Everyone wants to look natural and beautiful. Gone are the days when it was considered worth covering yourself in a thick layer of makeup—the new ideals of beauty call for you to shamelessly flaunt your imperfections.

The “natural” look has gained a vast fan base among celebrities, off-duty models, and modern brides. Its effortless appeal is charming.

Unfortunately, not everybody is blessed with perfect skin. A little makeup here and there will smooth out your skin tone, charitable it a natural, healthy glow. Whether you are planning to go to a casual brunch, a business party, or even a reception, this barely there makeup will be a hit.

Like the icing on the cake, it does not require a ton of makeup, leaving your skin happy and breathing.

Here are the eight steps I follow to achieve a flawless “no makeup” look every time.

1. Cleanse.

It all starts with a clean canvas. Properly prepping your skin is the most critical step to achieving a natural result. I use a gentle exfoliating scrub to remove dead skin cells, excess oil, and impurities, then thoroughly cleanse my face. This instantly refreshes my face, revealing baby-soft skin.

2. Hydrate and Protect.

After cleansing, you want to restore and seal in your skin’s moisture levels. First, apply a serum based on your active ingredients (Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Retinoid, etc.). I currently use Vitamin C. After that, I use a mattifying lotion since I have oily, acne-prone skin. For dry/mature skin, a thicker moisturiser is best. Don’t forget to moisturise the skin around your eyes with a gel/cream. You will see elastic, radiant, mirror-like skin. And finally, I fix everything with a high SPF sunscreen that does not leave white spots.

3. Blend your foundation.

After a thorough skincare routine, we’re ready to move on to makeup. I skipped this step, but if you have issues with blemishes, pigmentation, or other imperfections, go ahead. Apply concealer to problem areas and pat it with your fingers, a sponge, or a brush until fully absorbed. Finish with a lightweight liquid foundation to conceal any imperfections. The secret is to blend it perfectly with your base, creating a second-skin effect.

4. Blend with blush.

A soft touch of blush will give your face a natural flush. Powder blushes look great on oily skin, while cream blushes blend perfectly on dry skin. I applied a slight blush to the apples of my cheeks and left the rest on my nose. You can also use lip and cheek tints to highlight your cheekbones and plump lips. Don’t overdo it, use a small amount and go for it. This light accent of colour will create the most flattering blush.

5. Be radiant.

Highlighters rule our hearts, don’t they? They work wonders when it comes to creating that radiant glow. Remember that the highlighter shade should blend with your skin tone for a natural glow. For example, a gold highlighter will look too bright in the sun. The best product should naturally illuminate the skin without adding too much colour. I usually highlight the centre of my face, cheekbones, and temples. A little dab on the brow bones and tear ducts will add dewiness.

6. Brush and curl.

As a minimalist, I like to highlight my features without any additional makeup. To add definition, I curl my lashes tightly with an eyelash curler. A light coat of mascara is enough to give them volume and length. For my brows, I apply brow gel, following the natural direction of the hair growth, which effectively lengthens and trims them.

7. Let the lips speak for themselves.

Plump, dewy lips with a hint of colour are among the most attractive and essential elements of a no-makeup look. Remember to gently blot your lips before applying lipstick. I first use a tinted balm on my lips, then lightly blend it with my finger to make them look plumper.

8. Set the look.

Finally, spray a refreshing face mist or setting spray to set your makeup. This will prevent your makeup from smudging, prevent creasing and pores, and ensure an even finish. This is an important step, especially if you’ve been wearing makeup for a long time.

Extra tip:

Don’t forget to apply all your skincare and makeup to your neck to maintain an even complexion.

The quintessence of a no-makeup makeup look is a fresh, dewy face with a healthy glow and airbrushed skin.

Also, makeup is a personal thing. What suits my skin type may not suit you. Feel free to experiment with different products and makeup steps to find the best.