While we love a full face of glam, it’s nice to switch things up with a natural makeup look from time to time. Natural makeup looks typically don’t include the likes of bold red lipstick or glittery lids, but they’re not quite as minimal as a ”no-makeup” makeup look, either. Basically, natural looks strike a balance that makes them equally suitable for everyday wear and special occasions.
The best part is, achieving glowy, natural-looking makeup is simple, as long as you have the right products and techniques. To help you ensure that your makeup looks natural in the best way, we’re sharing some of our makeup tips, tricks, and favorite products, below.
Natural makeup is all about keeping things simple and subtle, and that starts with your base. You’ll probably want to set aside your full-coverage foundation in favor of something with lighter, more natural-looking coverage. Some great options to consider include tinted serums, tinted moisturizers, and semi-sheer foundations.
Beyond your base, you may also need the other usual suspects: concealer, mascara, blush, bronzer, and lip gloss or lipstick. Some natural looks will use all of these, while others might only require a product or two. It all depends on your personal preferences and the look you’re going for. With that said, keep in mind that most natural makeup looks tend to work best with cream or liquid formulas (rather than powder or overly matte formulas)—these types of products are great for creating a natural, dewy-looking finish.
To keep your makeup looking natural, opt for light-, sheer-, and natural-coverage formulas. Powder formulas should typically be avoided, as they can cover your skin’s natural texture. When overapplied, powers can also sometimes settle into fine lines and pores or appear too cakey for a natural look (more on that ahead).
The trick to achieving a makeup look that enhances your natural features is to use products that create a skin-like finish. This will give the illusion that you’re bare-faced, even when you’re not. Using a makeup sponge can also help—when you use a damp sponge to apply your makeup, the finish should appear glowing, blended, and natural.
A natural makeup look doesn’t always mean fewer products or steps, it just means you use lighter coverage, cream or liquid formulas, and a light hand. Here’s how to build a natural makeup routine, step by step.
A good natural makeup routine doesn’t actually start with makeup—skincare comes first. Moisturizer, in particular, is an essential step that helps prep your skin for makeup. The L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Micro Hyaluronic Acid + Ceramides Line-Plumping Water Cream is one great option for all skin types. It absorbs quickly and deeply hydrates the skin while helping to plump fine lines.
Priming your skin is ultra important if you want your makeup to last, and in some cases, it can even help cut down on the amount of foundation that you need to achieve even coverage. For a primer that promotes healthy-looking, radiant skin, try the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Makeup Blurring Face Primer Infused with Serum. Or, if you’re prone to redness and uneven skin tone, reach for a color-correcting primer like the L’Oréal Paris Prime Lab Up to 24 H Redness Eraser.
For natural makeup looks, you want a base product that works with your complexion, as opposed to trying to hide it. Here are a few of our favorite hydrating formulas.
L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect 4-in-1 Tinted Face Balm Foundation: We love multi-tasking makeup, and this medium-coverage foundation balm fits the bill perfectly. The unique formula applies like a balm and offers buildable coverage for natural makeup looks. Plus, it helps smooth lines, even skin tone, and firm the skin over time.
L’Oréal Paris Skin Paradise Water Infused Tinted Moisturizer: We love this tinted moisturizer! It comes in 14 shades and can be applied with your fingertips. It blends into the skin seamlessly to create a naturally radiant base in minutes.
L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Foundation: This buildable-coverage foundation provides a skin-like finish, so you can keep your makeup looking natural. With 47 shades organized by undertone, you can find the ideal match for your skin.
L’Oréal Paris True Match Hyaluronic Tinted Serum: Reach for this tinted serum if you want natural-looking coverage with a consistency that’s inspired by your favorite skincare products. Infused with 1% hyaluronic acid, this hybrid formula leaves your skin feeling hydrated and looking visibly smoother and brighter with consistent use. It’s available in 14 shades and makes an ideal pick for anyone seeking a natural, luminous finish.
