It’s always kinda amusing to me when I watch a tutorial for “skin that looks like skin,” or “effortless foundation,” and it involves, like, 12 steps to get there!
I know, I know! It comes with the territory of doing makeup. But still. ?
Admittedly, I’m guilty of over-complicating makeup on occasion (*cough* sorry! *cough*), but sometimes I really do just want easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy, and this three-step process to a sheer, fresh base is exactly that.
The goal here? A low-effort base that looks natural and polished, with a few areas of strategically placed slightly dewy (but not shiny) finish peeking through. Please bear in mind that this type of base will not completely cover everything. Yes, we’re purposefully letting lots of actual skin show.
You’ll need…
Three is the magic number here, starting with how much time you’ll need.
About three minutes.
Also, you’ll need the following…
- An opalescent, low-shimmer highlighting lotion, ideally one without any bits of glitter in it
- A sheer-to-medium-coverage stick or cream foundation that works for your skin type and tone
- A synthetic blending brush
The step-by-step
- First, dab a few dots of the pearly lotion all over your face, and blend. I like to include a few dots beneath my eyes to lift and brighten that area. After blending all of your dots, wait about a minute for your pearly lotion set.
- Apply the foundation you selected wherever you want the highest coverage. Gently press and blend it in with clean fingers (ideally, your fingers should be warm for this, and not freezing cold like my fingers get sometimes). I typically do my cheeks, underneath my nose, around my mouth, and in the center of my forehead. This should take just about another minute.
- Gently diffuse the edges of your foundation with the blending brush, seamlessly blending the foundation into your natural skin. The trick is to not lift off and remove too much product here. That is, you do want some coverage, after all, so use a light touch.
- Optional: dab some concealer under your eyes, and I’d suggest something sheer because a full-coverage concealer will look disjointed alongside such a sheer base.
- Additional optional step: set your foundation with a sheer powder (I usually skip this step).
Here’s a closeup of the base! As you can see, there are a few freckles on my nose and a few places where a little pigmentation is peeking through above my upper lip and on my cheeks, which I’m totally cool with. Like I said, this is the type of makeup that isn’t meant to fully conceal everything.
What to pair this base with
If you want to keep it casual and underdress this base, you could pair it with a combination of brow gel, mascara and eyeliner, but for a little extra polish, you could dress it up like I did here by pairing it with something like a cool-toned olive and taupe on the lids, a matte rosy blush on the cheeks and a light pinkish brown lipstick.
Product links
What I’m wearing
- MAC Strobe Cream in Pinklight
- MAC Studio Fix Soft Matte Foundation in NC42
- PYT No BS Palette in Cool
- Chanel Espresso eyeliner
- Laura Mercier Rose blush
- Laura Mercier Beige Intime lipstick
- Lancome Lash Idole mascara
- Urban Decay Brow Blade in Dark Drapes
- MAC Clear brow gel
Additional pearly/low-shimmer highlighting lotion options
- Similar | BECCA Backlight Primer
- Similar for less | L’Oréal Studio Secrets Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer
Additional stick or cream foundation options:
- Similar cream, in a pan | Kjaer Weis Cream Foundation
- Similar cream, in a stick | Hourglass Vanish
- Similar cream stick foundation for less | Maybelline Super Stay Multi-Use Foundation Sticks (you might have better luck with it than I do)
- Similar cream in a pan for less | Honest Beauty Everything Cream Foundation
Synthetic blending brush options:
- I used | Real Techniques Expert Face Brush
- Similar | The Hourglass Foundation/Blush Brush No. 2
- Similar for less | e.l.f Selfie Foundation Brush
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Happy Tuesday! ?
I really love the fact that you gave a lot of options to get this base.
I do have the MAC stick but for me is almost impossible to get more than medium coverage from it, so most of the time I use it all over to get everything a little even.
And about the pearly lotion, it’s funny I have one that is straight of shimmer but in lotion form, but I discovered that when I mixed with a matte foundation/tinted moisturizer (that sets fast) in a 2:1 ratio I get a “similar” result to Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter.
I really enjoy that Charlotte Tilbury base but yeah, it’s pricey! Glad you were able to find a similar dupe. 🙂
I love, love, love this look! So fresh, so sophisticated, yet not over done.
My favorite glow primer that has been discontinued is the Burberry Fresh Glow Luminous Fluid Base. Sigh.
I use the e.l.f. foundation brush and love it. For around $5 it works great!
I need to check out that LM blush and lipstick. Although I’m afraid the lipstick will pull too brown on me.
This is my favorite type of makeup to wear as of late. Just a little something-something but not too much!
BTW the LM blush is super great. Sheer enough to not be in your face but still enough color to have some pop.
How’s your day going, btw? I just finished doing a Zoom meeting with Connor’s kindergarten teacher for next year. ? I can’t believe she’s going to be 5 soon.
For my base I’ve been alternating between MAC Face and Body, Koh Gen Doh and Surratt Dew Drops, all applied judiciously.
When it comes to blush, I like sheer. I’m so fair, that if I don’t apply blush lightly I look like a clown or a kid getting into mom’s makeup at dress up time.
Having a good day. Did a Zoom ballet class with SF Ballet, went to the farmers’ market (never know where to put the apostrophe in that one) and did some grocery shopping for my trainer who’s feeling under the weather.
Yeah for Connor turning 5 soon! I felt like between 5 and when the hormones hit was the sweet spot. Articulate enough to tell you their needs, getting a handle on their emotions so there aren’t as many tantrums and fits and curiosity to no ends. You can almost see their brains growing as they soak up all the knowledge the world has to offer. I hope you enjoy the next 6 to 8 years!
Love, love, LOVE Face and Body. It’s such an old school fave. I think I’ll bust it out today.
Re blush: I think I need to start a Laura Mercier blush collection. GAH!!!
What did you get at the farmer’s market? I’ve been craving veggies lately.
Also… I’m excited but terrified for the next few years. So far it’s been relatively easy in terms of navigating the world because hers is so small. When the issues become bigger and more complex I just hope I’ll be able to handle whatever comes up with enough grace to not traumatize her.
Happy Wednesday to you. Looks like it’s going to be a sunny day!
I really want to see the LM blushes in person before I choose. I’ve been returning so many color products to Sephora lately.
Baby bok choy, broccoli, onions, garlic, arugula, baby greens salad mix, Sumo tangerines (so sweet and juicy!), apples, blueberries, bread, milk, eggs, cheese. The usual suspects for me. Gonna make a broccoli frittata and a salad for dinner tonight.
Give yourself credit. It is obvious you have raised Connor with much love. I don’t expect anything to change. Like I said, you’re in the sweet spot of child rearing. The issues that come up now will seem huge to Connor but you will handle them well. Sometimes just being there and hugging and holding is enough. You’re doing a great job! You’ve got this!
I’m worried that a highlighting/shimmer lotion will show up every wrinkle on my fair skin like highlighter powder does?
Other than that, I really liked this tutorial, the eyeshadow colours and lipstick would all work on me and I’m a fair skinned blonde!
The trick is to find a lotion with a pearly finish, rather than straight up shimmer! MAC Strobe Cream and BECCA Backlight are great for this!
I love all the options to get the look! Your skin looks amazing.
Thank you, Chelsea! 🙂
I am much more into these barely there bases lately, but still can´t go without anything. There is just too much leftover scars and pigmentation for me to feel comfortable, but I will give your way of application a go.