How To Perfect The No-Makeup Makeup Look For Summer

Let's be honest for a moment and admit that no matter how much we enjoy full-on glam for a dinner date or a night out with friends, there is something special about a "no-makeup" makeup look that just screams effortless beauty.

Whether it's the time saved during your morning routine, the desire to impress the man who prefers women who don't wear makeup, or simply the liberating feeling of catching a glimpse of yourself in a window and loving the reflection that's free from layers of artificial pigments that conceal its true beauty, many of us have yearned for that flawless no-makeup makeup style.

However, here's a secret: Although it may appear effortless, the no-makeup makeup look actually consists of a few strict steps to follow and requires a little bit of practice to achieve.

But worry not – we have put together the ultimate guide to perfecting the look that will make you fall in love all over again with your features by subtly enhancing them.

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Refine and Renew

The first detail you will notice about the no-makeup makeup look is it boasts a smooth, polished complexion, which seems to have no flaws, like blemishes and enlarged pores, which most of us deal with on a daily basis.

This is why the most important step in prepping for this makeup look is exfoliation, a process that aids in the removal of accumulated dead cells on the skin's surface. These cells make our complexion look lackluster and dull but also clog our pores, causing them to enlarge to accommodate the buildup and leading to the formation of whiteheads, blackheads, and acne.

Therefore, to prep your canvas for the perfect no-makeup makeup look for summer, begin by exfoliating with a gentle toner such as the Glossier Skin-Perfecting Daily Exfoliator, which contains a blend of mild acids and gluconolactone, a potent hydrater, to reveal a smoother, brighter, and plumper complexion that doesn't need to be covered under layers of foundation and concealer.

Hydrate Your Skin

Hydrated skin is plump and glowing, making it the perfect natural primer for makeup products and a seamless base without any dry patches or flakiness that will ruin the look.

A hydrating serum such as the hyaluronic acid-based Vichy Mineral 89, followed by a lightweight moisturizer like the Peach & Lily Glass Skin Water-Gel Moisturizer, is the perfect combination to achieve this effect while keeping your skin cool and nourished during the hot summer days.

Remember to opt for oil-free formulas, especially if you have oily or combination skin, as they will prevent excess shine and keep your makeup looking fresh all day long.

Shield Your Canvas

The final step in prepping your base is protecting your beautiful canvas from the damage environmental factors such as UV rays and free radicals in the air can cause.

You can easily do this by applying a thin layer of mineral SPF, such as the La Roche-Posay Mineral Sunscreen Fluid, a lightweight sunscreen that contains skin-soothing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to keep your complexion protected from discoloration, premature aging, and even inflammatory conditions such as acne that can be exacerbated by prolonged exposure to external irritants.

Perfect Your Base

Once your base is prepped, it's now time to perfect it by applying the tiniest bit of a light to medium-coverage concealer, such as the Kosas Revealer Brightening Concealer, to even out the skin in areas like the undereye and hide any visible blemishes.

From there, you can follow up with a thin layer of a tinted serum, such as the ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint, which provides a natural, dewy finish and evens out the surrounding areas, giving your complexion a smooth and radiant appearance without the heavy feeling of traditional foundations.

Remember to maintain a light hand when perfecting the base for the no-makeup makeup look, as the goal is for the look to appear natural, even if that means allowing some imperfections to show through.

A Pop of Color for the Perfect Flush

Continuing with a light hand as we move through the next steps, the following detail that adds to the effortless aesthetic of this makeup look is a subtle flush on the cheeks.

Use a cream or liquid blush like the Saie Dew Blush, in your unique color season for the most flattering result, and gently dab the product onto the apples of your cheeks, blending outwards with your fingers, a dense brush, or a beauty blender for a soft, natural glow.

Avoid using powders as they can appear too heavy or artificial and do not give the same fresh-faced effect as cream-based products.

Add Freckles

While many of us have tried everything, including dubious DIY mixtures, to fade them, maturing is realizing that freckles are the ultimate symbol of a youthful complexion. So, if you are lucky enough to have them, don’t be afraid to rock them with confidence!

However, if you don't but still want to achieve that natural and sun-kissed vibe, you can easily create faux freckles using a fine-tip brow pencil or a freckle liner, such as the Freck Beauty Freck The Original Freckle.

Start by lightly dotting areas where the sun would naturally hit your face, such as the nose bridge, cheeks, and along the hairline. Then, use a clean finger or makeup blender to gently tap and soften your freckles into the skin for a more realistic look. Or, you can try a silly social media hack and use a broccoli floret to stamp freckles onto your skin using a brown eyeshadow or bronzer.

Subtle Eye Enhancements

While you can leave the eyes completely bare, adding a few subtle touches can enhance and brighten your overall appearance without making it obvious you are wearing makeup.

Start by applying a natural eyeshadow shade, such as a soft white, beige, sand, or warm peachy color, to the crease of your eyelid to give it subtle depth and definition. You can even use your bronzer for this step.

Next, you can further accentuate your eyes without adding any harsh lines or visible products by applying brown mascara, such as the Lancôme Définicils High Definition Lengthening Mascara, which has an ultra-thin tip to coat the root of your lashes. This will avoid the appearance of spider lashes and will help you achieve a more natural effect compared to more dramatic black mascaras.

Finally, use a clear or tinted brow gel to lightly groom your arches into place in a few deliberate strokes. The REFY Brow Tint Eyebrow Gel is a long-lasting and easy-to-use gel with a wand that follows the brow's natural shape for a fuller but still effortless look.

Perfectly Glossy Pout

To bring a natural, no-makeup makeup look together, finish with the application of a lip gloss or an oil that won't deliver a super intense shine, but rather give the illusion of healthy and well-hydrated lips. The Fenty Beauty Fenty Treatz Hydrating + Strengthening Lip Oil, a tinted lip oil that contains nourishing ingredients like jojoba and rosehip oil, is perfect for this step as it provides just enough sheen without being sticky or overly glossy and distracting.

You should definitely avoid any lip product with an unnatural or bold color as well as a matte finish that can make the lips look dry and chapped and detract from the effortless vibe of this look.

Lock It All In

To ensure your makeup stays put even under the scorching summer sun and intense humid climates most of our bucket list vacation spots have, lightly mist a setting spray, such as the Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Dewy Setting Spray, all over your face and let it dry. Not only will this lock in the look and prolong its staying power, but will also add a final boost of hydration to your skin and prevent any dryness and a cakey appearance that can ruin even the most picturesque selfie moments.

The no-makeup makeup look may look plain and simple compared to some of the more glamorous beauty trends dominating our social media feeds, but its distinctive appeal lies in its simplicity and the way it embraces natural beauty rather than artistic prowess.

So, instead of hiding your features under layers of heavy makeup this summer, embrace your unique qualities and enhance them with a few effortless touches that will certainly make you feel radiant and even more confident in your skin. Besides, who has time for a full face of makeup when you've got adventure-filled days ahead?

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