Make-up
23rd September 2017
How to achieve the perfect 'no make-up' make-up look
The subtle art of no-makeup makeup can be achieved with a bit of practice and the right tools at hand. Here’s what you’ll need.
MAKE-UP SPONGE
You won’t be able to accomplish a no-makeup makeup look without a flawless sponge, and the Beautyblender remains top of the pops. Using a damp blender presses pigment into your skin and removes excess makeup for perfect, subtle coverage.
FACIAL OIL
One of the secrets to "no-makeup" success is glowing, even skin, so massage on a few drops of face oil before tackling a natural makeup look. We love PixiBeauty’s Rose Oil Blend.
FOUNDATION
For no-makeup makeup, choose foundation with a natural finish. Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation, with iridescent particles that obscure imperfections, is hard to find fault – it holds up, even on camera!
EYESHADOW
While eyeshadow for a no-makeup makeup look may seem counter-productive, a colour that's just slightly deeper than your skin tone to apply in the creases will really make your eyes pop. An Essence Jumbo Pencil in a just darker-than-nude shade will do the trick.
EYELINER
Brown pencil defines your eyes without looking too obvious. Define your lower lash line by dotting the bottom lashes and smudging them together with a cotton swab. Urban Decay’s 24/7 eye pencils are long-wearing and won’t budge when they’re dry.
MASCARA
No look, however lightweight, is complete without a sweep of mascara. Choose one that will define your lashes without looking too obvious, like cult beauty brand Jelly Pong Pong’s Fairy Lashes mascara – hypoallergenic and perfect for even the most sensitive eyes.
BROW GROOMER
Want to look like you were born with perfect brows? A tinted brow gel like Benefit’s Gimme Brow tames stray hairs while subtly filling in the gaps wherever’s needed. Focus the most colour on your arches, where your brows are naturally darkest, for an au naturel look.
BLUSH
Cream blush without any shimmer works best for this look. We like TEEEZ’s Soft as Sin Cream Blush, which is formulated with Vitamin E which helps nourish and repair the skin. A thin layer creates a natural sheen, while a gradual build-up creates convincingly flushed cheeks.
HIGHLIGHTER
It stands to reason that your highlighter for this type of look should be cream-based too. NYX WonderStick, with highlighter on one end and contour on the other, is easy to use, super blendable and very price-friendly.