When it comes to makeup, many of us want to try the latest colors, newest products, and most innovative formulations. However, scaling down your beauty routine is the quickest and easiest way to pull off a fresh, new look. In some circumstances, lots of makeup just won't do, but a woman can benefit from looking natural yet polished when she faces the world. Thankfully, cosmetic companies have created many beautiful, neutral palettes that are perfect for a makeup minimalist. Have fun at the cosmetics counter browsing through their latest lines, but focus instead on a look where you still look like you.
Perfectly groomed, sleek eyebrows are so important in the minimalist makeup look. Make sure you clean up any stray hairs by staying on top of plucking or waxing, and giving brows a good combing and gentle filling in before heading out. The eyebrows frame the entire face, so an attractive, balanced pair of brows is key to looking polished and pretty, but not overly made up.
Your foundation must match your complexion perfectly. No ifs, ands, or buts here, ladies. You want to keep the focus of your minimalist makeup on the look of great skin, so a small amount of the right shade of foundation only where needed to even out the skin tone, blended thoroughly with a damp makeup sponge, will even out any redness without making you look like you have a mask of makeup on. The same goes for concealer- lightly dot concealer only on any small pimple or odd spot and blend thoroughly. Finish with a light dusting of face powder with a large, fluffy brush.
Peach toned blush is a universally flattering shade. Stick to a sheer powder formulation and dust on the apples of the cheeks with an angled blush brush.
Mascara can be your best friend in a minimalist makeup look. Look for lengthening formulations that add soft length and some volume without making lashes look spiky and stuck together. Comb through any clumps, and leave the rest of the eye bare.
Finally, pale, pink, or beige toned lipstick or gloss completes the look and pulls everything together. It's extremely important that lips are not dry or cracked, as flesh colored lipsticks will accentuate any dryness, so make sure to exfoliate lips and use a good lip balm before applying color.
Breathe a sigh of relief and satisfaction at your simple, pretty, minimally made up face, knowing you're sporting an elegant and classic look that never goes out of style.