We love bold and dramatic makeup looks just as much as the next person, but sometimes less is more. Enter, no-makeup makeup, the answer to a subtle way of enhancing your already gorgeous features without applying a ton of makeup (or spending time in front of the mirror). Fortunately, inspiration is out there in the form of celebrities and influencers, who can meet the needs of our different skin tones, features, and can help show us what will work best.
From Jessica Alba's perfectly pared-down look to Kim Kardashian's slightly more glamorous take on natural makeup, the no makeup makeup options are endless. To help guide you, we consulted a few of our favorite celebrity makeup artists to help explain how to bring these looks to life.
Keep scrolling for 60 gorgeous natural makeup looks inspired by our favorite celebrities.
Emma Watson
We like Emma Watson's neutral lip and slight feline flick on the outside corner of each eye. The eyeliner is kept thin and narrow, which adds definition to her eyes and eyelashes, without being totally conspicuous. "Get the look by applying a cream eyeliner with a thin angled brush," says Brittany Spyksma, celebrity makeup artist. She has worked with Olivia Culpo, Terri Seymour, BJ Britt, and more. To color your lips in a similar warm nude shade, she recommends using Honest Beauty's Lip Crayon - Sheer Lush in Chestnut (currently unavailable).
Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian West's interpretation of natural makeup is a little more glamorous than other celebrities' (did you expect anything else, though?). The boldest part of the look has to be her eyes, which are defined with a diffused taupe-brown shadow. "Kim achieves her natural glam look with a full-coverage skin and a soft bronzey eye," Spyksma explains. "I love Tom Ford's Cream Color for Eyes in Spice for this look." The Tom Ford option is currently unavailable, but Charlotte Tilbury's Eyes to Mesmerize Cream Eyeshadow in Champagne.
Alicia Keys
Another celebrity known for her stunning natural makeup looks is Alicia Keys. To achieve a similar look, Neil Scibelli, NYC-based celebrity makeup artist, suggests using a tinted moisturizer or BB cream that gives a nearly foundation-free look instead of a full coverage foundation. "I would also steer away from any formulas that are heavy or matte since you can see Alicia is sporting this dewy glow," he adds. He recommends Bare Minerals' Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer, which is "one of the sheerest tints out there that works to even the skin tone and give that dewy radiant glow."
To mimic Alicia's natural cat eye, define your eyes with a tight eyeliner application. "My personal suggestion is to line the eyes first and then dip into a makeup remover like Garnier’s All-in-1 Waterproof Makeup Remover to help sharpen and even out your eye lines," he adds.
Zoë Kravitz
It's no secret that Zoë Kravitz is a queen when it comes to no makeup, makeup. This look features velvet skin that is natural with a hint of more coverage, according to Casey Gore, celebrity and editorial makeup artist. "A great base prep for a velvet skin look is in fact a lightweight face oil and primer combined," she says, recommending Mizz Bloom's Nourish Face Oil and Ritual Hyaluronic Acid Serum. "The face oil gives the skin its healthy glow without clogging pores and the serum acts as a primer to keep your makeup staying put."
The rest of Zoë's look is very monochromatic. Courtney Hart, celebrity makeup artist, suggests using a coordinating matte peach lip and creamy pink flush, like Bare Minerals' Mineralist Hydra-Smoothing Lipstick in Balance and Glossier's Cloud Paint in Beam.
Yara Shahidi
The best part of Yara Shahidi's look, in our humble opinion, has to be her radiant matte skin and perfectly groomed brows (other than her voluminous curls, of course). To mimic the look, use Tarte's Shape Tape Foundation for this kind of coverage and Maybelline's Ultra Slim Defining Eyebrow Pencil, which "is delicate enough to craft the perfect brow with ease," Spyksma says.
Karlie Kloss
Karlie Kloss' monochromatic peach natural makeup look had us instantly falling in love. Not only does this summery shade add just the right amount of color to her fair complexion, but the monochromatic look makes it that much easier to recreate without having to overthink complementary shades. Try using Stila's Convertible Color in Petunia on your cheeks and lips.
