How to Do the No-Makeup Makeup Look for Mature Skin
Pamela Anderson started the makeup free revolution to “challenge beauty standards” and feel more “natural and herself.” Coming from an actress who has been an icon of unreachable beauty, I think we would all agree this is a refreshing change.
Having said that, I have questions.
Is she really not wearing any makeup? Can the average mature woman do this and receive applause, or will people look at us and wonder what the heck we were thinking? Is her statement more about personal freedom or is it an example of women throwing off the cultural oppression of beauty at any price?
As I jump up and down in expectation of your thoughts on this subject, I also have something to say about the no-makeup ideal. Most celebrities who proclaim wearing the no-makeup trend have at least a little makeup on. Mind you, it is strategically placed by a soft-handed makeup artist with an eye for detail, but it is there.
For this look, I asked my friend Pascal, who never wears makeup, to be my model and show how to do uber subtle makeup and not look like a cadaver. Mind you, I really made Pascal’s eyes pop out, but I can’t help it, and neither should you. Bring out your best features but do it with subtle finesse and calm glamor. Why not? Pam does.
Start with Skin!
Gua sha + face oil
Beautiful, healthy skin is the bedrock for this look. For Pascal, I applied an oil soluble vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and fulvic acid before tossing on some facial oil from Boom Beauty and using the gua sha. This gave her skin a luminescent glow that typifies the no-makeup look.
The gua sha is fantastic at reducing inflammation, improving microcirculation, and brightening the face. In fact, with my puffy eyes, I use it nearly every day to move fluid out of that area before applying any makeup. I have no doubt that Pamela does something similar before going on camera. In fact, I’d bet the farm on it.
Eyebrows, if You Must
Right side eyebrow filled in
Pascal has good eyebrows, so I only filled them in as needed including extending them at the ends. To do this, I used an eye brow pencil in blonde, applying it with small strokes to look like actual hair and not like drawing a line. Pamela Anderson, on the other hand, doesn’t have eyebrows so, if you look closely, she uses a pencil to give a nice shape that looks natural.
To continue with the eyebrow idea, if you have a thicker brow and want to give them a lift, use a brow gel instead. You can use both the pencil and the gel, but for most of us that’s more work than we are willing to put in just for eyebrows. On Pascal, I used both products just for the tutorial, and both look very natural and not overdone.
Cover Discolorations
Concealer on select spots
I’m pretty sure if Pamela had a huge zit on her nose she would cover it up. This is a practical justification for using cover-up where you need it! In the video, I used a little concealer on the dark sections under Pascal’s eyes, redness on her cheeks, and some darkness around her nose.
If you work with the product and blend well, it shouldn’t be noticeable. I touched these areas with a dusting of power so they wouldn’t reflect in the camera, but otherwise, it’s just her skin.
Eyeliner Done Right
Eyeliner on right eye
Eyeliner is easy to mess up, but incredible if you get it right. In this tutorial, I applied a water-resistant liner to Pascal’s waterline, and then the same shade between her lashes on her upper lid. I stayed away from under her eyes and the lower water line, and you can see the enormous difference this made! The liner I used on Pascal goes on like butter, blends well, and stays put; all benefits you want from a product.
After blending the top liner with a soft brush, her eyes really come to life and the beautiful green color pops for all to see. Does Pamela wear eyeliner? I think she does, but she uses a taupe color that is flattering for her fair coloring and blends it well. I went for a darker mocha shade with Pascal, and it really looks gorgeous.
Mascara at the Roots
Brown mascara on eyelash roots
Many of us are addicted to thick, volumized lashes and struggle to try anything less noticeable. Having said that, on Pascal, I used a stunning brown mascara only on the roots of her lashes, and I think you will agree it looks incredible.
Here is how you do it: start at the base of your lashes and wiggle the mascara wand a little, getting the product right at the roots. Take it up only slightly, then move to the next section. Because the color of the product is so pretty, and the rest of her makeup so subtle, the mascara helps her eyes stand out without looking too strong. Try it, it’s easy and looks amazing.
Blush Like a Pro
Blush on the right cheek
I’m a monster fan of blush for mature ladies, it’s the bomb. If the trend is no blush, I disregard it. On Pascal, I used a soft, natural nude and blended it well into her cheeks. I love the shade and it was much more pigmented than I thought which made for a beautiful flushed look. Cream blush is perfect for the no makeup look, as it contributes to the glass skin idea. I also dabbed a little on her brow bone and above her eyebrows.
