Hi again!
It's been really boring in the Bay Area lately, where it's raining (and storming) every day of the week. It's too cold and gross to go outside the house, so I've used this miserable weather as an opportunity to experiment with makeup.
As you all know, I love all things skincare. But that doesn't mean I'm a makeup expert. I'm actually quite bad at it, and even after following YouTube tutorials on smoky eye looks or glittery, shimmery glam— I suck.
So in 2023, I've been trying to improve. Nothing crazy just figuring out what products work for me, work together— for my skin tone, texture, etc. As an Asian woman, I have a more yellowy tint which has made it difficult for me to buy matching foundations and concealers (that don't pill). But after many hours scrolling on Sephora, many dollars spent at Ulta, I think I've mastered an everyday, no-makeup makeup look (see below).
The good news is it doesn't take too much of my time. Even with makeup, I still feel like it's my skin. You know what I mean? Not cakey or inundated in product. It feels like naturale me. That was my goal, and these products are what helped me achieve it!
1.
Moisturizer
Arguably, your base is the most important part of a glowy, natural makeup look. Nowadays, I use innisfree's Youth-enriched cream (for a dewier look) or Krave Beauty water cream (for a slightly more mattified look)
2.
Primer
I won't lie, I'm still looking for a primer. It was hard for me to find a non-comedogenic silicone-based primer. I settled on this Benefit one because it's affordable, but always open to more suggestions! It does the trick— nothing super crazy.
3.
Concealer
For my under-eyes and any zits or dark spots, Fenty Beauty concealer (in shade 230) does the trick! It's high-coverage, while feeling lightweight.
4.
"Foundation"
I'm not a big foundation person. Personally, I prefer CC creams (sunscreen cream!) or skin tints. For higher coverage, I'll use Supergoop CC cream. It's thick but noncomedogenic and has SPF! If my skin is looking good but just needs more glow, I'll use the more light coverage Shiseido foundation stick (ochre for summer, fair ochre for winter). Occasionally, I'll step it up with the Dior foundation. It's a bit too dry for me, despite other reviews disagreeing, so I only use it for a night out to avoid getting oily/greasy.
5.
Sunscreen
SPF is crucial to an even skin tone (and anti-aging)! I like EltaMD Daily Sunscreen, because it's kind of mattifying (without being drying)— especially for the T-zone. Other times, I'll use the Shiseido sunscreen stick if I want a dewier glow.
6.
Contour
Now, there's a difference between contour and bronzer. Bronzers have a reddish/orange tint for that sunkissed glow. Contours are for sculpting— which is why greys and cool browns are best. That's why I use Fenty's contour stick (in Amber).
7.
Blush
Blush is one of my favorite ways to amp up natural makeup with a subtle pop of color. If I want to look tanner, I'll use saie liquid blush (in Chilly). It's a deep red with brown undertones, making it look like you naturally just got some sun. For a more subtle and playful look, I'll use Maybelline powdered blush (in Pink). This shade is gorgeous and really adds dimension to the look.
8.
Eyes
The key to my natural makeup look is less eye makeup. One reason is because it's the hardest to take off! I'll typically call it a day with just the eyelash curler, but to level it up, I'll use Maybelline waterproof liquid eyeliner on the outer corner of my eyes and twenty/twenty eyeshadow stick (in love at first sight) around my eyelids for dimension. For mascara, this one from NEOGEN. No bristles! It's a metal brush. But it makes my eyelashes look soooo long (see below).
9 Brows
More so than blush, this is my key to going from looking like I just got out of bed to the effortlessly, clean girl look. As you can tell, I have extremely thick and dark eyebrows. I like to shape it with benefit eyebrow gel, because it truly does last 24 hours. If you have thinner eyebrows and don't like that waxy feel, try Anastasia Beverly Hills clear brow gel, which I also love. To shape the sparse hairs, I'll use L'Oreal eyebrow pencil (in dark brunette), because it has such a great, precise tip.
10. Lips
My Charlotte Tilbury lipliner dupe? NYX lip liner (in nude suede). It's creamy, smooth and affordable (only $4!!) To top it off with a hydrating gloss, I love Makeup by Mario lip plumping serums. I literally have 6 different shades— That's how much I love it! For a natural look, I recommend Bronze and Bare. But I love darker shades, like Mauve and Mocha, for going-out nights.
tl;dr
Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Pore Minimizing Primer ($14)
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Longwear Liquid Concealer ($28)
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Match Stix Matte Contour Skinstick ($28)
Maybelline Eyestudio Master Precise All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner ($6)
Benefit Cosmetics 24-HR Brow Setter Clear Eyebrow Gel with Lamination Effect ($26)
Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel Lightweight Setter ($22)
L'Oreal Paris Brow Stylist Definer Eyebrow Mechanical Pencil ($10)
NYX Professional Makeup Slide On Lip Pencil Waterproof Lip Liner ($4)
I assume this list will probably always be changing, as more products go viral, more beauty trends start appearing. But alas, this is the routine that I've mastered over the last month. If you try any of these products, please let me know! And as always, I'm open to recommendations :)
See you next Monday!
Jenna
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