The “Bonne Mine” Makeup Look

In today’s article, I wanted to share a makeup look I’ve been absolutely loving lately—I call it the “bonne mine” makeup look. In French, avoir bonne mine means looking radiant and well-rested, with a fresh, healthy glow—even if, in truth, that’s not always the case… ;). The idea behind this look is simple: to create an ultra-minimal, barely-there makeup that softens dark circles, blurs signs of fatigue, and gives the impression of a luminous, well-rested complexion. And of course, it’s all done à la française, with just a few well-chosen products, very little time, and an even lighter touch.

I’ve always had a deep love for makeup. When I was younger, I used to paint— acrylics, oils, sometimes watercolors—and for me, makeup has always felt like a similar kind of artistry. You begin with a blank canvas, then slowly bring it to life with light, shadow, color, and perspective. It’s about creating something beautiful and harmonious, whether it’s realistic or more abstract.

Over time, as I experimented with different textures and shades, I began to realize just how little it takes to make a real difference, if done subtly. To keep the makeup truly imperceptible, it’s all about applying the right tone in the right place, adapted to your skin tone: a touch of apricot-toned concealer to neutralize bluish or purple under-eyes, a hint of green corrector beneath to cancel out redness, a deep berry blush that mimics a natural flush, a terracotta bronzer to warm up the complexion and give the illusion of sun-kissed skin…As with painting, makeup is all about color, light, and balance. And sometimes, the smallest gestures are the ones that bring the most radiance :).

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Transparency note: This post is not sponsored. Some of the Merit Beauty products featured were kindly gifted as part of their France launch. I only share what I truly use and love—never by obligation. Some links may be affiliate, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Merci, as always, for your support! [Read more about my editorial integrity →]

Step 1: Creating a Beautiful Base

The goal here is to create a natural, luminous base—nothing heavy, just fresh, barely-there skin. I approach this differently depending on how my skin is feeling that day. On good skin days, when my complexion is even and my dark circles are minimal, I’ll often skip foundation or tinted moisturizer altogether. I’ll simply apply a touch of concealer to the inner corners of my eyes, just enough to neutralize the bluish tone, and move straight to the next step.

To prep my skin, I like to layer a few lightweight skincare products in what I call my little millefeuille routine:

• After cleansing, I mist my face with Violette_FR’s Boum-Boum Milk—it deeply hydrates and feels incredibly refreshing.
• Then I apply 2–3 pumps of Merit’s Great Skin Serum, which gives my skin the most beautiful, healthy glow.
• I follow with C’est la Cream, massaging it into my skin to really boost circulation and help the product sink in. That’s it! My skin is prepped and naturally radiant.

On days when I’m looking a little more tired, or when my complexion needs a boost, I switch things up slightly:

• Instead of using C’est la Cream, I apply Merit’s Great Skin Moisturizer, which provides rich hydration without any greasiness.
• Then I reach for The Minimalist—an absolutely beautiful product I can’t recommend enough! It’s not quite a foundation, not quite a tinted moisturizer or concealer—it’s a bit of all three. It applies effortlessly with fingers or a brush, has a soft, velvety finish, and blends seamlessly into the skin. The coverage is light but buildable, and the result is incredibly natural. I didn’t notice any oiliness by the end of the day. I actually use it both as a tinted moisturizer and as a concealer. My shade is Ecru, which is a perfect match for me (I recommend using their shade finder if you’re unsure of yours). It’s truly a standout product.

Finally, when my dark circles are particularly noticeable or discolored, I’ll add a touch of RMS Beauty’s UnCoverup Concealer in shade 11.5, which has a subtle peach undertone. It’s another favorite—the texture is creamy, easy to apply with fingers, and melts beautifully into the skin for an ultra-natural finish.

Step 2: Adding Warmth and Color to the Complexion

For this “bonne mine” makeup look, the idea is to work with two key colors:

• One to gently warm up the complexion—not to look bronzed, but to add a soft, sun-kissed depth and natural radiance.
• And another to mimic a real flush, as if you’ve just stepped in from a crisp morning walk.

