Listen, I know most of us have been in throw-on-and-go mode for the past few years, and that doesn’t seem to be changing anytime soon. Although some might miss getting dolled up on the daily, I know there’s a select few of us who are actually living our best lives wearing little to no makeup every day—sue us. Doing a full face all the time can be exhausting, so it’s actually nice to know that there are brands out there who keep us minimalists top of mind.
Dare I say, minimalist makeup might be full-on trending this year, and it’s a movement I’m happy to embrace. If you find yourself nodding in agreement and would like to keep it clean and simple these days, find all the best makeup brands any true minimalist needs in their arsenal below.
It really doesn’t get more effortlessly chic than cultivating a Noto Botanics routine. Formulated by beauty industry veteran Gloria Noto, the brand’s products boast plant-based formulas that deliver an air of smooth authenticity. The best part? Noto has both skincare and makeup that are multifunctional and aren’t gender-specific.
Any true minimalist will deeply appreciate Merit’s sublimely crafted collection of makeup essentials. The brand formulates its products following EU and Sephora Clean standards, so you know you’re getting no-nonsense ingredients that still deliver results. There are just seven products on its roster, so you can even snag the whole lot for a makeup bag full of base products that are designed to work seamlessly together. Compliments not included, but prepare for them to start rolling in once you start using these gems.
Milk Makeup is cult-loved for its fun and effective formulas that still work for any minimalist out there. With items like the Sunshine Skin Tint, it’ll no longer be an issue to wear your skin tint and SPF separately. Cultivate a simple routine by pairing it with the Blur Stick and Color Chalk Multi-Use Powder Pigment for some subtle (or not-so-subtle) everyday color.
Bite Beauty excels at creating both neutral and bold, vibrant shades fueled by nourishing superfood ingredients. Most importantly, its formulas are long-lasting and can be touched up (or switched up) at the drop of a dime. For a quick fix, try the Changemaker Flexible Coverage Power. For a touch of creamy color on the cheeks (day or night), there’s the Daycation Whipped Blush.
It would be incredibly wrong to leave Kosas off of a best-minimalist-makeup list. True story: Kosas and its plant-powered formulas changed the way I saw foundation. The brand’s Tinted Face Oil Foundation made me realize I didn’t need a heavy or cakey formula to get the coverage and glow that I wanted. Add in a few of the brand’s other essentials like the Wet Lip Oil Gloss and 10-Second Eye gel shadow, and you have yourself a quick neutral (or warm) daily look that takes next to no time.
To me, Saie Beauty products just scream, “Tell us you’re a glowing goddess without telling us you’re a glowing goddess.” They’re designed to require very little effort on your part but still give your features the extra pop of radiance you’re looking for. The ingredients are also vegan and cruelty-free, so you can rest easy knowing your minimalist makeup essentials are safe for everyday use.
Sustainable beauty brand Flavedo & Albedo is basically the definition of minimalist. With just four products, the brand makes it easy to do barely there makeup. Its products are also only packaged in aluminum, glass, and sustainable timber to offset plastic waste in the beauty industry. Minimalist makeup with a cause is exactly what I’ll be investing in from now on.
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