7 Steps For a Timeless No-Makeup Look

I’m a little too familiar with the frustration of buying 30 makeup products and then spending an eternity creating a look. So much effort to end up looking like a fruit bowl- far from that ‘strawberry makeup’ I had in mind. Believe me, I’ve danced with every single makeup trend with a lifespan of 2 months. And I somehow ended up on the other side where fewer products led to much better results. As it turns out this is what people call minimalist makeup.

Minimalist makeup is creating a collection of makeup essentials without needing a whole drawer of products. It’s also using multi-purpose, skincare-makeup hybrids to create a timeless, natural makeup look.

This can sound like a big leap to take if you’re a maximalist like me. That’s where Clinique comes in. They have an array of multi-tasking products that perfectly align with my minimalist makeup routine.

I can easily create that simple, effortlessly chic look because I’ve learned to be much more intentional with the products I choose and the way I use them.

This can work for you too, especially if you’re a makeup beginner and looking to streamline your routine with a capsule makeup kit.

While some aspects of minimalist makeup are subjective, some things are universal. If you are curious to see what that looks like, here’s my step-by-step process.

Good and consistent skincare is especially important for minimalist makeup. It sets the stage for that soft, clean vibe. The aim is to use less coverage and feel comfortable with your bare skin showing through. So start with freshly cleansed and moisturized skin.

I usually apply a hydrating serum followed by a moisturizer to plump my fine lines. I prefer simple makeup with neutral colors. So I rely on my replenishing skincare to achieve that natural radiance and rosy cheeks.

When you want your makeup products to work double-duty, a light-coverage base is the better option. Whether you’re using a tinted moisturizer, a CC cream, or a foundation, go for light or medium coverage because you can always layer for more.

I love Clinique Even Better Makeup SPF 15 Foundation ($39) for its versatile coverage. A single layer gives me a skin-like finish I can wear every day. But it’s very buildable. So, I can easily layer and achieve an even smoother base.

It has a very lightweight consistency that works with my textured skin and doesn’t settle into my smile lines. On most days, I apply it by using my fingers because it’s very thin and doesn’t even require a brush to blend. I prefer using a damp beauty blender when I’m layering.

Concealer is that multi-purpose staple in a minimalist makeup collection. It makes it so easy to achieve a polished look with just a few dots. You can use it with your foundation or alone as your base makeup.

I love pairing Clinique Even Better All-Over Concealer + Eraser ($32) with my foundation. It’s like a tinted eye cream because it’s made with vitamin C and caffeine. Its lightweight texture complements my foundation and gives me a seamless base. It has a natural finish that instantly makes my eyes look brighter, fresh, and well-rested.

It doesn’t look cakey or settle in my under-eye wrinkles. Also, it’s perfect for no-makeup makeup days for barely-there coverage. It helps me neutralize redness around my nose and on my cheeks. It applies super easily with my fingers or with a sponge.

Quick Tip: If you want to define your brow arches but don’t have a small angled brush, you can do what I do. Put a dot of concealer on your brow bone and use the sponge applicator tip of the concealer to dab it in. This also subtly covers up discolorations on the eyelids.

Multi-purpose refers to makeup products that can be used for more than one area on your face. In a minimalist routine, a single multi-purpose formula can take over the role of bronzer, blush, highlighter, and lipstick.

For me, that all-in-one product is the Sun-Kissed Face Gelee Complexion Multitasker ($36) from Clinique. I use it as a liquid bronzer and apply it with a brush for subtle definition. The color comes out very pigmented at first but blends into my skin very naturally.

I also apply it below my brow bone to create a monochromatic bronze look. I sometimes mix it with my foundation. The two pair well and help me achieve an overall warm complexion with a lit-from-within glow.

Quick Tip: If you’re more of a blush girl, your multi-purpose product can be the Clinique Chubby Stick Cheek Color Balm ($30). You can use it on the cheeks, eyelids, and lips for fresh and youthful makeup. It’s creamy and leaves a blended, natural-looking flush of color. It’s literally a cute little crayon you can carry in your bag to blush on the go.

Brows frame your face and even a little intervention can make a huge difference in your makeup. You can define your eyebrows simply by brushing them upward and achieve a sleek look. Instead of a heavily defined shape, go for fluffy, bushy eyebrows.

I use Clinique Quickliner For Brows Eyebrow Pencil ($27). It’s a dual-ended pencil and I use it to fill in my brows and shape them. It’s very creamy so I can fix any mistakes by combing through with the spoolie brush. It cleans up my eye area and opens up space to make my eyes look bigger.

When you want the most visible effect with minimal makeup, mascara is your best bet. It makes you less dependent on other products, especially if you prefer no foundation makeup. Because it draws all the attention to the eyes.

I’ve been using Clinique High Impact Hi-Fi Full Volume Mascara ($28). It gives me incredible volume with just a few coats, so even the application you need is minimal! It stays on all day and doesn’t fade or smudge, so I don’t need touch-ups during the day. It’s so pigmented that I don’t even use an eye pencil when I’m wearing this.

While lips don’t seem to have much weight in minimalist makeup, they add to that healthy, natural look. And you don’t necessarily need a lot of colors for that. Enhancing your own lip color is more than enough.

That’s why I prefer using a moisturizing formula like Clinique’s Almost Lipstick ($25) in the shade Black Honey. It enhances my natural lip color. And the subtle glow makes my lips pop a little, completing my overall dewy makeup.

Remember that you can utilize your multi-purpose makeup product on your lips as well. But I prefer to use a separate product for my dry lips.

So this is my minimalist makeup routine. These are my key pieces. They are quality pieces. If I’m going to use fewer products, I need to know I can rely on each of them. The great thing about trying minimalist beauty is that you can remove or add in more steps and change the whole vibe. Add bold lips for a sophisticated look, or a cream highlighter for a glossy look, or try a powder blush for a layered look. It’s all up to you.

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