The no-makeup makeup look is a beauty trend that’s here to stay. Learn how to nail this minimalist aesthetic in five easy steps.
The first step is to prep your skin well post cleansing and toning with a moisturizer that’s enriched with skin soothing ingredients and sun protection.
For the base, Roque suggests skipping foundation and instead opting for a next-gen tinted moisturiser or tinted serum that blurs imperfections while letting your natural skin tone shine through.
Perfect Skin Prep
The key to nailing a no-makeup makeup look is having incredibly healthy, glowing skin. So, before you even think about picking up a brush or applying any makeup, it’s essential to prep your complexion and get that base right. Start by cleansing with your favourite cleanser to remove any dirt, oil or leftover makeup residue – then rinse well and pat dry.
Next, exfoliate your face with an enzyme toner or peel to sweep away any dead skin cells that can make your complexion dull or patchy. If you want to go a step further, use an enzyme mask for more intense results. After exfoliating, follow with a light moisturizer and sunscreen. Then, spritz your face with a hydrating mist.
Roque notes that foundation is optional for the no-makeup look. For those with oily skin, opt for a mattifying primer with clarifying witch hazel and salicylic acid to help control shine throughout the day. The 2022 Makeup Trend focuses on this no-makeup makeup look.
If you have enlarged pores or uneven skin texture, consider investing in a versatile makeup-skincare hybrid product to blur imperfections and deliver skin-loving benefits. This tinted serum offers light to medium coverage and is infused with nourishing hydration, peptides and antioxidants for healthy-looking, more even skin.
Spot Treat Your Complexion
The coveted no-makeup makeup look is every beauty minimalist’s dream but mastering this barely-there aesthetic can be challenging. Luckily, we’ve enlisted NYC-based makeup artist Kasey Spickard to share his expert tips on how to achieve the perfect no-makeup look with ease.
The first step in nailing this barely-there look is to start with a strong skincare routine. After cleansing, toning and moisturizing, apply a blurring primer to visibly reduce large pores and help your foundation appear more natural. A gel-like formula is ideal for this type of finish which offers light to medium coverage as well as skin care benefits such as ceramides, peptides and amino acids.
Once your skin has a soft and smooth base, it’s time to add a light layer of foundation. “When it comes to foundation, less is more for a no-makeup look,” Spickard says. “Avoid full coverage and opt for a lightweight, dewy foundation.”
A liquid highlighter is the best way to create a natural-looking glow, but you must be careful not to go overboard. Spickard recommends applying a subtle sheen to the highest points of your face (eyebrow arch, bridge of nose, Cupid’s bow, etc) and to the center of your cheeks, where you naturally flush after exercise.
If you choose to contour your face, don’t use a powder but a cream-based product. Apply it to the high points of your cheeks and across your nose for a sun-kissed appearance.
Finally, for your lips, keep them soft and natural by using a lip balm or gloss in a shade close to your natural color. If you want to wear lipstick, Spickard recommends a creamy, matte lipstick that has a natural sheen to it.
Apply Warm-Toned Eyeshadow
As the name suggests, this look is all about natural beauty – which translates to glowing skin with freckles and real lines and textures. The trick is to enhance your complexion without overwhelming it with foundation, so we recommend swapping out a full-coverage formula for a next-gen tinted moisturizer or tinted serum. The super-light application will blur imperfections and even out your skin tone, while allowing your cute freckles to shine through. If you do feel the need for a little extra coverage, use a concealer with a sheer to light texture to cover scars, blemishes and dark circles.
For the eyes, keep your look almost bare with a soft wash of neutral cream or nude shadow. Then, apply a thin coat of mascara to enhance the shape of your lashes without giving them a false, over-done look. Finally, slick on a tinge of brown eyeliner in your waterline to add definition and balance out the natural look.
The key is to avoid products with shimmer or flecks of glitter – those are more suited for a full glam look. Instead, go for a subtle, matte finish. You can also define your brows with a spoolie or eyebrow pencil – just ensure they’re neat and tame to create a polished, yet minimal, look.
And don’t forget to set your luminous, minimalist makeup with a lightweight setting spray or translucent powder. A few spritzes will keep your look fresh and natural for longer, and help control shine if you have oily skin. Whether you’re in the mood for an effortless beauty look or just want to reduce your daily product usage, we’ve got you covered with our easy-to-follow no-makeup makeup look steps and edit of beauty essentials.
Groom Your Brows
The key to this look is a little grooming. A brushed-up brow is a staple of the no makeup makeup look. To avoid them looking too sculpted or painted, use your spoolie to gently brush up your eyebrow hairs so they’re as vertical as possible. Then, use tweezers to delicately trim any stray hairs. Be careful not to take too much off, as this will leave the area looking patchy and unnatural.
To map out where your brows should start and end, Janine says you can draw a visual line with a pencil from the outside corner of your nostril and up through the arch. Then, take your brow comb and align it with the outside edge of your eye, and where it intersects with your arch, that’s where the high point or peak of your brow should be. Repeat this on the other brow.
If you want a fuller, more defined brow, Monroe suggests using a lighter shade of powder that’s close to your natural color. She also recommends lining the inner eyebrow with the lighter shade and filling in sparse areas. Avoid using a dark pencil or crayon as this can look heavy on the skin and pull the face forward.
To finish, a light dusting of blush is the perfect way to add some color without looking overdone. Try a soft cream blush, to get that glowy look that says “I’m not wearing any makeup.” For the lips, a clear lip balm will keep the look as minimal as possible.
Colour Your Lips
Despite the beauty trend’s name, mastering this barely-there look is a tricky feat. Achieving this coveted aesthetic requires a few key makeup products to help you achieve the flawless ‘your lips but better’ finish. We tapped NYC-based makeup artist Kasey Spickard to give us his top tips to master the no-makeup look and get that fresh-faced glow you’re after.
The first step in achieving the no-makeup look is to ditch your foundation for something lighter, like a tinted serum or next-gen tinted moisturizer. These products provide just enough coverage to even out skin tone and blur imperfections, while allowing your natural features (like those cute freckles!) to shine through. If you do have specific areas of redness or discolouration that require a little more coverage, lightly dab on concealer with a light hand and blend with your finger.
For the lips, use a lip liner in a shade slightly darker than your natural lip color to create a crisp outline for a more defined appearance. Then, use a hydrating lipstick to fill in the center of your lips and add subtle colour. Try a natural nude or peachy shade that suits your complexion, as well as a clear gloss for a glossy finish.
Finally, if you want to draw extra attention to your pout, dust on a bit of highlighter for a lit-from-within glow. Apply it along the cupid’s bow and under your lower lip to highlight the fullness of your lips. Then, for the finishing touch, coat your lashes with a clear mascara to keep the look soft and subtle.
