Natural Makeup Look Tutorial (For Everyday Confidence)

By Luna Vale

Let me start with the truth: I don’t wear makeup to hide. I wear it to feel a little more me. Not “Instagram baddie me.” Not “flawless skin goddess me” (she doesn’t exist, btw). Just the me who feels a little brighter, a little more awake, and a little more in control of the chaos—whether I’m hopping on a Zoom call, running errands, or just trying to convince myself I have my life together.

This is the natural makeup look I come back to every single day. It takes me 10–15 minutes max (less if I skip eyeliner, more if I get distracted by a podcast). It lets my real skin peek through, doesn’t clog my acne-prone pores, and gives me that “I woke up like this but better” glow.

So let’s walk through it, step by step—from someone who’s been through the breakouts, the bad blending, and the beauty YouTube rabbit holes. I got you.

🧴 Step 1: Skincare = Your Base

Before we talk makeup, let’s talk skin. A natural look is only as good as the canvas, and I’m not saying you need flawless skin (I never have it), but hydrated skin? That’s the goal.

Here’s what I use before makeup:

• Gentle Cleanser (CeraVe Hydrating or The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm)
• Light Moisturizer (e.l.f. Holy Hydration FTW)
• Sunscreen (La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 50 if I’m leaving the house)

If my skin’s acting up or extra dry, I’ll press in a drop or two of rosehip oil before moisturizer. It makes everything blend smoother.

“Natural makeup starts with hydrated skin, not ten pounds of product. Trust.”

💁‍♀️ Step 2: Light Coverage, Real Skin

Let’s be honest. There was a time when I thought “natural makeup” meant full-coverage foundation, baking powder, and 37 steps. No. Absolutely not.

For everyday, I use one of two things:

Option 1: Skin Tint or BB Cream

My go-to lately has been the L’Oréal True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum. It evens things out just enough but still lets my freckles (and hormonal acne) peek through.

Option 2: Spot Concealing + Bare Skin

If my skin’s having a rare good day, I skip foundation altogether and just use concealer (more on that below) where I need it: around my nose, under my eyes, and on any redness or spots.

I apply with my fingers or a damp sponge because I’m lazy and it melts in better anyway.

✨ Step 3: Conceal, Don’t Cake

I don’t try to erase everything. I just soften the parts that are screaming “I didn’t sleep,” or “Hi, I’m stress acne.”

My top fave? Maybelline Fit Me Concealer. It’s lightweight, blendable, and actually stays put.

How I apply:

• Dab a little under the eyes (just the inner corner and outer edge)
• Dot on redness (around nose, chin)
• Tap onto blemishes (I let it sit for 30 seconds before blending—it sticks better)

“Your face doesn’t need to be perfect. Just comforted a little.”

🪄 Step 4: Cream Everything for That Skin-Like Glow

Powder has its place, but if I’m going for natural, I want cream formulas that blend into my skin, not sit on top.

Blush

I live for blush—it’s the fastest way to look alive. I use e.l.f. Putty Blush or Milani Cheek Kiss Cream Blush in a peachy-pink shade.

I tap it on my cheeks and a little on my nose for that “I took a walk and drink water” energy.

Bronzer (optional)

If I’m looking a little flat, I warm things up with a bit of Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer—yes, it’s powder, but it blends like a cream and smells like a vacation.

Just a touch on the outer cheeks and jawline. Nothing too sculpted.

Highlighter

I use a dab of Burt’s Bees Highlighter Stick on the high points—cheekbones, brow bone, a little on the bridge of the nose. It’s more dewy than sparkly, which is the vibe I’m going for.

👁 Step 5: Brows, But Make Them Chill

Natural brows don’t mean “do nothing,” they mean “let them look like your brows, but slightly more awake.”

Here’s what I do:

1. Brush them up with a spoolie.
2. Fill in sparse spots with a NYX Micro Brow Pencil—I use quick, light strokes.
3. Set with e.l.f. Wow Brow Gel for hold without crunch.

If I’m in a rush, I skip the pencil and just fluff with gel.

“Don’t overthink brows. They’re sisters, not twins. Sometimes they’re distant cousins, and that’s okay.”

👁‍🗨 Step 6: Eyes—Simple + Soft

I don’t wear eyeshadow every day. But when I do, I keep it soft.

Everyday eye trick:

• One matte shade (warm taupe or soft brown) all over the lid
• Blend it out with my finger or a fluffy brush
• Optional shimmer tap on the center if I’m feeling fancy

I line my upper lash line with a dark brown pencil (NYX or Essence), smudge it a little, and curl my lashes.

Mascara

I use Essence Lash Princess (in the green tube) or L’Oréal Telescopic for lift and length without clumps.

Sensitive-eye tip: If mascara irritates your eyes, try washing your lashes before bed with a gentle cleanser. That helped me a lot.

💋 Step 7: Lips—Gloss, Balm, or Both

Here’s the truth: I own 47 lip products but usually just use tinted balm or gloss.

Faves:

• Aquaphor + Lip Liner (simple, natural, flattering)
• Maybelline Lifter Gloss (dupe for Fenty, smells amazing)
• Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Rose or Red Dahlia

If I want a little more definition, I’ll line with NYX Slim Lip Pencil in Nude Truffle and blend it out with balm.

“The goal is lips that look kissable, not overdrawn.”

🌿 Optional: Set (But Softly)

I don’t always set my makeup, but if I’m going to be out and about, I use:

• e.l.f. Halo Glow Setting Powder (just in the T-zone)
• Or a quick spritz of Milani Make It Last Setting Spray

No baking. No heavy powder layers. Just enough to keep things fresh without flattening the glow.

💗 Final Thoughts: Beauty ≠ Perfection

This routine isn’t about changing your face. It’s about enhancing the features you already love (or are learning to love). Some days I skip it entirely. Some days I add a little winged liner or bold lip just for the fun of it.

And sometimes—I still break out, still feel blah, still question everything in the mirror.

But this little ritual? It grounds me. It reminds me I can show up for myself in a small, soft way. That even on messy days, I deserve to feel beautiful.

“Natural makeup isn’t about looking flawless. It’s about looking like you—just a little more confident.”

Now go forth and glow, babe.

And if your concealer creases, or your eyeliner smudges, or your skin is just not cooperating today—know that you’re still enough.

Always.

xo,
Luna