Experts Reveal How to Copy Jennifer Aniston’s Effortless Look

Jennifer Aniston has been inspiring women to shake up their beauty routines ever since the Friends star debuted “The Rachel” in the mid-1990s. To this day, she remains our inspiration for the “California cool girl look,” thanks to her beachy glow and sunkissed highlights — and it’s hard to believe that the star will be turning 50 next year. In an attempt to capture some of Aniston’s radiant effortless beauty for ourselves, we consulted with two experts on how to recreate her look — including her longtime makeup artist, Angela Levin.

According to Levin, “Jen always looks gorgeous but very accessible and effortless,” and we’d have to agree. The pro always begins her sessions with any client by prepping the skin. She’ll moisturize with either the Chanel^® Hydra Beauty Gel Creme ($63) or La Mer^® The Renewal Oil ($230), and then layer a primer on top. “I always have three or four in my kit, including Laura Mercier^® Foundation Primer ($38) and Dior^® Capture Totale Le Sérum ($225),” she shares.

To address any undereye puffiness and smooth out the look of crow’s feet, Levin swears by patches like Angels Makeup Collagen Intensive Treatment ($20) or PeterThomasRoth^® Cucumber De-Tox^® Hydra Gel Eye Patches ($48).

To help firm up the rest of the face, you can also try an Aniston-approved, in-office treatment: Ultherapy. “The treatment utilizes ultrasound to target and tighten the underlying tissue and skin by initiating the building of collagen,” Dr. Norman Rowe, board certified plastic surgeon, explains. While this procedure has no downtime and only takes about an hour, plan your appointment accordingly. According to Dr. Rowe, the taut results take about two to three months to show.

Once she creates a prepped and primed complexion, Levin blends a combination of foundations to create a natural finish. Her current favorites include IT Cosmetics^® Bye Bye Foundation^® Full Coverage Moisturizer With SPF 50+ ($40), Clé De Peau Beauté Radiant Fluid Foundation^® ($125) and Kevyn Aucoin^® Sensual Skin Fluid Foundation ($65). “I start by mixing two or three colors and textures with a large brush,” she shares, applying the product to the star’s face. “Then, with a clean sponge, I move it around and blend until I like how it looks.”

To score Aniston’s signature glow, Levin recommends applying multiple bronzers. This will create the most realistic, sun-kissed effect. “Use a matte one like Chanel^® Les Beiges [Healthy Glow Luminous Multi-Colour Powder] ($58) to warm up the face and most importantly, don’t forget the neck,” she advises. (Blending down to the neck is key for a seamless look!) “Then, use another bronzer with a bit of gold in it like Rimmel London^® Natural Bronzer in Sun Bronze ($4) mainly on the cheeks, nose, and chin,” she adds, which will add luminosity to the skin. Levin also uses cream blush to accentuate prominent cheekbones like Aniston’s.

If you have eyes as blue as Aniston’s, you know that they tend to pop on their own! “In general, we don’t overpower with thick liners or heavy eye shadows, but I always use a bit of a red-brown very close to [blue] eyes,” she shares. “It seems to really bring out the color.” (If you have a similar eye color to Aniston’s and want to test this trick for yourself, try MAC^® Cosmetics Technakohl Liner in Broque ($18). It has a copper undertone that will contrast beautifully with your irises and make them stand out.) Levin finishes with a few coats of black mascara such as Dior Diorshow^® ($30), Charlotte Tilbury^® Full Fat Lashes ($29) or Chanel Inimitable^® Mascara ($32).

To finish off the look, Levin applies a lip color — but always switches it up. “I don’t usually repeat a color if I can help it,” she reveals. “I love creating a beige or pink creamy lip by using a great lipstick with gloss over it.” She continues, “Normally we apply a lighter color towards the center and a bit darker on the outer corners, and use natural lip liners to create a defined, soft lip.” To achieve sculpted definition without fussing with multiple products, we like Benefit^® Cosmetics They’re Real! Double the Lip ($20). The formula has a unique, teardrop-shaped bullet with two coordinating colors built in (one lighter, one deeper). When you apply it with the deeper shade aligned with your lip line, it creates a chiseled effect — no lip liner necessary. 

Two more free tips from Aniston that will help you to look and feel your best: don’t forget to hydrate and get your beauty sleep! Aniston is a spokeswoman for Smartwater, and told Shape that she drinks 100 ounces of H2O every day. “I always try to sleep for at least eight hours a night and, of course, water, water, water!” she said. We’re off to the watercooler to refill our bottle right now!