I’ve always loved wearing makeup just for the sake of wearing makeup. I enjoy the process of putting on, the ritual of it and how it makes me feel confident. Even though I wear makeup nearly every single day, I have always preferred a lighter and more natural look. I still wear a full face but I try to chose lightweight formulas and blend them in so they look like second skin. And I look for shades that enhance my natural features and formulations that suit my dry mature skin. I love a no-makeup makeup look because it works for so many occasions whether casual, professional or a night out. I’m going to share some of my favorite products that can help you achieve the perfect no-makeup makeup look.
For more posts on makeup tips and product recommendations, here are a few posts not to miss:
Correct Order of Makeup Application
Best Drugstore Makeup for Mature Skin
10 Best No Makeup Makeup Products
Everyone may have a slightly different definition of a no-makeup makeup look but I am going to share mine in today’s post. I’ll also share tips on how you choose the right products to achieve your own no-makeup makeup look.
What is a No Makeup Makeup Look?
A no-makeup makeup look is one that subtly enhances your natural features using shades and colors that are close to your natural skin tone.
How To Do a No-Makeup Makeup Look?
Determine your skin type
Understand your skin type is key when choosing the proper makeup products. The primary skin types are oily, combination, normal and dry.
Find shades that are close to your natural features
This part may take some added trial and error before you determine what shades are the most natural for your personal skin tone. As someone who used to work at cosmetic counters, I still recommend people visit their local mall or Sephora to get them to help you. Once you have identified the shades you like, use that as your guide whenever shopping for new makeup. I may have a million eyeshadows in all the same tones but that is because I have found what works for me which makes makeup shopping much easier.
Less is more
Even though I wear a full face of makeup everyday, I start with a very small amount of product. I like to add more as needed but it’s harder to remove product when you’ve put on too much.
Use proper tools
You may be inclined to apply everything with your fingers but the key to a soft natural makeup look is using the proper tools. Brushes can blend product in a better way than fingers can. Sometimes I will put a product on with my fingers but then I will always use a brush to diffuse and soften. Proper blending can make a full coverage foundation look like a barely there skin tint.
Wear a complete look
Often a no-makeup makeup look can appear too casual or slightly patchy if you aren’t wearing a full face of makeup. Wearing a full face doesn’t have to mean heavy but it’s important that you focus on each area of the face to create a cohesive look. If you wear mascara and lipstick but no blush, your look can appear unbalanced. It’s important to wear something all over the face to even out the skin tone, something to enhance the eyes, a soft color on the cheeks and a fresh pop of color on the lips. Whatever else you want to add is additional but those are the key parts that I never skip.
What Are the Best No-Makeup Makeup Look Products?
Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation Stick
This foundation stick is my favorite Westman Atelier product AND my favorite foundation stick. It gives light coverage that can be built up, blends in seamlessly and makes your skin look like it’s just had a facial. It’s fresh and dewy natural finish without ever being too glowy. It is truly the perfect embodiment of a skin-like complexion product formulated with camellia seed oil, squalane and coconut oil. I like to apply it directly to my skin and blend in with either a foundation brush or damp makeup sponge.
It looks nearly perfect after I first apply it, but it manages to look better as the day goes on! I have rarely ever found a complexion product that looks better the longer it is on my skin but this is definitely true for the Westman Atelier Vital Stick Foundation. If you have oily or combination skin, I still think this would work but may require a setting powder or light dusting down the t-zone to help prevent shine. If you have normal or dry skin, this is an absolute DREAM! Truly one of the best complexion products I have ever used.
Sarah Creal Face Flex Concealer & Complexion Enhancer
The Face Flex Concealer and Complexion Enhancer is designed to be a multi-purpose complexion product that moves with your face throughout the day without creasing or fading for up to 12 hours. It conceals, corrects and adds just enough coverage. I personally use it only as a concealer but it can easily be dabbed all over the face and blended out as a light foundation or complexion enhancer. This is creamy and smooth perfection!!! Some concealers claim to be creamy and hydrating but still dry down and make my under eye area look cakey. This does not at all. It’s super blendable but does set after a few minutes. It’s moisturizing and slightly blurring.
The Face Flex Concealer gives medium coverage though can easily be sheered out by applying a smaller amount. For me, it is the perfect amount of coverage and manages to look absolutely flawless on the skin. It gives a nice natural finish that mimics the look of real skin. It’s truly beautiful.
