6 AB Staff Share the Foolproof ‘No-Makeup Makeup’ Routine They Swear By
Sadaf Razi is Adore Beauty's Senior Beauty Editor.
She's a former fashion editor (who worked at various glossy mags) and stylist-turned digital beauty and lifestyle writer. She has been in the lifestyle/media industry for over 10 years and her work has also been featured on international covers like Elle France and Vanity Fair Mexico.
Some of her fave Adore Beauty products include Cicaplast B5, CeraVe Cleansing Oil and Lancôme Renergie Triple Serum.
The no-makeup makeup trend isn’t going anywhere soon.
In fact, it’s probably hanging around forever.
Because depending on our makeup moods, some days, we want to do the most, and other days, it’s a bare minimum kind of vibe.
What actually is no-makeup makeup?
Think of it as a your skin, but better look that enhances your natural features.
I prefer to do the natural no-makeup makeup look daily.
It's easy but polished, but mostly because the only one seeing my face most days is my Cavoodle.
So, how do you do no-makeup makeup?
Depending on your skin type, skin concerns, makeup preferences and what you're doing, no-makeup makeup can mean different things to different people.
So what did we do? You guessed it.
We asked six AB staff (who better to ask?) to give us their best no-makeup product recommendations.
1. Joanna, Podcast Host & Senior Content Manager.
Jo's no-makeup makeup routine actually starts the night before with a few drops of Tan-Luxe Super Glow Serum 30ml - "It gives me a little bit more colour so I look a bit more healthy," she says.
In the morning, she'll apply an SPF followed byIT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream 60ml and Ultra Violette Daydream Screen SPF50 Tinted Veil in either shade V3 or V4 as her foundation.
"It's now called Daydream Screen... it's the same formula, but they've launched more shades. Daydream Screen has very sheer coverage. You can still see freckles and blemishes!”
Benefit 24 Hour Brow Setter Clear Brow Gel is the clear brow gel Jo always uses to set her "long, unruly brows" in place.
For concealer, Jo likes Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Concealer because it's an all-over concealer that can be blended out as a foundation, too.
Jo and Hannah share their full no-makeup makeup routines in this episode fo the Beauty IQ Uncensored podcast below...
M.A.C Cosmetics Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Groundwork comes next.
"If you've got veiny eyelids like me, it's great to conceal that without having to put concealer on and worry about creasing, especially in warmer weather," she says.
"Blush is a non-negotiable. Napoleon Perdis Cheek Switch Creme Blush Stick is stunning and it's in a roll-up stick so super travel-friendly."
Bobbi Brown Crushed Oil-Infused Gloss in shade In The Buff is a lip gloss Jo's talked about many times!“Best lip gloss I think I've ever had in my life. If it's ever discontinued, I would try and buy 25 of them.”
Finally, if you are oily and love cream products (ahem, me), Jo recommends dusting a bit of MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD Loose Translucent Powder - 8.5g across your oily areas like your t-zone.
If Jo was going on holidays, she'd skip mascara in favour of a lash lift.
But if she had to choose, she would just pop on a trusty L'Oreal Paris or Maybelline mascara.
Shop Jo's no-makeup makeup products here:
2. Amy, Senior Editor.
For Amy, no-makeup makeup means using the least amount of products possible, for maximum impact.
"No-makeup makeup for me could be anything from literally just sunscreen and clear brow gel, to a tonal blush and lip combo with a tiny bit of mascara," she says.
"Unless I'm going to an event, am filming makeup content or have a dinner/something on, I don't wear much makeup day-to-day."
"I find my freckles give my skin warmth and glow (and camouflage pimples, win!), so I usually skip foundation altogether and do an illuminating primer with a sheer tint instead."
Tan-Luxe Super Gloss SPF30 Bronzing Drops 30ml is one on high rotation in Amy's routine at the moment.
It's quite pigmented - You can see below how just a couple of drops pressed into the skin gives her skin seriously good glow and an even tone.
Amy adds, "If I was going to put in above bare minimum effort, I'd use the Bobbi Brown Skin Corrector Stick in the shade Extra Light Bisque to colour correct under my eyes and around the side of my rose where I get red."
Other than that, Amy's best advice for no-makeup makeup for someone who is comfortable rocking bare skin?
"I literally just made this anecdote up, but focus on one or all of the four Bs: Brows, blush, bronzer and a tinted lip balm."
Amy is currently loving:
- Brows - Benefit 24 Hour Brow Setter Clear Brow Gel is a clear staff favourite!
- Blush - Huda Beauty Cheeky Tint Blush Stick in shades Coral Cute or Proud Pink, or M.A.C COSMETICS Glow Play Blush in That's Peachy.
- Bronzer - Benefit Hoola Lite or Huda Beauty GloWish Soft Radiance Bronzing Powder in 01 Light.
- Balm - Clarins Lip Comfort Oil in Cherry, or Ultra Violette Sheen Screen SPF50 Lip Balm in Rose.
Amy also rates a lash lift and tint over mascara, but is Maybelline Colossal Curl Bounce Washable Mascara what she'll wear... "if I have to".
Shop Amy's no-makeup makeup products here:
3. Hannah, Beauty IQ Uncensored Podcast Host.
Oily and combo skin-havers or anyone living in a humid climate, take note.
Beauty IQ Uncensored podcast co-host Hannah shared the exact makeup products she's currently wearing for her no-makeup makeup look.
Like Jo, Hannah enjoys using the TAN-LUXE THE FACE 30ml face tanning drops for a bit of colour and glow in the face.
