If there’s one beauty trend we saw all over New York Fashion Week, it was the natural look—glowing skin with a touch of highlight, and brushed up brows. It’s a gorgeous look that gives off an effortless and relaxed vibe—which is exactly the type of beauty we want to channel every day.
The cornerstone of a natural makeup look is a virtually undetectable base. A luminous finish foundation, BB cream, skin tint, or tinted moisturizer will give you an even veil of color that looks like it’s coming from your skin (pores, freckles, and all). If you have any tone anomalies to cover—like pigmentation or rosacea —just use light coverage concealer or spot-treat with a dab of powder.
Next up, a highlighter can really amp up the glow without looking heavy or overdone. A cream-based highlighter—like a liquid bronzer or the glowy rose gold shade from LAWLESS’ mini The Little One palette—will provide a subtle glow that’s just as beautiful on your cheekbones as it is on your temples and nose. Be sure to set your highlighter with a translucent powder, which will help keep it from melting or shifting throughout the day.
You can also add a bit of definition to your eyes with a neutral eyeshadow that’s either matte or barely shimmering. If you want a little more drama, choose a shade that’s slightly darker than your skin tone and define your crease with windshield-wipe motions. Finally, you can finish off your natural makeup look with a light lip and lash treatment. For the lips, try a neutral balm with a hydrating formula like Jones Road’s Miracle Balm or Merit’s Flush Balm. For the lashes, a thin black liner like Chanel’s Fine Liner will give your lashes a polished and pulled-together effect that doesn’t look overly done.
Alicia Keys is the queen of the natural look—but her signature style isn’t just about flawless skin. She layers her look with a few classic beauty tricks, including major hydration and a voluminous brown lipstick that matches her hair. To get a similar shade, try Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Cool Brown Matte Lipstick ($18).