Most of us are under the assumption that we need to apply makeup in a technical manner to achieve a flattering outcome. However, it’s actually quite the opposite. For example, you don’t need a full face of makeup to wear specific products.
Eyeshadow is a product that can bring your eyes to life. It’s wild just how much a pigmented color or shadow placement enhances your natural beauty. Most people accompany an eyeshadow look with an entire base of makeup, but is it necessary?
Can you wear eyeshadow without foundation? Yes! Makeup does have guidelines, but no strict rules. You can wear eyeshadow without foundation and still create a beautiful look that enhances your features. Eyeshadow looks fantastic by itself.
However, how can you make it flattering without looking like you’re a toddler that got into their mother’s makeup bag? Well, it’s all about creating a balance that will complement your eyes and your complexion. Thankfully, you can achieve this easily.
Makeup opens a world of imagination and out-of-the-box thinking. It’s an industry that is constantly innovating new techniques/products, including wearing eyeshadow without foundation. So let’s find out how you can make your eyes pop!
Do You Need Foundation?
Surprisingly enough, you don’t need to wear foundation to create a complete and stunning makeup look. Of course, some people don’t like the feeling of heavy/thick foundation formulas, and others want to let their skin breathe, but what if you have blemishes or dark circles?
Everyone has their comfort level regarding how much makeup they want to wear. However, people with blemishes, acne, or discoloration who don’t want to wear foundation but haven’t felt confident enough to go bare have alternative options.
If you don’t want a full layer of foundation, but you can’t let your skin be, spot concealing or using a tinted moisturizer can be your best bet. Your skin will still look like natural skin, and you won’t have tons of product layered on your face, but your skin tone will be even.
Both of these options are easy to execute, and you don’t need to be a professional makeup artist to pull these techniques off. But, more importantly, these techniques allow you to rock the shadow of your dreams without all that heavy foundation.
These techniques can also slowly wean you off foundation and boost your confidence to embrace your natural skin texture, blemishes, and all!
1. Spot Concealing
Spot concealing is a highly underrated technique that’s often forgotten. We have been convinced the only way to cover our imperfections is with a few layers of foundation and concealer. However, that’s not the case anymore.
You can achieve a full coverage look without foundation and only with the use of your favorite concealer. Your face won’t feel uncomfortable when you have product on, and all your imperfections can easily be concealed. It’s the best of both worlds.
How can you start spot concealing? First, choose a medium to full coverage concealer that is also buildable. This will get you the concealing power you need without the cakey finish. Then, you can layer it on and still have it look like skin.
Next, make sure your concealer is the exact match for your skin tone. In some cases, it can even be one shade deeper than your skin tone. Opting for a lighter concealer will give you the opposite results. Instead of natural coverage, you will highlight your blemish.
For example, a light concealer over acne or discoloration can sometimes leave your spot with an off-gray undertone that is unnatural and unflattering.
So, pick your correct shade, apply your concealer, let it dry down before blending, and set it with powder!
2. Tinted SPF
Another beautiful option that will make you want to ditch your foundation is a Tinted SPF. Most of us know by now the importance of SPF, and if you’re going to stop wearing foundation, tinted SPF will protect your skin and even out your skin tone.
SPF will protect the skin from the sun’s harmful rays in addition to preventing skin cancer. However, SPF can do so much more. If you wear an SPF every day, you’ll notice an improvement in your skin texture over time. Just another reason to ditch foundation.
SPF can help minimize the appearance of spots, zits, and, more importantly, the lasting discoloration they can leave behind. In addition, SPF can boost your confidence to leave your skin foundation-free, and you’ll love every second of it.
In addition, you can rock your eyeshadow with glowing and healthy skin, thanks to your tinted SPF. Your skin tone will even out and your skin will look natural. Who knows, maybe you’ll ditch your coverage forever and only wear regular sunscreen.
3. Balance Out The Eyes
Now that we’ve ditched the foundation, it’s time to focus on your eyes. More specifically, on how you can accentuate them without any other makeup products. It’s important to remember that you need a balance when wearing eyeshadow without foundation.
For example, you’ll want to avoid makeup that creates a sharp contrast or is too heavy for the eyes. This will create an unflattering look, like you just left the makeup counter completely unfinished.
Instead, opt for something that enhances your natural skin tone.
In addition, you can use other makeup products as eyeshadow. For example, switching out eyeshadow for bronzer will create the ultimate natural look without foundation. Enhancing your natural contours will change the game.
Creating a balance will allow you to rock almost any eyeshadow without the need for another makeup product. In addition, this balance will elevate your look, and you’ll achieve an editorial makeup look that’s suitable for everyday wear.
4. Use Bronzer As Eyeshadow
If you love neutrals, earth tones or brown eyeshadow colors, one of the easiest things you can do is replace your eyeshadow with your bronzer. Not only will your bronzer become more versatile, but you’ll have a beautiful shadow that is flattering.
So think of it as a no-eyeshadow-eyeshadow look. Using your bronzer as an eyeshadow will make it look like you naturally have that definition in your crease. It won’t look out of place or messy, as if you just slapped a shadow on your eyelids.
In addition, everyone has a bronzer that looks the best on them. It will also help you create a chic monotone makeup look. You will look defined and chiseled but also natural. This technique is ideal for anyone who wants to minimize their routine.
You can get creative with bronzer just like you would with eyeshadow. For example, you can use a cream bronzer as a base and set it with a powder bronzer. Or, you can take multiple shades of bronzer to layer and create a multi-dimensional look.
Bronzer isn’t dull, and it’s the most ideal to use for eyeshadow if you want to look as natural as possible.
5. Complement Your Eyes and Skin Tone
Next, it’s time to find eyeshadows that compliment your skin tone and eye color. A good rule of thumb is to choose lighter colors for the daytime, especially if you don’t wear foundation to avoid creating a sharp contrast.
Assess what colors you feel good in and what flatters your skin tone the most. Opting for daytime shades doesn’t mean you have to stick to neutrals. Instead, take this time to play around with pastels and vibrant washes of color on your eyelids.
In addition, play around with textures. Most people forget that you can go for light and daytime shades but still make them pop. Instead, opt for a shimmer or glitter, or you can even create an editorial vibe and play around with glossy eyelids.
Each of these techniques will be ideal for daytime wear and won’t look weird if you’re going foundation-free. Also, stay confident and feel comfortable because you can rock anything if you know you own your look.
6. Avoid Heavy Glam/Nighttime Makeup
We aren’t saying you should never wear heavy glamorous or nighttime makeup without foundation, but just be aware it can look unfinished if you don’t have your face done either.
This is because you are creating that sharp contrast that tests the lines of balance. If heavy makeup fuels your confidence, go for it; however, you’ll want to avoid dark eye makeup if you aren’t adventurous with cosmetics.
Another exception is having a deep skin tone because dark colors can look quite natural and flattering on darker skin, even for daytime wear. However, if your skin tone is fair, you may want to avoid heavy makeup that will disrupt the balance of the rest of your face.
The Takeaway
Remember to accentuate your features and bring out your natural beauty. In addition, it’s okay to step out of your comfort zone every once in a while; you never know what you will end up falling in love with.
So, next time you want to ditch your foundation, go for it! Your eye makeup can still look absolutely stunning with and without face makeup. You might even be someone’s inspiration to try these techniques for themselves.
Up Next: One Color Eyeshadow Look – Does It Work?
