Hot girl summer is officially here! We all have some making up to do from last year, which means it’s time to dust off your strappy sandals and break out your makeup bag. Summer is the perfect time of year for natural glam makeup. Who doesn’t want a glowing, dewy look to match the sun’s sweet rays? Read and watch this simple step by step tutorial for beginners to find out how to create gorgeous natural glam makeup for brown skin. Whether you’re hitting up your favorite brunch spot for cocktails or lounging by the pool, this makeup look will keep you looking fresh all day long.
Products Used
Foundation: Dior Forever Skin Glo
Eyebrow Pencil: Benefit Precisely Brow
Highlight & Contour: Huda Beauty Contour & Bronzer Cream, Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer
Eyeshadow: Patrick Ta Major Dimension Palette
Eyeliner: Inglot AMC Gel Eyeliner
Highlighter: Bobbi Brown Moon Glow
Powders: Laura Mercer; Chanel Loose Powder
Blush: Hank & Henry Blush’em Palette
Mascara: Hank & Henry Clout
Eyelashes: Ardell Double Wispie Lash
Lip Gloss: Black Radiance Beyond A Pout Lip Lacquer
Got your products ready? Let’s go!
Step 1: Eyebrows
Your eyebrows set the foundation for your whole face. Make sure your brows are groomed before you start applying any product as this will make the initial application and clean up easier. Start in the middle of your brow and begin connecting any spots where hairs are missing. Use gentle strokes to create a lighter color; there’s nothing wrong with coloring in your brows but this will result in a darker color that feels more dramatic. I love using double ended brow pencils, as they’re usually a higher quality product than basic pencils. Remember that eyebrows are sisters, not twins! You may have to use slightly different strokes or techniques on each brow. And don’t stress if you accidentally press down too hard or color outside the lines. Brushing your brows will lighten up the brow and any stray lines can easily be cleaned up with a concealer brush or even a finger.
Pro tip: use a clean mascara wand to brush your brows. This is also a great trick to keep things more hygienic if you’re applying a friend’s makeup.
Step 2: Base + Prep Eyes
Prepping your eyes will make your eye makeup stay smooth and bright. You should always do this step, even if you’re only wearing light eye makeup. There are specialized primers for this step but you can also use concealer if you don’t want to buy another product. Make sure your concealer is a few shades lighter than your skin tone to create that dimensional effect. You don’t need to use a lot of product for this step, so sticking to concealer is a cost-effective way of prepping your eyes.
Apply your primer or concealer directly under your brows to create a clean finish. Always keep a paper towel close by to easily clean up any accidents. Once your primer or concealer is set you can start to blend it down towards your eyelids with a brush. I recommend using a fluffy brush for optimal blending. Remember, keep things light to create a fresh and glowing feel.
Step 3: Eyeshadow
A cream shadow will work best for this dewy look. If you’re using a palette and aren’t sure where to start, test out the colors on your hands to see how they’ll look against your skin. Once you’ve found your perfect base color you can apply it to your eyelid by gently dabbing with your finger. Use a brush to blend the color, and remember to always blend out the lines.
A golden shadow will put the glam in natural glam. Gently apply some gold cream shadow to the centre of your lid and then blend it into your base color with a brush. I’ve added in a brighter gold as my last layer to be a bit extra. Once all your colors are in place, do a final blend with a brush. You’ll be left with a soft, natural glam look that’s still sexy and sultry.
Step 4: Liner
You can use a pencil or glide gel liner for this step. After you’ve drawn a thin line at the base of your eyelid, smudge it out with a small flat brush (I recommend the Morphe M431 or the Mac 210 brush). Smudging adds to that sultry look we’ve already created with the eyeshadow. Finish by setting your liner with a black eyeshadow. Apply a little bit to your flat brush and continue smudging. This helps create maximum dimension.
Step 5: Foundation
Your goal here is to even out your skin tone. Many of us have different colors of pigmentation in our faces, so foundation will help to balance everything out. You can use a sponge or foundation brush for application, depending on what works best for you. Simply blend until your skin tone looks smooth and even.
Step 6: Contour
Using a big flat brush, apply a bit of contour cream against your cheekbone and hairline. The goal here is to create dimension and make those cheekbones pop. Use your leftover product in the area between your brow bone and the top side of your nose, where your nose is at its narrowest point. Finish by blending with a big fluffy brush. You’ll want a brush that builds your product instead of taking it off. Don’t go overboard with contouring; natural glam makeup is all about creating a light, natural look.
Step 7: Powder
Gently brush your powder over your contour cream to set it. This will add a lot of warmth to your skin tone, resulting in that gorgeous bronzed summer glow. Blend with a small fluffy brush that will move your product well.
Pro tip: mix dark and light powders to create the perfect tone for brown skin.
Step 8: Highlight
Dot a line of highlighter underneath your eyes. You’ll only need a small amount. Then blend, blend, blend! It’s beneficial to blend in an upward direction with highlighter, as this will lift your eyes.
Step 9: Set
Use a powder and fluffy brush to set all of your beautifully applied makeup. Don’t use too much, otherwise the makeup will start to look matte. Remember, natural glam is all about that golden glow! You can mix a translucent powder with your regular powder to avoid ashiness.
Step 10: Final glow
Finish up by applying a bit of illuminator and bronzer on your cheekbones. Once your face is glowing you can add all the finishing touches, like mascara, eyelashes, and lip gloss.
This is a gorgeous and easy natural glam makeup look you’ll want to wear all summer long. Cocktails on the patio, here I come!
