How To Get The No-Makeup Makeup Look

How To Get The No-Makeup Makeup Look

I used to love wearing a full face of makeup, because I was always self-conscious of my skin, as I had had bad acne since I was a teenager. I actually recently found an anxiety workbook from my early twenties, and I had one of my biggest fears listed as ‘going out without makeup,’ and now, when I look back on this, I’m shocked at how much this thought process took hold of my life.

This year, I’ve drifted towards the no-makeup makeup look as something Christen (my boyfriend) said to me ignited this spark inside of me. He said he doesn’t actually like the look of foundation as it doesn’t show off my real skin; it’s like a mask. To me, this was foreign, as I always thought that I had to hide my ‘flaws’ like my acne scars and marks, and make my face look like a doll. I’ve never gone over the top, but I always wore foundation as a base so that I looked more flawless.

He was right, though. Whenever I looked in the mirror, I’d always see a coating of foundation more than my skin. Realising that I didn’t need to hide my skin to be beautiful, I’ve experimented a lot more with less makeup and how to get that natural-looking glow instead. I’ve also noticed that my skin feels and looks healthier! So, here are some of my tips!

Skincare Base

The most important part is actually your skincare! Making sure your skin is super hydrated and using serums that are designed for glass skin (my favourite is Lily & Peach), as these really create a dewy base. It’s a must-have! SPF for your face is also an important step, as not only does this keep your skin glowing, but it also protects you from aging and damage.

If you do have any specific areas of concern that you want to cover, like a red spot, I would recommend just using a dab of concealer in the same shade as your natural face skin. Do not match this to your neck; match the concealer to your face, as that’s super important, so that it doesn’t stand out. Just blend the concealer dot in, and it shouldn’t show up.

The Cheeks

The second super important part is what you put on your cheeks! I usually prefer a powder blush, like the Bare Minerals Rose Glow, as this has shimmer to it and it makes your pores invisible, so this is ideal! If you do prefer a liquid blush, though, there are plenty out there that work well with serums to keep that shine! Just pick a lighter shade that works with you.

The next step is a little highlighter! I’m always using Color Pop Flexitarian with my finger to just dab it across my cheekbones and the bridge of my nose. This particular shade creates a beautiful shimmer, and it catches the light perfectly! I can’t recommend this one enough!

The Eyes

One of the main things that makes you look really put together and awake is having bold eyelashes. Don’t use any fake ones and don’t go too heavy on the mascara, but a lengthening brown or black mascara works wonders! That’s all I use. I don’t do eyeliner.

You can leave your eyelids bare, or you can add a simple eyeshadow colour that’s neutral or a little shimmery. Something to highlight your colouring, but nothing too bold, as you want it to look like a no-makeup look.

The Eyebrows

This is another important step: the eyebrows! I don’t know what order of importance to put everything in, as they all seem to matter, ha ha. Using an eyebrow powder in a similar shade to your eyebrow hair to fill them out and give them just a little definition is key! You don’t want to draw on dark eyebrows that have sharp lines; literally just use some powder on a brush and fill them in a little, keeping their natural shape. This defines the face.

The Lips

And finally… the lips! No bold lip colours, and nothing matte. We’re going for subtle and glossy. One of my favourites is Nars Orgasm lip balm or Lancome Lip Idole Butterglow. Any gloss in a pale pink or neutral shade is ideal, though, whatever works for your skin tone and colouring. You just want to add some juicy glow to your lips and not overpower them with too much colour.

So these are my tips on how to get the no-makeup makeup look and achieve that glowy, glass skin that we all covet. I’ve actually received many compliments on my skin now, way more than I ever did when I wore full make-up, and people are asking me how I get the dewy glow. I hope this post helps! Just remember it’s all about accentuating your features!

P.S. – Having clean hair is super helpful with this look, too! Clean hair goes a long way in making you look polished and put together. This can be with your natural waves (like mine above) or styled – as long as it doesn’t look greasy.