Some makeup routines can be overwhelming to learn, from contours to highlighters, and take more time than you’re willing to spend on your face.
The “no makeup” trend maximizes natural beauty and helps you achieve a radiant complexion without layering on products.
Here are some tips to help you rock the no makeup look with ease.
1. Choose the Right Cleanser
It all begins with skin care, and you’ll want to start with a blank canvas.
Wash your face with a cleanser that matches your skin type for optimal results.
For example, if you have dry skin, you’ll want to avoid drying ingredients like retinoids and salicylic acid.
A cleansing oil is an excellent option for those who have dry skin to hydrate and replenish moisture.
Use a serum before your moisturizer to lock in extra moisture and deliver nutrients and antioxidants to your skin.
Various serums exist, so do your research and find one that matches your skin’s needs for maximum results.
2. Prime Your Skin
Primer adds a layer of moisture to your face that helps give your skin tint or makeup a dewy, radiant finish.
Priming your skin ensures you have a hydrated base for the rest of your makeup routine, no matter how minimal it may be.
Other products, like toners, remove lingering impurities that your cleanser may have left behind.
A spritz of rose water can revitalize your face and tighten your skin, maximizing your primer and giving you an even and prepped look for your makeup application.
Primer also diminishes pores and blurs imperfections like dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles.
3. Use a Skin Tint
Skip the foundation and opt for a skin tint like BB cream, tinted moisturizer, or CC cream for a glowy finish that screams natural.
Exfoliating properly, like once a week for dry skin, can give you a smooth, even skin tone that doesn’t require foundation.
Consider using a light coverage foundation to blur imperfections if you want more evenness.
Ensure that you incorporate an SPF into your skin care routine, no matter how cloudy it is outside.
SPF protects your skin from the sun’s harmful rays and minimizes premature aging like fine lines and wrinkles.
You need an SPF of at least 30 for your face, although you can go higher if you’ll be spending lots of time outdoors.
4. Conceal Correctly
You can skip foundation altogether and conceal troubled spots on your face to achieve the no makeup look.
You’d use concealer for dark spots, under the eyes and pimples, which are areas of concern.
Use a flat, small brush to apply your concealer to blemishes and your finger for dark spots.
A light application of translucent powder can even your skin tone and give you a little more coverage than concealer alone.
Ensure to blend properly to achieve an even skin tone so you don’t look blotchy.
Color-correcting concealer is perfect for these types of situations.
You can also use concealer as a cream highlighter to brighten areas of your face that you want to stand out.
5. Brighten Up
Once you’ve established your hydration and base coverage, you’ll want to brighten your face.
Use a highlighter or light shade of eyeshadow on the inner corners of your eyes.
You can also apply it to the bridge of your nose and the top of your cheekbones.
Cream blushes create a natural, rosy flush on your face and accentuate your cheeks.
Apply a light layer of blush to the apples of your cheeks and blend outward to achieve a natural look.
A light dusting of bronzer can make you look like you have a sunkissed glow.
Dust some bronzer on your temples, cheekbones and the bridge of your nose.
6. Accentuate Your Eyes
To finish your look, curl your eyelashes with an eyelash curler and apply a lip tint that matches your natural lip color.
Add a light coat of mascara to define or lengthen your lashes if you want to accentuate your eyes.
A clear mascara can be the perfect option to emphasize and condition your lashes with a minimal makeup look.
Skip the eyeliner if you can.
If you must wear it, choose a white or cream shade and apply it on your waterline to instantly brighten and make your eyes pop.
Use a dry spoolie to brush up your eyebrows and make them appear full and defined.
Fill any sparse spots with a brow pencil or eyeshadow and swipe on some brow gel to polish them off.
Achieving the No Makeup Look
The no makeup trend uses minimal makeup and optimal skin care products to enhance your natural features rather than covering them up.
Elevate your routine to achieve glowing skin and avoid using too much makeup to rock that radiant look.
You may love your appearance so much that you never go back to heavy products again.
Cora Gold is the Editor in Chief of Revivalist magazine, where she covers wellness, beauty and more. Follow Cora on LinkedIn and Twitter.