How to Fake an Airbrushed Face Like a Pro

To be completely honest, the "beautiful" filters on our social media platforms are the best thing that has ever happened to us (and our skin). Okay, maybe not the best, but - even in our worst days - they definitely know how to make a girl feel #perfect. While we can't actually wear these filters in real life, with blurry primers, concealers to hide imperfections, and shining highlighters, we can create the illusion of filter-worthy skin. Find out how with our step-by-step guide to airbrushed leather here.

STEP 1: Moisturize with light skin care oil

Before heading into town with your blurry makeup primer, highly pigmented concealer, and luminous highlighter, it's important to take the time to hydrate and nourish your face with a lightweight skincare oil like Youth To The People Superberry Hydrating & Luminous Oil. Moisturizing the skin with nourishing skin care oil can not only help soothe and soothe the skin, but also make it look radiant and healthy.

STEP 2: Protect With SPF

Once you've nourished your complexion, it's time for some essential protection. Protecting your skin with an SPF before applying makeup is a vital step in any skin care routine, as it can help protect your skin from some of the harmful—read: damaging—effects of the sun's UV rays. We recommend using a physical sunscreen such as SkinCeuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50. Ultra-light, ultra-clear, non-comedogenic sunscreen can provide light yet effective protection without clogging pores or leaving a noticeable oily streak on the skin.

STEP 3: Prepare your face

The next step in filter-worthy skin? Primer with a blurry makeup primer such as Maybelline New York Baby Skin Instant Pore Erase certainly! Formulated to smooth enlarged pores and mattify skin, this drugstore makeup primer will leave you with (you guessed it) baby-soft skin, ready for flawless makeup application.

STEP 4: Ideal with BB Cream

After prepping the complexion with a blending makeup primer, it's time to apply a little light coverage. For a flawless yet unobtrusive look, apply L'Oreal Paris Magic By Studio Secrets Magic Skin Beautifier. Formulated to hydrate, even out, refine and correct, this BB cream can hide imperfections and make skin appear smoother. makeup effect without makeup.

STEP 5: Hide and Outline

Once you've primed, prepped, and applied a light coat, it's time to cover up. For a highly pigmented yet natural looking finish, use NYX Professional Makeup Can't Stop Won't Stop Concealer. Don't let the $8.50 price fool you, this drugstore makeup concealer can hide pesky dark under-eye circles, blemishes, and areas of discoloration.

STEP 6: Lighting and Glow

Once you've hid, it's time for some lighting. To accentuate bright facial features, use Professional NYX cosmetics, born to shine! Loose powder illuminator. We love this versatile powder highlighter for its versatility and effectiveness in creating filter-worthy skin.

STEP 7: Apply cooling spray

Once you've completed your filter-worthy makeup, you'll want to top it off with a cooling and hydrating setting spray such as A cooling and hydrating Urban Decay make-up fixing spray. Designed to "cool" the surface of your makeup, this makeup setting spray can help create a long-lasting makeup look that promotes hydration and selfie-ready skin radiance.