How To Nail "No-Makeup" Makeup — According To Alicia Keys' Artist

PHOTO: STEVE GRANITZ/WIREIMAGE.

There are makeup artists known for unapologetically bright lips, over-the-top contouring, and bold geometric liners. And then there's Dotti, who is better known for creating makeup looks in which the makeup itself is impossible to detect. An industry vet, Dotti has worked with Emma Watson, Cate Blanchett, and Alicia Keys — not that you'd ever know it.

So how exactly does the queen of no-makeup makeup accomplish that natural afterglow effect? First, by extending her job title beyond just "makeup" artist. The majority of Dotti's work is actually in skin prep. She starts by tapping on serums (Eminence Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Serum), massaging in face oils (MV Organic Skincare), and spritzing on face mists (Avène and La Roche Posay), all in an effort to increase circulation and give skin a natural radiance.

Then, she chooses products that work with the skin, not against it. "I look for products I can break down with my serums and oils, so they become a part of the skin instead of sitting above it," she tells Refinery29. After sweeping on her final touches of makeup, the pro relies on a jade roller and mists of thermal water to melt it all together — all while simultaneously stimulating the skin to maximize that flush.

See precisely which cosmetics make up her tightly-edited makeup bag — and the complexions of seemingly bare-faced celebrities — ahead. Then get ready to mist, tap, and roll your way to your most natural makeup look yet.

ISSA MAC Cosmetics Summer. . .heat proofing your makeup. . .

Photo courtesy of MAC Cosmetics

Barely there makeup down to a science--from glowing skin to groomed brows and tinted lips.

The emphasis on natural, barely there makeup is more evident than ever this year. Beauty experts and opinion makers are fixated on creating looks that highlight glowing skin. And were not talking about the overly “strobed” cheekbones of reality TV stars. The direction this season subscribes to the kind of glow that one gets post-workout or after a thorough facial. Think pinkish-gold flush. Dewy finish. Minimal coverage. And maybe, a show of adorable freckles.

Glowing Skin In Seconds. Start with MAC’s Strobe Tone Up Cushion Compact SPF 50. A spin off from the beauty label’s iconic Strobe Cream, this compact creates luminous radiant skin that easily glides onto skin. Fine pearl particles helps to achieve that glow from within. Use a sponge, brush or fingers when applying all over the face or on elevated parts. Top off your look with a spritz of MAC’s Prep and Prime Fix. This mother of all water mists now comes in two variants: Goldlite (for a bronzed finish) and Pinklite (for a subtle flush). Prep and Prime Fix is specifically formulated to hydrate and refresh skin, leaving a soft sheen. It may either be used alone or as a setting agent.

Photo courtesy of MAC Cosmetics

MAC Strobe Tone Up Cushion Compact

Photo courtesy of MAC Cosmetics

MAC Strobe Prep and Prime Fix Plus comes in Goldlite or Pinklite for a radiant, sheer finish

Brows For The Win. To compliment a look that celebrates skin that breathes, MAC makeup artists say, “eyebrows on-fleek are so last year.” For a while there, it felt like hyper-stenciled brows would be a beauty staple. It appears, however, as though women today are keen on celebrating their natural beauty and that would include brows that are less than perfect but well groomed. This is not to say that strays are not on-point. On the contrary, with this new direction, it is essential that one is able to keep brows shaped and in place.

We each have a distinct way of styling brows. Some like to fill them while others are partial to recreating texture. The Eyebrow Styler from MAC aids in precision application so that users are able to create hair-like strokes. A spoolie on the other end of the pencil makes it easy to groom and blend this long-wear formula. MAC’s Shape and Shade Tint, meanwhile, is a dual ended pen ideal for filling in brows. A sponge tip feature makes it easy to shape brows and keep them in place.