Rihanna
Rihanna's natural makeup look is all about soft glam and a golden glow, according to Hart. She recommends using Fenty Beauty's Killawatt Highlighter in Trophy Wife for the eyes. "Add a bit of mascara to the upper lashes—I like Maybelline's Full 'N Soft in Very Black—and Fenty Beauty's Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer in Fu$$y on the lip!"
Byrdie Tip
Gore suggests wetting your brush to make this eyeshadow more intense. Apply to the lid, then use your ring finger and apply dry eyeshadow in the center of the lid for more extra bold sparkle!
Padma Lakshmi
Padma Lakshmi's natural makeup look is all about a nude gloss and peachy-pink blush. This look is about natural glow and a little flush. "To achieve a coral cheek, I love Il Makiage Mineral Blush in Lady Marmalade swept across the apples of the cheek," says Spyksma. For a soft nude shine on the lip, she recommends Becca Cosmetics' Glow Gloss in Rose Gold (currently unavailable). We recommend NARS Afterglow Lip Shine Gloss in Supervixen.
Jessica Alba
Jessica Alba follows Lakshmi's lead with black inky lashes and a shiny nude gloss to match her super-shiny hair (can we talk about that, for a second?). "My favorite mascara to use on Jessica and everyone else is the Honest Beauty's Mascara," says Spyksma. "It's double-sided with a primer on one end and the perfect black mascara on the other." For a perfect shiny lip, she recommends using Urban Decay's Vice Plumping Shine Balm.
Elle Macpherson
"From working with Elle Macpherson personally, I can say the no-makeup makeup look has been our go-to most of the time," Scibelli says. "With Elle, I’ve used cream products mostly so that we don’t have too much powder layered on top of the skin. It’s important to see the skin through the makeup."
For the perfect highlight, he loves using Kevyn Aucoin’s Glass Glow Face Liquid Illuminator. "It reflects light and gives this beautiful sheen to the cheekbones." The highlighter is available in three shades, giving an option for every skin tone.
On the apples of the cheeks, he recommends using a cream blush and sheering it out upwards for a natural finish. "We usually use the RMS Beauty's Lip2Cheek, which have a super clean formula that you can dab on the cheeks and even the lips," he says.
Byrdie Tip
For a natural flush, apply a cream blush to the apples of the cheeks and blend outwards with your fingertips for sheer color.
Olivia Munn
Olivia Munn plays up her tan complexion with this natural makeup look. Her rosy pink blush is the star of the show, with her long upper and bottom lashes falling not too far behind. To give yourself a similar pink blush, use NARS' Blush in Orgasm.
Meghan Markle
Like Kate Middleton before her, Meghan Markle exclusively wears pared-back makeup to all her events. "Meghan's flawless skin has a natural flush cheek and a smudged brown liner around her eyes," Spyksma explains. "Use a dark brown eyeliner like Stila's Smudge Stick in Damsel to line the upper and lower lash lines and smudge it for that soft look."
Kendall Jenner
Kendall Jenner regularly wears this version of no-makeup makeup. It involves a radiant foundation, sheer balm (like Clinique's Almost Lipstick), and a slight flick of eyeliner at the outer corner of each eye. (Catch up on her best hairstyles of all time, like the one she's wearing here at Coachella).
Emma Stone
The star of Emma's natural-looking makeup? Her beautiful, rosy pink lip! Hart suggests using NARS' Velvet Matte Lipstick Pencil in Dolce Vita to mimic her pout. "Keep the rest of your makeup clean and simple so the lip can be the main focus," she adds.
Byrdie Tip
To prep your pout, Gore recommends gently brushing your lips with your toothbrush and water to remove any dryness before applying lip balm and lipstick.
Gisele Bündchen
Who said you need a surplus of products to bring Gisele's natural makeup look to life? According to Anton Khachaturian, L.A.-based celebrity and TV makeup artist and expert, you can use NARS' The Multiple in Orgasm on your eyes, cheeks, and lips for a quick and easy makeup look.
