What does "Natural Makeup" look like? - PART 1: The FACE

When I receive a new booking, I always like my clients to fill out a questionnaire so that I can get a better idea of what they like and what their desired makeup style is.

One of the questions I ask is "What style of makeup do you want on your wedding day?" Without a doubt, the most common response I get for this answer is "natural" or "I'm not sure, I don't wear much makeup". I can completely understand these two responses, and I appreciate that it can be a daunting task to decide on a makeup style if you don't know much about makeup or have trouble describing the types of looks that you do like. I have written this blog with the hope that it will shed a bit more light and give brides more direction on what makeup style to choose for their wedding look.

The simple fact is everyone's "natural" is different because our personal tastes are all subjective, and everyone's facial features and complexions also differ. In my opinion, "Natural" refers not only to the way in which a product is applied, but also to the colours chosen. You might have a look that is as natural as your own skin, or you might have full makeup applied which looks "natural" because the colours chosen seamlessly blend in with the naturally occurring colours in your complexion. Neutrals and Brown tones as eyeshadows and soft pink/peach coloured cheeks would be considered "natural" as they are colours that naturally occur within the pigmentation of the skin. However silvery/charcoal eyeshadows and hot pink cheeks on the other hand, would not be considered "natural".

I am wary of overloading you with too much information, so I will be posting a 3-part blog on Natural Makeup. This blog post is PART 1 and covers the different types of foundation you can choose from.

Hopefully at the end of reading this series on natural makeup, you will know exactly what to ask your makeup artist for!

PART 1 - NATURAL FACES

Everyone has their own version of "natural foundation", so I've outlined some different types of application to help you decide what is right for you:

Natural Look #1 - LIGHT SHEER COVERAGE

A sheer coverage of foundation or tinted moisturiser. This look is good for people who like to show their freckles, and also works well on people who have near flawless skin with minimal blemishes. Concealer can be applied to any darkness around the eye area or redness/pigmentation/blemishes if required.

Natural Look #2 - MEDIUM COVERAGE
Medium coverage foundation is slightly thicker consistency than sheer coverage. This is generally the most popular application for bridal makeup as it has greater coverage over pigmentation and spots, and can be built up in layers. Medium coverage foundations can come in liquid or cream formulas. It still feels light on the skin, but it helps to even out your skin tone for photos and provides a smooth base for the rest of your makeup. Medium foundation can be worn in a  matte or dewy (fresh-faced, slight sheen) finish. For a matte look, the foundation is set with powder to eliminate unwanted shine and oil on the skin.

Natural Look #3 - Full Coverage

Full coverage foundation (or photographic makeup) is designed to cover everything and will photograph flawlessly if applied correctly. It is often applied by building up layers of foundation and setting powder. It is also great for "sculpting" the face using contouring and highlighting techniques,  which looks amazing when photographed with studio lighting.  Full coverage foundation is great for night time occasions when the natural light is less harsh- sometimes daylight can make this makeup look too fake or unnatural. It's best for people who don't mind looking like they have makeup on!

Stay tuned for PART2 - NATURAL EYES and PART3 - NATURAL LIPS