As a celebrity makeup artist, Katie Jane Hughes has created some of the most magical makeup looks. From the red carpet to editorial, her work is impeccable and can be seen on a slew of A-list celebrities—think Hailey Bieber, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Dua Lipa and Ashley Graham. There’s no denying the talent she brings to big projects with big stars but for die-hard fans, the gems she drops on her social media platforms are equally swoon-worthy. Recently, the artist took to TikTok to share her complexion routine for full-coverage makeup with a skin-like finish and dropped one useful tip after the next for achieving a natural makeup look.
The “no makeup makeup” trend has evolved to satin skin finishes and coverage that’s breathable and realistic, however, achieving the look isn’t always easy. But with the right techniques and brushes, Hughes shows that you can create gorgeous skin-like makeup with full-coverage products that stay locked in place for hours.
Consider your skin-care routine
Skin care is always the first step of any good makeup look and is even more essential to a natural-looking full-coverage face. According to Hughes, what you put under your makeup plays a major role in how long it lasts throughout the day. Oils, creams and SPFs are ideal for hydrating and protecting your skin, but as Hughes notes, they can decrease the longevity of your makeup. Her suggestion to keep your look locked in place is to think about how your skin typically reacts with products during the day and adjust your complexion routine accordingly. If your skin tends to be extra dry, then opting for a mix of hydrating products is essential. However, those with normal, combination or oily skin can likely skip the lengthy skin-care routine for this full-coverage look.
Use your hand as your palette
Despite how gratifying videos of foundation pumped directly onto the skin may be, Hughes says that pulling product from a palette is a better solution. In her video, the artist remarks that: “her palette, also known as a clean hand,” will be the surface she works from to build out the full coverage look. You may have used the back of your hand as a palette before, but as she demonstrates, the palms are the better choice. It might seem odd, but once we get to the next step you’ll understand why.
Load the brush with product
Using a dense brush, Hughes then begins smashing the bristles into the dollop of product on her palm. This step is key and likely helps prevent caking in the long run. As she explains, you want to smush the product into the brush to the point where you can barely see it on your hand. She notes that while the foundation won’t be visible on the brush, the bristles will be tinted with enough of the product.
Use a stippling application method
With your bush fully loaded, it’s time to start applying the product to your skin. The actions in the step are crucial to achieving a flawless skin-like finish. Starting in the T-zone, begin stippling the product into your skin using a blotting motion. Hughes notes that it’s important not to rub or wipe the foundation while you work. The idea is to be light handed since the brush is already loaded with product. Once you’ve finished with your foundation, use the same method and a smaller dense brush to apply your concealer, opting to cover small problem areas over fine lines or wrinkles where the product can settle.
Only powder where necessary
Admittedly, I’ve been known to over powder my face with full-coverage makeup. But Hughes’ approach to using a powder to lightly set only the necessary areas doesn’t just keep you from looking caking it also helps create a skin-like finish. Instead of using a fluffy brush to pack the powder into your skin, she recommends lightly sweeping the skin with a flat brush and using it as you would a blotting powder in the areas that tend to get oily throughout the day. Put simply, fluffy brushes can do too much and don’t have the same control as pointy or flat option.
