5 Effortless Makeup Tips for a Natural, Confident Glow

Wouldn’t it be nice if makeup was a simple task? Instead, it often feels like one has to go through lengthy tutorials and have professional kits to look aesthetically pleasing. The good news is that I am here to inform you that it’s much more straightforward! I remember fiddling with eyeliners and mascara in my mid-teens while trying to accomplish that picture-perfect makeup look after watching a bunch of YouTube tutorials, and let me assure you it isn’t as difficult as it sounds.

After a few glitter disasters and years worth of tutorials, I can now confidently claim that looking natural and polished is totally doable with minimal effort. If these words resonate with you: if you’re a career woman, a busy mom, or if you’re supper one strung out without the need of a full makeup routine, these tips are for you regardless of your budget or plans for the day. You deserve these five step practical guides to augment your inherent beauty with ease so grab your coffee because—we’re just getting started.

Cover Up for An Easier and Weightless Look

Let’s be honest: a mask for a face is neither comforting nor appealing and neither is the heaviness of foundation. Instead, consider spot concealing.

I discovered this trick to hide acne blemishes that have plagued me for years. I now understand that breakouts can linger well beyond teenage years. Applying a full-coverage concealer such as ‘NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer’, take a dense fluffy brush and apply the product onto the areas of concern using the tapping motion. Cakey looks should be avoided as tapping keeps the product as natural as possible. A fluffy brush offers more coverage as oppose to fingers and sponges which means you have to use less product. It’s like using Photoshop but for your face, so not too intimidating. Pro tip: Blend the outer edges with the finger if you don’t want to appear as thou u have spent too much time on makeup. This trick takes less than two minutes and makes you feel put together without feeling makeup heavy.

Define with Subtle Contour

There’s a lot of use of the word ‘contour’ out there. Most of them would be based on influencers. Yet, I assure you it isn’t complicated. Afterall, it is not ‘rocket science,’ right? Contour sticks, like the ones sold by Fenty Beauty, are best used here. Soft brushes are also suitable as they do not disturb the surface under the cheekbones and jawlines of the face. Contour can even be placed on the nose. It can be contoured by tapping instead of dragging as that way the concealer is kept in place while avoiding streaks. For me, contouring was taking makeup to the extreme and artificially changing the face of a person. Taking it to the next level in makeup by using definition techniques, but, in reality, it is all about enhancing. As I learned from Mario on Instagram, contouring can outline your face in addition to enhancing beauty, and this step easily takes less than a minute. Warmth and structure are on the house! Don’t mind if I do.

Tame Brows with Hairspray Magic

Contrary to popular opinion, achieving perfect brows does not have to rely on intricate products. I use a simple trick that requires nothing but hairspray: Yes, the kind many have stored in their bathrooms. All you need to do is take a spoolie, give it a little hairspray, and brush it through your brows until they are tacky. After that, you can style them the way you like. This simple trick keeps my brows in that shape all day during even the most strenuous activities, and has saved me a lot of money on expensive brow gels. If your brows have missing patches, you can use brow pencils to lightly fill them up and clean the edges with a cotton swab. It’s cheap and saves a lot of time, but most importantly, achieves a clean appearance without the added effort. Worried you might accidentally apply too much product? A great tip is to start light, and gradually add more if needed.

Blush for a Healthy Flush

Blush is great for lifting your spirits, but it can look uneven when applied straight from the tube. Rather, scoop out some Glossier Cloud Paint cream blush and apply it to the back of your hand; then use a stippling brush to place it on the cheeks, nose, and brow bone. This technique gives a warm, luminous wash all over the face that looks like you’ve taken a brisk walk and are flushed from the fresh air; it was taught to me by my favorite makeup artist on Instagram @namvo. I personally never reached for blush as I thought it was “extra,” but once a client mentioned it made her feel “alive,” even on the most no-sleep days, I realized its potential. Add some to your nose for added sun-kissed warmth. If you’re concerned about looking overdone, take it slow—you’d be surprised how little you need. The best part about this technique is that it only takes 30 seconds and instantly brightens your complexion.

Foxy Eyes with Minimal Effort

To me, makeup focuses starts from the eyes. A foxy-eye look can easily be achieved with no more than two steps. Use a brown eyeliner pencil and an angled brush to draw a wing close to the lash line. Make sure to keep the wing short to make it appropriate for everyday wear. Curl your lashes using a reliably good curler from Shu Uemura and apply black waterproof mascara at the base of the lashes to give them lift without clumping. I prefer waterproof mascara as it holds the curl better which is helpful for long days. For added drama, place a small lash cluster on the outer corner of the eye, but let the glue dry a bit first so that it doesn’t become a sticky mess. I once tried to put one on in a bathroom mirror and nearly lost my temper, but practice makes this easier. Put on a little bit of concealer under your lash and this will help lift the look. This helps create the illusion of someone who is bright and full of energy. Although the makeup is bold enough to make you feel special, it is subtle enough to be worn during Zoom calls.

As you can see, looking livelier does not have to take a lot of time, money, or even skill. These five tips ― spot concealing, subtle contouring, brow grooming, blush layering, and a sultry eye look — are tricks that help you feel effortlessly polished and confident. Try one or two tips that feel the most comfortable and adjust them until they suit you best. Perhaps, like me, you will end up falling in love with blush or perhaps you will discover that brow hack makes mornings simpler for you. The best part is, remember, you are not trying to achieve perfection; you are simply seeking to highlight an amazing you that already exists. So, have fun with that brush and let your inner glow shine. You are absolutely going to crush this!