Sheer perfection: how to get flawless undone skin.
Want to look as fresh-faced and dewy as Selena Gomez or Hailey Bieber? Drama aside, these style icons are pros at letting their natural beauty shine.
There’s lots to love about the undone skin trend that these two rock so well: it’s stunning yet subtle, making it ideal for everyday wear. And you only need minimal product to get it right, making it *almost* as effortless as it seems!
Plus, this pared-back look takes half the usual time it takes to complete a full face but slays just as hard.
Here we share the best products and techniques to achieve a flawless no-makeup makeup look that you’ll keep coming back to.
What is the no-makeup makeup look?
Undone skin, also known as the no-makeup makeup look or the barely-there makeup look, is all about enhancing your features and achieving a lit-from-within glow – but without the obvious use of makeup.
Sound tricky? Don’t fret – undone skin is easily doable with the right products and a little know-how. The secret lies in prepping your face with skincare before applying light layers of makeup to achieve a flawless complexion, some soft definition and a natural flush.
Here’s how…
Prepping your barely-there makeup look.
No amount of makeup can replicate the luminosity that comes from within. We need to start with a good foundation of healthy, hydrated skin to get that gorgeous glow.
The optimal no-makeup makeup skincare routine would include:
- Hyaluronic acid – This winter skincare staple helps your skin retain water, leaving it plump and dewy. Do you have sensitive skin? You’ll be happy to hear that hyaluronic acid is naturally produced in the body, so it’s unlikely to cause any irritation (yay!).
- Vitamin C – Brighten up, buttercup! Vitamin C is your ticket to reducing redness and achieving a radiant complexion. The skin-smoothing Sunday Riley C.E.O 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum is packed with the stuff.
- Glycerin – This humectant draws water to the skin, leaving it moisturised and supple. Glycerin is in most skincare products, so keep an eye out for it when nabbing supplies.
- Lactic acid – Both a humectant and an exfoliant, this powerhouse ingredient gives you a double whammy of goodness. Our rec is The Ordinary’s Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2%, which removes dead skin cells while providing multi-depth hydration.
Undone skin is all about nailing the base.
Time to prime! Try using a hydrating primer to keep your skin quenched all day long.
One cult favourite is the Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base. Trust us, it’s worth the hype. This multivitamin-enriched primer provides essential nourishment while gripping your foundation. Apply all over and let your skin drink up the goodness.
Alternatively, you can opt for an illuminating base and really get your glow on. Known for its magically long-lasting effects, Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter is our top choice – it blurs, it smooths, it brightens. And we can’t get enough.
Ultimately, your primer is your secret weapon for achieving that coveted lit-up complexion. So don’t skip it!
Must-have products to enhance your natural features.
With undone skin, the aim is to use less makeup but in a smarter way – one that emphasises your natural features.
Bronzer and highlighter are the best products for enhancing your natural face shape with some light contouring – emphasis on ‘light’! We don’t want the finished look to be overly dramatic or sculpted. A single swipe of something silky like Huda Beauty’s GloWish Soft Radiance Bronzing Powder is all you need. Be sure to blend well for a seamless look.
For barely-there brows, a clear gel is ideal. The extra-strong Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze is a top choice, providing a lifted, feathered effect for those model off-duty vibes. After more fullness? You can opt for a tinted formula or fill in sparse spots with a pencil.
Remember, the guiding principle here is less is more. This goes for your eyes too. Consider a touch of brown mascara on the top or bottom lashes, or skip it altogether.
Finish your undone skin with some colour.
Now let’s add a pop of colour to bring it all together. But don’t forget: we’re keeping it low-key, so go easy, queen.
For the lips, steer clear of heavy lipstick in favour of a lip stain. Dior’s Semi-Matte Addict Lip Tint delivers long-lasting colour, and it feels like you’re wearing nothing at all. There’s a generous palette available, so you’re sure to find a shade that flatters your natural skin tone.
Rare Beauty’s Soft Pinch Liquid Blush has hit viral status. Ultra-pigmented and perfect for blending, this buildable formula will 100% make you look like you’ve just received the nicest compliment of all time. We love!
Get your undone skin essentials with Afterpay.
Gorgeous, easy and ideal for everyday wear, the no-makeup makeup look is one to master. After all, enhancing your natural beauty will never go out of style!
You can nab your natural makeup essentials right now with Afterpay. By splitting your purchase into interest-free instalments, you can spend smarter while you blend smarter. Go off, sis!
