Nude makeup looks have been trending for the last few years but it is especially a favourite during the hot summer days. Since you go light on the makeup, your face doesn’t feel too cakey or sweaty. You also don’t have to worry about sweating it all off or sporting raccoon eyes by the end of the day.

Opting for the Nude Makeup Look: The Basics

Nude makeup looks have some basics like sticking to shades that are close to your skin tone, going as much as au naturale as possible and skipping the falsies and glitter. But since it is pretty easy to go wrong with even one element, we have come up with some dos and don’ts for the next time you try a nude look.

Opting for the Nude Makeup Look: Tips on What NOT To Do

nude makeup

1. Don’t use foundation

Nude makeup is pretty much the no-makeup look. And to get that illusion, you should embrace as much as you can of your natural face such as your skin’s texture and colour. Instead of going for a completely covered face, skip the foundation and just use a concealer to do some spot correction. The Lakmé 9 to 5 Primer + Matte Liquid Concealer is the best spot corrector you can get as it doesn’t clog your pores. So, if you have a blackhead or a pimple, go ahead and cover it up with this concealer. It also has a built-in primer so your base will not budge till you decide to remove it.

Instructions on How to Use the Tip

Use the concealer only on pimples, blemishes and dark circles. Dot it all over the affected area. Take a brush or a beauty blender and blend it till it is seamless. You can keep layering and blending till you’re happy with the finish.

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2. Don’t do harsh contouring

Who doesn’t love the sunburnt blush on our nose, high cheekbones or glittery highlighter all over our high points? But since that may be a little too much for a nude look, we have figured out a compromise. Mix a little bit of your highlighter with the bronzer for a hint of glow. If you do want to try out something new, you can dab a little bit of blush on your cheeks to get naturally rosy cheeks.

Instructions on How to Use the Tip

Go for the Lakmé Absolute Facelift Palette as it has light shades for those who are fair and deeper shades for those who are dusky. Since it is highly pigmented and buildable, even the lightest application is sure to show up on your face. So, just take the argan oil-infused bronzer and lightly sweep it over the edges of your temples, jaw and cheeks. If you want a hint of shine for a night look, the soft highlighter on the top of your cheekbones is perfect for a subtle glow. The palette also has a lovely pink for that rosy blush you may be looking for to fake that Snow White-like apple cheeks

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3. Don’t go smokey

For your nude eye makeup, less is more. The whole point is to emphasise your natural beauty so skip the smokey eyeshadow and dramatic wings for something more subtle that will just outline your eyes. Stick to your skin tone wherever you can and for your eyes, you can try out a smudged and light liner.

Instructions on How to Use the Tip

Apply a thin line of the Lakmé Black Gel Liner on your upper eyelids to make your eyes stand out. It has that smooth application of liquid eyeliner but you can smudge out the edges with a thin brush for a soft wing. However, the waterproof gel liner dries after 15 seconds so the look will stay perfect all day long.

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4. Don’t wear false eyelashes

We all know that the eyes are the windows to the face and soul and all that jazz. So, for nude makeup, make sure the attention is on your eyes and a mascara is the best way to go about it. The Lakmé Eyeconic Volume Mascara does what the name says and adds volume to your lashes without the need for false eyelashes. This waterproof mascara is also lightweight so you don’t have to worry about it clumping or melting by the end of the day.

Instructions on How to Use the Tip

Heat the eyelash curler a little with a blow dryer. Make sure that it is not too hot and then curl your lashes. Then rub the mascara tube between your palms to warm it. Don’t pump the mascara wand into the tube but just take it out and start applying. Move the wand in a zigzag motion while applying the mascara to get the most out of it.

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5. Don’t pick the wrong lip shade

Honestly, the lips can make or break a nude makeup look. While it can look amazing, it is pretty easy to look washed out if you don’t get the right shade. The thing with a nude lip shade is that it should be close to your natural skin tone and enhance your lips. The Lakmé 9 to 5 Primer + Matte Liquid Lip Color is not only transfer-proof to make it last all day but also gives a creaseless finish so even if you have chapped lips you can sport it. A bonus, it has vitamin E and argan oil so that it nourishes your lips and doesn’t dry them out. And since it is extremely vibrant, even if you have naturally dark lips, any lipstick shade you choose will surely be visible.

Instructions on How to Use the Tip

Go for a lipstick shade that is almost close to your skin tone but is one shade darker. Indians mostly have warm undertones, so stick to browns and reds. If you have neutral or cool undertones, you can look for a pink that matches your skin colour. Once you apply it, don’t press your lips together. Let it completely dry to get the perfect smudge-proof and transfer-proof experience.

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FAQs about Opting for the Nude Makeup Look: Tips on What NOT To Do

Q1. Do you contour in nude makeup?

You do, but it is very subtle. Don’t go with the harsh and dark lines of the usual contouring. Since this look is all about the illusion of not wearing any makeup, a hint of shadows and highlighting can do the trick.

Q2. What do I need for a no makeup look?

A nude or no makeup look focuses on colours that are close to your skin tone but will try to skip makeup wherever it can. You don’t need foundation as a primer and concealer can make up your base. Bronzer and blush can add dimension and a little colour to your face. Use a little eyeliner and mascara to just define your eyes. Finish it off with a nude lipstick.

Q3. How should I style my brows in a nude makeup look?

If you are blessed with naturally thick eyebrows, you can just brush them up with a clean brow wand and leave it at that. If you have thin or sparse eyebrows, you can fill them in with a black or dark brown brow pencil. Lightly draw on the hairs and brush your brows to blend them.