We’ve been seeing the no-makeup makeup look everywhere lately, especially on the red carpet. Celebs like Hailey Bieber, Zendaya, Anya Taylor-Joy and Halle Bailey all flaunted their natural features with a more subtle approach to their glam, and the Met Gala glam followed suit: Typically an over-the-top affair, This year’s look was noticeably more toned down than usual.

Now, we’d be lying if we said no-makeup makeup just throw on some tinted moisturizer and call it a day. There is a method behind this look that requires strategic product use and placement. The result: an I-woke-up-like-this glow that actually took a toll few a little effort, but it just doesn’t seem like it.

Celebrity makeup artist and founder of the eponymous brand, Jillian Dempsey You describe the atmosphere of makeup without makeup as “you on a very good day with a lot of rest.” So basically, this is the cheat code for looking well-rested when you’re really just running on a double espresso and a prayer. Tayaba Jafri, Laura Mercier Global Beauty Director, adds that it’s all about the look of not wearing makeup, even if you’re all over it. Taking her? “Makeup should not enter the room before you.” And with this look, all eyes are on you, not your makeup.

To be able to go a little lighter on the makeup, your skin care needs to be on point. Jafri says that exfoliation is key to ridding the skin of any dryness or dullness, so your complexion can really shine. Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore-Minimizing & Polishing Powder Cleanser offers just enough grit to wipe away dead skin.

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Kiehl’s Since 1851 Rare Earth Deep Pore-Minimizing & Polishing Powder Cleanser

If you have some time to kill, it’s nice to pamper your skin a little before starting makeup. Dempsey recommends applying eye mask under both eyes for 15 minutes while you vibrate and sculpt with her gold bar, which will help “to de-puff and look more refreshed and awake.” Complete your skin care with a hydrating moisturizer that will make the skin glow like e.g Fresh rose and hyaluronic acid Deep Hydration Moisturizer.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 18: (EDITOR’S NOTE: Rebroadcast with alternate crop.) Zendaya attends Euphoria FYC at Paramount Theater on December 18, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for HBO)Jeff Kravitz

Now, for the makeup that makes you look like you’re wearing nothing. The irony is not lost on us, but trust the process. A tinted moisturizer or light foundation like Rituel de Fille 3 Drop Weightless Serum Foundation is really all you need as a base. Or you can skip a formula altogether and follow Dempsey’s concealer trick instead. Dempsey swears by “spot basing,” which she describes as only cover any scars or other small areas that need it. Think: redness around the nose and chin and under eyes for dark circles.

For minimal coverage, Dempsey says to “tap to warm it up and blend until it’s polished almost to the base.” Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer is great for this because it offers two shades that you can mix together or use on their own, depending on the area you’re targeting, explains Jafri.

For a healthy glow, go for a cream or liquid blush. Unlike powders, a creamy formula will blend seamlessly so it looks natural and has a skin-like finish. we love Dibs Desert Island Duo, which has a blush on one side and a bronzer on the other should you want to warm up your complexion a bit. If you have freckles, Dempsey says it’s nice to enhance your natural spots by tapping over them with brown eyeliner. Doing this will really seal the look – how can you wear makeup when your freckles aren’t out to play?