The ‘No Makeup’ Makeup Look: Is It Just a Myth?

BEAUTY

Victoria Guillou

10/27/2024

© Colonne / @matildadjerf / @haileybieber / @clauudiavega

I remember the first time I heard about the “no makeup” makeup look. The idea was alluring: effortlessly flawless skin, a natural glow, a touch of something here and there, and—poof!—you’d look as if you’d woken up this way. The beauty editors and influencers described it like an art form, an aesthetic reserved for the goddesses of natural beauty, sprinkled with a hint of mystery and about eight layers of tinted cream.

But as I found myself digging through my makeup bag for the right products to “not look like I was wearing makeup,” I had a thought: Was the no-makeup makeup look a genius way to sell me more products, or was it really achievable? And if it was, did it actually make a difference in how “natural” I appeared?

The Art of Looking Effortlessly Done (But Not Overdone)

No one rolls out of bed with “natural” beauty that includes a perfectly even skin tone, softly defined eyes, and lips that are hydrated but not overly glossy. Achieving the no-makeup makeup look is practically a full-time job. It calls for concealer, highlighter, bronzer, a few brushes, and an insane amount of patience. The goal? To make it look like you didn’t try at all, even though you spent the better part of twenty minutes dabbing and blending—somewhere between “I got eight hours of sleep” and “I drink plenty of water.” But here’s the kicker: it still looks like you’re wearing makeup, just a lot less of it. And would anyone actually believe I woke up with that “natural” tint? Doubtful.

The Facade of Natural Beauty

The no-makeup makeup look is supposed to be about showcasing your natural beauty, but does it actually free us from the pressures of “perfect” skin, or is it just a more elaborate way of masking imperfections? I found myself swapping full coverage for light coverage, and a smoky eye for a subtle one—but in the end, I was still very much “done.” Maybe the whole appeal of the no-makeup makeup look is that it’s aspirational, a way to make us feel like we’re being effortless, even when we’re anything but. You’re telling the world, “This is me,” while subtly hiding the fact that it took three different concealers to make sure that under-eye shadow stays hidden.

Breaking the Spell

So, is the no-makeup makeup look a myth? I’d argue it’s a bit of both. It’s a facade, yes, but one we happily indulge in because it gives us permission to exist somewhere between full glam and bare-faced vulnerability. There’s something comforting in knowing we can look “done” without appearing too polished, put together without being obviously so. Ultimately, the natural beauty trend may be an illusion, but it’s one that many of us find worth the time, effort, and viral product purchases. If a few dabs of Glossier, a swipe of Rare Beauty, and a drop of Charlotte Tilbury can make me feel like my best “natural” self, then maybe it’s not about fooling the world. Maybe, just maybe, it’s about giving myself a little confidence boost along the way.

And if the world catches on that I’m wearing makeup to look like I’m not wearing makeup? Well, so be it. The magic of the no-makeup makeup look might just be that it lets us live somewhere between fantasy and reality—our own little beauty secret, hidden in plain sight.