Easy Ways to Recreate Zendaya’s Iconic No-Makeup Makeup Look

Easy Ways to Recreate Zendaya’s Iconic No-Makeup Makeup Look

Brigid Weiss

written by brigid weiss

October 30, 2026

4 minute read

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2026 has definitely been Zendaya’s year with all the appearances and press looks she’s provided, from her Marvel blockbuster with Spider-Man: Brand New Day and the black comedy The Drama. While many are still awaiting her moment in Dune: Part Three, it’s safe to say that her Odyssey press tour makeup has to be one of her most iconic ones yet. 

Breaking Down the Zendaya No Makeup Look

Truthfully, every Zendaya no makeup photo that has come out looks absolutely ethereal. However, her look at the final premiere of the Odyssey in New York City with the angel-like floor-length dress is simply jaw-dropping. The outfit alongside the hair just complements her features really well. No spoilers are needed to call her an absolute goddess.  

When diving into her makeup, it’s easy to dub it a no-makeup look, but it’s more accurate to call it minimalist makeup. You can still tell that she has a little bit of cosmetics. Her lips and cheeks still have color, albeit a little more muted. 

Plus, her skin is relatively evened out. Some may even describe Zendaya’s look as more of a cloud skin, a soft-matte finish with a subtle glow. 

Recreating the Makeup Look from Scratch

If you want the Zendaya no makeup look, you have to be intentional with what products you’re using and how much you’re applying. Here are some steps to recreate it with ease. 

1. Prep Your Skin Well

The first step is to prep your skin. Zendaya’s skin doesn’t really look too dewy or mattified, so it’s best to go for a natural finish. To achieve this, consider using a moisturizer that can help smooth out the skin. Follow it up with a blurring primer or sunscreen to protect the skin.

The key to making these two different formulations work is to make sure that your moisturizing primer dries before adding a blurring one. Take your time and your makeup should look flawless. 

2. Correct and Spot Conceal

A little color correcting can go a long way in helping your face look much more even. Remember to use color theory, like using green to neutralize red spots or adding a light purple to brighten up dull skin. Be light-handed with application and blending. 

You can also try spot concealing. Using a thicker cream concealer with shades closest to your skin tone can provide ample coverage without having to resort to multiple layers of foundation or choosing a heavier formula. 

3. Apply a Lightweight Foundation

A lightweight foundation is ideal to help even out the skin. Try to aim for a close shade match so that you don’t need too much coverage. You can also blend it with a polyglutamic acid serum, which boosts hydration while thinning out the formula.

For application, a brush or cushion puff can work just fine. However, if you want to sheer the foundation out more for a true no-makeup makeup look, consider using a damp beauty sponge. 

4. Brighten the Undereyes

The lightweight foundation can do wonders for evening out your skin. However, to add a little more dimension while hiding any dark undereyes, consider brightening it up with some concealer. Even just going a shade lighter can make a difference. 

For application, just tapping the product into your undereyes with your finger can provide ample coverage. Feel free to set this with some translucent powder, especially if you chose a more luminous product. 

5. Mix and Apply More Blush

One of the highlights of the Zendaya no makeup look is the blush that she applies. The secret to achieving this is by using two shades of blush–one should be a natural and almost brown shade, while the other is a more muted wine red. 

The natural blush can help act as a bronzer, since this routine will skip it. Meanwhile, the redder shade goes onto the apples of the cheeks to help add that color without being too much. 

6. Put on the Same Color to Your Lips

No-makeup makeup looks work well by having a my-lips-but-better moment. Add your blusher to your lips very gently for a monochromatic effect. Make sure it’s light coverage so your natural lip color can still peek through. You can also opt for a sheer lip balm and cream instead for a more subtle look. 

7. Apply a Finishing Powder and Setting Spray

Put on a little bit of finishing powder to give your face an airbrushed look. You can also swap it out for setting powder if you have oilier skin. And if you need the look to last all day, remember that a good setting spray is your best friend. 

8. Add a Touch of Highlight

Zendaya definitely had that subtle glow in her press tour look. To achieve a similar look, add a tasteful amount of highlight to the apples of your cheeks. A balmy or cream formula is ideal for melting into the skin, but you can also go with a liquid or powder highlighter. 

Making the Makeup Work For You

Zendaya’s features are beautifully unique, and the makeup works for her because of that. The best way to create a no-makeup makeup look is to alter it ever so slightly for you. Here are a few tips to keep in mind. 

Adjust the Steps for Your Needs

If you feel like you look too different from your regular makeup, don’t sweat about introducing a few extra steps to your routine. For example, a 2022 survey found that 31.52% of people never skip mascara. There are also people with sparse eyebrows who feel more comfortable with filling them in. Adjust what no-makeup makeup means to you. 

Choose Shades That Work for You

While the exact shades that Zendaya used for her makeup are floating around the internet, you don’t have to strictly adhere to what she’s using. What can look like a muted red on her could seem way too bright for your skin tone. Swatch and choose different shades.

Find Affordable Alternatives

Again, you don’t have to use the exact products that Zendaya or her makeup artist had used. Prada makeup can be way too expensive, but you can easily find drugstore alternatives that deliver similar results. 

Look Flawless Even With No Makeup

The Zendaya no makeup look is simply effortless, stunning and surprisingly easy to recreate once you know the steps. You can wear it to everyday errands or prestigious events. Share the routine with someone you know would like to try it.

meet the author

Brigid Weiss

Brigid Weiss

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