The TikTok make-up trend that’s minimal effort
While you might be familiar with the ‘no make-up-make-up’ look and perhaps you’ve rather effortfully slogged away at looking ‘effortless’ and preferably French, or aspired toward ‘Rich Girl Hair’, the latest thing to know is “clean look” beauty.
Clean look beauty has been going viral on TikTok (with nearly 48 million views) and while it centres on the kind of fresh faced approach that comes with being in possession of very good, very dewy skin, it’s also about keeping everything classic, slick and easy. This includes things like your hair (a tight, flyaway free bun with a middle part, obv, or shiny and loose), simple jewellery in gold or silver and pared-back basics, preferably in neutral hues and classic cuts.
The beauty trend has attracted some criticism such as its focus on clear skin without acne, scarring or other ‘imperfections’, and there tend to be more non-POC content creators demonstrating the how-to – however it’s a look for everyone.
Though while getting great skin is going to take time and good genes (a really great hydrating hyaluronic serum and/or a brightening serum will help—try Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S Thirst Quenching Serum, SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic or Alpha H Liquid Gold) clean beauty generally requires make-up bag staples you probably already have or that are worth investing in, easy techniques and useful multi-purpose products.
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Mostly it’s about having dewy skin and building from there. You’ll need good sunscreen (always any make-up bag MVP); try Ultra Violette for its skincare/sunscreen formulations, as the brand has just launched its highly anticipated tinted sunscreen, Dream Screen. You’re also going to need a tinted brow gel to quickly fill in and brush up your brows (try Benefit Gimme Brow) and a concealer for spots and under the eyes (try Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Away liquid concealer or Milk Makeup Sunshine Under Eye Tint + Brighten). A cream blush and/or a sheeny highlighter is the finishing touch. One that will never fail you? The Chanel Baume Essentiel Multi-Purpose Glow Stick which also comes in bronze and rose and can be used on cheeks, lips or really anywhere you want to spotlight. If you don’t want to go without foundation, but still want your skin to look like, well, your skin, try Sisley’s new Phyto-Teint Nude which is super sheer and also hydrating (so bonus points for keeping on aiming for that dewy, plumped skin). Estée Lauder Double Wear Sheer Long-Wear Makeup is another lightweight and sheer option.
How to get the look
Jennifer Horsley, MECCA’s Head of Artistry, says multi-use products are an easy way to achieve a minimal make-up look (with the added bonus of taking up minimal space in your cabinet).
Some of favourite products for this (and achieving that ultimate prize of glowing, dewy skin) include Charlotte Tilbury Brightening Youth Glow. “It brightens the skin, gives it a glow from within, and colour corrects to even out the skin tone,” and The Westman Atelier Loaded Tinted Highlight in Peau de Peche and Peau de Rose, “a fantastic multi use as it looks amazing as a blush, a highlighter, a eyeshadow and is so creamy and blendable”.
For Horsley, the key to nailing minimalist make-up (and thereby also clean look beauty) is making the most of your features and never forgetting about your brows.
“Always looking to define your features in a very natural way will always give off the illusion of effort made. The best way to do this is start with a skin tint or colour correcting primer to even out skin tone. Add a little hydrating concealer on any areas you might need, I always add a little under the eyes to brighten,” she says.
“A great brow gel to naturally define the brows and add shape and depth. A cream blush or bronzer to add life and warmth to the skin you can also sweep this across the eyes. Add a coat of mascara from the root of the lashes to add definition to the lash line and slick on your favourite lip balm.”
Make-up artist Jade Kisnorbo (@jade_kmakeup) says this summer the aesthetic is all about looking “lit from within.”
“The secret to achieving the glow is preparing the skin correctly with skincare products and then applying makeup in a specific way not being too heavy handed, rather using less product and building up only as required,” she says.
Another non-negotiable? Washing your darn face.
“There is no chance of creating a dewy complexion without a clean face—double cleanse skin with an oil-based cleanser (preferably) like the one from Bare Minerals, followed by a toner to seal, soothe and close any pores. As a general rule, apply skincare from thinnest to thickest, starting by pressing a serum into your skin. Next massaging skin with moisturiser is vital to stimulating the blood flow and plumping out the skin. Take three to four minutes to massage the product into the face and neck in an upwards motion. Every beauty aficionado knows that the best way to create a glow on the skin is by using Lait Creme Concentre by Embryolisse—it’s a great multi-tasker as it acts not only as a moisturiser but also a primer. I also like to use Cosmetics 27 Baume 27 balm.”
If your skin is on the oilier side, Kisnorbo suggests using a shine-free concealer in shine-prone areas and opting for a face spray such as Luminous Skin Mist by Tasha to pep up the complexion.
Keen to try the look? Keep scrolling for five products you’ll need.
An under-eye concealer (and a brightener to boot).
SHOP NOW: Milk Makeup Sunshine Under eye Tint + Brighten, $43 from Sephora
A multi-purpose product that you can always count on. Dewiness guaranteed.
SHOP NOW: Chanel Baume Essentiel, $71 from Myer
Your most important beauty step, always.
SHOP NOW: Ultra Violette Queen Screen Luminising Sun Serum, $47 from Sephora
Brows, like hair, are everything.
SHOP NOW: Benefit Gimme Brow, $45 from Benefit
Moisture is your friend!
SHOP NOW: Lait Creme Concentre by Embryolisse, $42 from Adore Beauty
Foundation that works like skincare? Yes please.