Makeup by Mario Skin Enhancer in Shade Light
Absolutely flawless. This cream bronzer is so smooth, creamy and easy to blend. The name “Skin Enhancer” can be a bit confusing at first and even had me pausing a second to figure out exactly what the product was supposed to do. In short, it is a form of a cream bronzer but is very sheer and can be used on specific parts of the face or all over to give a subtle sun kissed radiant glow. There is no shimmer to the product but it does give the skin a healthy glow. It’s a complexion balm that adds warmth to the complexion and can be used to even out the skin tone.
Makeup by Mario Bronzing Serum in Light
This is a definitely a product that is super user friendly and almost foolproof to apply. There is a pump so you can choose to mix product in with your foundation/skin tint or you can choose to use the doe foot applicator to place the product where you want it on the face. You can use it as a bronzer or as a sculpting/contour product to define certain parts of the face. Before I purchased it, I saw a ton of videos on social media of people using the product and it looks so great that I had to try it for myself.
It doesn’t have a shimmer finish but it looks healthy and radiant when on the skin. This bronzing serum is the most user friendly product ever! You don’t have to worry about using too much or blending it out quickly before it dries down. It’s creamy, smooth and melts into the skin with minimal effort.
Merit Beauty Flush Balm
The Merit Beauty Blush Balm is a cream blush designed to give a tint to the cheeks and a “lit-from-within” finish to the skin. The texture is very emollient and balm-like so it melts into the skin. Microfine pigments provide a touch of color without covering up your natural skin texture. They claim it is a long-wearing buildable formula that leaves a gorgeous glow on the skin that’s never cakey or heavy. The way it makes my cheeks look and the color options are absolutely beautiful so I do reach for it quite often. And as my skin gets older, I prefer a creamy cheek color because it looks healthier and gives me a more fresh-faced look.
Armani Fluid Sheer Glow Enhancer
This is an extremely thin and lightweight formula. You can build it up slightly but it will only build up so much. The effect is more subtle like fresh glowing skin. You are not going to get an “Instagram highlight” with this product. There is no glitter and the radiance is understated so it’s perfect for daytime. It could definitely be worn at night but it’s not as bold as other formulas which I actually prefer.
It’s a thin liquid that melts right into the skin upon application. It doesn’t disrupt your makeup underneath and doesn’t enhance any texture on the skin. I don’t find that it gets oily or greasy throughout the day and my cheeks stay looking fresh and glowing. If you do have oily skin, I think it could work well without getting too shiny. If you have normal to dry skin, this is the perfect liquid highlight formula.
Jones Road Beauty Just a Sec eyeshadow
I find the best way to apply these are with my finger since they are cream formula. The Topaz shade is nicely pigmented and looks so elegant and chic on the lids. Refined shimmer that isn’t too glittery. Linen is more sheer and I will pat it on to get a more opaque application but it still gives just a slight wash of color. Golden Peach is the shade I get the most compliments on!
Armani Eye Tint
A longgggg time favorite and a formula that many of you have purchased and loved as well. These cream shadow are easy to apply, blend effortlessly and it lasts all day long. This particular color is my most worn and gives the most gorgeous polished eye for daytime or nighttime. Especially for those that struggle with eyeshadow formulas emphasizing texture on the lids, the Armani eye tint is one of the best for helping to minimize this. It is creamy and hydrating and makes the eyes look luminous and slightly blurred which I love.
Rhode Peptide Lip Shape Liners
The Rhode Peptide Lip Shape liners are designed to be a soft-focus blurring formula that enhances the lip shape while also delivering skincare benefits. They are meant to give the lips definition and dimension without any harsh lines. It gives the lips a more contoured appearance. And enhances the shape of the lip in a soft and subtle way. I’ve truly never tried something like this before so I didn’t even realize what I was missing! The blurred finish of these lip liners is so flattering without looking messy. I also can use them a bit outside my natural lip line without looking like I’ve over lined my lips. The soft focus formula creates a contour that looks natural and subtle.
Versed Smoothing Lip Blush
This is a tinted lip balm that gives the most perfect hint of color with a smoothing matte finish. Even though I am someone who lives for a glossy lip, I ADORE the lip balm because of how blurring the finish is on the lips. It’s absolutely beautiful.
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