In today’s beauty world, achieving a natural, “no-makeup makeup” look is all the rage. It’s the perfect way to enhance your features without feeling weighed down by heavy makeup. Whether you’re heading to work, going for a casual day out, or simply want to embrace a fresh, glowing appearance, this look is ideal for every occasion. The goal is to look effortlessly radiant, with skin that appears healthy and luminous. I’ll walk you through the key steps to creating the perfect no-makeup makeup look, along with product recommendations tailored for the UK market.
- Start with Skincare: A Hydrated Canvas
Best for: All skin types, especially dry or dehydrated skin.
Why It Works:
The key to any flawless makeup look is healthy, hydrated skin. When your skin is moisturized, it creates the perfect base for a natural makeup look. Starting with a good skincare routine will also help to improve your complexion and ensure your makeup lasts throughout the day.
Tips:
• Use a lightweight, hydrating moisturizer to smooth the skin.
• Incorporate a gentle exfoliator once or twice a week to slough off dead skin cells for a smooth base.
• Don’t forget sunscreen! UV protection is essential even for a “barely there” look.
Recommended Products:
• Moisturizer: Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream – A hydrating cream that strengthens the skin barrier and locks in moisture without feeling greasy.
• Sunscreen: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid SPF 50+ – A lightweight, non-greasy sunscreen that provides high protection and works well under makeup.
Where to Buy:
• Boots (Boots.com)
• Feelunique (Feelunique.com)
• John Lewis (JohnLewis.com)
- Achieve an Even Skin Tone with a Lightweight Foundation or Tinted Moisturizer
Best for: All skin types, especially those with minimal coverage needs.
Why It Works:
To keep the look natural, choose a lightweight base such as a tinted moisturizer, BB cream, or sheer foundation. This will even out your skin tone without masking your natural texture. Opt for a buildable formula for subtle coverage.
Tips:
• Apply with your fingers, a makeup sponge, or a brush to create a smooth, skin-like finish.
• Choose a formula with skincare benefits, such as added hydration or SPF.
Recommended Products:
• Tinted Moisturizer: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Natural Skin Perfector SPF 30 – A cult-favorite that offers light coverage, hydration, and sun protection.
• BB Cream: It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream – A medium-coverage BB cream with anti-aging properties and SPF 50+.
Where to Buy:
• Cult Beauty (Cultbeauty.co.uk)
• John Lewis (JohnLewis.com)
- Conceal to Brighten and Hide Imperfections
Best for: All skin types, especially those with dark circles or blemishes.
Why It Works:
For a natural look, you’ll want to target specific areas that need a bit more coverage—such as dark circles, redness, or blemishes—without going overboard. A creamy, lightweight concealer will help brighten these areas without looking heavy or cakey.
Tips:
• Use a creamy, hydrating formula to keep the under-eye area fresh and smooth.
• Dab concealer only where you need it (under the eyes, around the nose, and on blemishes) to maintain that “no makeup” effect.
Recommended Products:
• Concealer: NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer – Offers medium-to-full coverage with a natural finish, ideal for under-eye circles or blemishes.
• Concealer: Glossier Stretch Concealer – A flexible, buildable formula that blends seamlessly into the skin for a radiant finish.
Where to Buy:
• Space NK (SpaceNK.com)
• Glossier (Glossier.com)
- Enhance Your Brows with a Natural Brow Gel
Best for: All skin types, especially those with sparse or unruly brows.
Why It Works:
Defined brows are essential for framing the face, but for a no-makeup look, the key is to keep it soft and natural. Brow gels or tinted brow mascaras are perfect for adding subtle definition without the need for heavy pencils or powders.
Tips:
• Choose a brow gel with a soft, natural finish to enhance your brows without making them too bold.
• Brush the product through your brows in upward strokes to create a feathery, natural appearance.
Recommended Products:
• Brow Gel: Benefit Gimme Brow+ Volumizing Eyebrow Gel – Adds volume and natural-looking definition with a tiny brush that coats even the finest hairs.
• Brow Gel: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze – A clear, strong-hold gel that tames unruly brows and gives a natural, lifted look.
Where to Buy:
• Boots (Boots.com)
• Cult Beauty (Cultbeauty.co.uk)
- Add a Touch of Color with a Cream Blush
Best for: All skin types, especially those with dry or dull skin.
Why It Works:
Cream blushes are ideal for a natural, no-makeup makeup look because they blend effortlessly into the skin, creating a fresh, dewy finish. They provide a natural flush of color that looks like it’s coming from within, rather than sitting on top of your skin.
Tips:
• Apply blush to the apples of your cheeks, and blend it upwards towards your temples for a lifted look.
• Cream blush can also double as a lip color for a monochromatic, cohesive look.
Recommended Products:
• Cream Blush: Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush – A range of shades with a soft, buildable formula for a natural flush of color.
• Blush Stick: Glossier Cloud Paint – A creamy gel blush that gives a natural, flushed finish and is easy to blend.
Where to Buy:
• Fenty Beauty (FentyBeauty.com)
• Glossier (Glossier.com)
- Finish with a Natural Lash Look
Best for: All skin types, especially those who want a more awake look.
Why It Works:
Mascara can make your eyes pop, but for a natural makeup look, you’ll want a formula that lifts and separates lashes without clumping or over-dramatizing them. Opt for a lightweight mascara that gives a natural lift and volume.
Tips:
• Apply one or two coats of mascara to the top lashes only for a more awake look.
• Use a clear mascara for a more understated effect, especially if you want to keep the look ultra-natural.
Recommended Products:
• Mascara: Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara – A lightweight formula that lifts and elongates lashes for a natural, fluttery effect.
• Clear Mascara: Benefit Cosmetics 24-Hour Brow Setter Clear Brow Gel – Although primarily for brows, it can be used on lashes to define them naturally.
Where to Buy:
• Boots (Boots.com)
• Superdrug (Superdrug.com)
- Finish with a Dewy Setting Spray
Best for: All skin types, especially dry or dehydrated skin.
Why It Works:
To lock your makeup in place while keeping it fresh and glowing, a dewy setting spray is key. It ensures your natural makeup look stays in place all day without looking cakey or matte.
Tips:
• Hold the spray about 8-10 inches away from your face and mist lightly over your makeup to set it without disturbing the natural finish.
• Choose a setting spray that enhances your glow without adding too much shine or oil.
Recommended Products:
• Setting Spray: Urban Decay All Nighter Ultra Matte Setting Spray – A lightweight spray that keeps your makeup in place all day with a natural finish.
• Glow Setting Spray: MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ – A hydrating mist that adds a subtle glow while locking in makeup.
Where to Buy:
• MAC Cosmetics (MACCosmetics.co.uk)
• LookFantastic (LookFantastic.com)
The natural, no-makeup makeup look is all about enhancing your features in a subtle way, focusing on healthy, hydrated skin, and using light, buildable products that give you a fresh, glowing appearance. Whether you’re going for a casual day out, a laid-back work look, or even a simple evening gathering, this approach ensures you feel confident and radiant without the heaviness of traditional makeup.
By choosing the right products—such as a lightweight foundation or tinted moisturizer, a natural brow gel, and a dewy setting spray—you can create a look that feels effortless but polished. The key is to keep everything lightweight and natural, while still accentuating your best features. With the right techniques and a few carefully selected products, you can achieve that “no makeup” look that’s perfect for any occasion.
For UK-based beauty lovers, you can find these products from reputable retailers like Boots, John Lewis, Feelunique, and Cult Beauty, ensuring your natural makeup routine is easily accessible. So go ahead and embrace the natural beauty trend with confidence—it’s all about looking like yourself, just a little more radiant!
