[supsystic-gallery id=139] By Michelle Farnsworth  | Submitted Photos

It can be exhausting to keep up with all the latest makeup trends, techniques, colors, and do’s and don’ts. When I started my own makeup and skincare business, I went from thinking my makeup looked up to par to feeling like I knew nothing and should throw in the brushes.

But daily life doesn’t always dictate the perfect “smoky eye” or “winged liner” or even perfectly arched eyebrows. Women are juggling careers, family, and life in general. Makeup needs to be easy, efficient, and add to your natural beauty.

Here’s what I’ve learned in my makeup journey:

Less is definitely more
Although I love a good, bold lippie, and I receive many a compliment, I find that when my makeup is natural, light, and wearable, I look like me. My authentic self. No over-the-top makeup. No crazy eyeshadow colors. Just the blue eyes that Jesus and my mama gave me.

Natural beauty trends
You probably witnessed video or photos from the recent royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. One of the most stunning aspects of the now Duchess of Sussex on her global wedding event was her obvious choice to showcase a minimal makeup look. Some critics complain it wasn’t enough, but really it made a bold statement to women around the globe: embrace your authentic self. Don’t cover, enhance. Light. Pretty. Feminine. You.

But how can you achieve a fresh-faced “athleisure beauty” look? Here are the products I like to use in my everyday makeup routine:

• Skincare: Very important to take care of this vital organ to lay the perfect foundation for your makeup application.
• B.B. Cream: Short for blemish balm or blemish base, this is a lighter foundation that usually has a hint of color. Gives skin a dewy glow and isn’t cakey looking.
• Loose Powder Foundation: A mineral based powder that can even-out skin tone, but doesn’t look pasty or dried out.
• Bronzer: Use it as a natural blush, contour, all-over color, and highlighter, and even a quick eyeshadow option.
• Mascara: Must have mascara that flatters your already beautiful eyes!
• Matte Lip Color: A nude lip is all the rage, but it can wash you out. Find a nice rose or lavender color to give your lips and face a bit more dimension. Lip stains are great for this.
• Brow Pencil: I used to sport eyebrows like a mountain man. Some time in the 1990s I decided to over-pluck them. Big mistake. So now my brow pencil  is my best friend. I can fill in all the empty spaces to define my brows. Eyebrows are important. They frame your face. To do this, use a brow pencil on one eyebrow and compare. You will see I am so right.

I always tell my makeup clients not to stress. It’s just makeup. Experiment. If you don’t like it, remove and try again. Pretty soon you will find your look. Try colors and techniques you are comfortable with so that when you look at yourself in the mirror, you will find yourself smiling back at your reflection.

My friend, and the woman who introduced me to the makeup scene, Jody Stein, is a great example of my number one tip to natural makeup: skincare.

“Achieving a natural makeup look first starts with proper skincare,” says Jody. “After learning to take care of my skin, I only need a few products to enhance my features.”

Lisa Smith, another mentor in my business really lives by a natural beauty look each day.

“People should feel comfortable in their skin. This will look different for each person,” Lisa explains. “For many women, it means wearing a natural look that highlights certain features without being obvious that they’re wearing makeup.”

Whatever makeup products you use, take these tips and ideas and make them your own. Try the less is more experiment and see what results you achieve and perhaps the compliments you gain. But remember to always have a little sparkle in your life.