On some days, it feels great to put on a full face of makeup — from heavy-coverage foundation and false eyelashes, to coloured eyeliner and bright lipstick. Of course, this look requires a whole lot of effort, and it isn’t exactly suitable for normal office days and grabbing a cup of tea (unless you’re into that).
Recently, however, we’ve been seeing the rise of the “no-makeup” makeup trend. Influencer and makeup artist Yelena uses this makeup style to highlight her features — from applying a clear brow gel for full brows to a light pink lip balm for a healthy flush. Simply put: it’s makeup that looks as natural as possible. Almost like you woke up like this like Beyoncé.
So how exactly can you get this “effortless” look? Here are some tips to achieve a natural no-makeup glow.
Start with your skin
The simplest way to go about getting a naturally flawless look is to have healthy skin. But while not everyone is blessed with clear skin genes, you can prep your skin enough to get a good base for your makeup. Town and Country Mag recommends the Summer Friday Jet Lag mask for something extra hydrating and plumping. Though it feels light on the skin, it absorbs well and leaves your face feeling super supple — no dry patches here!
Use a primer
A big beauty mistake that many people commit is applying their makeup right away on their skin, as this can result in a rough and uneven look. Thankfully, as we’ve previously shared on our ‘How to Break Bad Habits’ post, you can overcome any bad habit by committing to a healthy new action. To this end, you should use a primer to achieve a naturally smooth base. Though there are many variants on the market (such as oil control primers and brightening primers), you’ll want to go for one geared specifically for minimising pores. Smashbox’s Photo Finish Foundation Primer does exactly that: eliminates your pores for a flawless canvas and a refreshing glow. Plus, it helps keep oiliness at bay, too.
Keep it light
As we’ve mentioned, the “no-makeup” makeup look aims to appear as natural as possible. For this reason, you’ll want to avoid thick, sticky foundations. Instead, reach for something light, such as tinted moisturisers and BB creams. While products like Glossier’s Skin Tint won’t erase any major blemishes, it will enhance what you already have, while evening out your skin tone to bring it to its best, natural state.
Hydration is key
Nothing can dampen your glow better than dull skin, and one unlikely culprit for that is not getting enough moisturisation. Dehydration is what causes your skin to dry and crack up, causing you to look older than you actually are. Though there are plenty of moisturisers out there to do the job, you want one that’s abundant in Vitamin E. Pretty Me’s review of AR Vitamin E Cream notes how this ingredient prevents moisture from escaping, which keeps even the roughest parts of your skin soft and hydrated. Vitamin E is an antioxidant, so it also neutralises fine lines and other signs of ageing. For an added measure, you can top off your routine with a facial spray with natural ingredients like rose water or aloe vera.
Get blushing
Is there anything that makes you look more glow-y than naturally flushed cheeks? To replicate them, opt for something sheer to make it look like you just got out of a fresh workout. For instance, Benefit Cosmetics’ Benetint comes in a liquid formula that is light and watery, yet stays on for hours. You can even use it on your lips and even your eyelids too, which means you’ll get your money’s worth.
As you can see, looking natural isn’t as effortless as it sounds. But don’t worry, because this “no-makeup” makeup trend is great for low-maintenance girls and beauty geeks alike. At the end of the day, remember that makeup is meant to be fun — whether that translates to heavy eyeliner or a clean face for you.