Shiny Lips
Pascal after!
Because Pascal has such a strong natural lip color, I only used a lip liner and gloss on her lips. If you don’t have a lot of lip color, then go for a lipstick that matches what your lip color would be if you bite your lips.
Many of you have lips that are more purple than pink so go with what is naturally you. In several interviews with Pamela, I noticed she used a soft rosy lipstick and neutral lip liner, which looked pretty and soft.
Love or Loathe Pam?
Is Pamela Anderson wearing no makeup in her no-makeup look? She’s wearing a little, strategically placed. The focus, though, is on her being natural and true to who she is, which totally floats my boat. Many of us are tired of feeling like we have to constantly measure up and look “young.” It makes me crazy. You, like Pamela, are already beautiful and perfect just like you are.
If it feels good to not wear any makeup, that you are throwing off something oppressive that you don’t like, then by all means! If you want to wear a little makeup, then go for it. Knowing some tricks like in the video is helpful and can bring about your own revolution in how you present yourself in confidence. Thanks, Pamela!
Let’s Have a Conversation:
What do you think about Pamela Anderson today? Have you seen her no-makeup look? Do you think this natural look will work on you? Have you tried it? What products do you use?
I enjoyed the no make up look tutorial, thank you. Ladies, it’s a ‘look’ so doesn’t mean actually wearing no makeup at all. Do that if you want, but it was quite clear, we are gong for a ‘look.’ Defensive criticism tells more about you than anything else. As I have good skin, my no makeup look is lightly smudged eyeliner, blusher and a light lipstick. I use the smudge end of the eyeliner brush to swipe over my brows for definition.
Hi Joy,
Thank you for your thoughtful comment! It sounds like you have a good system for your own makeup.
This article defeats it’s own purpose. If I a going to have a no make up day, the first thing to go is mascara. It’s hard to put on and hard to take off (I use waterproof because all mascara smears on me.) Also, eyeliner is too much trouble for a no make up day. Foundation, blush and always lipstick is what my no make up days are about. You’re making this wayyyyy to hard!
Hi T. Ward, Yes, you are correct! If you want to go without makeup then do that completely! The article is an explanation for a “look” that is a current trend among older women (aka Pam Anderson). If you don’t care about the “look” then toss the mascara! It’s a pain to deal with and personally, I don’t wear any on a normal basis:)
Since I retired, I go without makeup most of the time, and there’s something truly freeing about it. It brings a sense of naturalness, letting me show up as I am—every unique freckle, laugh line, and subtle shade of skin unfiltered and unmasked. Without makeup, there’s no need for touch ups, no worry about smudges; just a feeling of lightness, self-acceptance, and authenticity. I love embracing myself fully, imperfections and all, and I’ve realized that confidence doesn’t come from products but from simply being comfortable in my own skin.
Hi Donna, Thank you for writing that! I think this is what it’s all about; loving who we are no matter what, on our own terms. I love this.
You discuss undereyes and dark circles but what product do you suggest for that particular area under the eye?
Hi Marlene, In the video I recommended Amazing Concealer, which I love for mature skin. Be sure your skin is hydrated, as concealer blends better that way!
I always loved makeup. I like to look pretty but not painted up like a clown. I have found IT Cosmetics’ CC Cream in the “Illumination” formula camouflages/covers hyperpigmentation and spots well without looking like a mask. I apply ivory and brown shades of shadow to bring out my eyes, use blonde brow pencil to fill in my brows (thin and turning whitish) and for my lashes, Grande’s conditioning mascara in black. I finish up with a beigey mauve on my lips. Lauder’s “Irresistible” shade is a good one. I can do this routine in less than ten minutes. Sometimes for evening I add a shimmery blush or bronze on the cheeks and a more dramatic lipstick.
Hi Bonnie, Those are wonderful suggestions! Thank you for that, it looks like you have found what looks good on you
Nice article, Suzanne. I’ve stopped going blonder as I age (brunette in my youth).
I’ve gone silver/gray and love the compliments! My brows are still there, but quite
scanty and bleach out in the summer. Color suggestion for brown pencil? I’m using a taupe brown. Thanx. I have blue eyes.
Hi Catherine, With silver/gray hair I either use a blonde brow pencil or a gray one. It depends on how gray vs blonde your brows are! I hope that helps!