Summer Skin: Bare to be Beautiful

Subtle, chic and flattering on everyone, the ‘barely there’ make-up trend is perfect for summer – a season when we really don’t want to spend ages on elaborate smoky-eye looks or be caked in heavy foundation.

The au naturel look was big news on the catwalks, too – as seen at the Victoria Beckham, Jacquemus, Jason Wu and Prada shows – and it’s more relevant than ever as pandemic restrictions ease and we get reacquainted with our make-up bags.

The trend, partly is a progression from not wearing any make-up during lockdown: People have shifted focus to more natural-looking routines that will take them less time to do.

But it is always evolving, with a current focus on brows that look big and bushy, natural-looking flushed cheeks, lengthy lashes, hydrated lips, and breathable, glowy skin.

Many view the simple, soft and pared-back look as a positive step towards improved self-esteem, showing that we’ve all become more accepting of ourselves naturally.

It’s about picking and choosing the elements that appeal to you the most. Here, our experts offer their tips for enhancing – not masking – your features…

GLOWING SKIN

Keeping things soft and fresh makes people look and feel youthful.

The key is to make everything pop and glow, but without it being too obvious. Opt for lightweight foundations or BB (beauty balm) creams with a dewy or satin finish.

Light coverage is a brilliant way to colour correct the skin whilst still letting it breathe. You can always add some concealer into areas you need to for that extra bit of cover up.

On the catwalks, models’ complexion were, for the most part, bronzer and blusher-free, but if you’re worried about looking washed out, opt for a cream blush.

Swirl the blush into the apples of your face, and sweep back up to the cheekbones for a brilliant and natural way to add colour.

COMBED BROWS

When it comes to natural looking brows, you want to keep them combed and in place.
You can achieve this effortlessly with combing wand and fixing wax. Brow gels with microfibres will help build volume to your natural brows.

DEFINED LASHES

While bold eye make-up looks call for bold lashes, with the ‘barely there’ trend it’s about ‘making your eyes stand out without using a lot of product’.

You need to go for a mascara that will add length and volume but won’t be clumpy.

Using a comb shaped wand or rubber wand can really help with this, while a dash of mascara helps to bring the face and structure alive.

PERFECTED POUT

You’ve got a few options when it comes to a natural lip look.

You could go for a beautiful matte lip that matches your natural lip shade, or a balm that enhances your natural lip colour. Lots of us tend to stay away from lip liner, when really it can be worn so naturally.

For a barely there look, choose a shade close to your lip colour and generously blend into the edges and centre of the lip. You can also soften it with your finger to avoid a very lined lip look, but that still holds definition