The quest for new make-up looks is never-ending. 2022 is no different, notwithstanding the drastic changes, courtesy COVID-19 pandemic. Fashionistas and makeup enthusiasts have ensured they stay on top of the game by mimicking social media trends. One of these trends making news this year is the ‘nude’ or the ‘barely there’ natural make-up look. Nude-themed makeup leaves bright colours at the doorstep and instead focuses on the natural skin colour of the client.

StyleSpeak takes a look at why ‘Nude’ is in and just how this trending palette can translate into showstopper looks for your clients. Read on to be inspired!

The nude makeup craze

The idea of going ‘minimal’ with the make-up first showed up in2016 when singer Alicia Keys stepped out in public with a makeup-free look. This idea was later followed by other A-listers like Kim Kardashian, Gwyneth Paltrow and others who faced the camera flaunting their skin tones. However, it wasn’t until the worldwide Covid effect that this look started trending on the internet.

Celebrities who swore by the trend

In the past year, many renowned personalities from fashion, style, and cinema space flaunted this look with utmost panache. The latest stunning example is Harnaaz Sandhu’s ‘Miss Universe 2021’ look. The global diva chose the theme of ‘less is more’ for the main event with her sparkly silver gown highlighted by her subtle make-up. With her foundation loyal to her skin tone, a tinge of nude brown lipstick and light brown sparkly eye shadow rounded up her glowing look.

American singer Lizzo, who is a die-hard fan of bold and bright make-up decided to jump on the ‘nude’ bandwagon too, recently. Her makeup artist Alexx Mayo gave her this subtle makeover in the classiest way. Curly eyelashes, lightly highlighted cheeks and brown lips were all she needed to ace this trending look.

Natasha Poonawalla, executive director of Serum Institute of India flaunted the all-natural glamorous look curated by well-known makeup artist Mary Phillips in a recent magazine shoot. Similarly, Kim Kardashian’s latest Instagram posts are all about going natural and showing off her almost-bare face. The owner of beauty brands like KKW Beauty, KKW Fragrance, and Skims is keen on being real with her skin tone on the online platforms.

Fashion designer Masaba Gupta turned into a muse for celebrity wedding photographer Joseph Radhik adhering to the bare-face trend. The owner of House of Masaba gorgeously pulled off this picture series with shiny skin and light brown glossy lipstick courtesy her makeup artist Eshwar Log.

Brands in trend

Not just the beauty artists but brands too have caught the pulse of the clients. Several products launched recently will help you ace this trend flawlessly. Charlotte Tilbury’s rose-gold satin and shimmer eye shadow palette is the testimony to this. Dior’s warm neutral eye shadow range too is meant to accompany the in-demand make-up look. The Nykaa NUDESTIX Nudies range which hit the market recently has everything from lip pencil to blush to tint in neutral shades. Kryonlan’s digital complexion primer too caters to this very trending beauty goal as well.

Create a ‘Nude Look’ on a Wheatish Complexion -by Indra Ahluwalia, CMD Grace Beauty Clinic and HBS Make-Up Competition Jury Member

The colours for nude make-up vary from peach to hues of brown depending on skin colour. Earthy tones of brown, rich brown, beige etc. are used to create dimension on the face yet giving a no-makeup look; coppers, bronze and subtle golds add glamour.

Base:
  1. Clean, moisturize, prime, neutralize the face
  2. Apply foundation matching the skin colour
  3. Contour with foundation 2 shades darker than the skin
  4. Use concealer 2 shades lighter than the skin – under the eyes; on forehead, chin and bridge of the nose – the high points of the face you want to highlight

Blusher: Use liquid or creamy blusher now, or while applying contours and concealer. You can also use blended lipstick as blusher.

Lipstick:
  • Use nude colours- 2 shades darker than the skin
  • Use peachy nude lip colour to add freshness and glamour to the face
  • Non-transferable lip shade is long-lasting – finish with a gloss
Eyes:
  1. Avoid defined lines; a subtle smokey-eye look adds shape to the eyes
  2. For a glam evening look, add slight shimmer – like dull gold
  3. For non-glam looks, keep it smokey with colours like rich brown; smudge the eyeliner
  4. Corners can be lightly shaded by adding soft colours to the eye primer

Finish the make-up with a setting spray

These Pro-tips and the beautiful neutral shades on your makeup palettes to help give your client the trending minimalistic ‘nude look.’