural glow makeup look is to enhance your natural beauty. Instead of trying to change or hide certain aspects of your face, focus on bringing out your best features and letting your inner radiance shine through.
Customize the steps to suit your skin type: Everyone’s skin is different, so it’s important to adapt the steps to cater to your specific needs. For example, if you have oily skin, you may want to use a mattifying primer or swap out cream highlighters for powder formulas.
Practice makes perfect: Like any skill, mastering the art of natural glow makeup takes practice. Don’t get discouraged if your first attempt doesn’t turn out exactly as you envisioned. Keep practicing and experimenting until you find the perfect combination of products and techniques that work for you.
Confidence is key: The most important thing when it comes to makeup is confidence. Embrace your unique beauty and wear your natural glow makeup look with pride. Remember, beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors – so celebrate what makes you unique.

In conclusion, creating a natural glow makeup look is all about enhancing your natural beauty and achieving a radiant complexion. By following the step-by-step guide provided in this article and incorporating your own personal touch, you can achieve a stunning and effortless glow that will turn heads wherever you go. So go ahead, embrace your inner glow and let your natural beauty shine through!