Effortless Ways to Achieve a Natural Makeup Look
Reflecting on this year, whether it be the memories of floating in Capri’s Marina Piccola or taking a stroll through your farmers’ market, we can all agree that the time spent outside was beneficial.
Makeup artist Alice Lane, who is based in Hudson Valley and well-known for making models and celebrities look their best (with clear skin, accentuated lips and eyes) for runways, red carpets, photo shoots, and Met Galas says that “Your skin is still glowing from the summer.” She suggests taking advantage of this by playing with blush and bronzy colors to extend that natural radiance.
The key to refreshed, beautiful makeup that enhances your appearance rather than changing it is easy pigments and creamy textures, says Lane. (Lane clearly takes her own advice—at forty-one, she has a new modeling career going and is currently shooting a campaign with designer Alex Mill.) “Creamy textures are easy to refresh,” she says, “and it’s the melting of everything together that’s so beautiful and soft. You want to avoid harsh lines between, say lipstick and your face.”
Lane’s foundation for a gorgeous complexion consists of strategic concealer, subtle highlighter, and creamy tints–all clean products. “Just as we put time into caring for our insides and eating healthily, let’s take the same amount of care in choosing what we put on our faces,” she explains. “When you use makeup that serves a purpose beyond just making you look good, it’ll make you feel beautiful too.”
Use Concealer Sparingly (And Face Oil Generously)
Use only a small amount of concealer, regardless of what your skin type is. “A little goes a long way,” says Lane. “I prefer the Chantecaille stick for both eyes and face. You want the texture to be creamy so that it doesn’t turn blemishes into dry mini mountains,” Lane suggests.
Use only a small amount of concealer, regardless of what your skin type is. “A little goes a long way,” says Lane. “I prefer the Chantecaille stick for both eyes and face. You want the texture to be creamy so that it doesn’t turn blemishes into dry mini mountains,” Lane suggests.
A small brush helps to merge the foundation evenly without overdoing it, and using a finger assists in blending for seamless coverage. We recommend this method to cover redness around the nose, under eye circles, and breakout spots.
100% Pure Fruit Pigmented® 2nd Skin Concealer
One of the major problems with makeup is that it can look caked on and unnatural when applied to dry skin. Lane Braudrick has created a solution: her face oil, which uses natural ingredients like jojoba seed, rosehip fruit, and borage oils to brighten instantly, deeply moisturize without being greasy, and restore balance for all skin types—even acne-prone. “I use it every day myself,” she says excitedly. “It really works! And a little goes such a long way; I smooth any excess into my hair.”
A Flattering Rosy Complexion
Adding a touch of color to your cheeks can make you look more rested and healthy. Sheer, moisturizing pigments are the most forgiving, and they blend easily. To add color to your cheeks, smooth your favorite shade over the apples of the cheeks until the color fades to a low-key glow. For a slight sculpting effect, blend the blush at slightly upward diagonal angle.
100 Pure Fruit Pigmented® Blush
100% Pure Fruit Pigmented® Cherry Lip & Cheek Stain
Bronze It Up
Sweep a creamy bronzer onto your face with a big, soft brush for a natural sheen. “Before applying the bronzer to your face, circle the brush loaded with product over the back of your hand,” she says.
“Doing this will warm up the bronzer so that it goes on more evenly. Next, look in the mirror and imagine that your brush is the sun. The idea is to hit all of the high points on your face including across your forehead, nose, cheekbones; maybe even add a touch to your chin and along your collarbone. Smooth it out gently, taking care not to use too much pressure or go too fast—you want to take your time with this application technique.”
Our favorites? Check them out:
Maya Chia The Highlight of the Day Illuminating Serum
Brushing Your Brows
No matter how much eyebrow hair you have, you can always benefit from brushing product through them. Use clear brow gel and brush in the direction of your hair growth. If you want more definition, use a tinted pencil to fill in any sparse areas. “Sometimes I’ll also apply castor oil to my eyebrows for extra grooming,” says Lane.
W3LL PEOPLE Expressionist Brow Gel
Briogeo B. Well Organic + Cold-Pressed 100% Castor Oil
Create Definition with Mascara
“Instead of liner, I add mascara to make a client look natural with a special sparkle,” Lane says. Lane also likes how transparent balms—like the All Heal balm from Wise Ways Herbals that comes in an adorable little tub—give eye lids a luminous appearance The sheer lid tints from Jillian Dempsey deposit the prettiest wash of color and come in softly flattering shades.
LashFood Ultra Rich Volumizing Mascara
Eyeko Lash Alert Mascara – Black
Throw Away Negativity
“When you’re doing your makeup in the mirror, don’t scrutinize every little thing,” says Lane. “Of course you won’t think you’re beautiful if you constantly inspect yourself. I like to take a more light-hearted approach when I do my makeup; ‘Oh, hello Alice! How are you today?’ It also helps to be truthful with yourself–I tend to believe that liars frown more often because they have trouble keeping their story straight.”
Although some might see wrinkles as bothersome, Lane isn’t phased by them. “I’ve tried doing stuff to my face before,” she admits. ” Botox and fillers aren’t for me though; I can barely keep up with myself as is!”
Skin Care is Just As Important
Before Lane applies any makeup to her clients, she nourishes their skin with a supercharged polishing and moisturizing routine.
Exfoliate
100% Pure Pumpkin Enzyme Scrub
With just a few swipes, this face scrub will exfoliate your skin and make it appear brighter and more radiant.
Tone
100% Pure Restorative Sea Culture Hydrating Toner
This water-drenching facial toner contains algin from mineral-rich seaweed that softens, plumps, and hydrates skin. The algin is sourced from pure, unpolluted waters to ensure the highest quality product.
Moisturize
SkinMedica Rejuvenative Moisturizer
SkinMedica’s Rejuvenative Moisturizer not only hydrates your skin to prevent dry, rough patches, but it also minimizes the appearance of lines and wrinkles. The sodium hyaluronate in the moisturizer retains 40 times its weight in water, so you can be confident that your skin will stay hydrated and soft all day long. In addition, vitamin C brightens as vitamin E and a plethora of antioxidants work together to shield your complexion from damaging free radicals.
SPF
This dual-purpose green tea sunscreen lotion not only provides SPF 30 protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays, but also nourishes and rehydrates thirsty skin. Made with natural mineral zinc oxide and infused with the protective and anti-aging properties of green tea, plus powerful antioxidant benefits of vitamin E, this lotion is perfect for anyone looking to shield their skin from the sun’s damaging effects.
