HOW TO ELEVATE NO-MAKEUP MAKEUP
WITH UNDERSTATEMENT
April 1, 2024 by Cat Quinn
If crisp button-downs and pleated trousers are the markers of the old money fashion aesthetic, then tailored taupe eyeshadows and sheer neutral lipsticks are the beauty equivalent. Graduating from the ultra-minimalist Clean Girl makeup look, we are now seeing a luxurious and manicured take on neutral makeup: Understatement.
Marked by subtle contouring, soft neutrals and the perfect neutral lipstick, the Understatement look is about elevating your classy everyday makeup style. “It’s putting an incredible amount of effort into looking effortless,” says Terry Barber, MAC Creative Director of Makeup Artistry. “It’s the art of having done just enough.”
Like Quiet Luxury fashion, the secret to this look is in the styling. Using a delicate and restrained hand, softly contour the face, eyes and lips in neutral tones that whisper rather than shout. “It’s more than no-makeup makeup; it’s actually quite meticulous,” says Barber. “Like a designer coat, it is very tailored. The aim isn’t to transform but to elevate to your features.”
Marked by subtle contouring, soft neutrals and the perfect neutral lipstick, the Understatement look is about elevating your classy everyday makeup style. “It’s putting an incredible amount of effort into looking effortless,” says Terry Barber, MAC Creative Director of Makeup Artistry. “It’s the art of having done just enough.”
Like Quiet Luxury fashion, the secret to this look is in the styling. Using a delicate and restrained hand, softly contour the face, eyes and lips in neutral tones that whisper rather than shout. “It’s more than no-makeup makeup; it’s actually quite meticulous,” says Barber. “Like a designer coat, it is very tailored. The aim isn’t to transform but to elevate to your features.”
Lip Pencil
£20.00
A lip liner pencil in a wide range of colours designed for shaping, lining or filling in lips.
Frost Lipstick
£22.00
A smooth Lipstick formula. Buildable colour with a pearlescent semi-lustrous finish and lightweight feel.
Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick
£25.00
A Raspberry Seed and Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil-infused Lipstick formula. A range of sheer-shine colours with a lustrous glossy finish and up to 8-hour wear that provide immediate moisture.
Eyeshadow
£20.00
A highly pigmented powder that applies evenly and blends well.
The finishing touch to a soft Understatement look? A swipe of Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick in Thanks, It’s MAC!.
The secret to perfectly balanced Understatement skin: Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15.
Soft sculpting and lightly defined features are the new luxury statement.
HOW TO GET THE TREND
LOOK 1: Lean into a refined aesthetic with minimalist makeup and neutral hues.
- Prep and hydrate your complexion with Hyper Real SerumizerTM.
- Even out your skin tone with Studio Radiance Serum-Powered™ Foundation.
- Sweep shades Give Me CyberSpace and Accept Cookies from the Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Unfiltered Nudes across your lids.
- Apply Skinfinish Sunstruck Matte Bronzer onto the contours of your face using a large powder brush.
Hyper Real Serumizer™ Skin Balancing Hydration Serum
£80.00
The new, never-before-seen serum-moisturiser hybrid! Its breathable formula improves skin texture and strengthens skin barrier, to reveal petal-soft skin for a makeup-ready canvas.
Studio Radiance Serum-Powered™ Foundation
£39.00
A moisturising foundation with buildable coverage in 56 luminous shades. Features a 10% hyaluronic acid solution to deliver plump, hydrated skin with all-day radiance, it smooths skin texture and evens out skin tone.
Connect In Colour Eyeshadow Palette: Unfiltered Nudes
£46.00
A true-nude 12-pan eyeshadow palette innovated with our most pigmented formula to date. Create limitless makeup looks – from minimal to maximal.
SKINFINISH SUNSTRUCK MATTE BRONZER
£32.00
A soft matte bronzing powder that adds warmth and depth, available in Artist-crafted shades for a natural-looking finish.
Lip Conditioner
£22.00
An emollient-based balm that conditions lips, locks in moisture and gives a soft shine.
The Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Unfiltered Nudes has a range of tones for brightening and defining eyes.
Connect In Colour Eyeshadow Palette: Unfiltered Nudes
£46.00
A true-nude 12-pan eyeshadow palette innovated with our most pigmented formula to date. Create limitless makeup looks – from minimal to maximal.
Enhance – rather than transform – your features with the Understatement trend.
LOOK 2: Elevate your makeup look with neutral eyeshadow and everyone’s favourite nude lipstick shade.
- Prep and hydrate your complexion with Hyper Real SerumizerTM.
- Even out your skin tone with Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation.
- Sweep shade Satin Taupe from the Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Unfiltered Nudes across your lids. Then, sweep shade Sonic Chocolate through the creases.
- Coat your lashes with Extended Play Mascara in Gigablack.
- Apply Skinfinish Sunstruck Matte Bronzer onto the contours of your face using a large powder brush.
Hyper Real Serumizer™ Skin Balancing Hydration Serum
£80.00
The new, never-before-seen serum-moisturiser hybrid! Its breathable formula improves skin texture and strengthens skin barrier, to reveal petal-soft skin for a makeup-ready canvas.
Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation
£36.00
Our iconic matte foundation has been remastered with a soft-matte finish, with lightweight coverage that feels breathable on skin. Features 87% skincare ingredients and an easy-to-apply pump – now in 71 shades.
Connect In Colour Eyeshadow Palette: Unfiltered Nudes
£46.00
A true-nude 12-pan eyeshadow palette innovated with our most pigmented formula to date. Create limitless makeup looks – from minimal to maximal.
Extended Play Mascara
£20.00
A smudge-proof, carbon-black tubing mascara that’s washable with warm water and lasts up to 16 hours.
SKINFINISH SUNSTRUCK MATTE BRONZER
£32.00
A soft matte bronzing powder that adds warmth and depth, available in Artist-crafted shades for a natural-looking finish.
Lip Pencil
£20.00
A lip liner pencil in a wide range of colours designed for shaping, lining or filling in lips.
Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick
£25.00
A Raspberry Seed and Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil-infused Lipstick formula. A range of sheer-shine colours with a lustrous glossy finish and up to 8-hour wear that provide immediate moisture.
Like the perfect pair of jeans, Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick in Thanks, It’s M·A·C! fits every occasion.
Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick
£25.00
A Raspberry Seed and Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil-infused Lipstick formula. A range of sheer-shine colours with a lustrous glossy finish and up to 8-hour wear that provide immediate moisture.
With a soft matte finish and buildable coverage, Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 gives skin an understated elegance.
LOOK 3: Play up minimalist makeup for a luxurious take on neutral shades.
- Prep and hydrate your complexion with Hyper Real SerumizerTM.
- Even out your skin tone with Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation.
- Sweep shade Wedge from the Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Unfiltered Nudes along your lash lines, then tap shade Accept Cookies onto centres of your lids.
Hyper Real Serumizer™ Skin Balancing Hydration Serum
£80.00
The new, never-before-seen serum-moisturiser hybrid! Its breathable formula improves skin texture and strengthens skin barrier, to reveal petal-soft skin for a makeup-ready canvas.
Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation
£36.00
Our iconic matte foundation has been remastered with a soft-matte finish, with lightweight coverage that feels breathable on skin. Features 87% skincare ingredients and an easy-to-apply pump – now in 71 shades.
Connect In Colour Eyeshadow Palette: Unfiltered Nudes
£46.00
A true-nude 12-pan eyeshadow palette innovated with our most pigmented formula to date. Create limitless makeup looks – from minimal to maximal.
SKINFINISH SUNSTRUCK RADIANT BRONZER
£32.00
A radiant bronzing powder that adds warmth and glow, available in Artist-crafted shades for radiant skin with a natural-looking finish.
Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick
£25.00
A Raspberry Seed and Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil-infused Lipstick formula. A range of sheer-shine colours with a lustrous glossy finish and up to 8-hour wear that provide immediate moisture.
Terry Barber, MAC Creative Director of Makeup Aristry, shares his perspective on the Understatement trend.
