There are countless iconic scenes in Bridesmaids, but the makeup moment is one of its very best. Annie wakes up in Ted’s bed, darts to the bathroom to put on a full face of natural-looking makeup, and he wakes up none the wiser. And in that moment, the movie distilled the pure essence of “no-makeup makeup.” The goal: you still look like you, but with a filter (or “makeup”) to subtly brighten, enhance, and spotlight your best features.

But to say that’s easier said than done is an understatement. It’s also easier to read about flying to the moon than it is to get there yourself, and one does not equip you for the other. With that in mind, we got your flight plan: the best, most crucial pointers from the makeup artists backstage at New York Fashion Week. Here we break down exactly how to pull off a look that says, “oh, this? I woke up like this.”

Tip 1: Press on Lipstick With Your Fingers

PHOTO: ROB LATORRE

If you want to step things up a notch from Chapstick, but still pull off a lip color as realistically your own, Nars Global Artistry Director Uzo says the power is in your hands. Literally—instead of applying lipstick from the tube, rub a finger on the bullet of a shade just slightly darker than your natural lip color and press it onto your lips, like she did at Mansur Gavriel, above. Blot with a tissue, and the resulting stained effect—she used Nars’ Audacious formula—will look super natural.

Tip 2: Use Highlighter As Eyeliner

PHOTO: Courtesy of brand

By this point, you’ve probably heard the go-to makeup artist trick of adding white or flesh-colored liner on your waterline, which subtly covers up redness and weaves the illusion that your eye is just that much bigger. That one’s a failsafe, but the eyeliner trick that Maybelline makeup artist Erin Parsons thought for Jonathan Simkhai’s show is the new-and-improved, better-than-ever version. The twist? You actually use a brow highlighter, like Maybelline’s Brow Precise Perfecting Highlighter, to line your upper lash line. The nude hue looks supremely natural—which makes sense, given its intended use.

Tip 3: For More Natural-Looking Lashes, Master the “Wiggle”

PHOTO: INSTAGRAM / @NARSISSIST

Mascara is usually the hardest part of no-makeup makeup to pull off, just because most mascara immediately looks visible (just doing its job). But at Alexander Wang, makeup artist Diane Kendal revealed the secret: wiggle the mascara brush into your roots only to get volume and definition, without overtly “done” lashes. She used Nars’ yet-to-be-released Climax Mascara (coming this spring, no pun intended), but its Audacious Mascara also works.

Tip 4: Skip Powder Blush and Go for a Cream

PHOTO: INSTAGRAM / @HONEST_BEAUTY

For a fresh spin on no-makeup blush, makeup artist Daniel Martin says to lightly blend peachy blush along the tops of your cheekbones. At Rebecca Minkoff, he chose Honest Beauty’s Crème Blush in Truly Teasing—he says the cream consistency sinks in for a windswept, glowing look. To add some dewiness, tap a salve like Honest’s Magic Balm over your cheekbones, down your nose, and onto your cupid’s bow.

Related Stories:
–This ‘Invisible Foundation’ Stick Made My No-Makeup Makeup Dreams Come True
–21 Products That’ll Give You the Best No-Makeup Makeup Look Ever
–How to Make Your Skin Look Awesome When You’re Not Wearing Any Makeup

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