How to master the minimalist ‘no-makeup’ look

With warm weather just around the corner, it’s time to get primed on the latest beauty trend for 2025: lighter, fresher, minimalist makeup. Achieving this year’s ‘barely there’ look is about choosing cosmetics that accentuate and subtly enhance, without the need for heavy application. The aim is summer skin that feels as effortlessly breezy as throwing on a floral midi for a picnic.

Yet, the truth is, nailing the ‘no makeup’ look definitely requires makeup. The key is to focus on a small team of products that boost your natural glow; a bit like a capsule wardrobe for your face. Follow these steps and soon you’ll look like you’ve been mainlining celery smoothies since Christmas.

When the goal is looking as natural as possible, proper skin prep pays off. Choose a moisturiser, balm or primer infused with skin-loving ingredients that hydrate your complexion – it helps you to use less product overall. Sunscreen is essential, so if your first step doesn’t contain SPF 30 (or higher) add one in – and don’t forget to reapply sunscreen every couple of hours, especially when spending time in the sun.

Tinted moisturisers are the ultimate no-makeup makeup multitaskers because they’re skincare, makeup and SPF in one. Find the perfect shade for your tone, then use the least amount of product you can to even out your complexion.

For natural-looking, fluttery lashes, choose a mascara that provides more volume and fullness without looking too ‘done’. To brighten the eye area, the understated Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick goes on smoothly, lasts all day and never creases.

Tinted lip oils are the saviours you never knew you needed. They simultaneously moisturise and create long-lasting shine with just one swipe of barely-there (or buildable) pigment. New to these? Clarins’ Lip Oil Balm’s creamy formula hydrates, protects and instantly brightens your look.

Minimalist make-up means subtle, seamless blusher or bronzer, with only a hint of cheek contouring. Try Charlotte Tilbury’s wonder product, the Hollywood Contour Wand, for a perfect pigment match – it accentuates your skin, so you look like you, only better.