The “no makeup” makeup look is truly the best thing to happen to summer makeup trends. I mean, by now, we all know that wearing anything extra on your face during the summer time can be a recipe for disaster.
Foundation cakes up, mascara runs, and lipstick—what lipstick? Admittedly, it’s not the best season to wear a full face of makeup. However, this doesn’t mean you have to go bare face all the time if you don’t want to.
That’s where the “no makeup” makeup look comes in handy. A little bit of this, a little bit of that, and now you look fresh-faced and blemish-free all season long. Wanna nail the “no makeup” look? Here’s how you do it.
The Prep
When it comes down to it, the “no makeup” makeup look turns out the best when we properly care for our skin beforehand. Yes, you’ll be covering it a light layer of makeup but that doesn’t mean you can completely ignore your skin underneath. A few things:
- Cleanse: This is perhaps the most important step in your skin prep because removing impurities like dirt, oil, and traces of makeup gives you a clean canvas to work with. Choose something that is deeply cleansing and compatible with your skin type.
- Exfoliation: If you plan on wearing your “no makeup” makeup look in the morning, I don’t recommend exfoliating the day of because exfoliation leaves your skin too vulnerable to sunlight. Instead, use a good chemical exfoliant the night before.
- Moisturize: A lightweight moisturizer that’ll withstand warm temperatures should be your go-to here. It may even be in your best interest to select a moisturizer with SPF or simply wear a moisturizing, melanin-friendly sunscreen instead.
The Base
Whether it’s powder, cream, or liquid, foundation is a no-no if you’re trying to pull off a no-makeup makeup look in the heat of the summer. Not only does it cake and crease up when it comes in contact with sweat or heat, but the finish is typically not natural enough.
Instead, go for a tinted moisturizer that mimics your skin. Take this Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer by Laura Mercier for instance. It’s a medium-coverage formula that blurs out imperfections while also keeping your skin hydrating and glowing.
Similar products (including DIY tinted moisturizers) are really all you need for a good no-makeup look. If you must have more coverage, consider using a “Blemish Balm”, or BB cream, instead.
The Brows
This is perhaps the easiest part of the whole look because you just have to work with what you have and not against it. Instead of drawing on an ultra-defined, darkened brow like you would with a full-face or glam look, just do a natural feather out.
Boy Brow Grooming Pomade by Glossier is a “no makeup” makeup look godsend. It helps shape your brow into a natural arch with a light, feathery finish, and truly only takes a quick flick of the wrist.
If you’re not too happy with the current shape of your eyebrows, consider finding a brow threader or waxer who can help you construct an ideal brow shape and then fill them in yourself at home.
The Lips
You would think that a “no makeup” look wouldn’t really require lip color, but that’s actually all wrong. In fact, one of the biggest mistakes we make is matching our lips too closely with our skin. This only makes us look washed out by taking away necessary shades and dimension on our lips.
So, you have two options: you can avoid putting your tinted moisturizer or base product on your lips and just wear a chapstick or lip balm, or you can choose lipstick and liner shades that match your natural lips.
Both options work perfectly fine for the most natural look, but if you want that extra razzle dazzle, go ahead and put on a clear or lightly tinted lip gloss.
The Extras
There are a few things you can do to make your “no makeup” look stand out a little more, and that’s including mascara and blush in your routine. Now you don’t have to do this, but it definitely ties the look together better.
And you don’t have to worry about going overboard; Take Fenty Beauty Cream Blush for instance. A little goes a long way which means you don’t have to cake your face with dense powders to get a gorgeous warm tone to your skin.
Mascara is simple, too. A single off-black or dark brown coat will usually get the job done. Eyelash extensions are still on the table, as well!
Do what makes you feel comfortable and confident, and looking beautiful will be a given.