As an oily gal, she says applying the MAKE UP FOR EVER Step 1 Shine Control Primer 30ml is essential.
Ultra Violette Daydream Screen SPF50 Tinted Veil is also one of her fave skin tints, but Estee Lauder Double Wear Sheer Long-Wear Makeup SPF 20 is the sheer no-makeup makeup version of her all-time favourite Double Wear foundation.
Watch this YouTube video to see how these iconic foundations wear on different skin types.
“I always take the IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Pressed Powder- Translucent with me [when I travel]. I have big pores, and I swear by it - even for no-makeup makeup."
Next comes the iconic Benefit Hoola Matte and a cream blush stick.
"I use the Napoleon Perdis Cheek Switch Creme Blush Stick in the shade Pink Lady. I always do it on the cheeks, but then I put quite a bit on the nose. I find it makes you look fresh.”
Finish with a slick of Lanolips balm and that's the look finished.
Lanolips Lanostick Coconutter 3.3g is a current favourite, but Lanolips Banana Balm Lip Sheen 3-in-1 is Hannah's absolute favourite.
“It’s got a little bit of a shimmer and it tastes like banana. But any Lanolips is really nice for no-makeup makeup.”
Shop Hannah's no-makeup makeup products here:
4. Sadaf, Beauty Writer & Content Producer.
I love a natural no makeup look!
When I think about how to do no-makeup makeup, for me, it’s about achieving a glowy base and a healthy-looking complexion.
I pop on an SPF first, then I use the MAKE UP FOR EVER Step 1 Dullness Eraser Primer 30ml to even out my skin tone.
If you have genetic dark under eyes like me, your no-makeup look for dark circles is going to involve a high coverage concealer.
Clinique Even Better All-Over Concealer + Eraser in Toasted Wheat is my current full-coverage but still natural-looking concealer of choice.
Unlike my concealer, I prefer a light-to-medium coverage foundation or skin tint for no-makeup makeup.
L'Oreal Paris True Match Nude Plumping Tinted Serum in Medium Tan is long-wearing, offers medium coverage and enhances my complexion.
The Ordinary Serum Foundation is my second fave, and is one of the best makeup for no-makeup look products, in my opinion.
I love its dewy finish. Here’s my no-makeup makeup look before and after selfies using The Ordinary Serum Foundation.
Next is a tiny amount of blush on the cheeks for a healthy flush.
I’ve recently been using Huda Beauty Cheeky Tint Blush Stick in Rebel Red.
Maybelline Lash Sensational Lengthening Mascara never fails to deliver a fanned-out lash, and I use the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask 20g most days.
To complete my natural no-makeup makeup look, I give my brows some definition with the elf Eyebrow Kit before using the Benefit 24 Hour Brow Setter Clear Brow Gel to fluff them up.
Shop my no-makeup makeup products here:
5. Dalal, Customer Experience Advisor & Makeup Artist.
Dalal is one of our resident AB makeup artists, and is a big fan of the no-makeup makeup look.
“It’s my go-to routine on most mornings, as I’m usually racing around to do the kindergarten drop off, then to a client or a shoot," she says.
"I’m all about a quick, convenient and multi-use products that require minimal touch ups."
After serums and sunscreen, Dalal mixes one pump of Huda Beauty GloWish Multi Dew Skin Tint with two pumps of Aspect Phytostat 9 for hydration and radiance, without using a 'foundation'.
"I apply two strokes of the Bobbi Brown Skin Concealer Stick under each eye, and then I softly press it in with my ring finger. This instantly brightens my under eye area and doesn't look heavy or cakey."
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze is Dalal's brow product of choice to frame the eyes, hold brows in place.
Maybelline The Falsies Lash Lift Volumising Mascara - Blackest Black is the eye makeup she'll wear on no-makeup makeup days.
"This mascara thickens and lengthens my lashes from root to tip and doesn't flake or smudge. A few strokes of mascara on my top and bottom lashes, and I feel awake and ready to seize the day!”
Dalal also loves a multi-use cheek and lip product - Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lip & Cheeks in Fresh Melon is her new favourite.
"It’s creamy, not sticky, and lasts for hours on my cheeks. It’s also easy to quickly blot on the lips."
Shop Dalal's no-makeup makeup products here:
6. Nikkita, Social & Content Coordinator.
For Nikkita, no-makeup makeup is almost always for when time is of the essence.
She needs it to be fast, and involving as few products as possible.
"I find the more products I incorporate, the more carried away I get, and the more I find myself veering off the path of no-makeup makeup," she says.
Nikkita describes her skin as textured, oily and acne-prone, so she turns to no-makeup makeup on days where she's looking for a bit of a confidence boost.
"It's also great for lazy days where I feel like I want a bit of extra coverage, but don’t want to commit to doing a proper full face of makeup."
Nikkita's top no-makeup makeup product picks are:
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definerin Dark Brown - "The angled tip makes it easy to add hairline strokes to sparse brows."
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Gel - Clear 7.93g - "The perfect product, dries down really beautifully and doesn’t flake off throughout the day like some other brow gels."
- M.A.C COSMETICS Studio Radiance Face & Body Radiant Sheer Foundation in shade C4 - "I want to enhance my skin and my features – not hide them! This foundation has a sheer radiant finish and gives my skin the perfect ‘your skin, but better’ look. It's also oily skin-friendly."
- Clinique Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balm in Roly Poly Rosy - "I reach for this cream blush every time I do my no-makeup makeup look because of its blendability, easy application, and colour pay off."
Shop Nikkita's no-makeup makeup products here:
Check out the below content for more no-makeup makeup inspo!
