Inspired by the clean, glowing look at my civil wedding, this guide breaks down the secrets to minimal makeup with expert insights from makeup artist Hassan Adebukola Daffodil. If you’re ready to master a fresh, skin-first approach without the fuss, this one’s for you.
There’s something undeniably refreshing about minimal makeup. It’s the beauty of looking like yourself, just more polished, radiant, and put together. Minimal makeup isn’t about doing less for the sake of it; it’s about doing just enough to enhance your features without masking them. When it’s done right, the effect is magical.
In the past year, minimal makeup has taken more centre stage, driven by a global shift towards skin-first beauty. The “clean girl” aesthetic is dominating social media with consumers investing more in skincare and constantly searching for ways to get their minimal makeup right. For my civil wedding last year, I wanted a look that felt clean and elegant, not overdone. That’s exactly what I got, thanks to Hassan Adebukola Daffodil, the creative force behind House of Daffodil. Bukola, best known as Daffodil, is a beauty, bridal and editorial makeup artist known for her flawless, lightweight base work and passion for artistic versatility. Whether it’s a romantic bridal look or an editorial shoot, her signature is always the same: enhancing rather than hiding. It’s what drew me to her, and I absolutely loved the outcome, so I thought to pick her brain about it.
In this feature, Bukola shares expert tips on achieving a minimal makeup look with maximum impact, from skincare prep to product picks and time-saving tricks. If you’re ready to simplify your beauty routine without compromising on results, you’re in the right place.
Read also: Clean & radiant: A beauty editor’s minimalist beauty routine
The philosophy of minimal makeup
Daffodil’s minimal makeup looks are a masterclass in intention, and she defines it with clarity and precision. “Minimal makeup is a beauty approach that focuses on using fewer products and lighter application to enhance, not hide your natural features,” she explains. “It’s all about fresh, breathable skin, soft definition and a ‘barely-there’ feel, where the skin still looks like skin.”
For achieving maximum effect with it, she says, “think of it as doing less, but doing it with intention. Each subtle technique or product adds real value to the final look.” Daffodil breaks down the important elements of getting your minimal makeup just right. Starting with skin prep. Before makeup, there’s skincare, and in minimal makeup, prep is half the work. The goal is to get a smooth, radiant canvas that needs little help to glow. “Skincare prep is essential. It enhances the skin’s natural glow and keeps the look lightweight and seamless. It also prevents caking when layering products.”
Daffodil’s favourite pre-makeup skincare products
Danessa Myricks Universal Blurring Balm
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Serum
Elf Moisturiser and Primer
Cosrx Moisturiser
One Size Secure the Oil Primer
The next step is to assemble base products that let your skin breathe. A skin-like finish is important for minimal makeup, and that starts with products that don’t mask but enhance. “Each layer has to be properly placed. That’s how you keep things lightweight but impactful.”
Go-to base essentials
Elf halo glow
Huda beauty foundation or Juvia’s place radiant foundation
Too Faced Born This Way concealer or Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin concealer
Danessa Myricks Evolution powder
Fenty Pro filt’r concealer
Laura Mercier translucent setting powder
Yglam bronzer palette
Mac mineralize skin finish powder
Elf grip spray or Morphe setting spray
Read also: Beauty experts share tips for glowing skin in humid weather
How to enhance your features with minimal makeup
Choosing the right products is only part of the work; the real magic is in how you apply them. With minimal makeup, technique is everything. Strategic placement and blending are key to creating a polished yet natural finish. “Blending is your best friend. The more seamless the finish, the more natural it looks,” Daffodil explains.
For a soft, clean look, brows should frame the face without feeling overly structured. “I prime the brows to prevent oiliness, then softly define them for a natural, polished finish,” she says. The same approach applies to lips; the aim is to make them stand out softly, complementing the face without overpowering it.
Daffodil’s key techniques for natural definition
When it comes to achieving natural definition, Daffodil swears by subtle, strategic enhancements. Soft bronzing and contouring help sculpt the face without harsh lines, while a light flush of blush adds a healthy, radiant glow. For the eyes, she prefers smudged neutral tones that bring gentle depth and dimension without looking overdone.
Instead of heavy false lashes, she reaches for lightweight mascara to lift and define the lashes in a way that still feels fresh and effortless. She lightly fills in her brows for a soft look, often pairing them with a delicate highlight at the inner corners of her eyes. It brightens and opens up the gaze.
Each step is intentionally minimal, but together, they create a cohesive look that enhances your features beautifully with no filters required.
Minimal lip must-haves
Morphe lip liner in trendsetter
Omaricode glosses and lip liners
Maybelline lip stains
Luzta gloss in bae kiss and lush kiss
Fenty beauty lip luminizer
Read also: Mastering the no-makeup makeup look with Achieng Agutu
How to avoid common minimal makeup mistakes
One of the biggest mistakes people make with minimal makeup is thinking they need to correct or perfect everything. According to Daffodil, it’s less about perfection and more about intention. “A lot of people use too many products; heavy foundation, overly defined brows, intense colours, when the goal is to enhance, not hide,” she explains.
It all starts with skincare. Prepping the skin properly creates a smooth, healthy base that minimises the need for extra coverage. “Skincare prep helps the makeup sit better, gives you a natural glow, and keeps everything lightweight and fresh.” Daffodil says. That glow reduces the urge to over-layer products, helping maintain a minimal finish that still makes an impact.
Choosing the right products is next. Opt for lightweight, buildable textures that allow the skin to breathe. Harsh lines and overly dramatic touches can quickly shift the look from minimal to overdone. “Go for soft definition and seamless blending,” she advises. “Neutral tones work beautifully, and lashes should stay subtle.”
Blending, Daffodil insists, is your best friend. “Most importantly, make sure everything is blended for an effortlessly seamless look,” she says. When every element complements the next, the harmony truly defines minimal makeup done right.
The five-minute minimal makeup routine
On the days you have no time, there’s no problem. Here are Daffodil’s tips if you only have five minutes to get ready. “Even out the skin with either skin tint, lightweight foundation or concealer. Define brows and lashes softly. Add colour to cheeks, lips, or lids. Always finish with a good setting spray.” The key is to enhance, not transform.
Minimal makeup is all about confidence and intention. It’s the art of showing up with skin that looks like skin and feeling like the best version of yourself. With Daffodil’s expert tips, you can master it no matter your skill level or skin type.
So, next time you’re rushing out or just want a clean, radiant finish, remember, less truly can be more.
