Remember the effortless charm of “Friends With Benefits”? Beyond the witty banter and romantic storyline, the film subtly showcased Mila Kunis’s radiant, natural beauty. Her makeup in the movie wasn’t about heavy contouring or bold colors; it was about enhancing her existing features, creating a fresh, approachable, and utterly captivating look. It’s a style that whispers confidence rather than shouts for attention. If you’ve ever admired her understated glam in the film and wondered how to achieve that “I woke up like this” glow, you’ve come to the right place. This article will guide you through recreating Mila Kunis’s iconic makeup from “Friends With Benefits,” offering step-by-step instructions and product recommendations to help you achieve a similar fresh-faced beauty.
Understanding the Essence of Friends With Benefits Makeup
The overarching theme of the makeup in “Friends With Benefits” is undoubtedly natural beauty. The goal is to look radiant, healthy, and youthful without appearing overly made-up. It’s about celebrating your own features rather than masking them. Think effortlessly chic, slightly undone, and incredibly relatable. There is no excessive contouring or layers of product. It’s the kind of makeup that makes you look like the best version of yourself, rather than someone else entirely. The key elements to achieving this are focusing on healthy, glowing skin, using minimal foundation and concealer to allow your natural complexion to shine through, subtly enhancing the eyes with neutral eyeshadows and defined lashes, naturally shaping the brows, choosing neutral or nude lip colors, and emphasizing a healthy, radiant flush on the cheeks.
Preparing Your Skin: The Foundation for Natural Radiance
Before even thinking about makeup, remember that the cornerstone of this look is healthy, glowing skin. If your skin isn’t properly prepped, even the best makeup can look cakey or unnatural. A consistent skincare routine is essential. Begin with a gentle cleanser to remove impurities and makeup residue. Exfoliate your skin lightly one to two times a week to slough away dead skin cells, revealing a smoother and brighter complexion. Follow up with a hydrating moisturizer to create a dewy base for your makeup. And of course, never forget your sunscreen! Even on cloudy days, sunscreen is crucial for protecting your skin from sun damage and premature aging. A hydrating primer can also be a great addition to your routine. It helps to create a smooth canvas for your foundation and ensures that your makeup lasts longer throughout the day.
Step-by-Step Guide to Achieve the Look
Perfecting the Complexion
The key here is to avoid heavy, full-coverage foundation. Opt for a lightweight foundation, tinted moisturizer, or even a BB cream to even out your skin tone without completely masking your natural complexion. Apply the product sparingly with a damp beauty sponge or your fingertips, focusing on areas that need the most coverage. Use a concealer that’s one shade lighter than your skin tone to brighten under-eye circles and cover any blemishes or imperfections. Again, apply sparingly and blend seamlessly into your skin. If you have oily skin, lightly dust a translucent setting powder over areas that tend to get shiny, such as the T-zone. If you have dry skin, you can skip this step altogether. The goal is to maintain a dewy, natural finish, not a matte, powdery one.
Enhancing the Eyes
For the eyes, stick to neutral shades like browns, taupes, and creams. Apply a light shade all over your lid as a base, then blend a slightly darker shade into your crease to add depth and dimension. Use a fluffy blending brush to ensure that there are no harsh lines. Eyeliner is optional for this look, but if you choose to wear it, opt for a brown or black eyeliner that you smudge along your upper lash line for a softer effect. You can also try tightlining, which involves applying eyeliner to the upper waterline to make your lashes appear thicker without creating a visible line. Finish with a coat or two of volumizing and lengthening mascara on your upper lashes. Consider using brown mascara for an even more natural look.
Defining the Brows
Well-groomed brows are essential for framing your face and enhancing your overall look. Use a brow pencil, powder, or gel to fill in any sparse areas and shape your brows naturally. Avoid harsh lines or overly dramatic arches. The goal is to create a soft, natural brow that complements your features. A brow gel can also be used to keep your brows in place throughout the day.
Adding a Flush of Color
A touch of blush is essential for creating a healthy, radiant glow. Choose a cream or powder blush in a natural rosy or peach shade. Apply the blush to the apples of your cheeks and blend upwards towards your temples. Use a light hand to avoid overdoing it. The goal is to create a subtle flush of color that mimics a natural blush.
Perfecting the Lips
Keep your lips hydrated with a moisturizing lip balm. If you want to define your lip shape, use a nude or natural lip liner. Choose a lipstick or lip gloss in a nude or sheer lip color. You can also opt for a lip tint for a natural, stained effect. Avoid bold or bright colors, as the focus is on a natural, understated lip.
Product Recommendations to Steal the Look
Here are some product recommendations to help you recreate Mila Kunis’s makeup look from “Friends With Benefits:”
- Foundation: Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation (Drugstore), NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer (High-End)
- Concealer: L’Oreal Paris True Match Radiant Concealer (Drugstore), IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer (High-End)
- Eyeshadow Palette: Urban Decay Naked Basics Eyeshadow Palette (Neutral Matte Shades), ColourPop Super Shock Shadow in “So Quiche” (Subtle shimmer)
- Mascara: L’Oreal Paris Lash Paradise Mascara (Drugstore), Benefit They’re Real! Lengthening Mascara (High-End)
- Blush: Milani Baked Blush in “Luminoso” (Drugstore), NARS Blush in “Orgasm” (Iconic Peach Pink)
- Lipstick: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in “Nude Attitude” (Drugstore), Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lipstick (High-End)
- Brow Gel: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Gel (Clear)
Tips and Tricks for a Flawless Finish
Remember that blending is key for achieving a seamless and natural finish. Use a fluffy blending brush to blend your eyeshadow, concealer, and blush until there are no harsh lines. Less is definitely more when it comes to this look. Avoid heavy application of any product. Focus on enhancing your natural features, not covering them up. Experiment with different shades and textures to find what works best for your skin tone. Don’t be afraid to try different blush shades, lip colors, and eyeshadow combinations until you find something that you love. Keep your tools clean. Dirty makeup brushes can harbor bacteria and lead to breakouts. Clean your brushes regularly with a gentle brush cleanser. Remember that this look is meant to be effortless, so don’t overthink it. Have fun with it and embrace your natural beauty.
Adapting the Look to Different Skin Tones and Types
While the core principles of the “Friends With Benefits” makeup look remain the same, you may need to adjust the shades and textures of your products to suit your individual skin tone and type. If you have fair skin, opt for lighter shades of blush, lipstick, and eyeshadow. Peach and pink tones will complement your skin tone beautifully. If you have medium skin, you can experiment with a wider range of shades. Coral, rose, and berry tones will look stunning on you. If you have dark skin, choose richer, more pigmented shades. Bronze, plum, and berry tones will enhance your natural complexion. If you have oily skin, opt for oil-free and matte products. Powder foundation, setting powder, and gel-based blush will help to control shine. If you have dry skin, choose hydrating and dewy products. Cream foundation, tinted moisturizer, and cream blush will add moisture to your skin. If you have combination skin, you can mix and match products to suit your individual needs. Use oil-free products on your T-zone and hydrating products on your cheeks and forehead.
Conclusion
Mila Kunis’s makeup in “Friends With Benefits” is a masterclass in natural beauty. It’s a look that’s both effortless and chic, perfect for everyday wear or a special occasion. By focusing on healthy, glowing skin, subtly enhanced eyes, and a natural flush of color, you can recreate this iconic makeup look and embrace your own natural radiance. Remember that the key is to enhance your features, not mask them. So, ditch the heavy foundation and bold colors, and embrace the simplicity and versatility of the “Friends With Benefits” makeup look. Try it out and adapt it to your own preferences – and most importantly, have fun with it!
