How to Do Red Lipstick and No-Mascara Makeup Like a Pro

No-mascara makeup is taking over your FYP, and putting red lipstick and bare lashes together is officially TikTok’s favorite way to wear the trend. “Red lipstick, no mascara is—simply put—‘It girl’ makeup,” says Sara Wren, Milk Makeup’s Director of Artistry. It’s a makeup look that channels major main character energy. “It reminds me of Sade, a perfect pair of vintage jeans, and New York,” she says.

Mascara-free red lipstick may have popped up all over your feed lately, but it’s equally prominent on the red carpet and runways. “Look to celebrities like Tracee Ellis Ross and Chloe Sevigny to see just how well this works,” says Sara, who also notes that the fresh pairing appeared “all over the runways for 2024, from Alexander McQueen to Schiaparelli.” 

Just like red lipstick, there’s no single set of rules when it comes to making the look work for you. And while it’s customizable to your favorite shade and finish, there are a few pointers to keep in mind if you want to try the trend. Below, Sara breaks down the expert-approved way to do a red lipstick, no mascara makeup look in minutes. 

Shop Cooling Water Jelly Tint

Shop Lip + Cheek

1. Prime + Prep Red lips may be the star of this look, but the shade does its best work when you pair it with hydrated, glowy skin. Sara starts with a pump of Hydro Grip + Glow Primer for a “dewy, golden-hour complexion.” Our illuminating primer is packed with light-reflecting pearls and a surge of skincare, plus it keeps your base gripped on for up to 12 hours. “I love this primer as a contrast to the bold red lip we are seeing with this trend,” she says. Not only does it give your skin a glow up, it also ensures your base won’t budge, keeping the focus on your lip. Shop Hydro Grip + Glow

2. Base There’s no need to wear a heavy base with this look; in fact, Sara says the trend works best when you skip foundation entirely. “I avoid using foundation for this look because I want the glow of the primer to shine through and keep it effortless,” she explains. To even out any blemishes or redness, she takes a small buffing brush and uses it to spot-conceal with Future Fluid Creamy Hydrating Concealer. You can also add your favorite shades of Lip + Cheek and Matte Bronzer here—just make sure to apply with a light hand and check that they pair well with your chosen shade of red. “I recommend applying your red lip first to find the right balance of blush and bronzer,” she says. “That way, you can keep the balance of a bold lip while building warmth and color on your cheeks.” Shop Face

3. Brows + Eyes Just because you’re doing no-mascara makeup doesn’t mean you should skip your eye area entirely. “It’s important to sculpt your brows so they help frame your eyes,” says Sara. To shape her brows and hold them in place, she brushes them out with KUSH Brow Lamination Gel for “a semi-slick look.” If you want to build up the tint or pair your lip with a more defined brow, swap it out for our KUSH High Roll Tubing Brow Gel. Sara particularly loves this look for a night out, since it’s made for getting ready in a rush and eliminates any potential for smeared, smudged eye makeup (also a vibe, just not this time). Shop Eyes

4. Lips  It’s finally time to make the look pop with your favorite red lip shade. If you can’t decide on one color, start mixing. “Mixing and layering different textures of lip color not only extends the wear of your red lip, but also allows you to play with the finish and shade,” says Sara. Her current favorite lip combo starts with a base layer of Cooling Water Jelly Tint in Chill, our Internet-famous bouncy lip stain with serious staying power. Since it doubles as a blush, you can also blend some onto your cheeks to make sure your cheeks and lips stay in the same color family. (Pro tip: It dries fast, so work one cheek at a time and blend quickly.) To add dimension, she tops it off with a layer of Lip + Cheek in Muse, another great option for a coordinating blush shade. “Because Jelly Tint dries down more matte, I wanted to add a cream shade on top,” she explains. “I took Muse and used my ring finger to push the color on top of Chill. This creates more depth to the shade and adds some moisture to my lips!” Shop Lips

5. Set Your lips are locked in, but don’t forget to finish the rest of your look, too. Sara tops everything off by spritzing her whole face with our best-selling Hydro Grip Set + Refresh Spray, which gives her makeup extra gripping insurance for up to 12 hours and adds a weightless layer of dewy hydration. While no mascara and red lips are fab all on their own, this final step also lets you reference another 2024 It girl. “It gives my makeup that Moo Deng glossy finish,” says Sara. Shop Hydro Refresh + Set Spray

Meet the Expert

Sara Wren (she/her) is the Director of Artistry at Milk Makeup. In her role, she does all the makeup artistry and direction for our Milk Makeup global campaigns, educates the staff and field team on application methods, stars in the brand’s social media videos, and travels to different markets spreading Milk Makeup’s good vibes. When she’s not on set, Sara loves experimenting with DIY hair colors, eating tacos, watching basketball, and scouring for vintage cosmetics to add to her impressive collection.