Expert advice: how to apply tinted moisturiser for that no-makeup look

Tinted moisturiser is the quiet hero of the no-makeup look. It’s light, it’s hydrating, and it lets your skin be skin, but in a little more even and glowy way. Applying it right makes all the difference between "fresh and natural” and "why is this pilling on my face?”

The goal here isn’t perfection. It’s the look that says, yes, I woke up like this — but with better lighting.

Start with clean, moisturised skin. Use your fingers if you want the product to melt in, or a damp sponge if you’re after something even sheerer. Apply it like skincare, not makeup: smooth it on, press it in, and resist the urge to overdo it. You want the finish to feel like your skin, just a little more polished. If you need more coverage in certain areas, tap in a touch more where you need it rather than layering it all over.

And don’t forget the real trick: let your skin shine through. The no-makeup look isn’t about covering every pore or line; it’s about creating balance. A little glow, a bit of evenness, and a texture that moves with your face, not against it.

That’s when tinted moisturiser really works - when it looks like you, just slightly more rested.