For some of us, a tinted moisturizer might not cut it when it comes to coverage. When you’re wearing a light base, a full-coverage concealer can be really helpful for adding more coverage in the areas where you need it. Use a concealer sparingly on any problem areas and blemishes, but keep the rest of your base light. We suggest the hyaluronic acid-infused L’Oréal Paris True Match Radiant Serum Concealer because it conceals imperfections and helps hydrate the skin, all with a gorgeous, radiant finish.
To keep your face looking as fresh and natural as possible, skip the contour and use a light blush tone to accentuate your cheeks and bone structure. The L’Oréal Paris True Match Blush adds a flush of natural-looking color to your cheeks and blends evenly for a smooth, natural-looking finish.
To accentuate your cheekbones, try using a bronzing powder, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Bronzer. The soft matte formula melts into the skin, so it won’t look cakey or emphasize texture. If you’d prefer a creamy formula, reach for L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer in a slightly darker shade than you’d normally use. Apply it to the high points of your face for a soft, sun-kissed glow.
Adding a hint of blush to your cheeks can help make your complexion look more natural. After all, bare skin usually isn’t completely flat—it has a natural rosy finish.
After blush, we recommend applying a liquid highlighter, like the L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer. This hydrating glow lotion with glycerin and shea butter adds luminosity for a healthy-looking, natural finish. The formula can be worn on its own, under foundation, or as a highlighter on the upper cheek and brow bones—making it a great tool to have in your natural makeup arsenal.
Long lashes always complete a makeup look, even if you’re going for something natural. The L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Original Mascara separates and lengthens for natural-looking, clump-free fringe. You may want to consider reaching for the Black Brown shade versus one of the black shades, however, since the color is a bit softer.
Similarly, swapping out your usual black eyeliner for brown will help keep your eyes defined without appearing too overdone. We suggest using the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Mechanical Gel Eyeliner in Brown Denim to add definition to your makeup look.
As for eyeshadow, you don’t have to skip it altogether to get a natural look. Simply reconsider which shades you reach for. Earthy browns, beiges, and creams are perfect for subtle, natural looks.
Use a clear, quick-dry brow gel, like the L’Oréal Paris Unbelieva-Brow Longwear Brow Topcoat, Waterproof Universal Transparent, to sculpt your arches into place. If you have any sparse areas, use a brow pencil to lightly fill them in. We recommend the L’Oréal Paris Brow Stylist Definer Mechanical Waterproof Eyebrow Pencil—the ultra-fine tip and built-in spoolie are perfect for creating natural-looking brows.
To complete your natural makeup look, apply a sheer, hydrating gloss, like L’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Lip Balm-in-Gloss Pomegranate Extract. The lightweight gloss moisturizes and conditions while adding a wash of sheer, natural-looking color.
Lock your look in place with a lightweight setting mist, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Spray and Set Make-Up Oil-Free Setting Spray. Hold the bottle six to eight inches from your face and spray it four to six times to lightly saturate each section of your face. And voilà: Your natural makeup look is complete!
Sometimes, a makeup look is so good, you want to wear it every day. This is one of those! Start with a light-coverage foundation or tinted moisturizer. Then, apply a neutral eyeshadow in a soft, earthy tone. Use brown mascara for natural lash definition, then lightly fill in your eyebrows with a pencil or powder. To finish, choose a nude or natural-toned lipstick or lip gloss.
Dewy skin continues to be one of the biggest beauty trends, and we certainly aren’t mad about it. To incorporate the trend into your natural makeup look, begin with a dewy-finish foundation or BB cream. Then, apply a cream blush in a rosy hue to the apples of your cheeks. To round out the look, use a subtle highlighter on the high points of your face before topping off your lashes with just a touch of mascara.
Smoky eyes may seem reserved for glam makeup looks, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Apply a neutral-toned eyeshadow on your eyelids first, then use a soft brown or gray eyeliner to define your lash line. Blend the eyeliner for a softer, smoky effect. Next, curl your lashes and apply a coat of brown mascara. Keep your lips natural with a nude lipstick or gloss as the final step.
