No-Makeup Makeup Magic: Dior, YSL & Guerlain to the Rescue

My dream? To find makeup that’s easy to use, high quality, and doesn’t make me feel like I’ve plastered pâté all over my face. I don’t want makeup that transforms me into someone unrecognizable—so much so that even my own partner would do a double take. I just want to look like the best version of myself. That’s the essence of perfect “no-makeup” makeup.

So, in collaboration with Elnino, I gave myself a challenge: to minimalize my makeup bag. I’m on the hunt for a solid, go-to beauty lineup—a tiny selection of holy grail items I can depend on 100%. You know what I mean—those trusty staples that, once you use them up, you rush to repurchase the exact same ones.

And did I succeed? Oh yes, I did. Today’s post is one big love letter to a trio of beauty game-changers that I would bet all my concealers on. These three gems now form the core of my no-makeup makeup arsenal:

• Christian Dior Forever Skin Corrector – Shade 1.5N
• Yves Saint Laurent Volume Effet Faux Cils Mascara & Touche Éclat Highlighter – Shade 2
• Guerlain Météorites Compact Illuminating Powder – Shade 3 Medium

And let me tell you—I’m so obsessed, I’m practically bouncing on my inflatable office chair while typing this. If you’re currently on a “no buy” mission, you might want to stop reading here… because I’m about to gush non-stop like a beauty blogger on cloud nine. A pink one. With whipped cream. And sprinkles. And a mini cocktail umbrella.

Christian Dior Forever Skin Corrector – Shade 1.5N

I already said it on Instagram and I’ll shout it from the rooftops here too: I have NEVER used a better concealer in my life. It’s the best one I’ve ever tried—hands down. I’d pay even more for it, that’s how much I love it. Compared to every concealer I’ve tested (and that’s a lot), Dior Forever Skin leaves them all in the dust. Light-years behind. This stuff is phenomenal. Actually—no. It’s perfect.

I chose the shade 1.5N, which is a neutral undertone—not pink, not yellow. Just neutral. I used to think I had a warm undertone until I tried that wrist-vein test and realized one vein is green, one is blue. Classic neutral. And 1.5N fits me like a glove. Or a lid on a pot, as we say back home.

I’d go a shade lighter in winter, but right now, in spring and going into summer, 1.5N is chef’s kiss. It disappears into my skin like magic. It blends in so perfectly that it’s like someone bottled a drop of my natural skin tone for spot-fixing. Like those spray-paint ladies in Death Becomes Her—only better.

First Impressions & Application

I use it under the eyes, on my eyelids, and the occasional spot. A little goes a long way—like, Catrice Camouflage-level coverage but way more natural and featherlight. It covers everything from dark circles to redness and broken capillaries without looking cakey. I apply it using just my fingers—no brushes or sponges. It doesn’t settle into lines, doesn’t flake, and stays put all day. I usually apply it over a non-greasy eye cream (hello, Kosmín), and it works like a charm.

Also, can we talk about the packaging? So luxe. The applicator is comically large at first glance, but honestly, I don’t mind. I just dab a tiny bit and I’m good to go.

To sum it up: this concealer now lives on the highest pedestal in my makeup collection. It’s glorious, flawless, unbeatable. You need it. No ifs, ands, or buts.

YSL Volume Effet Faux Cils Mascara

Finding a great mascara is no small feat. It usually involves tears, frustration, and stinging eyes. But when you finally find The One? Fireworks. Confetti. Choirs of angels.

YSL’s Volume Effet Faux Cils is that mascara for me. It’s love at first sight—the sleek gold tube alone is enough to make you swoon.

It’s got a classic bristle brush, densely packed to grab every little lash and turn it into a fluttery dream. Even if you’re starting with short, sad lashes, this baby will lift, define, and volumize like a champ. I’ve tried plastic wands, but I always come back to the good old bristle style. It just works.

The mascara isn’t waterproof (which I prefer, honestly—easier to remove, no lash casualties), and it doesn’t smudge or flake throughout the day.

