Glossy visages were everywhere at spring ’18 fashion week. But, if you love a matte complexion with a matching lip finish, DO IT. At Max Mara, a softly defined face went “wow” thanks to a highly-pigmented orange-red mouth. All you really need are a matte bronzer and the right lippie to pull off the look.
Good news: A shine-free geranium lip looks great on just about everyone. The same can’t be said about bronzer; for that, you’ll want to find one that’s 1-2 shades darker than your natural skin tone. But for a handy guide, consider these quick tips:
If you have pale skin…
Try a peachy, pink or golden bronzer that suits your natural undertone.
If you have medium skin…
You will probably be into golden or peachy bronzers that enhance what you look like with a sun-given tan.
If you have olive skin…
Go for a coppery, earthy-toned bronzer that brightens and adds a bit of “wow.”
If you have dark skin…
Experiment with either coppery bronzers with a hint of reddish, terracotta undertones or golden browns, whichever suits your natural undertone.
Now that you know your ideal shade of bronzer, here’s how to create the entire look:
Step 1: It’s all about that base! Before you even glide on a hint of foundation, apply mattifying primer throughout your T-zone, blending into your forehead, nose, cheeks and chin. Try: L’Oréal Paris Infallible Mattifying Primer
Step 2: For a truly matte effect, skin needs to be completely free from redness and discolouration. Choose a high-coverage, long-wear foundation that will conceal any imperfections and concentrate on the centre of the face, blending out and building up where needed. Allow it to dry for a few minutes; then apply a matte powder over top to further absorb oil and reduce shine throughout the day. Try: L’Oréal Paris Infallible foundation; L’Oréal Infallible Matte Powder
Step 3: When it comes to matte skin, flatness can be your enemy, and that’s where contour comes in. Glide shimmer-free bronzer just beneath the groove of your cheekbones with a contour brush and blend softly. Lightly trace along your jawline toward the chin and follow the natural shadows along the bridge to the tip of your nose, too. Lastly, use a fluffy eyeshadow brush to accentuate the crease and create definition in the lid area. Softly blend between eyelid and brow for a seamless finish. Try: Quo Matte Bronzer Light Tan
Step 4: Dress up lashes with a serious volumizing mascara; make sure to curl your lashes beforehand with an eyelash curler to get a full dramatic effect. Then run a clean mascara brush through lashes to eliminate any clumps and create separation. Try: Marcelle Ultimate Volume Infinity Mascara
Step 5: Get on that lipstick, girl! A bright, matte liquid lippie gives life to a neutral face. Outline your lips using the doe tip of the wand before filling them in with colour. A creamy matte texture tends to dry quickly, so be sure to go over it a few times to ensure complete coverage. Try: Annabelle Big Show Matte Liquid Lipstick in Glamorous
