How To Achieve the “FLAWLESS FILTER” Look
In today’s beauty world, we often find ourselves striving for that picture-perfect, Instagram-worthy complexion. The “flawless filter” look is a makeup trend that aims to achieve just that – a radiant, smooth, and seemingly poreless finish!
Want the Beau-TEA on how to achieve the perfect flawless filter look? Keep reading, babe – you don’t want to miss this step by step guide on creating Instagram worthy skin every time you sit down to glam!
Prep and Prime
Dehydrated skin is the NUMBER ONE killer of dreams when it comes to getting that flawless, photo ready skin. Make sure you’re drinking enough water and using a moisturizer that works well for your skin type – Remember, it’s easier to control oil with proper makeup application than it is to provide hydration that isn’t there in dehydrated, rough & flaky skin.
Exfoliate, Exfoliate, Exfoliate. This will allow the products your makeup artist uses on your skin to have a much smoother application. We recommend a gentle chemical exfoliant, such as a BHA/AHA serum that can be used often without as much irritation on sensitive skin as a manual exfoliant.
PLEASE don’t sleep with your makeup on! There are so many times that our clients sit down in our chair only for us to realize they still have last night’s mascara, lashes, or bronzer left on their skin. It’s much better to start with a completely clean canvas – Your skin will thank you for it!
When it’s time to start the GLAM – Gently cleanse your face to remove any impurities, and then apply your favorite moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated, smooth, and ready!
A good primer is also KEY to achieving a flawless look. Choose a primer that suits your skin type – hydrating for dry skin, mattifying for oily skin, or blurring for a poreless effect!
Foundation and Concealer
Selecting the right foundation is crucial for achieving a flawless, filter-like appearance for your skin.
Understanding your skin type is the first step in choosing the right foundation. Skin types can be categorized as oily, dry, combination, or normal. Your foundation should cater to your skin’s unique needs.
- If you have oily skin, opt for oil-free or matte foundations to control shine, as well as looking for foundations that indicate they are long lasting.
- Dry skin benefits from hydrating or dewy finish foundations, skin tints, and tinted moisturizers.
- Combination skin may require a foundation that balances both oily and dry areas. We often mix a combination of formulas on this skin type to create the perfect custom match!
- Normal skin can typically use a wide range of foundations – Depending on your desired look, you may choose to opt for a more hydrating and dewy, or more matte finish.
The finish of your foundation can also significantly impact the final look.
- Matte finish foundations provide a natural, shine-free appearance.
- Dewy or luminous finish foundations add a healthy, radiant glow.
- Satin finish foundations offer a balance between matte and dewy.
Depending on your desired result, you want to use a light to full-coverage foundation that matches your skin tone. Apply it evenly with a beauty blender or foundation brush and be sure to blend it into your neck and hairline for a seamless finish.
Then apply concealer to areas with imperfections like blemishes and under-eye circles. Choose a shade that’s slightly lighter than your foundation for the under-eye area and blend well to avoid any harsh lines.
Contour and Highlight
LET’S TALK ABOUT THAT GLOW
Your contour shade should be a few shades darker than your natural skin tone. For cool-toned skin, opt for a cool-toned contour shade (taupe or grayish-brown). If you have warm-toned skin, choose a warmer, bronzy shade. Neutral skin tones can go for shades in between.
You can choose between powder and cream contour products. Powders are easy to blend and work well for most skin types. Creams provide a more sculpted and precise look, ideal for a filter-like finish. Often times, our Artists will use a combination of both for a long lasting effect that photographs beautifully.
The undertone of your contour shade should mimic the natural shadows on your face. Cool undertones for shadowy areas work for most people, but you can experiment to see what works best for you.
For a filter-like GLOW, choose a highlighter that complements your skin tone. Lighter skin tones suit pearl or champagne shades, while deeper skin tones look stunning with golden or bronze highlights.
Decide whether you want a subtle glow or an intense strobing effect. Subtle highlighters have a finer shimmer, while strobing highlighters are more intense and reflective.
Also, consider the undertone of the highlighter. Cool undertones like silver or pink work well for cool-toned skin, while warm undertones like gold or peach suit warm-toned skin. Neutral undertones are versatile and can work for a variety of skin tones.
If you have oily skin, opt for a long-lasting, powder highlighter to avoid excessive shine, while dry skin can benefit from cream or liquid highlighters that add hydration!
Blush
Blush gives you that cute pop of color on your cheeks that we all love – but it’s important to choose a shade that compliments your undertone.
- In addition to your undertone, your skin tone also matters. Light, medium, and dark skin tones may require different shades to achieve the filter-like look.
- Lighter skin tones may opt for soft and subtle blush shades to avoid a stark contrast.
- Medium skin tones can experiment with a wider range of colors, but shades that are close to their natural flush often work well.
- Darker skin tones may benefit from deeper and more pigmented blushes – This offers you the ability to experiment with color to compliment your complexion!
