By Sophie Joaman • August 2, 2022 • 6 mins read
Sometimes less is more with makeup. Some days scream minimal makeup. Some days are no makeup makeup days. Sometimes, we might just not feel like putting on foundation or applying a full face of makeup and that’s totally ok!
In fact, it’s great, because it gives us the chance to embrace a much more low-key side of beauty while still enjoying makeup.
If you’re ready to embrace your natural side, then check out our step-by-step guide to creating the best minimal, foundation-free makeup.
First and most importantly, you must prep your skin in order to get the best out of it. You’ll feel much more confident and at your best with this makeup look if you put in the work at the beginning.
Start by cleansing your face with a good cleanser and warm water to get rid of any impurities that may already be sitting on the skin. Exfoliating your face is also a great way to remove impurities, old makeup build-up and pollutants from the skin.
By prepping your skin, you are creating an even base that will help you to feel your most confident.
After cleansing, you can then apply your serum. One with Vitamin C or Hyaluronic Acid can help to brighten up the skin and keep you looking refreshed for much longer. Apply a few drops and massage into your clean skin for the most effectiveness.
Next, you can go in with your moisturiser and again add a few drops to your face and neck, making sure to really massage into the skin. Leave the moisturiser soaking into your skin for a couple of minutes before moving on for the best results.
Are there any other steps to prepping your skin that will guarantee gorgeous, glowing skin? We’re glad you asked, because yes…
You can also add a couple of drops of facial oil to your skin (completely optional) for extra hydration and a boost to your natural glow. Go sparingly with the oil but also make sure to massage into your skin and again leave to set for a few moments.
A lot of foundations nowadays come with SPF in them and while you should also use SPF regardless to protect your precious skin from the sun, this is even more important in the absence of foundation.
Your skin is going to be a lot more exposed and susceptible to damage from UV rays, (no matter what time of year) so always apply SPF to your face to keep you safe.
Then just like you would do when you wear foundation, make sure to prime your skin. You can choose to use a primer with a tint if you want a slight coverage or you could even opt for a primer that comes with colour correctors to even out your skin tone.
Whatever your preference and requirements, applying a primer is the best way to keep your skin looking gorgeous and glowing throughout the day. Add an even layer of your primer to your clean skin and leave it to set in place.
While you’re not using foundation, there may be areas of your skin that you think need a little helping hand. So we don’t think it’s cheating to say that you can use concealer at this point.
However, make sure to use your concealer sparingly and only where you need it most. This is usually applicable to any blemishes, dark shadows and spots.
Dab on a little concealer to those areas and with your beauty blender or brush ensure that it is completely blended into the skin.
This is one of the most defining parts of a foundation-free look that can take your minimal makeup to the next level. Filling in your brows with a pencil can add in that little bit of glam while keeping your minimal makeup looking fresh and natural.
With this look, you want to choose a colour that is as close to your natural eyebrow shade as possible. Then you are going to gently brush the product through your brows making sure to avoid any harsh lines which will take away from the ‘natural’ finish you’re going for.
Defining your brows just enough so that they look done without making them look heavy is the key takeaway here.
Blusher is a great product to add to your minimal makeup because it helps to create the illusion of natural rosy cheeks. Adding in some colour is one of the best ways to make yourself look radiant and youthful too.
Take your blusher shade, whether in a cream or powder formula and add a little to your brush before gently patting it into the apples of your cheeks.
With blusher, you really want to make sure that it is blended in well enough that it looks like a flush to the skin, rather than a harsh colour that has been purposely applied.
Another step that will take your minimal makeup look to stratospheric new heights is to apply a coat or two of mascara. Curling your eyelashes with a curler can really open up your eyes. While adding some lengthening mascara gives you that subtle glam.
With a minimal makeup look, you can of course choose to add some refined eyeshadow or liner, but ultimately if you want to keep it as minimal as possible, mascara is going to be your best friend.
It will give you that fresh ‘just woken up’ look and leave you feeling your best powerful self.
The final step to tie up your minimal makeup, no foundation look is to pay some attention to your lips by adding a natural lip stain, gloss or even a tinted balm, if you’d prefer.
A bit of colour on your lips will truly enhance the rest of your makeup and make the look pop, so think of shades in pink, gentle reds and neutral tones. Bonus points if your gloss or balm is also moisturising your lips at the same time.
The best thing about this entire minimal makeup look is the self-care and good-feeling vibes that come from it.
There you go, seven easy steps to mastering the no foundation, minimal makeup look. Minimal makeup is a quick and easy way to apply your makeup on days when you don’t want to wear foundation. But it is also an extension of you.
The look highlights your gorgeous features in a very down-to-earth and natural way. That’s why we think you should give the minimal makeup trend a go today and see for yourself just how good you look and feel.