Natural makeup looks aren’t going anywhere, take it from Editorial Makeup Artist, Emma Chen, using Sunday Riley, “Glassy skin with cheek and lip stains is the hottest look of 2023.”

It can be super tempting to go for that full-glam look for date night, but sometimes, less is more, and embracing your natural beauty is the way to go. Emma Chen, renowned for creating that healthy, bronzed, glowing complexion is here to guide you through the journey of creating a flawless natural makeup routine. With a rising focus on enhancing your natural features, the power of skin prep and minimal makeup we can all feel confident in our own skin. So, let’s dive in and get ready to embrace your natural beauty!

THE BASE

Natural makeup isn’t going anywhere and with that comes an even bigger focus on skincare. Think glass skin, with light stains on lips and cheeks. “Focus on your skincare, and keep the base minimal, and hydrated with a natural highlight and a wash of colour over the lips and cheeks.”

Emma Chen explains, “You need to spend time on building the frame of your house before sheeting it and the same goes with makeup. Investing in a great moisturiser like Sunday Riley C.E.O. Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Cream will instantly hydrate your skin but gives the most beautiful youthful sun-kissed glow to the skin. It’s lightweight so it will layer perfectly under makeup. If you prefer an oil or want a subtle glow, I also love the C.E.O. Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Oil, you can even mix a few drops into your favourite foundation. For a flawless finish over the top, my go-to foundation I’m loving at the moment is the Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder.”

BLUSH

If you’re creating a natural romantic look for date night, forgo just a red lip. Instead, Emma Chen recommends a monochrome look adding a wash of colour on your eyes, lips and cheeks using your favourite red lippy.

THE PLACEMENT

“I love a liquid or cream blush. They are more forgiving and don’t emphasise fine lines or pores as much as a powder. I love a more sun-kissed/flushed finish by applying a pea size amount on the apples of the cheeks and whatever is left on my brush stippling the remainder across the bridge of the nose. For more of a lifted look, start by applying the product at the high points of the cheeks, blending up to the temples.”

EYES & LIPS

“On set, I need lip products that have longevity. I’ve been finding myself reaching for the Makeup Forever Art Colour Pencil in AnyWhere Caffeine. Best part is these pencils can be used on the brows, eyes, cheeks and lips so it’s really an all-in-one. I also apply the Refy Clear Lipgloss on top of almost all of my lip pencils.”

TIPS ON APPLICATION

• I love creating a smokey wing because they are super easy to blend /smoke out to give you a softer finish especially if you’re a beginner. To clean up any boo-boos just take a q-tip with a tiny bit of makeup remover on the end to sharpen the wing.
• When it comes to a hint of colour on the cheeks, I also scribble with the pencils on the back of my hand to heat the colour up before taking a stippling brush to apply to the apples of the cheek.
• To define your lips and create a little more fullness, use the heat of your finger to buff out the edges of your lips softly – Trust me on this one if you were ever scared of lipliner you’re not going to be anymore.
• I love a tonal look & almost always mix a little bit of my blush or bronzer into my eyes or pat a little bit of my blush onto the centre of my lips to give an overall balanced look.