Forget the filters. The new flex is luminous real skin, lived-in and effortlessly confident.
We’re entering a new beauty era. One that trades perfection for presence, heavy glam for healthy glow and full coverage for flexibility. At the heart of this shift? Skin that looks and feels like real skin.
From red carpets to real weddings, glossy editorials to everyday women, the filtered aesthetic is falling away. In its place is a new kind of beauty standard: luminous, breathable and alive. And according to leading makeup artist and beauty studio founder Bonnie-Lee, it’s changing everything about how women approach their makeup and how artists prep and apply it.
“Women aren’t asking for full coverage anymore,” says Bonnie, founder of Make Up by Bonnie Lee, MBL Bride and Newcastle’s cult-favourite beauty studio, Clae. “They want to look fresh, hydrated and like the best version of themselves, not like someone else.”
Bonnie Lee, a renowned makeup artist, hair stylist and founder of MBL Bride, Clae and Make Up by Bonnie Lee
Skin Is the Star
This movement toward real, radiant skin has shifted the entire makeup process, especially in the bridal world where Bonnie-Lee’s team preps hundreds of faces each year.
“It all starts with skin prep. We’re seeing brides invest more in their skincare routine and treatments leading up to the day, and that’s key,” explains Bonnie-Lee. “We now spend more time prepping the skin than applying foundation. Hydration, gentle exfoliation, lymphatic massage and targeted skincare are non-negotiables.”
Rather than layering on product, the focus is now on strategic application and lightweight bases that move with the skin, paired with pinpoint concealing, soft sculpting and a radiant finish.
“It’s about letting the skin breathe,” says Bonnie-Lee. “We use feather-light products and a tailored approach. You won’t find a one-size-fits-all foundation in our kits anymore. It is about intentional products and placement that still gives an all day flawless finish while looking and feeling like real skin.”
Bridal Skin Prep Starts Now
At MBL Bride, Bonnie-Lee works with clients up to twelve months out from their wedding day to get their skin into its best condition. Because as the saying goes, failure to prepare is preparation to fail.
But this isn’t about booking endless facials or dropping hundreds on skincare. It’s about understanding your skin, building a routine that works for you and sticking to it consistently.
“It doesn’t have to be expensive or overwhelming,” she reassures. “We start by pinpointing what the skin really needs, whether that’s hydration, barrier support or a bit of rebalancing. We then create a routine that’s simple, doable and consistent.”
Professional treatments, when included strategically over the lead-up months, act as support not a crutch.
“Women are investing more in skincare than makeup because they now understand the base is everything,” says Bonnie-Lee. “When your skin looks good and the confidence is beaming through, the makeup is just the cherry on top!”
What Your Skin Actually Needs
So what belongs in your routine if you’re chasing that stripped-back, luminous skin? Here’s a simple cheat sheet:
Worth it:
- Hyaluronic acid – for deep hydration and plumpness
- Niacinamide – for calming, smoothing and evening out skin tone
- Ceramides – to strengthen and protect your barrier
- Gentle exfoliants (like lactic acid or PHA) for glow without irritation
- SPF (always) – because prevention is easier than correction
Skip it:
- Overactive treatments that promise instant results
- Too many actives at once (especially acids and retinols)
- Products that leave your skin feeling tight, stripped or confused
- Chopping and changing your routine constantly
“Consistency beats complication every time,” she says. “You don’t need a 10-step routine. You need a few quality products, used well. I always recommend building a ‘skincare wardrobe’, we need pieces that we can adapt and use as our skin needs and concerns change too.”
Less, But Better
For Bonnie-Lee and her artists, this approach doesn’t mean compromising on beauty, it means refining it.
“It takes real skill to create that no-makeup makeup look,” she explains. “You have to understand skin, lighting, texture and the client’s unique features. We’re doing less but doing it better.”
Neutral tones, creamy textures, brushed-up brows and glowing high points now take the spotlight. It’s makeup that enhances rather than hides giving room for personality, emotion and confidence to shine through.
“Our clients, especially our brides, are more confident than ever,” Bonnie adds. “They’re not chasing perfection. They’re choosing connection, confidence and a look that still feels like them.”
In a world that’s spent years smoothing, retouching and filtering, the boldest move might just be letting your real skin show. And if Bonnie-Lee’s calendar is anything to go by, that’s exactly what modern women are doing.
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