What Is the ‘Resting Rich Face’ Trend? Makeup Artists Explain

Makeup trends come and go, but the one to know right now has a hard-to-forget name: “resting rich face.” Instead of piling on products, the focus is on a small edit of formulas designed to enhance your features. Think a brightening serum in place of concealer to even tone, or a tinted lip oil with skin-loving ingredients instead of a full glossy lip combo. The look isn’t entirely new; it’s more of a rebrand of the “clean girl” and “old money makeup” aesthetics that have long put polished, minimal makeup front and center.

To learn more about what defines the resting rich face trend, we tapped two celebrity makeup artists. Ahead, they share what makes the look stand out and the exact steps to recreate it.

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What Is the Resting Rich Face Trend?

According to celebrity makeup artist Neil Scibelli, the resting rich face is skin-focused at its core. “The trend prioritizes a skin-care routine to highlight your natural complexion and bring out that radiance, with just a touch of makeup to enhance the look,” he says.

The concept itself isn’t new and pulls directly from the viral old money makeup aesthetic. “It’s been revamped and renamed, but it plays off how wealthy people traditionally wear makeup—very minimal, with glowy skin, hydrated lips and just a touch of mascara on the tips of the lashes,” adds celebrity makeup artist Emily Gray.

How to Get the Resting Rich Face Look

Since skin is the star of the trend, a thoughtful routine matters. “Begin by cleansing and exfoliating to remove any dull, dead layers and prep your skin for the next steps,” says Scibelli. He notes that choosing the right products is just as important as the routine itself. “The resting rich face look requires less makeup, so you want to rely on products that bring out that radiance with just a touch of makeup to enhance the look,” he says. That might include a vitamin C serum to brighten and even skin tone, a barrier-protecting moisturizer and a lightweight foundation or skin tint.

“Working in thin layers is incredibly important for natural makeup looks like this one, where you don’t really want to see the makeup,” says Gray. To achieve that effect, she recommends blending product out gradually and building coverage only where it’s needed.

From there, focus on enhancing features with cream formulas. Where powders can look dry or heavy, creams help maintain a natural-looking glow. “A cream bronzer across your contour points and cream blush across the cheeks will softly enhance your features without changing them,” says Scibelli. For the finishing touch, the pros agree that a light lip stain paired with a simple, shiny balm keeps the look fresh without feeling overdone.

Products to Get the Resting Rich Face Look

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“This serum is formulated with 15% pure vitamin C and 2% PHA, which gently exfoliates the skin and allows the vitamin C to absorb fully in one application. It also boosts collagen defense and protects existing collagen with a patented micro-peptide technology, which plumps and preps the skin beautifully for makeup,” says Scibelli.

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Cushion foundations are true workhorses. They can deliver both light and full coverage with a fresh and natural-looking finish. This formula is infused with hyaluronic acid and bakuchiol to hydrate the skin while helping to smooth fine lines.

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Not only does this bronzer add a sun-kissed glow to the skin, but it can also be used to contour and add definition to the face. According to Scibelli, it also has a soft-focus finish that’s perfect for the resting rich face trend.

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If you want to enhance your lashes without doing too much, reach for this brown mascara. The fine bristles on the brush gently glide through your lashes, giving them a rich espresso tint. Pro tip: “Be sure to wipe off the excess mascara and apply it on the tips of lashes for a natural lengthening effect,” says Gray.

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“A tinted lip oil creates a flushed look and adds shine,” says Scibelli. This formula is also packed with skin-loving ingredients, including hyaluronic acid and jojoba seed oil to ensure your lips stay moisturized.