If you love makeup but want to wear less of it and look more natural, here’s our top tips to achieve that dreamy no-makeup makeup look.
No-makeup makeup is all about looking natural, not bare-faced
No-makeup makeup is all about looking natural, not bare-faced. It’s a look that says “I just woke up like this.” You want to look like your skin on its best day – not caked in foundation or powdery shadows.
Less is more when it comes to no-makeup makeup: don’t go overboard with the products!
Apply a smoothing and perfecting primer
We all know that primer is the secret to a smudge-proof, long-lasting face of makeup. But did you know that it can also help hide pores and fine lines without lots of layers?
It’s true! A primer will smooth out your skin so that foundation or BB cream sits better on top of it and makes everything look more even. And if you have dry, aging or slightly problematic skin (and who doesn’t?), a good primer will hydrate and smooth those areas while making sure they don’t look flaky under makeup.
My Top Picks for Natural Primers
- Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base
- NYX Professional Makeup Blurring Vitamin E Infused Pore Filler Face Primer Stick
- Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Illuminating Primer
Moisturise before applying foundation
Moisturiser should be the first step in your makeup routine, and it’s important to use one that will give you a smooth, even base for foundation. For most people, this means choosing a moisturiser that suits their skin.
A great skincare routine is absolutely essential, but as we’re focusing on makeup in this blog article, we’ll dive into skincare another day!
While it’s my firm belief that you should always use a moisturiser before applying any kind of face product – it just makes sense – but if there was ever an exception to this rule, it would be when using primers: many are designed specifically for oily or combination skin types and won’t work well with other products layered over them. This is because they contain ingredients like silicone or waxes that absorb moisture from underneath the surface layer of our epidermis (that’s why some people get breakouts from wearing face masks!).
My Top Picks for Glowy Moisturisers for Under Natural Makeup
- Weleda Skin Food
- Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream
- Origins Exclusive GinZing Glow Radiance-Boosting Gel Moisturiser
Apply concealer before applying your base makeup
You’ve got two options here: you can either apply concealer with a beauty sponge, or you can use a brush. If you go with the first option, make sure that you blend out those brush strokes (we’ll get onto that later!).
How to choose the right concealer depends on where you’re applying it. If you’re concealing under eye dark circles, choosing a lightweight creamy formula will work wonders. If you’re trying to hide blemishes or dark spots on your face, opt for a thicker formula that won’t move around. If you want to cover up redness around your nose, choose a shade just slightly lighter than your skin tone.
My Top Picks for Natural Under Eye Concealer
- NARS Cosmetics Radiant Creamy Concealer
- benefit Boi-ing Bright On Undereye Brightening Liquid Concealer
- Maybelline Instant Anti Age Eraser Concealer
My Top Picks for Blemish Concealer
- benefit Boi-ing Industrial Strength Concealer
- Bobbi Brown Creamy Corrector
- NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer
Apply a BB cream or tinted moisturiser instead of a heavy foundation
When it comes to foundation, for a no-makeup, natural look, you may want to opt for a BB cream or even a tinted moisturiser. These products are designed to provide you with a natural-looking coverage, while letting your skin breathe. They’re usually lighter than foundation and are designed to work with your skin’s natural colour rather than mask it. As well as evening out the skin tone on your face, BB creams also contain some skincare benefits such as moisturising properties.
To get a natural-looking coverage, apply your BB cream or tinted moisturiser in thin layers and blend well.
My Top Picks for Lightweight Base Products
- NARS Cosmetics Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser
- Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser Natural Skin Perfector
- Urban Decay Stay Naked Hydromaniac Tinted Glow Hydrator
Be sure to blend all your products well
When you’re trying to achieve a no-makeup makeup look, blending is key. If you want to look like you’re wearing no makeup at all, it’s essential that any of the brushstrokes of your base makeup are seamlessly blended into your skin. This will create a natural look that is seamless and undetectable, without the need to layer on heavy products.
You can use a beauty sponge or a brush for this step – it’s up to you! Just make sure that whatever tool(s) you choose helps with blending out any harsh lines or uneven coverage around areas such as the nose and jawline.
My Top Picks for Blending Tools
- Beautyblender Original
- Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge
- IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Complexion Perfection Brush #7