How to Do a Neutral Makeup Look

Neutral makeup looks are highly favored for good reason; they offer a timeless type of beauty and they’re generally easier to execute compared to bright and bold makeup. Plus, neutral makeup can suit many different occasions. It can be worn to attend work meetings or an impromptu dinner date.

If you’re ready to learn how you can create a neutral makeup look fit for any occasion, grab your primer, a few nude eyeshadows, and your favorite lipstick. Read on for our step-by-step makeup tutorial, complete with tips and product recommendations that will help you get a gorgeous and simple, neutral makeup look. 

What Is a Neutral Makeup Look?

A neutral makeup look is one that includes shades of brown, gold, gray, mauve, olive and rose gold. Instead of flaunting bold color, neutral makeup uses earthy shades in different finishes like matte, shimmer and glitter to create an eye-catching makeup look that can fit tons of different occasions. 

While a colorful, graphic lid or blue eyeshadow can create a striking makeup look, bold colors and applications are trendy, coming and going as the seasons shift. Bronzy eyeshadow and neutral tones are timeless, which means they’re a look you can always fall back on when you don’t know what to do with your makeup.

A Tutorial for Neutral Makeup 

Follow this neutral makeup tutorial for a bronzy makeup look that can flatter a number of different skin tones for different occasions.  

Step 1. Prime Your Skin

Priming your skin is essential if you want your makeup to last and in some cases, it can even cut down on the amount of foundation that you need to achieve even coverage. The L’Oréal Paris Prime Lab Up to 24H Redness Eraser helps to minimize redness and even skin tone with counteracting green tones. Plus, it helps extend your makeup wear for up to 24 hours. If redness isn’t a concern, the Prime Lab line also includes options for dullness, large pores and oily skin.

Step 2. Create a Flawless Complexion

To get a neutral base, you’ll need to reach for a foundation that will blend right into your skin and provide coverage without a cakey look or feel (it should look like your skin, but better). Try the L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Foundation. This foundation is infused with hyaluronic acid to boost hydration while aiding in moisture retention. It comes in 47 shades organized by undertone and provides medium coverage with a natural finish that’s so blendable, it’s hard to tell where your foundation ends and where your skin begins. 

If you prefer powder foundation, use the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Foundation in a Powder for a breathable and weightless formula that gives off a natural-looking finish and can stay put for up to 24 hours. The best part is the waterproof and sweatproof formula which means you won’t have to worry about touch-ups throughout the day. 

Step 3. Conceal Where Necessary

If you’re battling under-eye bags, dark circles, or any other imperfections you’d like to disguise, full-coverage concealer will be your savior. Try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer up to 24H Full Coverage, and apply it under your eyes and to any other areas that need more coverage. 

Step 4. Fill In Your Brows

A well-sculpted brow can go a long way in taking up your makeup looka few notches. Shape and fill in your brows using the L’Oréal Paris Brow Stylist Definer Mechanical Waterproof Eyebrow Pencil. Since you’re going for a neutral look, be sure to use light strokes to create the appearance of natural-looking brow hairs. Finish by using the spoolie on the other end of the pencil to brush your brow hairs into place. 

Step 5. Create a Neutral Eyeshadow Look 

To get a simple eyeshadow look, you’ll need to create a seamless gradient featuring light and dark nude shades. Pop open the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Matte It Up and use an eyeshadow brush to swipe the shade all over your lid. Then, take the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow Matte-Ison Avenue and use it to smoke out the outer corner. 

Editor’s tip: For a sparkly touch, grab the L’Oréal Paris Brilliant Eyes Shimmer Liquid Eye Shadow Makeup in Amber Sparkle and apply it to your lids for a luminous, brightening effect.

Step 6. Line Your Lids

While you may skip eyeliner altogether if you prefer to keep your eye makeup look on the simple side, a little definition on your upper lash line can help make your lashes appear thicker. Use the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Precision Felt Waterproof Eyeliner in Brown to create a thin wing at the outer corner. Using a brown hue instead of black will give off a neutral look and won’t appear too harsh against your simple eye makeup. 

If you want to line your lower lash line, use the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Mechanical Gel Eyeliner in Brown Denim.

Step 7. Define Your Lashes

Pump up your lashes by using a lifting mascara, like the L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Instant Lift Washable Mascara. The double-sided wand helps to achieve voluminous, lifted lashes free of  clumps. Use the side with the bristles to lift and lengthen the lashes, then flip the wand over, using the side of the bristle brush to separate and define your lashes.

Step 8. Add Dimension With Bronzer 

To make sure your neutral makeup doesn’t look flat, brush on the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Bronzer. Sweep it across the hollows of your cheeks and along your forehead to get a natural-looking, bronzed glow. 

Step 9. Add Color Blush

For a hint of natural flush on your cheeks, use blush to bring warmth and color to your complexion. Grab a fluffy brush and sweep on some of the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Makeup Radiant Satin Blush with Camellia Oil. It’s formulated with camellia oil, which gives a creamy texture and satin finish that helps to keep the skin feeling moisturized and looking luminous. 

Step 10. Swipe on Lipstick

To finish up your neutral makeup look, swipe on a neutral lipstick in a shade like mauve, brown or rosy pink. You can use the L’Oréal Paris Les Nus by Colour Riche Intense Nude Lipstick in Nu Artistique for a cream lightweight finish with a non-drying formula, or the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Intense Volume Matte Lipstick in Le Wood Nonchalant for a hydrating, velvety finish.  

If you prefer a glossy look, try the L’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Balm-in-Lipstick with Pomegranate Extract, which adds a hydrating wash of color that doesn’t feel sticky. 

Step 11. Lock It All In Place

After all of your hard work, you’ll want to make sure that your makeup lasts through the day. Mist the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Spray and Set Make-Up Oil-Free Setting Spray over your face, to set your makeup. Use an ‘X’ and ‘T’ motion when spraying to get even coverage. 

Next: How to Create Natural-Looking Fake Freckles With Makeup

Photographer: Chaunte Vaughn