We all wish we were blessed with a naturally flawless appearance. If only we could wake up every morning with a dewy, luminous, practically airbrushed complexion. And how wonderful would it be to have naturally rosy cheeks and lips? We may not be able to be perfectly flawless without makeup, but we can create the illusion we are … with makeup.

The following steps will help you create the perfect natural, no-makeup look, with makeup.

Prepping

The most crucial step in creating the no-makeup look is the step that doesn’t involve any makeup at all. In order to ensure your makeup blends naturally, you’ll first need to prep your palette. Start by washing your face with a gentle exfoliating cleanser, removing all dirt and dead skin. Next, you’ll want to apply a facial toner, like Dermalogica’s Multi-Active Toner, to even out your skin tone. Last, but certainly not least, you’ll need to moisturize your face with a gentle lotion to assure your skin is properly hydrated and smooth.

A Light Base

A soft, light base is crucial when creating the illusion of going makeup-free. Heavy foundations will give your complexion a cakey look and, in turn, will give you away. Instead, opt for a BB cream. Apply it with your fingers, or a sponge, starting from the middle of your face and working outwards. If your skin is oily, you’ll want to gently dust your face with a translucent powder. Try Bodyography’s Loose Complexion Powder, which will help moisturize your skin while preventing any caking.

Natural-Looking Blush

The no-makeup look calls for a natural-looking flush of the cheeks when it comes to blush. You’ll want something to create the illusion of rosy, sun-kissed cheeks as opposed to a darker, more obvious rouge. Paler colors will also look more obviously like makeup. Select a light, warm color like pink or peach and gently brush onto the apple of your cheeks.

Eyes

Use a shade of eyeshadow that is only slightly darker than the natural color of your skin, giving your lids just a subtle hint of color. Brown eyeshadows are ideal for the no-makeup look because they intensify the contours of your face without creating any shadows. You will also not want to go overboard when applying; just a few light strokes are enough.

Lips

Dark or bright colors, obviously, will not cut it for the makeup-free look. You’re going to want to create the illusion that your lips are naturally flushed. Use a lipstick color that is very close to the natural shade of your lips. At the most, it should be one shade lighter. Smooth a thin base onto your lips, just enough to give them a soft hint of color. You can also use a clear or soft pink gloss, but be sure not to overdo it. Just a small dab will do the trick.