Neutral Vs Natural Make-up
It’s easy to get confused when describing make-up styles. I see a lot of clients who show me images of neutral make-up styles while describing them as natural. Here are some pointers to help you discover the best way to communicate your ideas to your make=up artist.
Neutral Make-up Style
The neutral make-up style is characterised by the use of shades that blend seamlessly with the skin tone. This approach often features taupes, soft browns, creams, and subtle pinks. The aim is to create a polished appearance without drawing attention to specific features, think Kim Kardashian on a day off- still made up but not overly glam! The key elements include:
Foundation: A base that closely matches the skin tone, often with a matte or satin finish.
Eyes: Neutral shades for eyeshadow, typically avoiding bold colours, if you have warm skin tone then browns and nudes are perfect, if you are cool toned then taupes and grey-browns are often better. Eyeliner and mascara are used, but in a manner that enhances rather than dominates the look.
Cheeks and Lips: Soft blushes and lip colours that mimic the natural flush of the skin, often leaning towards nude or muted hues.
I love creating a neutral make-up look that isn’t led by trends, just a soft, subtle make-up created to enhance without being dramatic. It’s sophisticated, understated and great for various occasions- day or evening.
Natural Make-up Style
In contrast, the natural make-up style focuses on imitating the appearance of bare skin while enhancing features in a more minimalistic way. This style prioritises a fresh, dewy finish and aims to showcase individual beauty without heavy application. If you aren’t used to wearing make-up then this could be the style for you! Key features include:
Foundation: Lightweight and sheer products that allow the skin to breathe, often in the form of tinted moisturisers or BB creams, If there are blemishes or redness I use colour correctors and /or concealers for extra coverage just where it’s needed.
Eyes: Minimal eye make-up, perhaps a wash of light colour to brighten the eyes, a subtle powder eyeliner and a light coat of mascara.
Cheeks and Lips: Cream blushes for a dewy finish and lip tints or balms that provide a hint of colour without looking heavily applied.
Natural make-up is perfect for individuals who want a "no make-up" make-up look, emphasising freshness and simplicity.
So basically, while both styles promote a subtle aesthetic, neutral make-up leans towards colour-coordinated hues that enhance features, and natural make-up strives for a fresh-faced, minimal effortless appearance. I love creating both of these styles as they both serve to enhance, not mask and also are very comfortable on the skin.