How To Build a Natural Makeup Routine, Plus 15 Fresh-Faced Looks
Natural makeup with glowy skin is always a gorgeous combination.
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 about achieving glowy, natural-looking makeup is that it’s simple with the right products and techniques. To help ensure that your makeup looks natural in the best way, we’re sharing some of our makeup tips, tricks, and favorite products below. Keep scrolling to learn how to do natural makeup for any event or vibe.
Hey guys my name is Abby and in today's video I'm gonna be showing you guys how I got this perfect natural no makeup makeup look using all products from L'Oréal Paris The key to getting a perfect no makeup makeup look is to make your makeup look like it's not even there at all so that's what we're gonna do in this video For foundation today I'm gonna be wearing a tint which is the L'Oréal Paris Lumi Le Glow Tint I'm gonna be combining both neutrals But I also like to amp it up a little bit and add color 200 they're both very neutral natural shades but sometimes I like to be a little more tan So my preference is kind of to always get two colors a to be safe b because most professional makeup artist will always mix two colors together It has a very moisturizing finish just kind of like mix them up so I can just get the perfect shade range for my face The best way to apply a tint which is different than a foundation it finishes similar to a foundation but it doesn't sit on top it really soaks in and it gives you that really natural no makeup makeup finish which is what we're going for As you can see these two colors mixed together is perfect if anything I wanna add a little bit more of the lighter color but you can see it is covering You can see this little freckle right here It's definitely a good medium coverage tint Of course it's buildable so you can start really light and then you can build up to add a little bit more coverage depending on your preference Always using your ring finger and middle finger to blend anything in circular motions It is undetectable it's glowy but it doesn't move around it doesn't have like a slip to it but it feels moisturized Just kind of like became one with my skin and it's not patchy at all It's like it's perfect So you always wanna go for a skin tint if you have aging skin, mature skin if you want a natural no makeup makeup look If you don't want it to look like you're wearing makeup at all but you wanna cancel out your redness any acne scarring this is your best friend Next up we have the L'Oréal Paris True Match Serum Concealer Also has caffeine and hyaluronic acid so it's going to really plump up the under eyes and brighten them at the same time I always like to take the concealer on the back of my hand like this just using a tiny bit we really don't need much I really love this doe foot applicator by the way that's a very very good applicator The color I'm using is N3 again my color is neutral undertones so n neutral 3 light I love to use just any simple concealer brush for this or you again could use your hands but my favorite method is to use a brush personally and what I do is I dab the concealer off from the back of my hand just using a tiny tiny tiny tiny bit and a little bit goes a long way You can see that did an excellent job just one pass at covering up all of my under eyes So that's amazing and then I always take you can see how veiny I am and I'm just running this over my lids kind of in circular motions but mainly in padding motions and then anywhere else if you have acne if you have scars if you wanna cover anything you can go ahead and do that with this concealer As you can see it just covers up everything perfectly Next up we have the L'Oréal Paris Lumi Le Liquid Blush and I'm in color 605 Super pigmented blush which we love it also is very long wearing because of its pigment Blush is usually the first thing to go It has this big doe foot applicator which I love again on the back of my hand this tiny amount I'm gonna show you is going to go a very long way You just wanna use a super simple blush brush and I'm gonna go in with this product and just blending it on the back of my hand as if it's my cheek because if you can imagine this much blush on my cheek right now would be kind of crazy and so we wanna control the amount that we start with and we can always add and always build So using the back of my hand again smile a tiny bit just see where the apples of your cheeks are and kind of go above that a little bit because we're trying to give an illusion The whole no makeup makeup look is really an illusion that your face is perfect and flawless without anything on it right So again we wanna give the illusion of it being lifted so we're gonna kind of amplify natural features by just kind of putting things a little bit higher than you would think they should go So as you can see that all led up to this tiny amount and now you don't look like a clown with like so much blush on your cheek This is in Dewy Bright Pink 605 I'll go in on my lids and I will just give it a little love No makeup makeup look we want to bring the colors all together and make it look like cohesive makeup look So matching my eyelids to my blush and my bronzer it's kind of like my hack of not having to use a bunch of products but still giving your eyes some life and depth This is a L'Oréal Paris Lumi Glotion and I'm in color 904 Deep Glow and this is what it looks like on the back of my hand Before I even start blending you can see it is just this deep golden bronze just giving summer all over again and it has this really nice pigment to it that's not too crazy but it's just gonna make you look sunkissed So the places we like to put this product is up along the forehead