How to get that effortless "no-makeup" look according to a TV & Film makeup artist

woman in 40s or 50s laughing
“Let the beauty of you shine through”

Spring is here and this time of year is always a good time to refresh and revamp routines. And what better place to start than your makeup bag?

The “clean girl” makeup trend has been floating around lately and there’s so many things to love about this look. When thinking of women who’ve embodied this effortless look, Zoe Kravitz and Gwyneth Paltrow come to mind. But what is the clean girl makeup look exactly?

It echos an effortless no-makeup makeup look. It starts with good skincare and really embraces fresh glowy skin, natural brows, flushed cheeks, and pretty lashes. Plus, it’s a breeze to pull off. No contouring, baking, or sculpted brows need to apply here. So why not let the beauty of you shine through instead of spending extra time trying to master a heavy makeup look?

If you want to streamline your morning makeup routine, this is it. Fresh skin is the hallmark of pulling off this look, so stick to your normal skincare routine and boost it with a hydrating moisturizer (like Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream) and a dewy primer of your choice. You will notice that the key is to focus on creamy products since the final look will reveal a glowy skinlike finish. 

How to Achieve the No-Makeup Makeup Look

Dewy primer

After you moisturize, grab a primer that will amp up the juiciness of the skin! A favorite is Supergoop! Glow Screen because it hydrates the skin and doubles as a luminous makeup primer. Plus you get the added SPF for sun protection throughout the day. And if you really want to bump up that luminous finish, try Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Face Primer. It’s a bit more illuminating than your average primer and is a great step to prep skin for foundation.

Tinted moisturizer or light creamy foundation

You’ll want to go for something with light to medium coverage here so that your skin shines through. If you find that you need more coverage, select a concealer in your exact skin tone and spot conceal any specific areas. A longtime favorite has been Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Oil Free Natural Skin Perfector because it’s light yet gives a nice amount of blurring coverage. 

But if you’re someone who just needs a bit more coverage, e.l.f. Cosmetics Camo CC Cream is worth taking a look at as well. It blends and smooths skin complexion while keeping a glowy finish.

Cream blush 

The duo blush palette that is the Patrick Ta Major Beauty Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush is great for long lasting coverage. First apply the powder blush with a fluffy blush brush from the apples of the cheeks to the hairline. Then tap on the complementary creme blush over it with fingers for a glowy finish. This method give you a punch of color that won’t fade and keeps a flushed, glowy effect.

And since we’re into multitaskers, the Ilia Multi Stick in Dreamer has become a cult favorite. It’s great for cheeks and lips and very easy to apply. It’s like a crayon for your face and melts into skin beautifully.

Brow gel

Keep a light touch on brows and only fill in lightly with pencil or powder if needed. To keep with the clean girl look, comb brows upwards into place with a tinted brow gel like Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow.


Lengthening mascara

I’ve been a big fan of L’oreal mascaras for some time now, and have tested dozens and this one remains a favorite. If you just want long thicker lashes, look no further than L’oreal Luminous Lash Paradise Mascara. The key here is to enhance lashes enough, because we’re not messing too much with eye makeup here. The key is to keep it simple and clean.

Tinted balm or gloss

The final step to complete your clean girl makeup look is a glossy lip. Look for neutral lip shades or either go for a tinted red. The Merit Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil in Cara Cara adds a fun punch of color to a fresh face. Or if you’re just looking for something more subtle, Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer is another great choice.


Jasmen Davis is a TV & film makeup artist who’s worked on Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Mare of Easttown, and Charm City Kings among other shows and movies you’ve seen. Over her 15 years in the business, she’s developed a reputation for creating a wide variety of makeup looks. Before moving to the entertainment industry, she was a beauty and fashion writer for magazines. So her talent for helping people look their best runs deep both on and off camera. You can find her on instagram @jasmendavis where she offers a peek at set life and living beautifully in Baltimore and beyond.

style, beautyJen CooperJuly 23, Jasmen Davis