The irony about wearing makeup is that oftentimes, we prefer it to look like we’re not wearing any at all. Call it what you want: “minimalist makeup” or “no-makeup makeup”—it’s all rooted under the premise that the cosmetics you choose should accentuate the skin you’re in.
Vogue‘s Minimalist Makeup Essentials
“A no-makeup makeup look definitely requires makeup, and maybe even more than you’d think,” pro makeup artist Fiona Stiles says. “It’s the soft transition and blending in neutral or skin colored shades along side the soft placement of shadows and highlights that creates an enhanced natural look.” To achieve that effortlessness, you’re going to want cosmetics that can be blended to an undetectable finish—but it’s less about wearing less makeup than deft application. “The goal is to look as natural as possible,” says celebrity makeup artist Amber Dreadon.
So, gather up your favorite skin-perfecting tinted moisturizers, foolproof brow gels, and illuminating highlighters. Ahead, five pro makeup artists share their best guidance—breaking down the look in ten steps; plus, our edit of the best products to shop.
Step One: Skin Pep
“The skin prep is key for a no-makeup makeup look,” says celebrity makeup artist Adam Burrell; and fellow makeup artist Alexx Mayo agrees: “Well-prepped skin gives you a beautiful, hydrated glow, which in return helps you use less product.” Even if you aren’t preparing for the Oscars or the Met Gala, it’s clear that skin prep is the most important step to achieve the look. We’d reach for the Merit’s Great Skin Serum, a bi-phase elixir packed with niacinamide, four types of hyaluronic acid, caffeine, and goldthread root to plump and soften, or the Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum, a hydrating, brightening, and firming salve. Follow these with the Bobbi Brown’s face base, a dewy moisturizer recommended by Burrell. With this sequence, you’ll have a lit-from-within glow even before step two.
Step Two: Sculpt & Tone
Thanks to an array of hi-tech beauty tools, it’s easier than ever to lift, sculpt, and tone the face from the comfort of your home. Devices can help promote a healthy, glowing complexion that will complement your no-makeup makeup look. One such gadget is the buzzy Solawave wand, which pairs four treatments into one (red light therapy, microcurrent, therapeutic warmth, and a gentle massage), or Jillian Dempsey’s vibrating tool, which instantly relaxes facial muscles. A NuFace or gua sha could also come in hand, if you’d like to chisel your jawline or define the cheekbones.
Step Three: Even Complexion
“Next, I would even out the complexion—using the least amount of product to get the desired coverage,” says Jason Hoffman, veteran makeup artist and vice president of education & artistry at MAC Cosmetics. So, swap that medium-to-full-coverage foundation for a lightweight formula like Ilia’s Super Serum Skin Tint, which earns bonus points for its featured SPF 40. The Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint is equally as good; and thanks to a gel texture composed of 75% water, it sinks into skin like a lightweight moisturizer.
Step Four: Spot Conceal
You certainly don’t have to use a tinted option all over, though. As Mayo notes, you can spot correct or conceal any areas of concern instead—for example, if you want to veil rogue pimples or dark spots. “The best way to hide areas of concern is to use a color-correcting concealer with a small, precise brush to specifically target any problem areas,” he says. Clé de Peau Beauté’s stick, YSL’s brightener, or your favorite clean concealer will definitely do the trick. Eyes get a similar treatment here: “use your concealer sparingly under the eyes and just to minimise any redness or imperfections around,” says Burrell.
Step Five: Soft Focus Cheeks
While you could certainly stop there, amp up your no-makeup makeup look with a gentle wash of color to the cheeks by applying a liquid or cream blush. “[Next,] go in and flush the cheeks with a gel or a cream blush on the apples, over the nose, in places where you would naturally flush,” says celeb makeup artist Molly Greenwald, who cites Milk’s Jelly Tint as one of her favorite formulas. Dreadon, on the other hand, is partial to Chanel’s multitasking lip and cheek balm—infused with red Camellia flower to nourish skin whilst delivering a healthy flush. For those interested in liquid pigments, Benefit Cosmetics’s Benefit achieves a similar finish. Otherwise, Jones Road’s Miracle Balm will impart a buildable sheer tint wherever you place it—just blend with your fingers and go.
Step Six: Accentuated Arches
Now it’s time to tame the brows. “Fill in your brows with a fine point brow pencil and draw hair-like strokes and then use a brow gel or pomade to groom them into place,” instructs makeup artist Allan Avendaño. There are gels by Victoria Beckham Beauty and Kosas to fluff, lift, and set brows while conditioning them without a hard, flaky hold. On the other hand, give Glossier’s Brow Flick or Anastasia Beverly Hills’s Brow Wiz a try to subtly etch faux hairs and add fullness.
Step Seven: Lengthened Lashes
Next up is enhancing your natural lashes. For Mayo, that means incorporating “a clean mascara, one that leaves the lashes separated and voluminous at the root,” rather than a clumpier formula or faux lashes. Ilia’s Limitless Lash is a clean formula that lifts and lengthens—but not without lifting the lashes with a curler first (per Dreadon). Then, there are the tried-and-true classics like Diorshow, or one of our new favorites: Surratt’s tint, which instantly supplies denser-looking lashes.
Step Eight: Skin-Mimicking Highlight
“I’d finish by adding one accent to the face,” says Hoffman, who might go for a subtle highlight. With a creamy formula like Westman Atelier’s Lit Up stick, Rare Beauty’s Liquid Luminizer, or RMS Beauty’s clean pigment, you can customize your glow to be as luminous as you’d like. Just remember: The goal is to make it look like it could be your skin.
Step Nine: Featherlight Powder
“Lastly, brush on a sheer layer of powder on your T-zone and under your eyes to take down shine and set the makeup,” Avendaño says. Luckily, today’s best powders offer a weightless, mattifying effect, without looking cakey. To maintain your lit-from-within glow, dust Charlotte Tilbury’s or Kosas’s pressed formulas along your T-zone, under-eye area, or wherever you’d like to set your look. For loose powders, on the other hand, look no further than Ami Colé’s pigment or Supergoop!’s mineral SPF powder if you’d like extra sun protection.
Step Ten: Lip Treatments
Lastly, you can apply a tinted balm or oil for a soft, pretty lip moment to round out your look. Take your pick of formulas by Rhode and EADEM to experience their moisturizing benefits, while delivering buildable, barely-there pigments with just one swipe. Add a thin layer of lip liner too for extra pizazz, or, for nighttime, swipe on Westman Atelier’s lipstick that takes matte finishes to the next level.
Meet The Experts
- Allan Avendaño is a celebrity makeup artist who often works with Rachel Zegler, Isabela Merced, and Joey King.
- Alexx Mayo is a celebrity makeup artist behind most of Lizzo’s most memorable looks.
- Amber Dreadon is a celebrity makeup artist whose clients include Lorde, Emily Bader, and Taylor Tomlinson.
- Molly Greenwald is a celebrity makeup artist who often works with Chloe Sevigny, Cynthia Nixon, and Hannah Einbinder.
- Jason Hoffman is a veteran makeup artist and vice president of education & artistry at MAC Cosmetics.
- Fiona Stiles is a celebrity makeup artist whose clientele includes Gabrielle Union, Ashley Park, and Lily Collins.