What does it take to create an effortless everyday makeup look? The end result will be different for everyone, but the thinking behind it is always the same. It’s a look you can rely on. You know how to create it and what products to use. You’re confident it suits you and your complexion, enhancing your natural features so you look and feel like the best version of yourself. Trends come and go, but this never goes out of style.
An effortless makeup look is one you’re comfortable creating and wearing. It’s not over complicated and it’s not stressful to apply. You enjoy starting your day using products you love and look forward to wearing. Rather than layers and layers of makeup, you use fewer products in a smarter way. The application looks soft, polished, and put together. You might describe the finished look using words like ‘natural’, ‘radiant’ and ‘lit from within’.
The post includes affiliate links which means I’ll earn a small amount if you use them to make a purchase. This does not affect the price you pay. Many of the products listed are available from Look Fantastic. Use the code LFTFLAURENELLE to receive a discount on your purchase. When you do, I’ll earn a small commission. Thank you for supporting my small business.
Effortless, Everyday Makeup Dos and Don’ts
When your skin is in the best possible condition, your makeup always looks more effortless. So, before you do anything else, give your complexion some TLC. Read How to Build a Skincare Routine for more inspiration and advice.
You don’t need drawers full of makeup to create an effortless, everyday makeup look. Less is more. To give yourself the best canvas, skincare should be a priority. Beyond this, I’d recommend creamy, multipurpose products and things like tinted moisturiser, brow gel, tinted lip balm and cream blush.
You never want to be able to see where your makeup stops and starts at the edges of your face, around your hairline or when one product blends into another. Using the right makeup brushes makes all the difference. Read 9 Basic Brushes for Your Makeup Kit to learn more.
If you ever feel like your blush is too bright or you’ve applied too much bronzer, one of my favourite tips is to go back over the top with your foundation brush (preferably a fluffy/duo fibre style brush). The excess foundation that’s on the brush will soften and tone down the products you feel are too obvious. This will pull the look together and any harsh lines will disappear. It will also help your makeup last longer as there won’t be any excess product to easily transfer.
To open your eyes and create a fresh-faced look, always curl your eyelashes. Adding a flesh toned eyeliner along your waterline will also help disguise any redness due to tiredness.
If you need to mattify your complexion throughout the day, don’t pile on the powder. Instead, invest in some blotting paper. Less makeup = a more effortless look. DHC Oil Blotting Paper is always my go-to.
My Go-To Products for Effortless Everyday Makeup
Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base is my favourite primer. As well as prepping your skin for makeup and keeping it balanced throughout the day, it has a fresh lemon scent that’s refreshing to apply. It’s a moisturising formula so you can use it alone if you have normal – oily skin. If you have dry skin like me, just pop your moisturiser underneath. It can also be used as a night cream and there’s a matching Vitamin Enriched Eye Base for the undereye area too.
Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter blurs, smooths and illuminates. It evens skin tone and adds glow, but its lightweight coverage means skin still looks like skin, just fresher and more polished.
Beauty Pie Superluminous Under-Eye Genius is a lightweight colour corrector designed to gently brighten the under-eye area. It works in a soft, effortless way without the need for layers and layers of concealer.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders have a beautiful ‘lit from within’ finish. They’re very finely milled so they look natural and give a really polished feel to your makeup. For a softer, more natural way to add warmth to the skin, you can go up a couple of shades and use it as a bronzer.
Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Brows is a brow gel that adds colour and texture. This means you can enhance the shape of your brows and add definition with just one product.
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm is a range of tinted lip balms that nourish the lips and add a wash of colour in a soft, effortless way. It’s the perfect product if you want a touch of colour but you don’t want to wear lipstick.
Charlotte Tilbury Setting Spray is my favourite. The packaging says, ‘no melting, no fading, no creasing’ and I couldn’t agree more! It comes in a handy mini size too.
Find Out More
I fill my Bespoke Makeup Lessons with practical hints, tips and product recommendations just like this. Learn more and book your lesson here. I also share plenty of beauty inspiration and advice on Instagram.
