This Subtle (But Fancy!) Makeup Look is Perfect for Every Occasion

We’ve all been there: You’re getting ready for a special occasion, and you’re torn between recreating a makeup tutorial featuring a fierce cut-crease versus that barely-there, chic no-makeup makeup look. But what about a combination of both? Call it, “subtle, but fancy.” Sure, the thought of making your “fancy” cut-crease makeup look more subtle is über confusing and likewise, there’s no clear-cut way to glam up a five-minute tinted moisturizer routine. Don’t panic — we’re here to help.

So without a doubt, the world needs more “subtle but fancy” makeup looks that work for any and every dressed up occasion. To create the perfect look, we worked with makeup.com Contributing Makeup Artist Kasey Spickard to help bring the idea to life. According to Spickard, the key to make the look work is to keep it on trend, overall. “We’re creating a glowy, dewy complexion and pairing it with a monochromatic, warm toned eye, lip and cheek — being sure to keep it all subtle,” he says. “We also want to have that effortless, untamed brow look that makes you look chic.”

To stay on trend, Spickard used few products to get the look. “The girl who is on trend and in the know can elevate her look with a couple quick things,” he explains. The idea is that you can put together your subtle but fancy look post-gym, post-beach, post-nap — you name it — and be able to get the exact look you and everyone else will love. Ahead, discover how to get the look in five easy steps.

Step 1: Prep

Prep skin with a moisturizer to hydrate your skin and prep your base. Then, using a foundation brush, buff Teint Idole Long Wear Foundation into your skin. It’s a longwear formula with buildable coverage, and the finish is just dewy enough.

Step 2: Highlight & Contour

Tap concealer, using a makeup sponge, under your eyes, on the center of your forehead, the top of your lip and the center of your chin to bring light to the center of your face. To contour, use NYX Professional Makeup Contour Palette on your cheekbones, jawline, forehead into your hairline and nose. Finish by using a warm coral cream blush and blend into the apples of your cheeks. If you feel like your product isn’t blending well, Spickard recommends spritzing a misting spray onto your skin. Let it sit for 30 seconds, and then buff it out to reactivate your product.

Step 3: Eyes

Use a copper cream shadow like Nudestix Magnetic Luminous Eye Color in Immortal, and line your waterline as well as blend that on the outer corner of the eye. Contour your eyelid with a darker brown/bronze shimmer shadow (or even a bronzer), and blend it toward the center of your lid. Finish your eye look with two to three coats of a volumizing and lengthening mascara.

Step 4: Brows

Use a creamy brow pencil to fill the brows and brush through with a tinted brow gel. Run a clean spoolie through your brows after to give them that effortless finish. We love Maybelline Total Temptation Brow Definer.

Step 5: Lips

Match your lip to your eye using Nudestix Magnetic Matte Lip Color in Boho or your product of choice. We also love NYX Powder Puff Lippie Lip Cream.

Photography by Chaunte Vaughn

Makeup by Kasey Spickard