How to Create a Flawless Minimal Makeup Blush Look

Minimal makeup is a trend that emphasizes a subtle look and is meant to enhance your natural features without wearing much makeup. However, the makeup that you are wearing should make a big impact, which is why blush is so important. A pop of color on your cheeks has the power to perk up your whole face without in just a few seconds. Here's a simple tutorial on how to create a flawless minimal makeup blush look using Maybelline New York makeup products.

What is Minimal Makeup?

Minimal makeup is a makeup style that focuses on enhancing your natural beauty rather than covering it up. It involves using a few key products to create a polished and put-together look without going overboard.

 

Minimal makeup is perfect for everyday wear or for those who prefer a more natural look.

What Does Minimal Makeup Include?

A minimal makeup routine typically includes the following steps:
Moisturizing your skin
Applying a light foundation or BB cream
Concealing any blemishes or dark circles
Adding a touch of blush to your cheeks
Defining your eyebrows
Swiping on some mascara
Adding a touch of lip color

How to do a Minimal Makeup Blush Look

To create a minimal makeup blush look, follow these steps:

Step 1: Prep Your Skin

Before diving into your makeup routine, it's crucial to start with a well-prepped base– begin by cleansing and then apply moisturizer to ensure your makeup not only looks flawless but also stays intact throughout the day. 

 

Next, incorporate a primer that's specifically formulated for your skin type and provides the benefits you’re looking for. For instance, primer can smooth out the skin's texture, minimize the appearance of pores, help even out discoloration, and increase the longevity of your makeup. When choosing a primer, consider your skin concerns. If your goal is to minimize your pores, look for one that’ll smooth and blur such as our Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser. Have oily skin, too? Go for something that will mattify and control excess oil like Fit Me Matte + Poreless Primer. But, if your skin is on the other end of the spectrum and you’re more concerned with dryness, you’ll love the FaceStudio Master Primer in Hydrate + Smooth, which locks in moisture and prevents your makeup from looking dry or flaky.

  • Fit Me® Matte + Poreless Primer Mattifying Face Primer
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  • Baby Skin® Instant Pore Eraser®
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  • Facestudio Master Prime Primer Makeup
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Step 2: Keep Your Base Light

For a minimal makeup look, a light and natural base is key. The point is for your skin to still look like skin, not makeup. Start by choosing the right type of foundation for your skin type that will provide your desired finish. For those with oily skin, it's important to select a foundation that helps minimize oil while providing enough coverage. While those with dry skin would want to look for something that’s not going to be too matte or drying. A good happy medium that’s perfect for a minimal makeup look is a skin tint, which is lighter than a traditional foundation and provides a natural look that lasts all day.

By choosing the right foundation and applying it correctly, you can achieve a minimal makeup look that feels comfortable on oily skin and lasts throughout the day. Remember, keep the coverage light and focus on creating a fresh, natural finish.

Pro Application Tip: Consider using a damp beauty sponge rather than a brush as it can help to sheer out the coverage of your foundation for a lighter appearance.
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  • Super Stay® Up to 24HR Skin Tint with Vitamin C
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  • Instant Age Rewind® Eraser Treatment Makeup
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Step 3: Fluff Your Brows

Natural, fluffy brows are essential for a minimal makeup look. Use a brow gel or a spoolie to brush your brows up and into place. You can also use a brow pencil or powder to fill in any sparse areas.
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Step 4: Add a Lovely Flush & Glow to Your Face

Adding a touch of color and warmth to your face with blush and bronzer can really elevate your minimal makeup look, giving your skin a healthy and vibrant glow. Read on for tips on how to choose the right blush, bronzer, and highlighter shades as well as where to apply each. 

 

Blush Placement and Shade Selection:
Placement: For a natural-looking flush, apply blush to the apples of your cheeks. Smile and lightly tap the blush on the round, fleshy parts, then blend out into your hairline for a lifted and youthful appearance.
Shade Selection: The choice of blush color can vary depending on your skin tone. As a rule of thumb, choose a shade that mimics the way your skin naturally blushes when exercising. Typically, soft pinks and peaches work well on fair skin while medium skin tones can opt for rich pinks and mauves. Those with deeper skin tones look great in deep fuchsia, berry, and warm browns. We love a liquid version such as Sunkisser because it melts right into the skin for the most believable flush. If you want to up the ante and really make your cheeks pop, you can also dab some powder blush over the liquid formula– this will also ensure that your rouge lasts all day.

 

Bronzer Placement and Shade Selection:
Placement: Bronzer should be applied to the areas of your face that naturally catch the sun. Lightly brush it across your forehead (be sure to blend into your hairline), along your cheekbones, down your nose, and on your chin to create a natural sun-kissed look.
Shade Selection: When choosing a bronzer, go for a shade that is one or two shades darker than your natural skin tone. For fair to medium skin, golden or honey shades are ideal. For darker skin tones, deep bronze or earthy tones work best. Avoid anything too orange or too gray, as these can look unnatural. In terms of formulation, you may want to use a cream and powder formula for different areas. For instance, a powder bronzer applied in a naturally oily spot like the t-zone may be preferred over a cream formula, which can be better suited for drier spots like the cheeks.

 

Highlighter Placement and Shade Selection:
Placement: To add a subtle glow, apply a shimmery highlighter to the high points of your face where light naturally reflects. This includes the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, the brow bone, and the cupid’s bow above your lip.
Shade Selection: Choose a highlighter that complements your skin tone. For fair skin, look for pearl or champagne shades. For medium skin, golden or rose gold highlighters are most flattering, and for deeper skin tones, bronze or gold shades add a stunning warmth.

 

By following these placement tips and choosing the right shades, you can create a beautifully balanced look that enhances your features with just the right amount of color and glow. This approach ensures that your makeup enhances rather than overwhelms, maintaining that fresh, minimal makeup appearance.

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Step 5: Swipe on Some Mascara

Even a minimal makeup routine calls for some mascara. After all, the right mascara formula will make your eyes appear more open and awake. For a mascara that lengthens and defines your lashes opt for Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara. It has a bendable brush that’s built to extend every single hair from root to tip for your lengthiest lashes. It's up to you how many coats you want to layer on– to keep things natural-looking, go for less passes, but for more drama, keep adding.
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Step 6: Apply some Lipstick and Gloss

Finish off your minimal makeup look with a swipe of nude lipstick and a touch of lip gloss on top. Choosing a natural shade will keep your look subtle while enhancing your natural lip color.

To complete your minimal makeup look, some nude lipstick is the perfect addition. Be sure to keep your skin tone in mind as you choose the shade that’s right for you–pinky nudes will flatter fairer skin tones while medium and olive skin can benefit from some peachiness. Deeper skin tones will pair best with richer tans and browns. For a shiny finish, add a gloss like our Lifter Plump Gloss, which can help lips appear fuller and more hydrated.
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Step 7: Set Your Makeup

To help your minimal makeup look last all day, be sure to set it with a setting spray. This will help to keep your makeup in place and prevent it from smudging or fading.

Ensuring your minimal makeup look remains flawless throughout the day requires a good setting product. Setting sprays and powders play a crucial role in maintaining the longevity and freshness of your makeup.  To mattify oily skin, we love a combo of FaceStudio Lasting Fix and Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder, but for dry skin, you want something that will hydrate like FaceStudio Glass Spray and a finely milled, hydrating powder that won’t settle into fine lines or accentuate dry patches. For combination skin, consider using powder only in the spots that tend to get greasy.
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  • Facestudio® Lasting Fix Makeup Setting Spray, Matte Finish
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