The finish of the blush contributes to the final look. To achieve a filter-like effect, you can choose a blush with a luminous or satin finish. These finishes add a natural glow to your cheeks, mimicking the radiant look associated with filters. We absolutely love using liquid or cream blush to add a more radiant effect!
Setting Powders
Choosing the right setting powder can make a significant difference in achieving that flawless, filter-like skin finish.
Translucent setting powders are versatile and work well for all skin tones. Tinted powders may offer extra coverage or color correction, but make sure to choose a shade that complements your skin tone.
Look for a finely-milled powder! Coarse or chunky powders can settle into fine lines and pores, making them more noticeable.
Remember that makeup is personal, and finding the perfect setting powder may require some trial and error. What works for one person may not work for another, so be patient and open to experimentation.
Eyes
Before you start choosing eye makeup colors… just like every other step, knowing your skin’s undertone is ESSENTIAL!
- Cool Undertone: If you have pink or bluish undertones, you may want to consider cooler shades of eye makeup, such as cool browns, taupes, and mauve tones.
- Warm Undertone: For those with yellow or golden undertones, warm shades like peach, coral, gold, and warm browns may work best.
TAKE YOUR NATURAL EYE COLOR INTO ACCOUNT WHEN CHOOSING EYE MAKEUP
- Brown Eyes: Brown eyes can pull off a wide range of shades, from earthy neutrals to deep jewel tones like purples, emeralds, and bronzes.
- Blue Eyes: Copper, warm browns, and soft peaches can make blue eyes pop and give your skin a warm, inviting glow.
- Green Eyes: Purples, plums, and taupey shades can complement green eyes and make your skin appear flawless and captivating.
The right eye shadow colors can make your skin appear flawless and radiant. A neutral eye look with shades like beige, taupe, and soft browns can provide an elegant and subtle enhancement, giving your skin a refined, filter-like finish. Soft Pinks and Mauves can add a gentle pop of color while maintaining a soft, flattering appearance. Champagne and Gold shades can bring a luminous glow to your eyes, making your skin appear radiant and healthy.
You want to Opt for neutral or soft shimmery eye shadows to enhance your eyes. Blend well to create a seamless look. Use a light, shimmery shade to highlight the inner corners of your eyes and the brow bone. Proper blending is essential to create a seamless look that enhances your skin’s natural beauty.
Practice makes perfect. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different eye makeup looks to discover what works best for your skin and style!
LIPS
Choose a lip color that complements the overall look. Soft, pink or nude shades work well for this filter-like finish.
The texture of your lip product can impact the final look. Here are some options:
- Matte: Matte lipsticks offer a soft, filter-like finish and are long-lasting.
- Glossy: Glossy or high-shine lip products create a radiant, fresh look.
- Satin: Satin finishes provide a balance between matte and gloss and can offer a smooth, semi-matte look.
For some extra DRAMA here are some lip tips were obsessed with:
- Lip Liner: Use a lip liner that matches your lip color to define your lips’ shape and prevent feathering or bleeding.
- Ombre Lips: Create depth and dimension by applying a slightly darker shade on the outer edges and a lighter shade in the center of your lips, giving a 3D effect.
- Blotting: After applying your lip color, gently blot your lips with a tissue to remove excess product and create a more natural, filter-like look.
- Highlighter: A touch of highlighter or a lighter lip gloss in the center of your lips can give them a fuller appearance and enhance the filter-like effect.
What works for a flawless look may vary depending on your outfit, makeup, and the occasion. Take the time to try out different lip looks and see which one best suits your desired look!
Setting Spray
Determine the finish you want. Setting sprays come in various finishes, including matte, dewy, and natural. If you want that filter-like, radiant look, opt for a dewy or natural finish setting spray.
Check the ingredient list for any skin-friendly components and avoid products with alcohol high on the list, as alcohol can be drying. Some setting sprays also contain skincare ingredients, which can provide additional benefits to your skin!
Some setting sprays are versatile and can be used to prep your skin before makeup application, set your makeup, and refresh throughout the day. These multi-purpose sprays can be a GREAT choice.
Then seal the deal with a setting spray to lock your makeup in place and maintain that fresh, radiant appearance!
We have SO many makeup favorites we use on daily basis!
Additional Tips
- Blend, blend, blend: Seamless blending is the key to achieving a flawless finish.
- Less is more: Avoid overloading your face with products. While we may use many different products to achieve the final effect, you want to ensure you are using each product with a light hand and build up product as necessary. The goal is to look effortlessly flawless.
- Experiment: Feel free to experiment with products and techniques to find what works best for your unique features and preferences!
Remember, makeup is a form of self-expression, and the flawless filter look should enhance your natural beauty. With practice and patience, you can master this trend and look camera-ready at any moment. Enjoy the process and embrace your beauty!
Let’s get you that flawless look babe – Click here to book your next GLAM SESH!
