No-Makeup Makeup. How to Look Naturally Beautiful

16 Nov, 2017

By Andie Reeves

There was a time when our world was filled with heavily lined lips, intensely contoured and preened to perfection faces, but the reign of this Barbie doll look has come to an end (sorry, Kylie Jenner). The faces we see filling up our feeds now are beautiful and glowing... and they aren’t wearing any makeup. So how are we supposed to get the look?

Before you beat yourself up for not having naturally flawless skin and cheekbones to die for realise this: they are all wearing makeup, they've just expertly applied it so it looks like they aren't.

This no-makeup makeup look has been trending for 5 seasons or so - it's well and truly here to stay. If you're confused it basically means using make up in such a subtle way that most people will think you're barefaced and just woke up like this.

The most important aspects of this makeup routine are a glowing complexion, wide eyes, and flawless skin. It's all about some sneaky highlighter, light touches of foundation and a few other tricks. Read on to find out how to nail this look at home:

#1. Switch to An Oil

Face oils have been on the up recently, and with good reason. Instead of making your skin oily (or even more oily in the case of oily complexions) it balances your skin's oil levels and just leaves you looking luminous with ultra soft-to-the-touch skin.

Try it, seriously. Swap your moisturiser for a face oil and your skin will be naturally glowy before you've even started your makeup routine. Try moisturising jojoba oil (pronounced hoh-hoh-bah) for all skin types, or pore cleansing almond oil if you are acne prone or have sensitive skin.

Read More: Want Glowing Skin? You Need to Exfoliate Like A Pro

#2. Dampen Your Sponge First

We're not painting our foundation on anymore; we want it to blend so well that it looks like we're not even wearing it.

The best trick for seamless foundation application is using a beauty blender (like Cala Makeup Blending Sponge) and getting it wet beforehand. Soak your sponge in water then squeeze it until it's just damp. Now when you use it to apply your foundation the dampness will remove excess pigment, leaving your skin looking natural (but still perfect).

#3. Re-Think Foundation

Swapping out your foundation for a BB cream is a quick way to cover up impurities while retaining your natural glow. If you can't bear to part with your foundation, however, just choose one with a natural finish and try applying it only where necessary.

To give the impression of being wide-awake and youthful, dab foundation in the areas of your face where shadows fall: under your eyes, around your nostrils and on your eyelids.

Our product picks: LA Girl Pro HD BB Cream in Dark or Neutral, Rimmel Fresher Skin SPF 15 Foundation in Natural Beige, Clarins True Radiance Foundation in Caramel or Sand.

#4. Add Some Highlights

One of the most crucial steps in this look is the artful use of highlighter. This is what will give you a glow and add dimension to your face.

Use a cream formula highlighter so that your sheen looks dewy and not chalky and apply it to the areas that matter: your cheekbones, under your brow, the tip of your nose, your Cupid’s bow and the centre of your chin.

We love LA Girl’s Pro Concealer Highlighter and their Velvet HiLite Contour Stick in Cashmere for darker skins.

Read More: Insider Secrets on Highlighting for Awesome Glowing Skin

#5. Use A Cream Blush

Adding a touch of colour to your cheeks is a great way to instantly cheat a healthy glow. A powder formula, however, mattifies your skin, which isn't very natural looking.

Mimic a post-workout sheen on your cheeks by using a cream blush like Rimmel's Royal Blush Cream in Coral Queen or Majestic Pink. The look and feel of this formula looks uber natural and blends effortlessly into your skin.

#6. Get the Bright-Eyed Effect

The skin on your eyelids is a shade darker than the rest of your skin so using a lighter shade will give them a lift and make you look well rested.

You could simply use your foundation for this, or a light shade of brown that complements your skin tone. Use a cream formula, which will match the texture of your actual skin the best.

Our neutral cream shadow product picks: Catrice Liquid Metal Longlasting Cream Eyeshadow in Brown Under and Revlon Colorstay Creme Eyeshadow in Chocolate or Caramel, and Crème Brulee for an inner corner highlight.

Read More: Clever Insider Tips on How to Make Your Eyes a Lot Bigger

#7. Use a Softly Defined Liner

Eyeliner is great for defining eyes and enhancing your natural shape, but there's nothing natural about a bold black liner.

Use a dark brown pencil under the outer two-thirds of your lower lashes and smudge slightly with your finger to blend in with your lash-line.

Our product picks: In varying shades of browns, Rimmel Exaggerate Auto Eyeliner in Copper, Palladio Herbal Eyeliner in Light Brown and Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner in Brown.

#8. Lengthen Your Lashes

Your lashes hold the key to looking wide-eyed, but for this look we don't want to bulk them up with a volumising mascara. Using a lengthening mascara rather and when applying wiggle your hand from side to side, which will coat lashes more evenly and naturally.

Our product picks: Rimmel Wonder'full Wake-Me-Up Defining Mascara in Black

Read More: Secrets on How to Create Blockbuster Lashes - Without Going Fake

#9. Change the Way You Do Your Lipstick

Lining your lips and perfectly filling them in with colour looks great, but it's not part of the 'no makeup' look. Choose a tinted lip balm in a colour that is just one shade darker than your actual lip colour. We like Dr Paw Paw Tinted Peach Pink Balm and Revlon Kiss Balm SPF 20 in Berry.

If you want a bolder colour then use your favourite lipstick but instead of applying from the tube use your fingertip. This will leave you with a beautifully stained mouth, like you’ve been eating raspberries.

View Video. Natural Glow "No Makeup" Makeup Look | MIHLALI

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BeYoutiful Beauty

How To

No-Makeup Makeup. How to Look Naturally Beautiful

#1. Switch to An Oil

#2. Dampen Your Sponge First

#3. Re-Think Foundation

#4. Add Some Highlights

#5. Use A Cream Blush

#6. Get the Bright-Eyed Effect

#7. Use a Softly Defined Liner

#8. Lengthen Your Lashes

#9. Change the Way You Do Your Lipstick

You might also like

NEED SOME HELP?

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BeYoutiful Beauty

How To

No-Makeup Makeup. How to Look Naturally Beautiful

#1. Switch to An Oil

#2. Dampen Your Sponge First

#3. Re-Think Foundation

#4. Add Some Highlights

#5. Use A Cream Blush

#6. Get the Bright-Eyed Effect

#7. Use a Softly Defined Liner

#8. Lengthen Your Lashes

#9. Change the Way You Do Your Lipstick

You might also like

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NEED SOME HELP?

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