9 Steps to the Perfect No-Makeup Makeup Look, According to MUAs

Erin Ayanian Monroe is a celebrity makeup artist based in Los Angeles, CA. After assisting Kevin Aucoin and Pat McGrath, Monroe became known for her minimal makeup aesthetic as seen on celebrities like Elle Fanning, Kate Bosworth, and Zoë Kravitz.
Jenny Patinkin is a celebrity makeup artist, beauty expert, best selling author and brand founder.

01
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Prep Your Skin

When it comes to a natural-looking complexion, Monroe suggests keeping it real — literally. "I love to forego foundation altogether for everyday life," she reveals. Instead of a makeup base, she suggests smoothing and brightening the complexion with a gentle exfoliant, like Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant ($59), and then applying a matte, oil-free sunscreen like the Neutrogena Dry-Touch, which works well under makeup.

"Since no-makeup-makeup is all about having natural looking skin, prepping your complexion with a really nice moisturizer is often enough," says Patinkin, echoing Monroes thoughts on foundation.

For those with drier skin. Patinkin advises prepping the complexion with a water-based primer such as Milk Makeup Hydrogrip ($38.) For an oilier complexion, she suggests a silicone-based primer such as Hourglass Veil ($49). "If you do feel like you get a little too shiny but dont want to apply powder, you can use my Jenny Patinkin Blotter Baby ($22) to mattify the skin a bit," she adds.

02
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Conceal Smartly

Monroe says the trick to a fresh, even complexion lies in your choice of concealer brush. "A small, flat, brush [with synthetic bristles will] spot-conceal any blemishes or redness," she says. For dark circles, however, she suggests patting concealer in with your finger: "Then just finish with a light dusting of translucent powder in your T-zone and youre good to go with color," she says. Unlike foundation, concealer is best suited to targeted application.

For allover coverage, "there are so many sheer drops of color you can mix with your moisturizer to get a hint of color and lots of glow that you really can forego foundation if you want to," Patinkin reiterates. "I love the drops from Westman Atelier ($68.) If you want just a hint more coverage, you can apply a sheer liquid foundation like the Saie Slip Tint ($36) only where you need it—usually down the center of the face—and then use my Jenny Patinkin Green Tea Makeup Sponge ($16) damp to blend and blot away excess product so it looks like it just seamlessly melds with your skin."

03
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Choose a Cream Eyeshadow

"For bright, wide-awake eyes, start with a cream eyeshadow in a shade as close as possible to your skin tone," Monroe says. "It can have a touch of shimmer or not, depending on your taste." Monroe says to blend the shadow up from your lash line, fading as it gets closer to your brows. Creams tend to wear more naturally throughout the day, plus they are so easy and quick to apply.

04
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Brighten Up Your Eyes

Monroes tried-and-true trick to instantly open up your eyes? Applying a lighter shade in the inner corners. We love the Laura Mercier Caviar Shadow Stick in Moonlight—a subtle, slightly shimmery champagne beige hue thats easy to apply wherever and whenever. Popping a color like this on the tear duct and blending in toward the center of the lid will wake you up faster than a shot of espresso (on the outside, at least).

05
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Groom Your Lashes and Brows

"A good eyelash curler is a must!" Monroe says. "The best ones are by Shu Uemura and Suqqu." As for mascara, she suggests adding a coat to the top lashes only, and brushing your brows up and away from your face with a spoolie or clear brow gel like Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel. (Speaking of which, heres a simple guide to getting the best brows of your life). This will make your brows look fuller without needing to fill them in with a pencil, which can appear heavy when paired with light makeup.

06
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Recreate a Natural Flush

Monroe suggests reaching for a cream blush instead of powder to get a natural-looking glow. "You can apply it with a synthetic bristled brush or your fingers—whatever youre more comfortable with," she says. To nail the natural look, Monroe suggests imagining where your face flushes after exercise and using that as your guide. Glossier Cloud Paint is an amazing option for no-makeup makeup; its a highly pigmented gel-like formula that blends right into your skin.

07
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Apply Bronzer

"I think bronzing drops are a great way to go with a no-makeup makeup look since you can get a lot of control over how much depth you want to build," Patinkin says. "To get control in the placement so that it doesnt look streaky or muddy, I recommend using my Jenny Patinkin Sustainable Luxury Angled Multi-Blender Brush ($32) to stipple on a little bit of something like the Kosas Glow I.V. ($38)"

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Dont Skip Highlighter

"A dab of pearly highlighting cream on top of your cheekbones is gorgeous," Monroe says. Its also one of the quickest ways to liven up the complexion. A creamy formula that melts into the skin instead of sitting on top of it and leaving a trail of glitter the way some powders do is best for minimal makeup days. Monroes favorite? Tom Ford Illuminating Highlighting Pen [Note: this product is sold out; were partial to Maybelline Strobing Stick, a true drugstore gem]. Check out more of our favorite budget-friendly highlighters.

09
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Swipe on a Lip Tint

The last step to complete your natural-looking makeup look? Adding a tint of color to your lips. "A gorgeous, natural way to go with lip color is a tinted balm," Monroe says. Shes obsessed with Clinique Chubby Sticks ($19) and Burts Bees Tinted Lip Balms. "They deliver the perfect amount of color straight from the tube—nothing could be easier!" A tinted lip balm or waxy stain requires way less effort and upkeep than your average bullet lipstick, but still brings color to the face.