How to do nude makeup (the no-makeup look) step by step

Nude makeup, also known as the no-makeup makeup look, is one of the most copied styles today because it looks so natural and suits absolutely every face.

Follow the steps below to create your own nude makeup look. You will see how you glow!

What is nude makeup?

The main aim of nude makeup is to get a finish so natural that it looks as if you are not wearing any makeup at all. It enhances your natural beauty and hides visible imperfections. The goal is skin that looks youthful and luminous.

Do not confuse it with neutral makeup, where you can see a light touch of makeup, always in earthy or nude shades.

Face

Skip full-coverage foundations and go for lighter ones, or even BB creams. The key is to even out your skin tone: choose a foundation that matches your skin tone exactly. Do not overdo the amount, but blend it well all over. Use your fingers or a sponge for a more natural look.

What really makes the difference for that naturally flawless skin is concealer. Choose one a shade lighter to add brightness. Apply it under the eyes and wherever the foundation has not fully covered imperfections.

If imperfections are very noticeable, use colour correctors: green for redness (spots), yellow for purple dark circles and orange for dark marks.

Eyes

The main goal is to make your eyes look bigger. Focus on the length and volume of your lashes and forget about dark shades.

Get a good volumising, defining mascara. Apply several coats, making sure there is no excess product on the brush. The important thing is to comb them through without clumps.

Forget bold eyeshadow colours. Nude makeup does not need eyeshadow: you can even out your eyelid with concealer. If you do want some, choose very neutral shades, almost the same as your skin tone.

Put your eyeliners away. If you cannot live without them, use brown along the lash line, never on the waterline.

Lips

No dark or loud colours. Choose soft, light shades that give volume and a juicy look. Gloss or creamy formulas work best: a matte lipstick hardens and emphasises your features, which goes completely against this look.

Cheeks

Use shades that blend with your skin: light, slightly earthy tones. The best formula is cream blush (the stick kind), as it brightens and brings a lot of life to the face. You can also use it on your lips for a little volume and shine.

Brows

Full and defined. If they are not very thick, fill in the gaps with a brow pencil in the same shade and brush them slightly upwards to frame your eyes.

For nude makeup, cream textures are the ones that melt into the skin best. A blush stick in Bare or Bliss, applied with your fingers, gives a healthy flush without looking like product, and a touch of Kissed highlighter stick on the cheekbones and inner corners of the eyes adds light with a fine pearly sheen.

The perfect occasions for a no-makeup look

Nude makeup is perfect for any occasion, especially for everyday wear. Wear it to work, to casual lunches or for a walk. It is very easy to do and takes hardly any time, so you will feel prettier and more radiant with almost no effort.

Frequently asked questions

Does nude makeup work for every skin type?

Yes, but you need to adapt the products to your skin type. For oily skin, go for fluid foundations with shine control and translucent setting powder. For dry skin, a creamy foundation or a BB cream with a luminous finish works better. Concealer and cream blush suit all skin types; you just need to adjust the shades to your skin tone.

How long does nude makeup take?

It is one of the quickest looks to do: between 5 and 10 minutes. By skipping intense eyeshadow, contouring and eyeliner, the process becomes much simpler. Light base, targeted concealer, lashes and a touch of cream blush: that is the whole look.

Is nude makeup only for fair skin tones?

No, nude makeup works for every skin tone. The key is to adapt what neutral means to your own skin tone: nudes for deep skin are more golden, terracotta or rich hazelnut, not the pale beiges designed for fair skin. A well-chosen nude should blend into your natural skin tone, whatever it is.