Achieve That Golden Glow: A Sun-kissed Makeup Tutorial

Summer may be a distant memory for some, but you can still channel warm, sun-kissed vibes with makeup magic. This tutorial will guide you through creating a natural, dewy look that evokes a day spent basking under the sun.

We'll focus on enhancing your natural beauty with bronzer, blush, and a highlight. This look is perfect for everyday wear or a special occasion, and it's adaptable to any skin tone.

Prepping Your Skin

Before diving into colour cosmetics, prepare your canvas for a flawless, long-lasting look:

1. Start with a clean face. Wash away dirt and oil with your favourite cleanser. Follow up with a moisturiser suitable for your skin type. A dewy formula will add a natural base for the upcoming glow.

2. Sun protection is essential year-round. Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen before putting on makeup.

3. If you have oily skin, a mattifying primer, such as INNISFREE No Sebum Blur Primer, helps control shine.

For dry skin, a hydrating primer, like J-beauty CANMAKE Mermaid Skin Gel, will create a smooth canvas and help makeup last longer.

Creating a Flawless Base

1. Apply a lightweight foundation or tinted moisturiser, such as the ETUDE HOUSE Double Lasting Foundation, to even your skin tone. Focus on areas that need more coverage, like blemishes or redness. Remember, for a natural look, avoid using too much product.

2. Use a concealer, like THE SAEM Cover Perfection Tip Concealer SPF 28 PA++, to target dark circles, blemishes, or hyperpigmentation. Choose a shade that matches your skin tone for seamless blending. Apply concealer in a tapping motion to avoid dragging the delicate under-eye area.

3. Use a translucent setting powder, such as SKINFOOD Peach Cotton Multi Finish Powder, to lock in your base makeup and prevent creasing throughout the day. Focus on areas that tend to get oily, like the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin).

Sculpting and Highlighting for Dimension

Let's add definition and radiance now that your base is ready:

A K-beauty bronzer, such as TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL Art Class by Rodin Shading, is the key to achieving that sun-kissed look.

Choose a shade one to two shades darker than your natural skin tone. Opt for a cool-toned bronzer if you have fair skin and a warm-toned bronzer for deeper complexions.

Here's how to apply a bronzer:

• Sweep the bronzer on your face using a fluffy brush. Start at your temples, then bring the brush down your cheekbones, and lastly, blend it slightly down your jawline, for a natural sun-kissed effect.

• Apply bronzer below your cheekbones and blend upwards towards your temples for a slimming effect.

Apply blush to the apples of your cheeks. Opt for a warm-toned shade like peach, coral, or rose for a natural, sun-kissed look. Smile and apply the blush to the areas above your cheeks. Blend the blush upwards and outwards towards your temples for a lifted appearance.

Peach from A'PIEU Juicy-Pang Water Blush is a Korean cosmetic perfect for a radiant, warm look.

Add a highlighter to the high points of your face where light naturally hits. This includes your cheekbones, brow bone, cupid's bow (the dip above your upper lip), and the bridge of your nose.

Bringing It All Together: Eyes and Lips 

Eyes: Keep your eye makeup simple. Opt for neutral eyeshadow shades like light browns, bronzes, or taupes. Apply a light wash of colour to your eyelids and blend it into your crease. Curl your lashes and apply a single coat of ROMAND Han All Fix Mascara to define your eyes.

Lips: Choose a lip product that complements your bronzer and blush. Opt for a sheer lip gloss, a tinted lip balm, or a creamy lipstick, such as PERIPERA Ink Mood Glowy Tint, in a soft pink, peach, or coral shade. You can also line your lips with a lip liner in a shade that matches your lipstick for added definition. 

The key to a sun-kissed makeup look is proper blending. Use a fluffy brush for bronzer and blush, and a damp beauty blender for your foundation and concealer.

When applying bronzer and foundation, blend them down your neck to avoid a mask-like appearance. If you're wearing bronzer, lightly dust a touch on your ears for a cohesive look.

After you've completed your makeup, lock it all in with a setting spray, such as the ETUDE HOUSE Face Blur. This helps your makeup last longer, especially on hot or humid days. 

This tutorial is a guideline. Feel free to adjust it to suit your preferences. Experiment with different bronzer shades, blush tones, and highlighter intensities to find what flatters you most.