The No-Makeup Makeup Look: Here’s How to Do it, According to Pros

We’ve been seeing the no-makeup makeup look everywhere lately, especially on the red carpet. Celebrities like Hailey Bieber, Zendaya, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Halle Bailey have all been putting their natural features on display with a more subtle approach to their glam, and the Met Gala glam followed suit: At the typically over-the-top affair, this year’s looks were noticeably more pared back than usual.

Now, we’d be lying if we said no-makeup makeup was just throwing on some tinted moisturizer and calling it a day. There is a method behind this look that calls for strategic product usage and placement. The result: an “I woke up like this” glow that actually took a little bit of effort, but it just doesn’t look that way. 

Jillian Dempsey, celebrity makeup artist and founder of her namesake brand, describes the vibe of no-makeup makeup as “you on a very good day with a lot of rest.” So basically, it’s the cheat code to looking well-rested when really you’re just running on a double espresso and a prayer. Tayaba Jafri, Laura Mercier global beauty director, adds that it’s all about the look of not wearing makeup, even though you totally are. Her take? ”Makeup shouldn’t walk into the room before you.” And with this look, it’s all eyes on you, not your makeup. 

In order to be able to go a little lighter on the makeup, your skin care needs to be on point. Jafri says that exfoliation is key to rid the skin of any dryness or dullness; that way your complexion can really shine. Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore-Minimizing & Polishing Powder Cleanser offers just enough grit to slough off dead skin. 

If you have a little time to kill, it’s nice to pamper your skin a bit before you get into makeup. Dempsey recommends applying eye masks under both eyes for 15 minutes while vibrating and sculpting with her Gold Bar, which will help “to de-puff and look more refreshed and awake.” Finish your skin care with a hydrating moisturizer that will leave the skin aglow, such as Fresh Rose & Hyaluronic Acid Deep Hydration Moisturizer.

Now for the makeup that makes you look like you’re not wearing any. The irony is not lost on us, but trust the process. A tinted moisturizer or light foundation like Rituel de Fille 3 Drop Weightless Serum Foundation is really all you need as a base. Or you can skip an allover formula and follow Dempsey’s concealer trick instead. Dempsey swears by “spot basing,” which she describes as only covering up any blemishes or other minor areas that need it, e.g., redness around the nose and chin and under eyes for dark circles. 

For minimal coverage, Dempsey says to “tap to warm it up and blend until it is almost buffed down to the base.” Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer is great for this because it offers two shades that you can mix together or use on their own depending on the area you’re target treating, explains Jafri.

For a healthy glow, go for a cream or liquid blush. Unlike powders, a creamy formula will melt in seamlessly so it appears natural and has a skinlike finish. We’re loving Dibs Desert Island Duo, which features a blush on one side and a bronzer on the other should you want to warm up your complexion a bit. If you have freckles, Dempsey says it’s nice to enhance your natural spots by tapping over them using a brown eyeliner. Doing so will really sell the look—how could you be wearing makeup if your frecks aren’t out to play?