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 eye shadows 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, M·A·C 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, M·A·C 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
CA $32.00
A pencil in a wide range of colours designed for shaping, lining or filling in lips.
Frost Lipstick
CA $31.00
A Lipstick formula with smooth, medium buildable coverage, high pearl and a semi-lustrous finish.
Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick
CA $33.00
A lightweight, raspberry seed- and organic extra-virgin olive oil-infused lipstick that delivers sheer and shiny colour with a long-wearing, lustrous finish.
The finishing touch to a soft Understatement look? A swipe of Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick in Thanks, It’s M·A·C!.
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 sophisticated aesthetic with minimalist makeup and neutral hues.
- Prep and hydrate your complexion with Hyper Real SerumizerTM Serum-Moisturizer Hybrid.
- Even skin tone with Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15.
- Sweep shades Give Me Cyber Space and Accept Cookies from the Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Unfiltered Nudes across lids.
- Add colour to skin by sweeping Skinfinish Sunstruck Matte Bronzer onto the contours of the face using a 127S Split Fibre Face Brush.
Hyper Real Serumizer™ Serum-Moisturizer Hybrid
CA $100.00
A serum-moisturizer hybrid that visibly reduces dark spots and the appearance of pores, hydrates, retexturizes and strengthens the skin barrier for a petal-smooth, even canvas with lit-from-within radiance.
Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 24HR Matte Foundation + Oil Control
CA $60.00
A 24-hour buildable, breathable foundation with a natural, soft-matte finish in 67 good-for-skin shades made for all skin tones and textures.
Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Unfiltered Nudes
CA $69.00
A true-nude 12-pan eye shadow palette with pigment packed colour in one-swipe for limitless minimal to maximal looks.
SKINFINISH SUNSTRUCK MATTE BRONZER
CA $45.00
A soft matte bronzing powder that adds warmth and depth, available in Artist-crafted, 10 colour-true shades.
127 Synthetic Split Fibre Face Brush
CA $49.00
A paddle-shaped face brush that features a special combination of 50/50 fibres.
Lip Conditioner (Tube)
CA $32.00
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 Eye Shadow Palette: Unfiltered Nudes
CA $69.00
A true-nude 12-pan eye shadow palette with pigment packed colour in one-swipe for limitless minimal to maximal looks.
Enhance – rather than transform – your features with the Understatement trend.
LOOK 2: Elevate classy makeup looks with neutral eye shadow and everyone’s favourite nude lipstick shade.
- Prep and hydrate your complexion with Hyper Real SerumizerTM Serum-Moisturizer Hybrid.
- Even skin tone with Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15.
- Sweep shade Satin Taupe from the Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Unfiltered Nudes across lids. Then, sweep shade Sonic Chocolate through creases.
- Coat lashes with Extended Play Gigablack Lash Mascara.
- Add colour to skin by sweeping Skinfinish Sunstruck Matte Bronzer onto the contours of the face.
Hyper Real Serumizer™ Serum-Moisturizer Hybrid
CA $100.00
A serum-moisturizer hybrid that visibly reduces dark spots and the appearance of pores, hydrates, retexturizes and strengthens the skin barrier for a petal-smooth, even canvas with lit-from-within radiance.
Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 24HR Matte Foundation + Oil Control
CA $60.00
A 24-hour buildable, breathable foundation with a natural, soft-matte finish in 67 good-for-skin shades made for all skin tones and textures.
Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Unfiltered Nudes
CA $69.00
A true-nude 12-pan eye shadow palette with pigment packed colour in one-swipe for limitless minimal to maximal looks.
Extended Play Gigablack Lash Mascara
CA $36.00
A smudge-proof carbon black formula that's washable with warm water and lasts for up to 16 hours
SKINFINISH SUNSTRUCK MATTE BRONZER
CA $45.00
A soft matte bronzing powder that adds warmth and depth, available in Artist-crafted, 10 colour-true shades.
Lip Pencil
CA $32.00
A pencil in a wide range of colours designed for shaping, lining or filling in lips.
Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick
CA $33.00
A lightweight, raspberry seed- and organic extra-virgin olive oil-infused lipstick that delivers sheer and shiny colour with a long-wearing, lustrous finish.
Like the perfect pair of jeans, Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick in Thanks, It’s M·A·C! fits every occasion.
Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick
CA $33.00
A lightweight, raspberry seed- and organic extra-virgin olive oil-infused lipstick that delivers sheer and shiny colour with a long-wearing, lustrous finish.
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 Serum-Moisturizer Hybrid.
- Even skin tone with Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15.
- Sweep shade Wedge from the Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Unfiltered Nudes along lash lines, then tap shade Accept Cookies onto centres of lids.
Hyper Real Serumizer™ Serum-Moisturizer Hybrid
CA $100.00
A serum-moisturizer hybrid that visibly reduces dark spots and the appearance of pores, hydrates, retexturizes and strengthens the skin barrier for a petal-smooth, even canvas with lit-from-within radiance.
Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 24HR Matte Foundation + Oil Control
CA $60.00
A 24-hour buildable, breathable foundation with a natural, soft-matte finish in 67 good-for-skin shades made for all skin tones and textures.
Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Unfiltered Nudes
CA $69.00
A true-nude 12-pan eye shadow palette with pigment packed colour in one-swipe for limitless minimal to maximal looks.
SKINFINISH SUNSTRUCK RADIANT BRONZER
CA $45.00
A dimensional radiant bronzing powder that adds warmth and glow, available in 5 Artist-crafted, colour-true shades.
127 Synthetic Split Fibre Face Brush
CA $49.00
A paddle-shaped face brush that features a special combination of 50/50 fibres.
Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick
CA $33.00
A lightweight, raspberry seed- and organic extra-virgin olive oil-infused lipstick that delivers sheer and shiny colour with a long-wearing, lustrous finish.
Terry Barber, M·A·C Creative Director of Makeup Aristry, shares his perspective on the Understatement trend.
