Natural makeup look: how to get a glowing no makeup look for weddings and summer holidays

When it comes to makeup in 2019, most of us want to look like ourselves, just on a really, really good day.

Sales of colourful eye shadow and cakey foundations have slowed, while BB creams, CC creams, dewy concealers and glow-giving highlighters of all kinds continue to top the charts of our beauty wish lists.

But what are the tips and tricks for looking like you’ve had 12 hours sleep or just got back from a holiday? How can you apply a face of makeup that maintains that I-just-stepped-off-the-beach insouciance?

To get the glow down, we spoke to Clint Dowdell, Global Ambassador for Australia’s number one mineral makeup brand, Nude by Nature, which specialises in glowing, natural-looking colours and finishes.

“I think the trend for ‘no makeup’ makeup is all about a return to looking like yourself but better; it’s about celebrating you and your skin,” says Dowdell.

And for him, part of the reason Nude by Nature works so well for this is because the products are formulated without the unnecessary chemicals, synthetic ingredients or preservatives often found in cosmetics, and are instead made with 100 per cent natural ingredients, so it’s more than cosmetic, it’s good for you.

“We spend a lot of time trying to do what’s good for us. A good night’s sleep, good exercise, good food, good skincare. But then we get to our makeup bag and it’s like it doesn’t matter as long as we look good,” says Dowdell. “For me, a healthy, glowing, ‘no makeup’ makeup look should not only look good, it should be good for your skin, so I think it’s important to avoid synthetic ingredients like talc, parabens and petrochemicals. Nude by Nature products don’t just make you look great but they’re actually good for your skin. And they work!”

The cruelty-free brand, which launched in Sydney back in 2008, has recently expanded massively in the UK with a launch into Boots in store and online as well as being stocked in selected John Lewis and Debenhams stores and on feelunique.com. In Australia though, it’s already a household name, selling one product every 22 seconds, and boasting the bestselling cosmetic product in the country with the Radiant Loose Powder Foundation. Their cruelty-free, vegan friendly makeup brushes are also bestsellers, with one sold every 120 seconds.

When it comes to creating a perfect natural look, Dowdell advises that it’s all about textures and ensuring you aren’t using formulas that create too matte an effect, in particular for dry complexions. “So look for creamy concealers and highlighters that add that healthy, Aussie glow we all crave.”

Clint Dowdell's step-by-step 'no makeup' look

1. The Base

Perfecting Primer, £22, shop it here

Perfecting Concealer, £20, shop it here

Radiant Loose Powder Foundation, £25, shop it here

2. The Glow

Matte Pressed Bronzer, £22, shop it here

Touch of Glow Highlight stick in Champagne and Rose, £18 each, shop them here

3. The Eyes

Natural Illusion pressed eyeshadow in quartz, £14, shop it here

Contour Eye Pencil in brown, £14, shop it here

Allure Defining Mascara, £16, shop it here

4. Brows

Defining Brow Pencil, £18, shop it here

Precision Brow Mascara, £24, shop it here

5. The Lips

Defining Lip Pencil in Rose, £14, shop it here

Moisture Shine Lipstick in Dusty Rose, £20, shop it here

If you wanted to pair the look back using just three key products, Clint would recommend the Radiant Loose Powder Foundation –“just to even out the skin” – then the Rose Touch of Glow Highlight Stick, which you can use on the eyes, cheeks and lips and lastly the Sunkissed Pressed Bronzer, “because everybody looks better with a Byron bronze.”

Watch the video above for the full 'no makeup makeup' tutorial