Interested in going for a high-drama look with a bare minimum of color? Try trading in a dewy, flushed complexion for a more refined matte face. Forget the mask-like heavily powdered look –
the modern matte face works well on the street or in the office, and is refreshingly pared down. It can be paired with a dramatic smoky eye for evening wear. It can keep a bright lip looking overdone. And when worn with a dusky rose lip gloss and tousled hair, it creates a dressed-down bohemian feel.

As with any look, it’s important to prep your skin before you apply makeup. Make sure you cleanse and gently exfoliate daily. Try bliss Pore-Perfecting Facial Polish to slough away dead cells and minimize pore appearance. Follow with a good moisturizer. Try Korres Natural Products Balancing Moisturizer for combination skin types.  It uses a natural pomegranate extract to manage oil production throughout the day.

Once you’ve prepped the skin, start with a quality primer. tarte’s Clean Slate Face Primer is a good option for even texture, and it gives any foundation great staying power. It will also control shine and help you create the welcome illusion of a naturally poreless complexion.

When selecting foundation, be sure to check the ingredients for shimmer and luminizing powder, as you want to avoid light reflecting formulas for a matte look.  Creme to powder foundations are a good choice, such as Vincent Longo Liquid Canvas Healthy Fluid Healthy Fluid Sheer Matte Foundation. It leaves a soft powder on the skin while providing good coverage and a porcelain finish. Concealer is also key for this look, especially on the eyes. Bright eyes are an important element with a minimalist face, so be sure to completely cover dark circles. NARS Eyebrightener comes in a variety of shades, and conditions the delicate skin under the eye while illuminating.

Remember, application is just as important as the foundation you choose. The right tool will help you distribute product easily and evenly. Try the Beautyblender Sponge - an editor favorite for its unique design and rave-worthy performance.

Once you’ve applied cover-up and foundation, you’ll also want to safe-guard against shine with a translucent powder that will “set” your look. LORAC Translucent Touch-Up Powder is extra-gentle and friendly to sensitive skin. As with any look, making sure that skin can breathe throughout the day is important, so be sure to choose products that stay light on skin throughout the day.

Once you’re skin is perfectly even and shine free – pair the matte face with a bold eye or lip. A smoky eye with a matte face is new and popular look for evening.  Choose a smoldering black or gray shade for classic drama, or go in a more dynamic direction with a smoky eye in a rich green, navy, or plum shade. Sue Devitt Eye Intensifier Pencils are great for this purpose; they have a decadent texture and blend beautifully.

To get a smoky eye, line the upper lash line with a pencil. For higher drama, thicken the line at the outer corners of each eye. Then, using a smudge brush, gently blend the eyeliner. Use a matching shadow along the lower lash line and try a bold blue liner on the inner rim to make the whites of your eyes really pop.  Finish the look with a coat of black mascara and swipe on a coat of nude lip gloss like Stila Lip Glaze in Apricot.

For another take on this trend, you can pair your matte face with a bright lip color. A rich, velvety matte or stained shade of fuchsia or bold coral can be deeply flattering and add enough color to lighten up your whole face – no need for blush! The matte face is a great look to have in your beauty arsenal; it’s sophisticated, modern, and versatile.