Lisa Eldridge Explains All The Secrets Behind The Definitive ‘No Make-Up’ Make-Up Look

Renowned make-up artist Lisa Eldridge reveals how to achieve the perfect 'no make-up' make-up look

by grazia |

Updated on10th May 2020 at 8.50am

Lisa Eldridge counts Victoria Beckham, Cindy Crawford and Keira Knightley as loyal clients and it’s her mastery of the barely-there look that keeps A-listers coming back for their glow. Here she reveals exactly how it's done.

The Look

The secret lies in embracing your skin. ‘You want to even out your skin tone but leave and celebrate the variety of colours there. This makes it believable and fresh,' says Lisa.

©Jason Lloyd Evans

The Steps

1. Foundation: ‘Apply only to the areas that need evening out. Use a clean brush or a damp sponge and buff all over. Check that the layers of foundation are seamless with the skin. You don’t want any tell-tale edges.’

2. Blush: ‘Opt for a cream blush for normal to dry skin and a liquid texture for oilier skin. I like using Stila’s Convertible Colour Dual Lip and Cheek Cream, £18, or Daniel Sandler’s Watercolour Liquid Blush, £16.50. Choose shades that mimic the colour in your cheeks when you blush. (If you’re someone with high natural colour in your cheeks, skip this altogether.) Apply to the apples of your cheeks and build colour.’

3. Highlighter: ‘A liquid or cream product is preferable. Avoid glitter particles or a metallic finish. Choose a shade that blends into your skin tone. Apply to cheekbones, the centre of the nose and upper lip.’

Your foundation, blush, and highlighter should all be in complete synergy

4. Concealer: ‘Use something with good coverage, so you won’t need to use as much. Apply it to the shadowy areas of your face, like under your eyes.’

5. Eyes: ‘Use something that evens out skin tone but doesn’t look like you’re wearing any make-up. I like Perricone MD’s No Makeup Eyeshadow, £29, but you can also use a thin, light-reflective concealer or a cream eyeshadow, such as MAC’s Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Groundwork, £16.50. Avoid anything with glitter. Next, apply a light, contouring shade to the socket line – something taupe toned and matte. Blend well with a fluffy brush.’

6. Lashes: ‘Give eyelashes a really good curl and opt for a defining mascara that looks natural. I like the DHC Perfect Pro Double Protection Mascara, £15.90.’

7. Lips: ‘If your lips already have colour in them, a touch of balm and lip pencil will do the trick. If you have quite pale lips and want to enhance the colour, you can use the blush that you used for the cheeks and a small amount of pencil for definition.’

©Jason Lloyd Evans

Lisa’s Top Tip

‘Blend the edges of your blush and highlighter with your foundation brush, which should carry a little residue of product. This makes the overall look seamless. Your foundation, blush, and highlighter should all be in complete synergy, so you can’t see where one ends and another begins.’