Urassaya Sperbund
Urassaya's eyes are striking on their own thanks to their deep, piercing brown color. To leave the attention on them, her natural makeup look involves perfectly groomed, thick brows and a few coats of mascara—with a swipe of pink on her cheeks and lips for just the right amount of color. For her doe-eyed lashes, try L'Oréal Paris' Bambi Eye Mascara.
Jamie Chung
We can't decide what we like more—Jamie Chung's Audrey Hepburn–esque brows or her ever-so-slightly smoky eyeliner. We're calling it a tie. "Jamie's look is a soft, natural glam with perfectly glowing skin and cheek highlight," Spyksma says. "One of my favorite highlighter palettes that's perfect for this look is Love You So Mochi by NYX Cosmetics."
Gabrielle Union
Gabrielle Union's shimmering bronze eye and soft matte base all come down to proper skin preparation. Gore's red carpet must-have for the perfect skin prep? The Mizz Bloom Jade Roller. "The jade feels soothing and refreshing on the skin, and also has major skin benefits," she says. These include tightening, promoting blood circulating, and reducing puffiness and wrinkles.
Emily Ratajkowski
Emily Ratajkowski's interpretation of natural makeup is all about bronze. Her orangey-nude lip pairs well with sun-kissed bronzer and soft brown eyeliner. "I love Marc Jacobs Beauty O!Mega Bronzer for this warm glow," says Spyksma.
Hailey Bieber
Scibelli explains that with Hailey's look, it’s really about keeping the brows natural and not over-filled and adding some sultry warm shadows around the eyes. "For the same lip effect, I’d suggest using a lip liner that is closest to your natural lip color, and just line and even fill in the lips with it," he says. Try Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil.
Camila Morrone
Camila's natural makeup look proves you don't have to wear bold shades to make a statement. To mimic the look, choose a lipstick in a shade that's nearly identical to your skin tone. Try finding your color match from MAC's Satin Lipstick range, which has a creamy, satin finish. It's all about highlighting your natural beauty.
Lady Gaga
For Lady Gaga, natural makeup is all about bronzed and sun-kissed skin! To add some depth to your natural skin tone, Hart recommends trying a body bronzer, like Tarte’s Better Bod Bronzer and Contour, for a healthy glow. "After that, sweep a silvery shadow or liner on the upper lash line."
To get her peachy lip and cheek, use NARS' Blush in Torrid on the apples of the cheek and NARS' Afterglow Lip Shine Gloss in Orgasm.
Cameron Diaz
Cameron Diaz wears a subtle gold shimmer shadow across her lids that perfectly brings out her blue eyes and a bubblegum-pink balm on her lips. "Adding a little shimmer to a natural look is the perfect way to make it fun while keeping it stripped down," says Spyksma. Use NARS' Hardwired Eyeshadow in Galapagos to color your lids.
Beyoncé
With so many natural looks, even Beyoncé starts with great skin. "Prepping the skin with hydration will create a plump and smooth canvas to work on. I’d suggest incorporating a hydrating mask into your regimen two to three times a week, and especially before an event," says Scibelli. He recommends using Alchimie Forever's Kantic Brightening Moisture Mask. "It uses European blueberries, which contains the powerful antioxidant resveratrol, to brighten and protect the skin. It also contains oats which calms redness in the skin."
To give your skin an added boost in radiance, Scibelli suggests using a hydrating primer like Neutrogena’s Skin Boosting Radiant Primer + Serum under your makeup. "It’s formulated with squalene and peptides which gives the skin that glow. It also has a sheer built-in pearlized finish, which acts like a skin luminizer."
Gigi Hadid
Gigi Hadid's natural-looking makeup is all about monochromatic caramel. "Try using a soft matte bronzer on your lids, lower lash line, and in a C shape from your temples around to your cheeks," says Hart. "For the lip color, try a shade like Uoma Beauty's Lipstick in Angela topped with their Boss Gloss in Passion."
Joan Smalls
What's a natural makeup roundup with a nude lip? Joan Smalls' brown matte lipstick (Anastasia Beverly Hills' Ultra Matte Lipstick, in Soft Touch could be a dupe) speaks for itself and is beautifully paired with an orangey blush that contrasts ever so slightly against her skin.
Lily Collins
Lily Collins proves that anyone can go without lip color, bronzer, or pretty much everything else as long as you have fluttery lashes and bold brows. Sometimes it's as simple as brushing up your brows with a spoolie. To get the look, Spyksma recommends using YSL's Faux Cils Mascara to give your lashes a glam boost and Anastasia Beverly Hills' Clear Brow Gel.
Gal Gadot
Gal Gadot shows us how red carpet makeup and natural-looking makeup aren't mutually exclusive terms. We like how she keeps her brows natural and her lips nude, only complementing her bronzed skin with a rim of dark eyeliner. To groom your brows but still keep them natural-looking like hers, use a clear brow gel, like Glosser's Boy Brow in Clear.
Dua Lipa
It's no secret that Dua Lipa is known for striking brows. While her look as a whole is minimalist, her thick brows and flawless, glowing skin demand to be noticed. To mimic her complexion, look for a radiant finish foundation, like NARS' Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation.
Bella Hadid
This "barely there," soft red carpet look is what every editorial makeup artist dreams about, according to Gore. "For this super-natural glowing skin, I would use a hyaluronic acid serum to moisturize, illuminate, and create a soft finish for a sheer foundation application." As for your lips, she recommends coloring them with Dior's Lip Glow in Rosewood.
Kelly Rowland
We're obsessed with Kelly Rowland's complexion, which is equal parts dewy and radiant. For a radiant base, Spyksma suggests trying Armani's Luminous Silk Foundation. To boost your glow, reach for Glossier's Moonstone Haloscope Highlighter.
Ciara
Scibelli explains that Ciara's natural look is all about keeping the skin even and matte. "The features are accentuated but not overly done," he adds.
"For those perfect brows, I’d suggest filling in your shape with a pointed brow pencil and then brushing through with a brow gel. To add that spark to the eyes, try using a gold eyeshadow or even a gold highlighter (we love Smashbox X BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter Mini in Champagne Pop) to the inner corners of the eyes—which instantly brightens and opens up the eye shape."
Madelaine Petsch
Madelaine's natural red locks typically steal the show, which is why we're loving how her natural makeup look complements her mane. To get the look, use a pale peach shade on your cheeks, lids, and lips. Then, draw a thin, precise black line (try using Stila's Stay All Day Liquid Eyeliner in Intense Black) along your upper lash line.
Zoey Deutch
To recreate this look, Hart says to keep the eye really simple with a neutral shimmering taupe eyeshadow like the ones in Tom Ford's Nude Dip Palette. "Then, run a matte black shadow along the upper lash line to softly define and sharpen the look—try Ace Beaute's eyeshadow in Neroli from the Quintessential Palette with a small angled liner brush."
Miley Cyrus
"For Miley’s look, it’s really about that clean cat eye and coats of mascara for those big lashes," says Scibelli. He recommends using an ultra-black liquid liner on the upper lid to create that sleek line. "If you have trouble with your cat eye, you can always use a pointed cotton swab dipped into a liquid makeup remover (try La Roche Posay's Micellar Water around the eyes to clean up a cat-eye shape or any eyeshadow fallout."
Emily Weiss
According to Hart, this natural look can be recreated by using a soft brown eyeshadow on the lid and lower lash line." She recommends using Lancome's Color Design in Click, then adding a pop of Sand in the center of the lid. "Pair that with a pearly peach lipstick like Lancome's L'Absolu Rouge Hydrating Lipstick in Coquette."
Zendaya
Who isn't a fan of this bronzey natural look on Zendaya? "For this look, I would suggest keeping the eye makeup specifically on the upper lid for that upward eye makeup direction," says Scibelli. "A warm bronzey tone on the eyes always warms up the crease and brings out any lighter tones in brown eyes. It will also bring out lighter eyes as well," he explains.
For your face makeup, he suggests skipping the blush and swapping it for a bronzer, which can be used in the contour areas of the face. "Finish with a neutral lip balm, even something like Jouer’s Essential Lip Enhancer for that glossy clear lip."
Davikah
It's safe to say that a lot of the time, natural makeup and monochromatic makeup are synonymous. That's certainly the case with this look from Davikah. We particularly love the rosy pink shade smudged ever so slightly along her lower lash line. Try using NARS' Eyeshadow in Cabo San Lucas to mimic the look.
Sophia Bush
You'll be happy to hear that Sophia's natural makeup look can be quickly recreated, according to Hart. "Choose a matte, brown-toned lip like Huda Beauty's Liquid Matte Lipstick in Trendsetter along with a shimmering rose gold shadow on the lid like Charlotte Tilbury's Eyes To Mesmerize Long Lasting Cream Shadow in Rose Gold."
Natalie Portman
"Corals and pinks really bring the hazel out in brown eyes, which is what we can see here with Natalie," Scibelli says. "For this summery pink look, think about using a pink-toned product that you can use on your lips and cheeks. Cream blushes (we love Fenty Beauty's Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick in Yacht Lyfe) are great because they’re universal so you can dab some on the lips and even in the crease of the eyes to warm them up."
Justine Skye
Another monochromatic look we can't get enough of is this natural makeup look on Justine Skye. To get that glowing skin, Hart recommends mixing an illuminating primer into your foundation. "I love Laura Mercier’s Illuminating Primer mixed with Uoma Beauty's hydrating Say What? Foundation," she says.
"Add a glossy nude lip to finish this look. Try Huda Beauty's Demi Matte Cream Lipstick in Revolutionaire topped with their Silk Balm Hydrating and Nourishing Lip Balm."
Tyra Banks
For this sultry smokey effect, Scibelli recommends using minimal eyeliner on the top lid, and instead use a taupe or any earth-toned shadow, like Anastasia Beverly Hills' Eyeshadow in Stone, up to the crease. "If you have the space, really blend it out upward," he adds.
"For Tyra’s smize, try using a brow product to accentuate the arches of the brows. You use a liner in the arch area just along and slightly above the brow to lift it upward."
Rachel McAdams
Rachel McAdams also rocks a monochromatic natural makeup look, and according to Khachaturian, Stila's Convertible Colour is "the perfect way to give your cheeks and lips a quick pop."
"Throw on a little L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Mascara Carbon Black and you’ll be ready to go!"
Jordin Sparks
"Something I do on clients often is use a bronzer as a blush, which seems like Jordin’s vibe right here," Scibelli says. "When you want to contour the skin without looking overly blushed up, just simply use a bronzer—preferable one without shimmer—on the perimeters of the face. This really adds that sun-kissed look too."
To mimic her bold, big lashes, he recommends turning to a pair of falsies. "Ardell's Demi Wispies are a great at-home starter lash."
Gina Rodriguez
Gina’s beautiful glam is mostly about a big fluffy lash, according to Hart. "My favorite way to achieve this is by using Mari Shten's Individual Lashes in the style Valery. I like to use two different lengths and switch between them along the lash line to create a natural yet impactful eye."
Jennifer Lopez
It's safe to say that JLo looks absolutely fierce in any look she wears, with this natural makeup look being no exception. "It's so much about her angled brows, her lashes, and of course her dewy cheek," Scibelli says. "For that arched and lifted brow, use a pointed brow pencil and fill in the brows how you would naturally—but this time follow along the upper part of your brows more to accentuate an arch." To achieve JLo's signature brow finish, he suggests adding a pop of highlighter, like NARS' Highlighting Powder, right under the brows to really emphasize the arch.
"For her dewy finish, try swapping your powder highlighter for a cream highlighter for more of that skin-like finish."
Lauren Conrad
A little liner and bronzer can be a great way to look fabulous and finished, according to Khachaturian. She recommends using the Maybelline's Gel Eyeliner in Blackest Black and pairing it with a little Light, Camera, Lashes Mascara from Tarte. "Add a touch of Tom Ford’s Soleil Glow Bronzer in Gold Dust for a bronzed, glowy look. This works great as blush, too!"
Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez's natural makeup look is centered around coral, making it the perfect pick for summer. "Try using a peach or warm pink-toned eye shadow as a wash of color all over the lid," says Scibelli. "You can see there really isn’t a smokey effect or even a highlighter under the brows—it's just this wash of color that I love)." To sweep away any excess product that may look heavy, he recommends using a clean blending brush. Then, finish the look with a creamy, beautiful coral lipstick, like NARS' Lipstick in Casablanca.
Camila Cabello
"I love this classic, natural look on Camila, which features a cheek highlight, liquid eyeliner, and a nude lip," Scibelli says. "For this liner look, I would suggest keeping the liner as close to the lash line as possible and building it up as preferred. She also lined the inner rim of the eyes, which you can do with a coal liner pencil." He loves Urban Decay’s 24/7 Liners and Make Up For Ever’s Waterproof Pencil Liners. "They both don’t budge or smudge!"
For a bright, shimmering highlight, he recommends looking for a powder highlighter that is finely milled yet still very pigmented.
Simone Ashley
Bronzed cheeks, killer natural brows, rosy, rum raisin lips, and an eyeliner that matches her raven hair is what Simone Ashley wants us to take away from this look. It's an enhanced glam that still says "this only took me a few minutes in the mirror."
Claudia Vega
Model Claudia Vega's makeup look is as dewy as they come. A great brow gel like Anastasia Beverly Hills Strong Hold Clear Brow Gel will help keep brows in place. For the cheeks, a cream blush will create a subtle rosy glow. We like Makeup By Mario Soft Pop Blush Stick for its natural finish and diverse shade range.
Elsa Hosk
We have to admit—we're obsessed with everything about Elsa Hosk's natural makeup look. From her brows to her brownish nude lip to her smoky under-eyes, the '90s soft glam look is ideal for those who want to keep their makeup subtle but still make a lasting impression.
Meghann Fahy
Meghann Fahy's natural smoky eye has a subtle rose hue to it, which complements her eyes and fair skin tone perfectly. A little shimmer to the inner corner and lots of mascara finish her eyes. As for her lips, she keeps it simple with a rosy peach cream option, like Glossier Ultralip in Peony Pink.
Jasmine Phillips
Byrdie's own beauty editor Jasmine Phillips's look is the epitome of barely-there beauty. The key to a successful beauty look is the skincare prep before it. A hydrating moisturizer like CeraVe Moisturizing Cream and hyaluronic acid serum like SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier will ensure that any and all makeup take well to your face.
Margot Robbie
Everything is illuminated in Margot Robbie's look here. Her shiny and sleek blonde hair and blue eyes brighten her face, and peach blush and a subtle nude shadow keep things as close to not wearing makeup as you can get. One thing you will need for a little extra glam is a good mascara, and lots of it. A few swipes of Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara should do the trick.
Gemma Chan
A rose lip and subtle smoky lavender eye brings coolness to Gemma Chan's barely-there makeup up look. Try Charlotte Tilbury's lipstick in Bitch Perfect to get her color
Jasmine Tookes
Jasmine Tookes is a bronzed beauty. Her smoky plum eyeshadow and barely there lipstick appear very natural to her skin tone and complement her dark features.
Halle Berry
Halle Berry is a vision in this gold natural makeup look, which pairs well with her earrings, gorgeous skin tone, and complements the caramel highlights in her hair.
Lucy Liu
Talk about less is more. You can create Lucy Liu's entire look with a few sweeps of three products: an eye, lip, and cheek tint (we like Danessa Myricks Beauty Colorfix - Multi-Use Eye, Cheek & Lip Waterproof Liquid Pigment, some eyeliner, and a few coats of mascara. It's that simple!
Priyanka Chopra Jonas
A minimal matte look and smoky eye is one that can be easily taken from day to night. Priyanka Chopra Jonas's light charcoal smoky eye and natural lip can be amplified with a higher pigmented shadow (or metallic for a night out) and gloss over top of her lips.