From the MECCA Group Chat: Makeup For “No-Makeup” People
March 11 | 5 minute read
Words by Izzy Wight
While some of us at MECCA HQ commit to a full-coverage base, sculpted contour and shimmery eyeshadow on the daily, you may be surprised to know that others prefer bare-looking skin and a light lip tint at most. Ahead, expert tips for all kinds of makeup – from subtle skin prep to plump, glossy lips.
Skin prep, according to the pros
If there’s anything I’ve overheard from the Makeup Education desks at MECCA HQ, it’s that your skin prep (and set!) routine makes all the difference. According to the experts, prepping the skin with a radiance-boosting primer like MECCA MAX’s Bright on Bright Illuminating Primer will create a smooth, luminous canvas for your base products. Pair this with a multitasking colour corrector like Stila’s One Step Correct to neutralise any redness, sallow undertones, or purplish dark patches. After your foundation and concealer are in place, set with Tower 28’s GetSet Blur + Set Pressed Powder for a radiant, diffused finish that lasts, and lasts.
Makeup for people who don’t wear makeup
One of my friends recently admitted she’d love to wear makeup more often but hesitates because she doesn’t “really know how”. Outside of a coat of mascara on the occasional Saturday (à la Hannah Horvath from Girls), she says the process of getting glammed feels overwhelming. As it turns out, not everyone spent the formative years of their lives blindly following YouTube beauty tutorials – but luckily, I did. Here are some beauty essentials even the makeup-averse will appreciate.
A barely-there base
A brand known for its can’t-mess-them-up formulas, Glossier’s Stretch Fluid Foundation is the perfect beginner base. Dab a little onto the back of your hand and buff it into the skin with a sponge or brush, gradually applying more where needed. Looks like even, luminous skin; feels like you’re wearing nothing.
A buildable pigment for cheeks and lips
One swipe of the MECCA MAX Off Duty Blush Stick gives just the right amount of buttery, blendable colour. The burgundy-esque shade ‘Moody’ is flattering on almost every skin tone – apply with fingers on the cheeks and lips for a natural-looking flush and a just-bitten pout.
Brown liner and mascara
In an approachable shade of chocolate brown or chestnut, an eyeliner crayon is much more forgiving to apply than the glossy black liquid you’re picturing. With something like the MECCA MAX
Zoom Liner in ‘Chocolate’, you can easily buff out any mistakes – use it close to the lash line for dimension or buff towards your outer corner to create a soft wing. Pair with the MECCA MAX Whip Lash Tubing Mascara in ‘Brown’ for lifted, fluttery lashes.
What’s the lip combo?
It’s a question often seen in the comment section of the social posts of glossy-pouted internet celebrities and I completely understand why. Mastering your lip combo – whether it’s a simple liner and nude lipstick or a meticulous concoction of seven different shades of brown – is an art form. One that, according to MECCA Makeup Education expert Mitchell Heggie, should always start with prep. “Try the Kylie Skin Lip Scrub to exfoliate, paired with the Lip Butter in ‘Vanilla Caramel’ to hydrate. This will ensure a smooth, even finish,” he says.
As for the main event, Mitchell’s go-to lip combo is the M·A·C Cosmetics Lip Pencil in ‘Whirl’ (“a makeup artist staple”) followed by a generous swipe of Polite Society’s B.I.G. Mouth Lip Plumping Oil Gloss in ‘Sweet Talker’ for a plush, high-shine finish. “If you like a lighter nude lip colour, my advice is to pair it with a liner that has a touch more depth in colour,” he says. “This will give structure and definition to the lips while helping to make any colour wearable.”
Sheena Zadeh, founder of Kosas, is loyal to her signature: “a sexy lip that looks really natural”. She starts with the Kosas Hotliner Hyaluronic Acid Contouring Lip Liner in ‘Beyond’ (a cool, rosy mauve), layered with the Wet Stick Moisture Lip Shine in ‘100 Degrees’ (a neutral, nude pink) and the Wet Lip Oil in ‘Jellyfish’ (a perfectly sheer pink) over the top.
