Yes, it takes makeup to get the ‘no-makeup’ look

No-makeup makeup may look effortless, but it takes more than a swipe of tinted moisturizer to pull off. For a “no-makeup” makeup look, strategic application of product works hand-in-hand with your skin care routine to enhance, rather than cover up, your natural beauty. It’s faster and simpler than full-face makeup, and since it uses fewer products, it can help declutter your vanity. Try these steps for effortlessly beautiful no-makeup makeup that celebrates your natural glow.

In this article: Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer, Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara and Revlon Super Lustrous The Gloss

8 steps for a ‘no-makeup’ look

The key to beautiful, naturally radiant “no-makeup” makeup is starting with a clean base. Since this look relies on foundations and tints that offer medium coverage, at most, make sure you keep up with a skin care routine that delivers your best complexion. After that, a handful of makeup products carry the look to the finish line to create an easygoing, “I woke up like this” radiance — even if you didn’t.

1. Exfoliate and cleanse. Gently scrub away dead skin cells for a brighter, smoother canvas.
2. Moisturize. Hydrated skin is naturally smoother and brighter. If you want to combine steps 2 and 3, mix a couple drops of foundation into your moisturizer to create a tint with lighter coverage.
3. Tint and blend. Color-correct and hide any blemishes by applying tinted moisturizer, lightweight foundation or CC cream. Use a small, flat makeup brush to spot-apply concealer to cover redness, blemishes or under-eye circles.
4. Blush. For your cheeks, use a cream or liquid blush, which will blend out more smoothly for a natural-looking finish. Plus, these formulations are easy to apply with just your fingers.
5. Lightly line eyes. To give the eyes a little more definition, lightly smudge a brown shade along your lash lines. Applying a shimmery, creamy eyeshadow in a shade that nearly matches your skin tone can make eyes look brighter.
6. Lashes. Curl your lashes and apply mascara to the top lashes only. Brush out any clumps before you apply a second coat.
7. Set. Set your finished look with a light dusting of translucent finishing powder.
8. Nude lips. Choose a “your lips but better” shade of lipstick or swipe on a tinted lip balm, clear lip gloss or lip oil for the finishing touch.

Best natural ‘no-makeup’ look products

Saie Glowy Super Gel Lightweight Dewy Illuminator

This silky, multipurpose illuminator hydrates skin and adds shimmer for a radiant yet natural-looking glow. Mix it into your moisturizer or foundation or apply it to your finished look as a spot highlighter. Choose from pink-pearl Starglow or golden Sunglow.

IT Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow Lightweight Foundation + Glow Serum

Give skin a brightening glow while protecting it from environmental damage with this medium-coverage skin tint. It offers SPF 40 sun protection and includes hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to brighten and refine skin. Choose from 22 shades.

Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer

This breathable, buildable tinted moisturizer hydrates skin and provides SPF 20. It’s available in 24 flexible shades that leave skin looking more even and radiant.

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Match Stix Contour Skinstick

The cream-to-powder formula in these makeup sticks applies easily with just your fingertips, making it easy to build up naturally radiant coverage. Apply it anywhere you want contour and blend out.

Nudestix Nudies Matte Cream 3-in-1 Blush Stick

Available in 10 shades ranging from deep purple to soft pink, this cream blush can be used on eyes and lips as well as cheeks. It’s also travel-friendly thanks to its built-in brush and reusable metal tin, which has a mirror inside the lid.

Danessa Myricks Dew Wet Hydrating and Highlighting Balm

Achieve a glass-skin effect by tapping on this highlighting balm. Shades include untinted Clear for a glossy finish, Morning Dew for a light touch of shimmer, Sweet Water for a sheer coral blush and Hot Water for a warm, bronze highlight.

Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara

One of TikTok’s favorite mascaras, this budget-friendly tube delivers longer, thicker lashes that will make people think you’re wearing falsies. Its cone-shaped brush helps coat and separate lashes, even reaching the inner corner of your eye.

GXVE by Gwen Stefani Most Def Clean Instant Definition Sculpting Eyebrow Pencil

With seven shade options and a chisel tip for precision sculpting, this brow pencil makes it easy to define and shape your brows. The sweat-proof and transfer-proof formula lasts up to 12 hours.

Ulta Beauty Collection Too Cheeky Lip & Cheek Color Stick

Easily create a monochromatic look with this medium-coverage, shimmery two-in-one stick. It comes in five shades that can be layered onto cheekbones or tapped onto lips.

Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme Hydrating Lip Plumper Gloss

If you’re seeking fuller lips, this gloss can plump up lips while adding a brilliant, hydrating shine. Tingly pepper extract creates an immediate plumping effect while marine collagen and botanical oils hydrate for long-term fullness.

Revlon Super Lustrous The Gloss

Shiny but not sticky, this classic formula comes in 21 sheer or shimmery shades. The oversized doe-foot applicator easily delivers full coverage while hydrating ingredients, such as moringa oil and cupuacu butter, protect lips from drying out.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.

Copyright 2024 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved.