How to Achieve No Makeup, Makeup with Highlighter

No makeup, makeup: What sounds like a contradictory statement is actually one of the season’s biggest and best beauty trends. With everyone from models and actresses to everyday girls trying to get in on the look, the question of how to achieve no makeup, makeup is more prevalent than ever. While the trend is so popular for the bare-faced beauty it promotes, to get the look you’ll need to stock up on makeup primer, highlighter, eyeliner, and high-shine lipstick. Together, these four products will prove just how easy a no makeup, makeup look really can be with the help of perfectly placed highlighter. Ready to rock the runway-approved, model-off-duty look? Follow the steps below and you’ll be a no makeup, makeup pro in no time.

Step 1: Prep Your Skin

Before you put any makeup on your face, prep your skin by exfoliating with a sugar scrub. This can help create a smooth surface for the rest of your makeup application. Reach for the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Purify & Unclog Face Scrub, L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Smooth & Glow Face Scrub, or L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Nourish & Soften Face Scrub. Then, follow up with moisturizer.

Step 2: Prime Like a Pro

Anytime you’re going to be layering makeup on to your face—yes, even if only highlighter—it’s important to prime your complexion first. Since highlighter is known to have a glowing finish, give it a little extra boost by using the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Glow Lock Primer to start your no makeup, makeup look off on the right foot.

Step 3: Get Your Glow On with Highlighter

Next, instead of reaching for foundation or face powder as you normally would, grab the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender and L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer (available in four colors: Fair, Light, Medium, and Deep). Use your makeup blender to gently stipple the moisturizer-meets-highlighter formula onto your face. Not only will your face look hydrated, but you’ll notice ever-so-slight coverage that glimmers in the light, perfecting the base of your no makeup, makeup look.

Step 4: Accentuate Your Bone Structure

While your base is already glowing, it’s time to apply highlighter to specific areas of your face to accentuate your bone structure. Think: down the bridge of your nose, your cheekbones, brow bones, inner eyes, and cupid’s bow. By touching all of these areas with highlighter, you’ll be able to mimic the look of a well-lit picture IRL. To get the look, use the L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Lumi Glow Nude Highlighter Palette, which is available in Sunkissed (yellow undertones) and Moonkissed (pink undertones). You’ll, quite literally, look glowing.

Step 5: Line Your Eyes

As much as we love highlighter, there’s something to be said for a little eyeliner to add just enough definition to your otherwise light-shifting visage. By lining your eyes with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof Pencil Eyeliner in Brown on your upper lid and L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof Pencil Eyeliner in Nude on your lower lid, you’ll be able to simultaneously open and define your eyes, making them look bigger and brighter—which will complement your overall no makeup, makeup look.

Step 6: Perk up Your Pout

Another non-highlighter accent for your no makeup, makeup look: lipstick. The key is to find one that looks natural while accenting your lip shape and fullness. To stay true to the shine factor of your highlighter, try using the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Shine Lipstick. While this collection has a few nude options, there’s nothing like a little pink to perk up your pout— especially when the rest of your makeup is very minimal. Some of our favorite shades include Sparking Rose, Polished Tango, and Shining Peach.

Step 7: Remove Your Makeup at the End of the Day

Once you’re ready to say goodbye to your no makeup, makeup look, reach for a micellar water to take it all off. Try the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin, L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin, or L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof – All Skin Types.

Want to see how to achieve a no makeup, makeup look using more than just highlighter? Check out our article, How to Get a Runway-Inspired No Makeup, Makeup Look.