Whether you are looking to brighten up your face in the midst of winter or need a vacation-friendly makeup look that won’t feel like “too much” on the beach, a glowy, sunkissed look will serve you well. Use a bronzer to add warmth to the perimeters of your face, then apply a peachy or coral blush to the high points of your cheeks. Keep the eye makeup simple with a light, shimmery eyeshadow. To finish, curl your lashes, apply mascara, and apply a lip tint or a sheer lip color in a natural shade.
This fresh-faced makeup look might just be one of the easiest ways to do your makeup. You can skip foundation and instead use a tinted moisturizer or BB cream. Then, conceal any blemishes or redness, and apply a barely-there eyeshadow (or skip eyeshadow altogether). To finish, use a clear brow gel to groom your eyebrows.
A little radiance can go a long way, and that’s the thesis behind this subtle look. After moisturizing, prime your skin with a thin layer of the L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer. Layer a dewy foundation on top, then blend a touch of cream blush onto your cheeks, and add a few light strokes of mascara. A swipe of nude lip gloss in a shade only slightly darker than your natural lips will be the perfect finishing touch.
Earth tones are endlessly flattering and always in style. To create this look, blend neutral eyeshadows across your lids, then use a brown kohl eyeliner to softly define your eyes. Opt for bronzed cheeks to brighten your face, and a coordinated, muted brown on your lips.
Take inspiration from the French Girl beauty aesthetic with this chic look. To start, apply a lightweight foundation, then add a hint of peachy blush on the apples of your cheeks. Next, comb up your brows for a natural feel, and dab on a rosy-tinted lip balm with your fingertips.
A more natural take on the soft-glam beauty trend, this look uses shimmers and gold to add dimension. Apply a veil of a dewy-finish foundation, then subtly contour under your cheekbones. Gild your lids with a warm gold eyeshadow before curling your lashes and swiping on a dark brown or black mascara. For a little extra definition, you can also tightline your eyes. Complete the look with a coat of peachy nude lip gloss.
This skin-first beauty look uses only five products to help you look like a more groomed version of your natural self. Using your fingertips, apply a light layer of tinted moisturizer. Next, skip the pencil and use only a clear brow gel to tame your arches. Apply a touch of mascara and opt for a lip stain for a barely-there, natural appearance. Last but not least, mist some setting spray across your face to lock it all in.
Attending a wedding? We know just the look. Apply a natural-finish foundation, then use two matte brown eyeshadows (a light and a medium shade) to subtly define your eye shape. Softly define your lashes with mascara, then sweep on your favorite nude lip liner and lipstick. Finally, blend a peachy-nude blush onto the apples of your cheeks.
If you love colorful makeup and find that the nudes and beiges traditionally used in natural makeup looks just aren’t vibrant enough for you, opt for soft oranges, pinks, and corals. On your lids, blend together soft orange and pink eyeshadows, then apply a peachy blush to your upper cheekbones. Curl your lashes, swipe on a dark brown mascara, and dab on some coral lip tint with your fingertips to complete your warm sunset-inspired look.
This look proves it is possible to achieve glamorous yet natural-looking makeup. Apply a medium-to-full coverage foundation, then apply a soft pink blush to the tops of your cheeks. Next, skip the eyeshadow but apply winged eyeliner. Lastly, apply a glossy nude lipstick.
This look is about as minimal as it gets. Use a clear mascara on your lashes and brows, then apply a moisturizing lip balm for a truly natural and effortless look. You can stop there, or add a touch of concealer if needed.
No-makeup makeup, natural makeup, and minimalist makeup may all sound the same, but they vary slightly in the amount of products used. This is a true no-makeup makeup look, as it takes your application back to basics. Keep your skin natural except for a little concealer, then groom your brows with clear brow gel. A light layer of mascara and a tiny amount of tinted lip balm are all you need to finish this almost imperceptible, no-makeup look.
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Photo Courtesy of L'Oréal Paris
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