Makeup Artist Sir John Reveals the Evolving 'No-Makeup' Look for Healthy Skin

Sheila Baylis

Thu, October 29, 2026 at 12:10 PM UTC

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For years, the no-makeup makeup look took a full lineup of products—tinted base, concealer , cream blush, brow gel and a few coats of mascara—all blended so well you could hardly see it.

Many people are still using a lot of product to look natural, but the thinking behind it has shifted some, according to Sir John , the celebrity makeup artist who has spent a full career on editorial shoots and red carpets, and is known for his work with Beyoncé, Zendaya and Serena Williams. Now, he's also the creative director and global ambassador for the Korean skincare brand Medicube, and he's watched the no-makeup look go from an intricate makeup exercise to something more like a healthy-skin philosophy.

After years of super-dewy skin and high-shine lips, 2026 beauty coverage has turned toward a softer, more natural finish, and Sir John says that where we are now is somewhere just past the clean-girl era.

But he isn't interested in giving the next phase a catchy name. "I know that right now, we care so much about health," he says. "Skin is so big. Wellness is so big," he tells Parade . The focus on being and appearing healthy shapes how he preps skin, how much base he uses and how he treats brows and lashes .

His techniques are especially useful if your skin has started to change after 50 and the routine that you perfected a decade ago no longer works the same way.

Here's what he says is different now.

What the 'No-Makeup Makeup' Look Means Now

The old goal was minimalist makeup. The new goal is skin that looks very healthy on its own.

"What does it look like now? Not just the minimal application, but does my skin really radiate?" Sir John says. "Is it something that is actually true and authentic?"

For him, the look starts well before makeup—with what he calls an inside-out approach. Through his time with Medicube, he's become focused on gut health, pointing to the microbiome and fermented teas as part of how he thinks about skin condition.

He's noticed the shift even among people who love a full face of makeup, and who are now looking for ways to dial it down.

"How can I give someone the most minimal version of something you can see by covering concerns that they have?" he says.

Why Brows and Lashes Matter More Than Ever

If there's one area Sir John would prioritize, it's brows and lashes. "The hair on the face is the most important thing that I think we should pay attention to," he tells Parade .

Both tend to thin with age, and he sees caring for them as "a vehicle for youth and vitality." This is also where the biggest change in technique shows up. He is looking for ways to put less product on the brows and lashes while having them look full and healthy.

"In yesteryear, it would be lacquering on a little more, putting on more lash, putting on more mascara," he says. "But right now, I'm thinking about serums instead. How can I grow my hair back?"

How To Adapt the No-Makeup Look for Mature Skin

"As we become more mature, the conversation with our face does change," Sir John says.

His first suggestion is multi-masking, or using different masks on different zones of the face. For prep, he's a fan of at-home devices, including Medicube's Booster Pro , which he uses to help serums and moisturizers absorb.

When it comes to foundation , he uses a makeup sponge and builds it in thin layers so it never looks heavy.

He's also not convinced mature skin needs setting spray. Many formulas contain alcohol, which can feel drying, so he suggests swapping it for a hydrating primer.

"That's something that's going to give you a lock," he explains.

Overall, his advice is to notice what makes you feel good and keep doing that, no matter what your social media feed says.

"Connect to what feels correct for you in the moment," he emphasizes.

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Sir John , celebrity makeup artist and creative director and global ambassador for Medicube

This story was originally published by Parade on Oct 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the Beauty section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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