Trend forecasters projected that at the tail-end of the pandemic, we would be doing one of two things:

• Leaning hard into maximalism and excess, like our modern-day roaring ’20s; or
• Keeping everything laidback, simple, and comfortable, much like when the crisis first started.

Regardless of where you stand in this spectrum, you would benefit significantly from learning how to do the radiant no-makeup-makeup look. It’s all about clear, dewy skin, light to medium coverage, and letting your natural beauty shine through. The fresh, no-makeup-makeup look is an excellent post-pandemic go-to style because it can match any type of outfit or lifestyle. Here are some tips and pointers for achieving it seamlessly.

Prioritize your skin

The key to good makeup is not products and application but good skin. If the pandemic has caused you to neglect your skin, now is the time to get back into the horse and give it the tender loving care it deserves. When it comes to our skin, it’s never too late to start nurturing it.

The no-makeup-makeup look works best with clear, radiant, supple, and naturally moist skin, so make sure to visit your dermatologist or esthetician to find the best products for your skin’s specific needs. Visit a clinic that is known for housing the best products, treatments, and procedures in the industry. One example of this is the laser pigment removal machine, which can help even out one’s skin tone, treat different kinds of skin types, remove hyperpigmentation, and rejuvenate skin on the face, decollete, and neck.

Prime properly

How you want your skin to look and how you want your makeup to last will largely depend on how you prime your face. Think of it as the primer we use for painting walls; they dictate the finish and longevity of your foundation and every other pigmented product you apply to your face.

If your skin is on the oily side, look for a primer that mattifies and covers up your pores. On the other hand, if your skin is more dry or flaky, look for primers that have the words “hydrating” or “glowy” on the label. If your skin is on the normal side, then decide based on how you want your makeup to look throughout the day. A no-makeup-makeup look inspired by Asian and Korean beauty trends will lean more towards the glow, so opt for a hydrating or moisturizing primer.

Opt for cream products

Here are some tips for primarily using cream products depending on your skin type:

• Oily: If you prime your face correctly, you can still ensure that your cream products last longer, even if your skin is oily. Your mattifying primer will take care of it—and even more so if the product claims to have long-lasting properties. Just make sure to use a minimal amount of powder once you’re happy with the amount of color you have on your face, and spritz some mattifying setting spray when you’re done.
• Dry: If your skin is dry, then using cream and liquid products would be much easier. Just ensure that your skin is adequately hydrated and moisturized before adding in foundation, blush, and bronzer. If you want your makeup to last all day, you can add just a veil or touch of finishing powder once you have everything on.
• Normal: Luck is on your side because you can decide on products based on how you want your makeup to look and not just how you need them to last. Do a few test runs to see which products and application types work best for your skin tone and how they last throughout the day.

Use a light hand and minimal products

This cannot be stressed enough: If you want to achieve the no-makeup-makeup look, you need to hold back. One of the biggest mistakes we can make when trying to achieve this style is using the same amount of products we usually would when we go glam. Use just one drop of your foundation or pigment, use a brush to swirl it around your mixing palette or the back of your hand (with the latter being the option because it can help warm up the product), and use a light hand when applying the product on your face.

This look is all about letting your natural beauty and glow do all the work. You don’t need to hide behind full-coverage products, especially at a time when we’re all just trying to get by. Embrace the no-makeup-makeup look and let your radiance shine through.