because if you think about where the sun is going to hit you we think sun kissed That is gonna be along this line of the forehead just put this kind of into and below that blush a little bit just to give that nice bronzy finish and bring it on my lids because again a little depth on the lids never hurt anybody it just gives your eyes a little bit more dimension This is the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Brow Lamination up to 24 hour hold and this is what the spoolie looks like I go into the brows and kind of just working it backwards into the brow hairs like so This brow gel is amazing because it doesn't cake up and clump and it doesn't look super flaky by the end of the day if that's ever happened to you So now that it's kind of set in place just across the top and I pull down just to give those hairs some placements so they don't look like they're standing straight up but they are still up and in place Moving onto lips which is my favorite part This is the Colour Riche Lip Liner in color Worth It It's such a pretty color and this is also a twist tube with like a really nice pale pink, it's my favorite combination especially for a no makeup makeup day Just overlining you can see that color it looks like I just made my lips a little bit bigger but it's so natural that you can't even tell that it's not my real lip That is technically a lip shadow which would make your lips look like they're even more like open if that makes sense Such a creamy hydrating lip liner it's not dry at all like I can't stand those really dry lip liners Not for me That's so pretty I love it Next up is the L'Oréal Paris Lash Paradise Mascara L'Oréal does make the best mascaras and this is what the spoolie looks like very full but it's also very controllable it's not like really clumpy Blackest Black Couple passes and I only again on these new makeup makeup days I just like to do the top lashes This is a mascara that I would reach for all the time it does not run it does not flake it lasts all day it separates the lashes perfectly the ends of my lashes are not thick at all it's just I mean you can see that transformation immediately I just feel like I woke up Next up we have the L'Oréal Paris Lumi Le Glass Highlighter Stick in Glassy Pearl This is what it looks like on the back of my hand you can see that shine and that glow I always go in with my fingers and then just tap it in The glow that that just gave me so good It's underneath the brow on my nose To top off the lips we have the L'Oréal Paris Plump Ambition Lip Oil and this is in color Worth It It is going to just finalize and bring this look together I love a hydrated glowy lip It has hyaluronic acid in it too so it's just like very moisturizing and plumping and if you have really dry lips it's like hyaluronic acid in your lip product amazing I am shook like I can't even I mean it's crazy this looks so good It was so easy to do I hope you guys learned a thing or two about how to get the perfect no makeup makeup look and how to just feel youthful in your skin again and not feel like you have a bunch of makeup on your face and like no matter what you do it just makes you look older I want you to feel youthful and fresh and glowy always so I hope this video helped you guys If you wanna learn more about the products that I used in this video please visit lorealparisusa.com and all the products that I mentioned are going to be linked below Bye guys
Have questions about this article? Ask me! I'm Beauty Genius, your AI Beauty Assistant.
What Do You Need To Create a Natural Makeup Look?
Natural makeup is all about keeping things simple and subtle, and that starts with your base. It’s best to set aside your full-coverage foundation in favor of something lighter and more translucent. Some great options to consider include tinted serums, tinted moisturizers, and sheer coverage foundations.
Beyond your base, you may also want to grab your everyday essentials: 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 preference 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 products are generally more effective in creating a natural, dewy-looking finish.
How Can I Make My Makeup Look Natural?
To keep your makeup looking natural, opt for light-, sheer-, and natural-coverage formulas. You should typically avoid powder formulas, as they can cover your skin’s natural texture. When overapplied, powers can also sometimes settle into fine lines and pores, contributing to a cakey or unnatural finish (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 result. 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.
How To Create a Natural Makeup Routine
A natural makeup look doesn’t always mean fewer products or steps; it just means using lighter coverage, cream or liquid formulas, and a light hand. Here’s how to build a natural makeup routine, step by step.
1. Prep your skin
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, making it ideal for morning applications (especially when you’re short on time).
2. Prime your skin
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 radiant-looking skin, try the L’Oréal Paris Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer. Select the shade closest to your skin tone and smooth it over your face for instant hydration and a natural-looking glow.
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3. Choose a light-coverage foundation or tinted moisturizer
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 options.
L’Oréal Paris Lumi Le Glow Skin Tint
Give your skin a healthy-looking, soft-lit glow with this weightless skin tint. The formula, which comes in 16 shades, is made with reflective pearls, blurring pigments, and an 82% hydrating serum to give your complexion a second-skin finish.
