Listen, we all know that natural-looking make up is a farce like comfortable heels or healthy cookies that taste good, but, I promise, it doesn't take a lot of makeup to get a fresh look. This season it's all about a light touch---no heavy foundations or overly done faces. Instead, choose natural-looking colors that brighten and soften for a healthy, sun-kissed glow, usually one shade brighter than your natural color. And for ladies who need a foundation to even out your skin tone (that would be me), I love this Laura Mercier primer foundation, which goes on easy and just softens the edges.
Image: Getty/Gustavo Caballero
Everywhere you look this season, it's all about barely pink lips. In the past, we've seen a pale lip paired with overly dramatic eyes, but this year it's all about keeping it subtle. This is one of those places where you can update your look instantly with a new nude lipstick. See, I told you I'd make it easy.
Image: Getty/Karwai Tang
Pale and bold lips are trends at the same time? Yep. There's no middle ground this year. You're either a nude-and-gloss gal, or an all-out pigment rush gal. Myself, I love a bold lip. Most days, all I have time for is a little mascara and then a brightly colored lipstick, and it's amazing how much joy that little tube can bring me. The right color can brighten your eyes, whiten your teeth, and make you feel like a glamour goddess, even when all you've got on the agenda is folding socks and underwear. The key is to not overdo your other makeup---if you play up one feature, keep everything else subtle so it has its chance to shine.
Image: Getty/Noam Galai
Last year was all about the dramatic brow (which was a real pain for those of us who have been over-plucking since high school). This year, while still about a bold brow, it's a softer, more feathered version that favors natural-looking over geometric. It's still tricky if you've over-plucked, but the growing in period is a bit more forgiving, plus it's a lot easier to wear.
Image: Getty/Donna Ward
This year, even the smoky eye has been toned down. Where you used to think black eyeliner to help create a sultry look, now lean on browns and taupes for a more sedated, yet no less sexy eye.
Image: Getty/Jacopo Raule
While makeup is definitely tending toward natural this season, it doesn't mean you can't have fun with it. We're still seeing pops of bold color, but used sparingly as a dramatic (and surprising) accent. Get on the trend by choosing one bold element (lipstick, eyeliner, eye shadow) and then keeping everything else simple, simple, simple.
Image: Getty/Venturelli
Glitter when you're over fourteen can be tricky. The last thing you want to do is look like you raided Tinkerbell's closet, so you want to use it sparingly and with intention (no spreading it all over your chest like you've been battling your Halloween closet)---use a touch on your eyelids or cheekbones for an on-trend yet sophisticated look.
Image: Getty/Taylor Hill