![IMG_3732 A black woman with natural makeup holding a tulip in her hand.](https://lauracarsonmiller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/IMG_3732.jpg)
Try a Natural Makeup Look for the Holidays
Neutral shades and a light hand showcase your inner glow!
By Laura Carson Miller
The holidays, with their much anticipated family and social gatherings, fun outfits and oh yeah, endless photo opportunities, are the perfect time to embrace soft and pretty makeup looks. While many people opt for red lips I find red lipstick can travel all over your face while you are eating and drinking – no matter how many makeup related precautions you might take. Nude or rosy nude shades for lips, cheeks and eye lids offer a timeless causal chic look. These hues also complement all complexions and ensembles. Who can say no to that?
Here are a few of my favorite neutral toned makeup products I wear year round:
Sephora Collection Outrageous Plumping Lip Gloss in 2 XXL Nude
This color is magical perfection for that no-makeup makeup look. It plumps and moisturizes with sunflower seed and ginger root oils. Wear it for breakfast at the local diner with a sweatshirt or to the country club for dinner with a silk slip dress and a cashmere sweater.
I’ve worn this warm tone of nude brown for years. I can vouch it’s close to perfect. I apply it and blend the line a bit with my finger. It works really well with the lip gloss above and the lipstick below. Sometimes I simply apply it all over my lips, buff with my finger and top with a clear lip balm. Nude Envie’s formulas are vegan and cruelty and paragon free.
Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Caring Satin Lipstick with Ceramides in Tribute Nude
I can’t say enough about this lightweight lipstick I sometimes use as blush as well! Especially when traveling I love a multitasking makeup product. The long wear of this formula is impressive while the satin finish lends itself to a more natural yet sophisticated look I embrace as my everyday signature style.
Jones Road Miracle Balm in Magic Hour
My good friend and neighbor Becky loves this product and was kind enough to gift me the Magic Hour shade. I use it on my cheeks, lips and eye lids. When you use a single product on more than one feature on your face you get a unified look that presents as more put together than if you use multiple shades. (IMHO!) Bonus beauty tip: I am also a huge fan of the Jones Road Oil Stick. It is a game changer for lips, cuticles, backs of hands, etc. I also use it to moisturize and tame my eyebrows! I have one at my bedside and at my desk in the office. I always travel with one of these sticks!!
Lancome Hypnose 5-Color Highly Pigmented Eyeshadow Palette in French Nude
Gorgeous colors with a slight shimmer that is not Vegas-y or over the top. Sometimes I wet an angled shadow brush and use the dark brown shade as eyeliner. Great staying power and so easy to wear singularly or layered to blend and create your own custom shadow shades. The palette is so stunning it’s hard to begin using it and mess it up! It’s like cutting into an extraordinarily crafted cake or pie. But trust me, it’s well worth it!
Of course great skin care makes for the best foundation for any makeup, natural look or otherwise. My fave way to begin every day is with DMTGLY Universal Tinted Moisturizer SPF 46. You can read all about my go-to skin care routine and learn some expert secrets here.
Why Not Live beautifully Each Day?