How To Nail The No-Makeup Makeup Look

8 steps for no-makeup makeup

The rise of accessible skincare and focus on glow skin has made no-makeup makeup the look of the moment. After a decade of full-beat, all-out glam, beauty fans everywhere are loving this more minimal, model-off-duty approach. With eight simple steps, here’s how to nail the no-makeup makeup:

1. Give yourself a lactic acid scrub

Lightly exfoliating the skin before moisturizing and doing makeup sets the perfect canvas and helps brighten skin. By clearing away dead skin cells, your products will be able to absorb better and work more effectively.

2. Apply primer, foundation, or concealer (depending on your needs)

A primer helps to keep your skin nice and smooth, and it prevents makeup from wearing off. Apply a primer as you would a moisturizer. Apply foundation or concealer only to areas that need it, such as under-eye circles and blemishes, using a slightly damp makeup sponge.

3. Apply eye pencil to your eyes’ outer corners

Depending on your complexion, use brown or black eyeliner to accentuate your eyes. For more definition, extend the liner all along your lash line, smudging it lightly. Brighten your eyes, then apply shimmery white eyeshadow to their inner corners. Dot the center of your eyelids and under your eyebrows. Use neutral shadows for smoky shading.

4. Curl your eyelashes

This will give your eyes a more open look and make your lashes appear longer. After curling your eyelashes, apply black or brown mascara.

5. Put on some blush

For a bright, healthy flush, apply some blush. Apply the powder to the apples of your cheeks with a blush brush, keeping most of the product on the high part of the cheekbones. You can also lightly dust your nose for a youthful look.

6. Treat your lips to gloss or sheer lipstick

Level-up from simple chapstick with a neutral lip liner pencil and gloss or sheer lipstick over top.

7. Groom your eyebrows

Bold or thin, whatever you prefer, you’ll want to clean up your arch and pluck any strays. If your brows are too sparse, lightly fill them in with a matching eyebrow pencil.

8. Emphasize your eyes or lips, but not both

The secret to any understated makeup look is all about balance. Let one feature shine, then keep the rest low-key.

The 10-minute face

With these simple tips focused on fresh glowing skin, targeted complexion coverage, and casual eye and lip look, we’ve cracked the code on perfectly undone beauty. The best part of this new laidback look? It should only take you five to ten minutes, tops. Hello, effortless mornings!