The Secret to Natural, “No Makeup” Makeup

Nothing to Disclose

I’m a fan of makeup that doesn’t really look like makeup. I don’t want to have someone say to me that my makeup looks great (unless they mean my eye shadow, I’m ok with that), instead I want them to notice that I look like myself, only on a clear skinned, well rested day!

I asked some amazing makeup artists for their favorite tips for natural, “no makeup” makeup. Here are their favorite tips, complete with some great product choices!

Laura, blogs at My Newest Addiction, and she is available as a makeup artist
A nice light foundation. My current favorite is the Lumene CC Cream. It doesn’t go on heavy but it does a great job correcting discoloration and doesn’t need to be set with a powder. I would also use a brown mascara and a tinted lip balm.

Christina Farrell also blogs at The Makeup Blogger
Find an illuminating moisturizer and full coverage concealer that will work for your skin type. I love Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer.

Brianna Gonzalez, also blogs at Briksia
Lightly filling in your brows, adding some mascara, and applying concealer where you need it is essential for the “no makeup” look. Also, a dab of cream concealer on the cheeks is important to add some life into your skin.

Misha Shahzada
Instead of applying foundation all over the face for full coverage, try using a concealer where needed. This will help give a raw feel to the skin, while still covering up blemishes.

Lindsey Rivera
“No makeup” makeup is one of my favorite looks to do, and it can be one of the hardest! Calvin Klein once said “The best thing is to look natural, but it takes makeup to look natural.”

Prepping the skin is extremely important. I usually clean the face with Bioderma Crealine, and apply moisturizer and/or primer. I use Makeup Forever HD Elixir on any dry spots. The best “no makeup” foundation for everyday wear would be a tinted moisturizer. You can make your own by mixing your current foundation with any moisturizer. Spot conceal blemishes, discolorations and dark circles.

Curl your lashes and apply a few coats of mascara. I like cream blush for no makeup looks because it makes you look more glowy from within, and natural. When you see powder on the skin, it looks like makeup. Creams blend more seamlessly. Inglot creme blushes are great. I also love Stila Convertible colors (you can also use these on your lips). Patti Dubroff has lip balm pencils that are perfect for no makeup looks. They are a balm but lightly tinted and super natural.

Norah Salazar blogs at Norah Loves Makeup, and she is available as a makeup artist
For a no-makeup makeup look, stick to tinted moisturizer and blush, it looks fresh and your skin is protected with spf and moisture all at once.

Sheila, blogs at The Painted Ladies, and she is available as a makeup artist
Make sure your skin is well- primed before hand and use an extremely light touch. I recommend using BB creams with a touch of translucent powder to set foundation and cream blushes and eyeshadows.

Meg Raiano
My favorite shadow for a ‘no makeup’ makeup look is definitely theBalm cosmetics Mary-Lou Manizer. Coupled with a really light bb cream, the Benefit Benetint liquid blush, and a dewey lip gloss or chapstick – this look will make you look flawless without looking like you’re wearing makeup.

Kim Porter, you can also purchase her products at Kim Porter Cosmetics
For the perfect “no makeup” look I like to apply concealer, mascara, creme blush, and a sheer gloss.

Kim Porter
• Start with a clean canvas
• Prime or moisturize
• Apply the foundation where you need it.
• Cover blemishes and dark circles with concealers
• Make sure you blend
• Powder the areas that need shine and oil reduction (T-zone, sides of nose)
• Bronzer
• Mascara

Ivy Boyd blogs at Wake Up For Makeup
Try using an illuminator/luminizer. Either apply on high points of face or mix a tiny drop into foundation for a subtle, healthy glow.

Regina Ventimiglia
Too Faced 3 Way Lash Lining Tool to create tiny little unconnected dots in the upper lash line to really give the illusion of volumized, thicker lashes.

A few drops of Tarte Maracuja Oil mixed with Sun Beam by Benefit applied to the face or SkinPerfect Primer by Dermalogica mixed with 2-3 drops of their Skin Hydrating Booster..Talk about a glow!!

Shannon Van Horn
• Moisturizer- MAC Strobe Cream or Strobe liquid mixed with regular moisturizer gives a great glow
• Makeup Forever Liquid Lift concealer is my fave currently. Nice and creamy, can also work sheered out as a foundation.
• Mascara- I try new ones all the time. Right now, I’m into Maybelline Falsies Flared
• Bronzer- I love Mark by Avon in Golden
• Lip Gloss – My current obsession is MUF (Makeup Forever) # 23 supergloss

Stephanie Flor
• Add highlighter in all the right areas
• Curl the lashes
• Don’t forget lip balm

Dimitri James founder of Skinn Cosmetics
• A modern treatment foundation like Skinn’s Plasma Fusion Foundation applied with a good foundation blending brush.
• Lancôme Definicils Mascara in black.
• Smashbox’s O-Gloss Intuitive Lip Gloss.

Elaina Badro
Concealer concealer concealer! I like to mix concealer with a bit of moisturizer to keep it from looking too heavy. Use a bit of bronzer to warm up the face and a natural tint of lipstick.

Gabriel DeSantino
Mix your foundation with moisturizer for a sheer natural finish, the multi pot on eyes, lips and cheeks gives a subtle wash of color without looking done, curl lashes and apply one coat of mascara.