“No Makeup” Makeup Tutorial

Products:  Lip Balm.  Primer.  Tinted Moisturizer.  Concealer.  BeautyBlender.  Loose Powder.  Powder Brush.  Blush.  Blush Brush.  Bronzer.  Bronzer Brush.  Highlighter.  Brow Pencil.  Brow Tint.  Cream Eyeshadow.  Eye Liner.  Lash Primer.  Mascara.  Lip Liner.  Lip Crayon.

Decor:  Flowers.  Tray.  Sheepskin Rug.

While living and working in Europe, I collected quite the library of mental notes on the beauty and fashion secrets of European women. I wondered what makes them so alluring, sophisticated, and mysterious?! Many Americans have attempted to discover the mysterious art of the European woman’s je nais se quoi and I was no exception. Although I left Europe with several books on skincare, beauty, and style but no real answer to my question, I did notice a few subtleties that may contribute to that special something women across the pond seem to possess.

One of the first things I noticed was the light-handed makeup application; little-to-none was used (especially on workdays) and yet these women managed to look fresh, glowing, and beautiful. Whereas we American women are often told to cover the tell-tale signs of our sleep-deprived, stressed lives with ever more makeup, these women seemed to illuminate from within using barely-there products. While a major aspect of this is the dedication to skincare most European women maintain, it can’t be argued that their makeup application techniques also play a part.

Staring at my dark circles and blotchy skin in the mirror one morning after a long night at the computer, I decided to recreate the fresh look I wish I had naturally. Many beauty products and years later, I finally figured out a formula that gives this American woman the coverage I feel I need, while feeling light and airy on the skin. Even better, my husband continually compliments me each time I wear this look; telling me I “look so beautiful without makeup”.

So I’m sharing my secrets with you; in the video below, I walk you step-by-step through my “No-Makeup Makeup Look” – sometimes I call it “French Girl Makeup”. I filmed this right after a bachelorette weekend with my friend… So please excuse the results of too much sugar and champagne on my skin! Either way, these products work wonders and I hope you try them… If you do, please let me know how it goes or tag me in a selfie!

As I mention in the video below, this isn’t a “No Makeup Look”… If you’re wanting something with fast application time, take a look at my 5-Minute Daytime Makeup Tutorial. This tutorial isn’t designed to fit within a certain time frame, but is focused on perfecting the skin for an effortless look.

Lip Balm

Find It Here. I love this lip balm because it’s soft and creamy, never greasy. I find it to be a little plumping, and let’s be honest, the packaging looks incredibly chic.

Face Primer

Find It Here. I used to think face primer was an unnecessary extra step in my makeup routine, but now I can’t live without it. This primer smooths over my skin, blurring imperfections, masking pores, and setting the stage to keep my makeup look all day long.

Tinted Moisturizer

Find It Here. A good friend recommended this tinted moisturizer to me and I’m on my second tube. It provides significant sun protection with an SPF of 43. It glides on the skin, giving the skin a smooth canvas and a light dose of color. I rub this product all over my face and down onto my neck. I’m in the color “2”.

Concealer

Find It Here. If you’ve seen my Instagram video with this product, you know how obsessed I am. This concealer is creamy, but not cakey. It provides coverage and highlights at the same time, creating this beautiful, glowy effect. I highlight the middle of my forehead, cheekbones, center of my nose, smile lines, and cupid’s bow. I’m in the color “Ivory”… Go one to two shades lighter than your skin tone to highlight.

Beauty Blender

Find It Here. I’m addicted to this little pink sponge. I wet it under running water, squeeze it out with a towel, and then use it to dab and blend product into my skin. It gives the most dreamy, airbrushed look and blurs imperfections.

Loose Powder

Find It Here.  After primer, tinted moisturizer, and concealer, I like dusting my skin with a light layer of loose powder to set the look and give a mattified appearance. This powder doesn’t look cakey or dry; it’s more of a satin finish on the skin. I’m in the color “Desert” and I like applying it with this brush.

Shimmery Blush

Find It Here.  A Chanel makeup artist used this beautiful blush shade on me before the Chanel Gala Dinner and I absolutely fell in love. “Golden Sun” is a beautiful, sun kissed shade with just the right amount of delicate shimmer that makes your skin glow. I like using it just under the apples of my cheeks for a tiny bit of contouring and glow-from-within look. I like applying it with this brush.

Bronzing Powder

Find It Here. A cult favorite, “Laguna” is the perfect natural-looking bronzing powder. I like to apply mine as contour powder using the blush brush I mentioned above and carving out my temples, cheeks, and jawline. If you’re looking for a softer, more overall bronzed look you can try slightly bigger, fluffier brush.

Highlighter Stick

Find It Here. I use this creamy highlighter stick by dabbing it lightly onto the tip of my nose, cheekbones, and cupid’s bow to give a soft, pretty glow. I love it because the shade “Luxor” has just a hint of iridescent pink to it, which gives a warmth to my skin.

Cream Eyeshadow

Find it here. This is the best cream eyeshadow… I dab this on every time I want a quick, easy look with just a touch of coverage and sheen. I’m using the color “Bare Study” above but if you’re looking to cover discoloration and veins as well, I’d recommend another one of my favorites “Soft Ochre” which is matte with a more pigmented yellow tone.

Brow Pencil + Brow Gel

Find Pencil + Gel Here. My all-time favorite brow pencil (I wear the color “Taupe”) is creamy, smooth, and fills in sparse brows like none other. I top my brows with the tinted gel in “Medium” to volumize, slightly darken, and keep brow hairs in place.

Eye Liner

Find it here. I’ve been obsessed with this eye liner for years now. It’s so creamy and soft, never irritates my eyes, comes in the prettiest colors, and has a smudger on the end to create blended, smoky looks. I’m using the shade “Intense Ivy” above.

Lash Primer + Mascara

Find Primer + Mascara Here. In the video above, I skip my usual lash primer and volumizing mascara because I currently have lash extensions. Mine are done by Glamour Bar in Denver… If you’re local, mention me/my blog for $50 off. And if you’re interested in lash extensions, keep an eye on my Instagram account… A giveaway and Q+A are coming soon!

Nude Lip Liner

Find It Here. This lip liner in “Pillowtalk” is the creamiest nude-pink lip liner that gives a plump look to lips. I slightly over-line mine and it creates natural-looking fullness and volume.

Lip Crayon

Find It Here. I love this lip crayon in “Rikugien” because it’s such a versatile shade; it looks great on lips any time of the year. I love the natural-looking color and the satin texture. Be sure to apply on top of the lip liner for a more seamless look.