L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Foundation
This buildable, medium-coverage foundation provides a skin-like result, 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.
4. Go light on concealer
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 L’Oréal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer up to 24 H Full Coverage because it offers long-wearing, matte coverage with an ultra-pigmented formula.
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5. Put down the contour stick
To keep your face looking as fresh and natural as possible, skip the contour and use blush to accentuate your cheeks and bone structure. We’re partial to the L’Oréal Paris Lumi Le Liquid Blush in shades like Dewy Worth It, Dewy Bright Pink, or Dewy Rich Coral. The liquid formulas boast buildable pigments that add a dewy, natural-looking wash of color to your cheeks to help pull your whole look together.
6. Add a touch of bronzer
Try using a bronzing powder like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Bronzer to further accentuate your cheekbones. 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 the aforementioned L’Oréal Paris Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer in a slightly darker shade than you’d normally use. This hydrating glow lotion with glycerin and shea butter adds luminosity for a healthy-looking, natural finish. Apply it to the areas where the sun might naturally tan your skin, such as your nose, cheekbones, and along your hairline.
7. Apply highlighter
Adding a hint of highlighter 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 cream highlighter, like the L’Oréal Paris Lumi Le Glass Highlighter Stick. The easy-to-apply stick format glides effortlessly over the skin, delivering a reflective, multi-dimensional glow in one swipe. Take your pick from six hues: three glass shades for a translucent finish and three glow shades for a luminous satin glow.
If liquid highlighters are more your speed, try the aforementioned L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer. You can wear the formula 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.
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8. Apply soft, neutral eye makeup
Long lashes always complete your look, even if you’re going for something natural. The L’Oréal Paris Big Deal Buildable Washable Mascara offers endlessly buildable volume and length and is a favorite of ours for a natural makeup look. However, you may want to consider reaching for the Black Brown shade versus our Black or Blackest Black shades 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.
9. Fill in your brows
Use a clear brow gel, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24HR Brow Lamination, 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.
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10. Opt for a glossy lip balm or nude lipstick
To complete your natural makeup look, apply a sheer, hydrating lip oil like the L’Oréal Paris Plump Ambition Hyaluron Lip Oil in Cristal Clear. Brimming with hyaluronic acid and tripeptides, this non-sticky oil helps smooth your lips while making them appear visibly volumized.
Another one of our go-to pout perfecters is the 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.
11. Set your natural makeup look with setting spray
Lock your look in place with a lightweight setting spray, like the L’Oreal Paris Infallible 3-Second Micro Fine Setting Mist. Hold the bottle 6-8 inches from your face and spray it in a circular motion for 3-4 seconds for an easy, even application. And voilà: Your natural, clean makeup look is complete.
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15 Natural Makeup Looks To Try
Once you’ve mastered the steps in our basic natural makeup tutorial, kick things up a notch with these 15 fresh-faced looks.
Everyday minimalist look
Sometimes, a makeup routine is so good, you want to wear it every day. This natural, simple makeup look is exactly that. Start with a light-coverage foundation or tinted moisturizer. Then, apply a neutral eyeshadow (optional) 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.
Classic nude
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 skin-toned lip liner and lipstick. Finally, blend a deep blush onto the apples of your cheeks.
Dewy skin and rosy cheeks
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 skin tint. 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.
Soft smokey eyes
Smokey eyes may seem reserved for glam makeup looks, but that doesn’t have to be the case. If your goal is to have eye makeup that looks natural, use a neutral-toned eyeshadow on your eyelids first, followed by a soft brown or gray eyeliner to define your lash line. Blend the eyeliner for a softer, smokey 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.
Sunkissed glow
Whether you’re 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.
Fresh-faced Look
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 skin tint. 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.
Subtle radiance
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.
Glossy, reflective skin
This skin-first beauty look uses only a few 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 clear gloss for a barely-there, natural appearance. Last but not least, mist some setting spray across your face to lock it all in.
Earth-toned monochrome
If you want a soft, natural makeup look, 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 or burnt sienna on your lips.
Barely-there peachy flush
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 to 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.
Golden-hour shimmer
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 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.
Sunset hues
If you love colorful makeup but find that the nudes and beiges traditionally used in natural makeup looks 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.
Daytime glam
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.
Glass skin and groomed brows
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 look
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.
Next Up: How To Use a Skin Tint for Natural-Looking Makeup
Photo Courtesy of L'Oréal Paris
