How To Achieve a Flattering No-Mascara Makeup Look

Makeup Tips For A Natural, No-Mascara Look

You can pair bare lashes with pretty much any makeup look, but if you’re in the mood for a minimalist makeup look for day, consider these tips:

• Opt for sheer foundation: Swap out your full-coverage foundation for a glowy skin tint or tinted moisturizer. These tend to offer sheerer coverage, making them ideal for pared-back, natural makeup looks.
• Add dimension with blush and highlighter: Pair your natural-looking foundation with subtle blush and highlighter to help accentuate your features. We suggest using liquid or cream formulas for a healthy, skin-like finish.
• Try a pink glossy lip: Opting for a no-makeup makeup look doesn’t mean you have to forgo your usual lipstick or gloss. But you will want to stick with a soft shade to help emphasize your lips without overpowering them. Try a pinkish-nude shade if you have fair skin or a slightly richer berry tone to complement deeper skin.
• Reach for a lash serum: If you’re having trouble deciding between mascara vs. no mascara, know that you don’t have to decide—not entirely. For a subtle mascara look without mascara, consider coating your lashes with a lash serum. We love the Maybelline Lash Sensational Boosting Eyelash Serum, which helps condition for a shiny, healthy look (and feel).

5 Ways To Wear Makeup Without Mascara

If you’re ready to try a bolder no-mascara look—maybe for a night out or a special event—take inspiration from the five striking looks below.

1. Bold red lip

Skip the statement eye and let your lips take center stage by painting your pout with a vibrant red lipstick. If you have a cooler skin tone, we suggest opting for a true blue-red, like the Giorgio Armani Beauty Lip Maestro Velvet Liquid Lipstick in The Red. Richer berry tones and burgundies, meanwhile, flatter warm skin tones beautifully. Try the Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge Intimatte Soft Matte Lipstick in Tout Doux.

2. Pastel eyeshadow

For a high-fashion, editorial makeup look that takes very little effort to pull off, swap your nude eyeshadow for a vibrant pastel hue. Pale greens, light blues, lavenders, and baby pinks all work well here—just be sure to keep the rest of your makeup relatively minimal to ensure your no-mascara eye makeup look pops.

3. Bold blush

Sweeping a bright, pigmented blush onto your cheeks is a great way to spice up an otherwise low-key makeup look. Make sure to pick a hue that complements your skin tone, and swipe it from your cheekbones up toward your temples for a fresh-faced flush.

4. Glittery lids

If you want to keep the focus on your eyes, glittery eyeshadow will ensure you stand out (in the best possible way). To create this party-ready look, use a shimmery cream eyeshadow, like the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Stick in Ice Sparkle, and color your lids from the lash line to the brow bone. Then, pat a glittery eyeshadow (we love the Valentino Beauty Dreamdust Glitter Eyeshadow in Sky Dust) onto the center of your lids for an extra luxe finish. Trust us—this sparkly no-mascara look is anything but bland.

5. Graphic eyeliner

A little bit of colorful eyeliner can go a long way in making your eyes pop. Plus, there’s no right or wrong way to create a graphic liner look, so you have plenty of wiggle room to explore your creativity. Just grab a colorful liner (or several) and draw graphic shapes along your lash line or on your lids to create a bold look, no mascara required.

Next Up: A Beginner’s Guide To Applying Eyeliner