I recommend choosing your bronzer and blush shades carefully—not only so they complement each other, but also so they flatter your skin tone. For example, I’ve found that with my fair skin, pinks, reds, cherry, and even deep berry blushes work far better for me than peach or coral tones, which often appear orange on my skin. The same goes for bronzers—anything too dark or too warm tends to look unnatural. If you have fair to very fair skin, opt for light, neutral-toned bronzers—think soft beige, pale sand, or even a taupe with a slightly rosy undertone, rather than anything too golden or red.

My current favorites:

• Guerlain Terracotta Light Healthy Glow Bronzer in 02 Medium Cool
• Merit Flush Balm in Postmodern

I’ve been using the Terracotta Light bronzer from Guerlain for over ten years now—and I still love it just as much. For a natural sun-kissed effect, I apply it with a kabuki brush in a soft “3” shape across the face: starting at the top of the forehead, sweeping around the temples, across cheekbones, and just under the jawline—always with a light hand. If you prefer a fluid texture over powder, you can also opt the Sun Tone Bronzing Drops from Westman Atelier—*if you can get your hands on them ;)* I tried to order it recently but it quickly sold out both on Sephora France and the brand’s website.

Then, the final touch: blush.

Once your complexion is warmed up—and by this point, you should already look more radiant :)—it’s time to add that soft flush of color. As I mentioned earlier, I love blush shades in rose, red, cherry, and even burgundy tones—they’re the ones that truly brighten my complexion and give me that healthy glow. At the moment, I’ve been reaching for Merit’s Flush Balm in Postmodern. It’s incredibly easy to apply and blend with fingers, and the color melts beautifully into the skin. I’m also tempted to try the shades Après (a soft berry) and Rouge (a sheer red)—they look gorgeous.

Over time, I’ve come to believe that a good blush isn’t necessarily the most pigmented—it’s the one that blends seamlessly into the skin. There’s nothing worse than a harsh stripe of blush along the cheekbones! A truly great blush has both the right tone and the right texture—easy to apply with fingers and buildable depending on the intensity you want.

I apply mine to the highest point of the cheekbone, right where the sun would naturally hit. Then I blend it gently across the cheek toward the nose, following just under the eye area, and sweep it back toward the temple for a soft lifting effect. Some people like to add a touch of blush to the bridge of the nose—personally, I prefer placing just a bit on the top of the forehead, right along the hairline. It’s a little technique I picked up while studying the makeup looks from a previous Chanel collection—and I find it adds such a natural, healthy glow.

Step 3: Leave the Rest “Au Naturel”

And voilà! Leave the rest beautifully bare: no highlighter, no brow makeup, no eyeshadow… and especially, no mascara. I honestly think skipping mascara is what makes the look feel truly fresh and undone as if you’re not wearing any makeup at all. It’s a small detail, but it makes all the difference. You’ll look radiant, well-rested, and glowing, without the obvious signs of makeup. The only thing you might want to add is a touch of color on the lips. It’s entirely up to you—either a bold red for contrast, or just a touch of tint with a balm-like lipstick.

This spring, I recommend going for a bright raspberry red, or even fuchsia if you’re feeling daring ;).

• For a matte finish, try Violette_FR’s Petal Bouche in the shade Cœur Infidèle—it gives the effect of wearing nothing but lipstick, with no added shine or texture.
• If you prefer a hydrating or balm-like formula, I recommend:
  • Chanel Rouge Coco Baume Shine in Raspberry Kiss
  • Or Chanel Rouge Coco Baume Satin in Passion Pink

With just a few little touches, you’ll never look tired again—or at least, you’ll know how to fake it, beautifully ;). I hope you enjoyed this article and that these tips become part of your everyday ritual. See you very soon for what’s next… but shhh, I’m keeping that a surprise.