Find out our top recommendations for minimalist makeup brands!
Check out these three minimalist makeup brands that offer everything you need. Simplify your routine and grab these top-rated beauty essentials.
What does minimalist makeup mean?
Ever heard the term “five-minute face”? Minimalist makeup consists of just the essentials and offers straightforward and uncomplicated makeup application. Ultimately, the goal of minimalist makeup is to enhance your features rather than caking on makeup, which will also reduce the time it takes to get ready.
If you’re looking to achieve a minimalist makeup routine, the goal is to invest in fewer products, light coverage, and natural colors.
Here are the top 3 minimalist brands we recommend:
Minimalist makeup products from ILIA we recommend:
I’ve personally used ILIA products for over a year and love them over other top brands so when I decided to write a minimalist makeup post I knew they’d be at the top of the list. ILIA Beauty is committed to creating clean, safe, and effective makeup products that enhance natural beauty.
They believe in using organic, natural, and ethically sourced ingredients whenever possible without compromising performance. ILIA makeup products are formulated without harmful toxic chemicals. Many of their minimalist makeup products are also Credo Clean, which holds the highest standard for cosmetics in the makeup industry. This also means they’re committed to sustainability and eco-conscious practices and strive to minimize their environmental footprint.
ILIA uses a combination of natural oils, waxes, and plant-based ingredients to deliver nourishing and skin-friendly formulas that also act like skincare.
They recently released this Skin Rewind Complexion Stick, which is truly a minimalist makeup dream! It offers medium coverage but melts into the skin, so you get slightly more coverage than your typical “minimalist makeup.” It’s so flawless that it’s even the perfect foundation for mature skin types. It’s one of ILIA’s most versatile minimalist makeup items because it also acts as a concealer and a contour stick if you grab a second stick and go a couple of shades darker.
ILIA doesn’t have an overwhelming amount of makeup; they offer precisely what’s essential for your makeup bag, and each one works incredibly well. It’s an added bonus they hold the highest regard for toxic-free makeup and eco-friendly shipping practices. Be sure to grab our top recommendations if you’re looking to stock up your makeup bag on clean beauty essentials.
Hip Tip: Head over to our Clean Natural Products posts if you’re interested in learning more about clean makeup, beauty, household swaps, and much more to live a toxic-free lifestyle.
Or buy their products individually:
MERIT is also committed to clean beauty, and all of its products are formulated without toxic and harmful ingredients and designed to be versatile and suitable for everyday wear. They prioritize using high-quality, safe ingredients for the skin and the environment. The modern minimalist makeup brand also holds its manufacturing processes to high standards regarding ethics and the environment. Seeing a trend here? 😉
Although Metit’s minimalist makeup isn’t the most versatile, each individual product is carefully crafted and is the perfect well-edited essential that stays in line with their minimalistic approach. Each product excels at its performance and provides effortless application and long-lasting results.
Our very own Hip CEO, Collin, and her daughter love MERIT makeup and have been using it regularly.
Here’s what Collin had to say about MERIT’s minimalist makeup:
“Merit products are just the bomb! I’m all about that minimalist vibe, and Merit totally gets it. With so many makeup options out there, I love how Merit keeps it simple and straightforward. Plus, their products are seriously awesome and super easy to use. Even my 17-year-old daughter is hooked on Merit. I catch her raiding my bathroom stash all the time! We both dig the natural look they give, and the fact that they’ve combined foundation, concealer, and powder into one product is just genius. Merit ticks all the boxes for me – easy, effective, and clean!”
Overall, we love MERIT’s minimalist makeup approach and the brand’s well-known impossible-to-mess-up cosmetics. We appreciate that they’re Sephora Clean, vegan & cruelty-free, and certified by Leaping Bunny. They also offer a 30-day return policy if you’re unhappy for any reason
Ogee is committed to creating certified organic minimalist makeup that’s multi-functional and high-performing. It’s also a clean and safe choice for your skin because its commitment to Beyond Clean Beauty provides consumers with only the highest-quality Certified Organic and non-toxic ingredients that are safe for your skin and always free from harsh chemicals, dyes, and synthetic fragrances. Certified Organic is the only clean beauty term that is government-regulated.
Ogee equally excels in the minimalist makeup category, offering multiple products with versatile purposes.
This means you can get so much more out of every product and use less, too. Their Contour Collections set in particular has gone viral for its versatility of providing foundation, contour, blush, highlighter, and lip color all in one kit.
Ogee is a minimalist makeup formulated for all skin types: young, older, dry, oily, or combination. They’ve also coined the term, “Hydragranics” which means their products are hydrating for your skin and always organic. Research has also shown plants grown organically boast the highest levels of antioxidants and micronutrients which are most beneficial to the skin.
Ogee minimalist makeup is certainly a splurge, but they offer a full refund on new or gently used cosmetics 60 days after your purchase, so you have nothing to lose if you’re on the fence. Even better, shipping is free on orders of $75 or more.