The all-natural make-up look may seem effortless, but executing it correctly is the real challenge. But this look is popular for a reason, for starters you only need your regular make-up staples. Second, once you’ve mastered the right tricks it’s universally flattering, and can be achieved within minutes. To get the inside scoop on how to get the I-woke-up-like-this glow, ELLE invited celebrity make-up artists Sandhya Shekar to host a virtual Masterclass on Instagram. Sandhya, who works on famous faces like actors Deepika Padukone and Anushka Sharma is well known for her minimal make-up yet maximal glow skills. Here are her top tricks…
Step 1: Prep
Prepping your skin is key to the no-make-up look and Sandhya suggests rubbing an ice cube on your face to cool skin and minimise pores. Then, she recommends using just one pump of moisturiser and evenly massaging it all over the face with your fingers. Next up is primer which “helps your make-up hold on to your skin for longer, so apply it on areas where you tend to sweat,” she says.
Sandhya recommends: Raw Beauty Love Struck Moisturiser and Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Perfection Hydrating Primer
Step 2: Conceal
If you want to cover up prominent dark circles or a zit, try an orange colour corrector. Then, take a cream concealer and use the warmth of your fingers to dab the product into your skin.
Sandhya recommends: M.A.C Studio Conceal and Correct Palette and Hush + Dotti Search Organic Concealer Makeup Concealer
Step 3: Base
To keep your foundation from looking cakey, build it up slowly. “Start with a few drops of foundation on the back of your hand, dab a buffing brush in it and gently sweep it across your face for an airbrushed look.” For added coverage, use dabbing motions with a flat brush. Start working the product into your skin from the centre of your face. If you’re all about a dewy base, add a pump of moisturiser to your foundation.
Sandhya recommends: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, Bdellium Studio 953 Duet Fiber Foundation Brush, PAC Foundation Brush and M.A.C 187 Synthetic Duo Fibre Face Brush
Step 4: Blush
“Pick a subtle blush and apply it on the apple of your cheeks in upward motions,” says Sandhya. For normal to dry skin, pick a cream blush and a liquid formulation for oily skin. If your blush tends to disappear within a few hours, layer on different cream formulas and set it with a powder.
Sandhya recommends: Chanel Le Blush Creme de Chanel, Kiko Milano Free Soul Blush, Stila Convertible Colour Blush, Ruby’s Organics Creme Blush and Tom Ford Sheer Cheek Duo
Step 5: Highlight
“Follow the natural lines of your face while contouring. Then blend the bronzer with a fluffy brush to avoid harsh lines,” says Sandhya. Make the figure three on the sides of your face (from the temples to your jawline) and blend. To contour your nose, apply some bronzer to the sides of your nose bridge. “Apply highlighter on all the points where the sun hits your face–cheekbones, inner corner of the eyes, under your brow, on the nose bridge and your cupid’s bow.”
Sandhya recommends: Smashbox Step-By-Step Contour Kit, Becca Highlighter, Benefit Cosmetics High Brow Glow Brow Highlighter
Step 6: Brows and lashes
Start by brushing your brows upwards, and then fill them in by drawing thin hair-like strokes for a natural look. Finish with a brow gel to keep them in place. Next, even out the skin tone of your lids with primer or concealer. Go in with a glossy eye tint to add a subtle sheen. To add some definition to your eyes, Sandhya suggests dotting kohl liner under your lower lash line, instead of drawing a line. Then, smudge it out with brow eyeshadow. To open up your eyes, use a nude liner on your lower lash line and a black one to tightline your upper eyelid. Finally, begin curling your lashes from the outer corner using pulsing motions and finish off with some mascara.
Sandhya recommends: Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel, Laura Mercier Eye Basics Primer, Giorgio Armani Eye Tint Liquid Eyeshadow, Victoria Beckham Eye Pencil, Charlotte Tilbury Eyeshadow Palette, Sephora Nude Eyeliner, Pat McGrath Eyeliner Pencil, Shiseido Cream Eyeshadow and M.A.C Full Lash Curler
Step 7:
Sandhya recommends using a nude liner to line lips and follow that up with a lipstick. Instead of going all in and adding a full coat, apply it in dabbing motions. This will make your lips look fuller. She adds, “For Deepika or even Anushka, I like to use a mix of five to six colours for the perfect nude colour.”
Sandhya recommends: Makeup Revolution Renaissance Lipliner, Fenty Mattemoiselle Plus Matte Lipstick in Single, M.A.C Half ‘n Half, Pat McGrath La Beija Luxe Trance Lipstick, NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment in Get It On
Photograph: Tarun Vishwa
