Your Definitive Guide to Makeup Expiration Dates
Hint: If you bought your lipstick before the pandemic, it’s time to refresh it.
Waking up feeling confident doesn’t happen by accident. In a perfect world, puffy eyes, skin redness, blemishes and breakouts can sometimes stand in the way. Enter no-makeup makeup, which is exactly what it sounds like: a fresh-faced, natural look in which product is practically undetectable. And with hot summer days ahead, less in the makeup department is truly more. No makeup meltdowns here.
While creating the no-makeup makeup look is relatively fuss-free, nailing it does require some technique. Below, makeup artist Geneva Fong shares some pro tips on perfecting the no-makeup makeup look.
First things first, before applying any makeup, prep your skin. Fong suggests doing a quick mask, if you have time, to make the skin look more supple. If not, she advises prepping your skin with your usual skincare routine and moisturizer. Once all the products absorb into your skin, follow with a primer "to turn your skin into an optimal canvas," Fong says.
If you'll be spending time outside, wearing sunscreen is a must. But don’t rely on your tinted moisturizer with SPF to get the job done, says Fong. Instead, ensure sunscreen is its own separate step to ensure you have proper sun protection. And, as always, don’t forget to reapply sunscreen throughout the day as needed.
Summer isn't the ideal time for heavy formulas. Instead, Fong recommends reaching for a lightweight foundation or tinted moisturizer. "They'll not only feel better on the skin, but they'll look more natural versus a powder," she says. For tinted moisturizers specifically, which lend themselves to a no-makeup look, she suggests ones that have a “drippy” formulation that blends seamlessly into the skin. Another great option: Rose Inc's Skin Enhance Luminous Tinted Serum, a hydrating skin tint that delivers sheer, radiant coverage. Think of it as the no-makeup makeup look in a bottle.
In addition to lightweight formulas, Fong notes it's also important to keep your layers light. "Apply light layers of your base makeup, so you don't over-apply and go for a lighter, more natural finish overall," she says. The same goes for your concealer. Fong recommends using cream concealer. The key, she says, is to apply it with an eyeshadow brush or fluffy concealer brush, which provides a softer touch. An added benefit: it also guards against overapplying product, preventing it from looking cakey.
The no-makeup makeup look is all about enhancing your natural features and giving your complexion a natural glow. A little bit of your favorite highlighter can do just that. "Apply it on the high points of the face: under the brow, high points of the cheekbone and cupid's bow," Fong says.
Although the no-makeup makeup look’s goal is to appear as minimal as possible, adding some minimal color is essential in bringing it all together. To warm up the eyes, she recommends using a soft beige eyeshadow, or mixing a bit of blush with your natural powder color. Then swipe some cream blush on the cheeks and across the nose. Finish with a tinted gloss or balm similar to your blush shade to create a harmonious overall look.
Brows and lashes also need some love. Fong recommends combing and brushing the brows up to make them appear fuller without needing any tint. Bonus points: The Brow Renew Enriched Clear Shaping Gel enriched with hair-strengthening ingredients can help keep the brows in place while adding volume and improving brow fullness over time. Add a couple of coats of waterproof mascara to the lashes, ideal for humid summer days.
To lock in the no-makeup makeup look, Fong points to a makeup setting spray that contains a film-forming ingredient like silicone to create a barrier. If you have oily skin, she suggests spraying it on the face after applying foundation and again once you finish the entire look. If you have normal to dry skin, one spritz at the end should do the trick.
Besotted
Beige pink
Add items to your bag to unlock this gift.
Satin Copper
Rich red copper
White Gold Shimmer
Light gold with pearl