The ‘no makeup’ term has become a common phrase used over recent years, in particular across social media platforms. Influencers and brands have created a false illusion around this look, presenting it as a very minimal look. However, this look still requires the individual’s time and the right products. The ‘no makeup’ phrase is very contradictory, as it insinuates it is what someone ‘should’ look like without makeup, when in fact the look does involve makeup. As a result, this term is setting very unrealistic expectations of how people should look without makeup and also overlooking the effort that goes into creating this makeup look.
How to Achieve the “No Makeup” Look
Everyone aiming to achieve this look will have a slightly different routine; however, the goal remains the same: to enhance your natural beauty using minimal and lightweight products. The most common routine includes using a skin tint or very lightweight foundation, concealer, brow gel, mascara, cream-based bronzer and blusher and a hydrating lip gloss to complete the look. Whilst the makeup products tend to remain the same, different blending techniques are used depending on how much coverage is needed; some people might use a brush, others might use a blending sponge, for example. The overall aim is to keep the skin looking natural and skin-like, whilst continuing to conform to traditional beauty standards of a clear and contoured face.
Beauty Standards
As previously mentioned, the beauty standards of clear and defined remain; however, this ‘no makeup’ look tends to assume that the foundations are made up of clear skin and balanced facial features, but this is rare. Therefore, it is important to note that this look might not work for everyone and, in fact, make people who aren’t fortunate enough to have clear skin feel worse about it. With that in mind, you can create a base with more coverage while still maintaining a ‘natural’ aesthetic by using less makeup when building the look—for example, applying cream-based bronzer and blush instead of heavy powdered contour. In addition, this illusion is magnified by filters on social media, making viewers have a false expectation of what the ‘no makeup’ look can achieve.
Pressure on Younger Audiences
The term ‘no makeup’ can subconsciously pressure younger audiences when social media creators they follow influence them. Their claim of wearing no makeup implies to their audience that you should naturally have clear skin and contoured features to make this look work. This can lead to viewers comparing themselves to influencers unfairly without knowing the full picture of what filters and makeup they have used. It has created a beauty ideal where heavy makeup seems like trying too hard, and your makeup should look almost natural. Furthermore, influencers tend to use higher-end products to achieve these looks, which might not be accessible to their younger audience. This gives a false impression when individuals are trying to use lower-end products, hoping to achieve the same coverage, for example.
Self-Expression
It is common for people to wear makeup as a form of personal expression, and the pressure of the ‘no makeup’ trend can affect these individuals, as bolder makeup can unintentionally seem excessive, and therefore they may feel judged for just expressing themselves. In addition to this, one of the main uses of makeup is to be able to cover any skin issues to help with one’s confidence. Therefore, when the beauty trend is to wear minimal makeup, this can make them feel more self-conscious, having to use more makeup to cover blemishes, which they might already be conscious about. This is the flaw in the beauty trend, and the beauty industry should make room for both minimal and expressive makeup looks.
Conclusion
A small change, such as using the term “minimal makeup” instead of “no makeup,” can enhance the integrity of the look by recognizing that makeup is still utilized to achieve it. The transparency by changing the term allows space for individuals to express themselves in whatever way that makes them feel the most confident. Nobody should have to change their makeup routine to conform to current beauty standards.