Let me tell you a very real, very chaotic story about the time I tried to master the natural makeup look for my cousin’s baby shower.
Spoiler alert: it started with glitter, ended with tinted lip balm on my eyelid (don’t ask), and somewhere in between, I may have tried to contour using a brown eyeliner pencil. Like I said—chaos.
But here’s the thing. After many, many trial runs, YouTube spirals, and a brief existential crisis in a Walgreens beauty aisle—I figured out a few DIY tips and tricks that actually made me look fresh, glowy, and not like I was trying too hard.
So now, I’m that person. The one who can whip out a “no makeup” makeup look in under 10 minutes while eating cold toast and arguing with my toddler about why he can’t wear Batman pajamas to daycare again.
Wanna know how I do it? Buckle up, bestie. This ride includes questionable decisions, weird beauty hacks, and a few surprisingly solid tips.
But First—What Even Is a Natural Makeup Look?
You ever look at someone and think, “Wow, she looks so put together but also like she just woke up flawless?”
That. That’s the look.
It’s not full glam. It’s not no makeup. It’s somewhere in the magical land of “I spent 7 minutes on my face and now I look alive.” Kind of like when you drink a green smoothie and suddenly believe in yourself again.
Step 1: Skin Prep aka Don’t Skip This or You’ll Regret Everything
Before we even touch a makeup brush (or, in my case, the back of a baby spoon—long story), we gotta talk skin.
Here’s my lazy girl natural beauty routine that makes my skin less “I slept 4 hours” and more “glowy forest fairy who drinks water.”
DIY Skin Prep Ritual
- Splash cold water on your face. Like, real cold. It wakes you up and tightens things up a bit.
- Mix a few drops of rose water + aloe vera gel. Apply it with your fingers. No cotton pads. This isn’t Downton Abbey.
- DIY moisturizer: Olive oil + a drop of lavender oil. Rub between palms and press into your skin. Instant spa vibes.
(Side note: I once tried coconut oil instead of olive and broke out in exactly three chin zits shaped like the Big Dipper. So maybe skip that.)
Step 2: Base Face – The “I Woke Up Like This” Illusion
Foundation is cool and all, but for a real natural makeup look, I like to do this sneaky thing I call “Spot-Face.” It’s not a trend (yet), but it should be.
Here’s how I do it:
- Tinted moisturizer or BB cream: Mix with a dab of your regular moisturizer if it’s too thick. I use whatever’s on sale.
- Use fingers or a damp sponge: But only put it where you need it! Red nose? Spot it. Weird patchy cheek from forgetting to exfoliate? Spot it.
- Concealer: Dab a dot under eyes, blend with your ring finger (gentle, baby), and maybe one more dot on that chin breakout you swore was gone.
And boom—your skin still looks like skin. But like, better.
Step 3: Brows, But Don’t Go Full 2016
Ah yes, the brows. A tricky beast.
Remember the days of the Instagram brow era? The sharp, sculpted, “I could slice bread with these” look? Yeah…we’re not doing that.
DIY Brow Hack I Swear By:
- Use an old toothbrush (yes, seriously—just clean it, please)
- Dip it in a mix of aloe gel + a smidge of hair gel
- Brush your brows up and out like you’re fluffing a very small squirrel
Then fill in any sparse spots with a light hand using an eyeshadow that matches your brow. No pomade. No stencils. No trauma.
Step 4: Eyes – Keep It Chill (And Possibly Use Your Fingers)
I used to think I needed like, four shades of matte brown and a separate brush for each. Now? I grab one cream eyeshadow stick or even—brace yourself—a lip tint.
Yup. I swipe some rosy lip tint on my lid, dab it with my finger, and call it a day. Something about it just works. It looks soft and effortless, like I meant to do it.
Add a tiny dab of highlighter in the inner corners of your eyes (or even a pearly lip balm), and suddenly you look awake. It’s like witchcraft. Or caffeine. Probably both.
Step 5: Mascara, but Make It Minimalist
If you’ve got time for lash curling, go off queen. But if you’re me?
You maybe remember to scrape off the clumps and swipe one quick coat before the school run.
Mascara tips that don’t suck:
- Wipe off excess product with a tissue before applying
- Wiggle the wand at the roots, then swipe up
- Use brown mascara for a softer natural vibe (trust me, it slaps)
Step 6: Cheeks – The Blush-Highlighter-Lipbalm Trifecta
Okay so here’s where I kind of break the rules and use one product for three things. And no, I’m not a genius—I’m just lazy and hate cleaning brushes.
My go-to? A creamy pink blush stick.
Dab on cheeks. Blend with fingers.
Swipe a little on lips.
Then tap a tiny amount on the tip of your nose if you wanna look like a sun-kissed garden sprite.
You can also fake highlighter with a bit of Vaseline or a shiny lip balm. Just don’t overdo it or you’ll look like a glazed ham.
Final Touch: Lips That Say “I Eat Fruit” Not “I’m Trying Too Hard”
Gloss is back, baby—but let’s keep it subtle.
Here’s my signature move:
- Dab on a tinted balm
- Blot once with a tissue
- Add a dot of clear gloss only in the center of your lips
It gives you that plump, fresh look without looking like you’re auditioning for a ’90s music video (although honestly? Tempting).
Real Talk: This Look Isn’t About Perfection
The first time I tried a natural makeup look, I accidentally used eyebrow pencil as lip liner. I’ve blended blush with my keys. I once forgot to blend entirely and walked around with a literal blush stripe on one cheek like a tribal warrior.
But here’s the thing—I felt kinda cute anyway.
Because this whole vibe? It’s not about getting it perfect. It’s about feeling a little more put together, a little more you, with just a smidge of sparkle (literal or otherwise).
A Few Weird Hacks That Weirdly Work
- Mix foundation with face oil = dewy goddess vibes
- Chilled spoons under eyes before concealer = shock therapy for puffiness
- Toothbrush exfoliation for lips before balm = chef’s kiss
- Use a baby wipe to “fix” mistakes. (Just maybe don’t use your kid’s if it’s already been used. Ew.)
Where to Use Images
- Before/After of Natural Makeup Look (but make it real, not influencer perfect)
- Overhead shot of DIY skincare ingredients laid out on a messy bathroom counter
- GIF of someone applying lip tint on cheeks, eyes, and lips like a multitasking boss
If You Made It This Far… Congrats, You’re Basically a Beauty Witch Now
Or at the very least, someone who knows how to fake being awake with a couple dabs and a tinted balm.
If you try this, let me know how it goes. If it flops, tell me anyway—I’ve probably done worse (like that time I used glitter glue as eye shimmer. Painful, but sparkly.)
And hey—wanna laugh at more of my makeup misadventures? Check out my friend Jess’s blog on DIY beauty fails [link to relatable blog] or this absolute gem of a Reddit thread on “Makeup Disasters That Still Slap” [link].
Go forth, be glowy, and never trust your bathroom lighting. https://kohopoho.com/top-hair-growth-oils/.
 nailed it with easy DIY tips, some chaos, and a lot of coffee.){kind=link}