The color is charcoal black, and the texture is neither dry nor too runny. From the very first use, it’s just right — it doesn’t clump your lashes, doesn’t smudge, and doesn’t create those sad little spider legs. The Dior mascara and Lancôme Hypnôse are the crème de la crème, and if you asked me to recommend the best mascara ever, I would 100% pull one of these out of my sleeve.

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat

And no less praise goes to the click-pen brush Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat. I’ve featured it on the blog a few times already (always purring happily as I wrote about it), and today will be no different. So, what is this clever little concealing pen good for? Not so much for covering dark circles (although you can use it for that if the circles aren’t dramatically purple or oddly tinted). Touche Éclat shines brightest as a magical illuminating wand. It brings light where shadows fall — but without hiding what’s underneath. Confusing? I know, let me explain!

I apply Touche Éclat to areas that I’ve already concealed, but that now look a bit too matte and flat — kind of lifeless. Sure, you could fix that with a highlighter. But often, highlighters are too much. For example, the inner corner of the eye — a classic highlighter creates this weird sharp triangle that’s super obvious and a bit unflattering. Not a fan. Touche Éclat adds light and brightness, without drawing attention to itself. It looks 100% natural.

Same goes for the tops of your cheekbones, under the brow, the Cupid’s bow, the tip of the nose or chin. I’d call it instant sculpted glow. If you’ve used a BB cream, foundation, or even just concealer before, Touche Éclat will refine and elevate the whole look. Forget harsh American-style contouring. No need. This is all about a subtle touch of light — the cherry on top that brings your whole makeup look to life.

Guerlain Compact Illuminating Powder in Shade 3 Medium

Raise your brush if you’ve never encountered the legendary Guerlain powder “Meteorites”! If you’re hunting for an illuminating powder that’s fragrant, natural-looking, multi-purpose, and NEVER leaves you looking like a floury ghost — you’ve come to the right place. Guerlain powders are famous for a reason and adored by basically everyone who’s had the pleasure of trying them.

I still have my first pressed “meteorite” powder, even though there’s now a big ol’ pan in the middle. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — the last time I actually finished a powder must’ve been in high school or even elementary school. Since then? Never hit pan. Except with this beloved baby 💖

What’s so special about this powder that I rave about it like a maniac and believe every makeup bag should have one? Besides the gorgeous packaging (honestly, it’s like a piece of jewelry!) and the distinctive floral scent that’s impossible to confuse with anything else — it’s all about how it works. I don’t know what kind of magic Guerlain presses into this, but Météorites will ALWAYS make your face look one level more beautiful. Météorites is like Parmesan cheese — sprinkle it over the most boring dish and it becomes a gourmet masterpiece. That’s exactly what Guerlain powder does 😄

Testing Impressions

It covers the skin with microscopic particles that mysteriously reflect light. It’s like a powder version of Touche Éclat. It wakes the skin up, highlights its best angles, and gives your face the most delicate veil. A realistic Instagram filter. That’s the best way to put it.

What I love about the Medium shade is how versatile it is. Because of the way it’s divided, you can sweep your brush over just one half for a pure illuminating powder. Swipe over the other half and ta-da — you’ve got a blusher. Use a single color as an eyeshadow (finger-painting encouraged!) or go for a monochrome blush. Or swirl your brush across all four shades for a subtly tinted, unifying face powder. I’m head-over-heels in love with this thing! 💕

Final Thoughts

I could go on singing the praises of today’s beauty heroes — it’d be a chorus of joyful squeals, gleeful chants, and I might even write a poem called “Dear Beauty Gods, Thank You for This Fab Four”. But let’s keep it simple: if you’ve ever trusted a single recommendation I’ve made on this blog — multiply it by a thousand. And then some. That’s how strongly I feel about this fabulous makeup line-up. 💋

*This gem was sent to me for review – but the love (or eye-rolls) are all mine. 🌞