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I love a no-makeup makeup look because it still looks like me. I have always preferred makeup as an enhancer, whether that is a red lip, a little definition around the eyes, or just enough color to make my skin look fresh and awake. For that soft, dewy finish, the product I reach for most is the Ogee Crystal Contour Collection. It gives me the fresh-faced, glowing effect I want without making the makeup feel heavy or overdone.
Start with skincare
I also believe my skincare routine is an important part of the base for my no makeup, makeup look. I believe proper skincare is the foundation of any good makeup look, whether it is a natural aesthetic or otherwise. Invest in a good cleanser, toner, and moisturizer that will work well for your skin type. Once my skincare is in a good place, I can keep the makeup itself very simple.
How I keep the look natural
These sticks blend easily and are simple to control, which matters when the goal is to look polished without looking heavily made up. A few things I keep in mind:
- Keep it minimal. When it comes to a natural makeup look, less is definitely more. If you have to layer on too much, it’s probably not the correct shade or colorway for your complexion.
- If I need it, I use just a little concealer to even out darker areas, especially under the eyes.
- A few swipes of volumizing and lengthening mascara, and a nude or complementary skin tone lip balm to finish the look.
And that is really it. Whether you simply prefer a lighter makeup look or want to spend less time getting ready, the goal is the same: enhance what is already there and keep the finished look fresh, soft, and easy.
Why I started doing this look myself
I hired my niece to do my makeup for my wedding. She is a wiz with contouring, layering, shading…all the things I don’t do. But I knew she would understand how to enhance my looks without making me feel unnatural. In fact, my husband pulled her aside and asked her not to send me down the aisle with a face he wouldn’t recognize, LOL. My natural face is the face he absolutely loves. After watching how she did my makeup, I decided I could manage to create a soft, natural aesthetic on the days I want to add a little bit of oomph to my look. I call this my, “no makeup look for beginners.”
If you want to see the Ogee Crystal Contour Collection I use, you can find it here. As always, I only share products that fit how I actually get ready and what I genuinely reach for.
If you are curious about the skin part of this whole look, I also wrote about what happened when I tried the Dr. Dennis Gross peels. And because mascara is one of the few things I will absolutely bother with on a light-makeup day, here is my Tarte vs. L’Oréal comparison.