Six simple steps to achieve the ‘no make-up’ make-up look

No make-up make-up beauty products
Anita Sheth,-Partner & Copywriter

Discover how to create the highly coveted ‘barely there’ make-up trend this summer. Follow our easy steps and find expert tips from renowned make-up artist, Mary Jane Frost to help you attain an effortless ‘I woke up like this’ look.

We all know the 'no make-up' look isn’t exactly a new trend, but this summer going au naturel couldn’t be easier, thanks to a whole host of beauty winners which are made to help you get there with as little effort as possible.   

Mary Jane is on hand to offer her advice on achieving the look and says the key is really about ‘making the most of your natural features’. From wide eyes to full lips, just a small amount of make-up can accentuate and enhance your features, while letting your natural beauty shine through.  

Model with no make-up make-up trend

1. Lay the foundations for flawless skin

In warmer weather, you might not want to hide your skin under heavy foundation. Instead, let it breathe and blend a tinted moisturiser over your face to help warm up your complexion and cover any small imperfections. Mary Jane suggests CHANEL Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow Tinted Moisturiser, which will ‘even out skin tone without masking skin underneath.’ Apply with your fingers for a feather light application which will create a seamless finish on the skin.

Instead of spending time applying moisturiser, foundation and SPF, buy clever and choose a tinted moisturiser which includes all these benefits. It will save you time in the morning and help your skin look effortlessly flawless. Win, win. 

Guerlain Terracotta Bronzer

2. Add a summer glow with golden bronzer

Whatever your skintone, it’s easy to create a natural looking glow with a sweep of bronzing powder. 

Mary Jane advises applying the Guerlain Terracotta Bronzer* with a large fluffy powder brush, which adds a subtle sun-kissed finish to the skin. Nothing is guaranteed to wake up your face quite like bronzer, and a touch of healthy colour will help boost your confidence when paring back on your make-up look. 

*Bring any of your finished bronzers in store for us to recycle and redeem £10 off your new Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder.

Plum eyeshadow beauty trend on model

3. Choose a subtle eyeshadow colour

While you might be tempted to skip the eyeshadow altogether, a delicate blend of natural colours will brighten your eyes and make sure they sparkle all day long. Opt for a warm colour palette of gold, bronze or plum tones which will complement your eye colour and barely there make-up look. 

Mary Jane chose to apply a soft wash of plum shades from our exclusive Lancôme x Proenza Schouler Chroma Eye Palette. She recommends blending eyeshadow to an almost ‘airbrushed look’, which will capture the light and add a slight glimmer to your eyes.

Yves Saint Laurent Volume Effect False Ciles

4. Open up your eyes with volumising mascara

If tired eyes are your worry when wearing less make-up, then a volumising mascara will be your best friend in the morning. To open up your eyes and make you look wide awake, Mary Jane suggests the Yves Saint Laurent Volume Effect Faux Cils The Curler Mascara, which she says is ‘fantastic at plumping and lengthening the lashes’.

Model with summer highlighter beauty trend

5. Illuminate your skin with soft-focus highlighter

When it comes to highlighter, it’s key to focus on the peak points of your face which are naturally picked up by the sun. Dust a light layer of multi-dimensional highlighter across your cheek and brow bones and down the centre of your nose to create a lit-from-within glow. 

Mary Jane advises ‘less really is more when it comes to highlighter’. Choose iridescent pearl shades, such as the ones from our exclusive Laura Mercier Face Illuminator Palette. These highlighters feature a non-dusting texture which allows for a beautifully natural colour payoff and smooth application to the skin. 

Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Colour Matte

6. Finish the look with nude lipstick

The last step to completing your ‘no make-up’ make-up look? Add a dash of nude colour to your pout which will accentuate your natural lip shape and shade. 
Mary Jane recommends a ‘matte-effect lipstick, which has more staying power’, meaning you won’t have to think about touching up your lips throughout the day.

We love our exclusive Bobbi Brown Luxe Matte Lip Colour which is formulated from pure matte powder pigments to ensure a lightweight comfortable feel and 12-hour high impact staying power. Delivering the perfect amount of colour straight from the tube, just dab this over your lips and you’ll be ready to take on the day.

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