Beauty – UDress Magazine

December 7, 2020December 7, 2020

Why the No-Makeup Makeup Look Is Exactly What We Need Right Now

After decades of caking on layers and layers of makeup,the gold standard of beauty is finally starting to shift. In recent years, there’s been a push for “natural” beauty. That is, wearing makeup that accentuates your natural features, rather than diminish them. People are finally being encouraged to be themselves and wear what makes them feel beautiful. It’s clear that there’s more love and acceptance in society now than ever before, and it’s beginning to shine through in the way we view beauty. In the fashion industry, we’ve seen a dramatic shift recently toward size inclusivity with the addition of plus sized models on the runway. Many brands are expanding their foundation shade ranges to be more inclusive to all skin tones. This addition was long overdue and is ensuring inclusivity for so many more consumers. This same idea translates into the beauty world: beauty comes in many forms. Makeup today is meant to inspire confidence and embrace uniqueness, rather than “fix” our flaws.

Dozens of companies such as Fenty Beauty, Rare Beauty, and Glossier have released campaigns promoting the no-makeup makeup look. All of the companies have extremely diverse shade ranges for their products and are promoting the use of makeup to enhance your natural features. Fenty and Rare have put out extensive shade ranges, boasting more than 40 shades each, so everyone will be able to find their perfect foundation. Glossier has also been praised for their inclusivity within their product lines. Additionally, influencers on every platform have been sporting this (hopefully long-lasting) trend, but none more than the current social media phenomenon TikTok. All of the app’s most followed users, including Addison Rae and Charli D’Amelio, wear little to no makeup in their viral videos. The primary audience for these popular influencers is teens who are still experimenting and trying to discover their identity. This message of positivity and self-acceptance is absolutely a good thing for TikTok users to be seeing on their For You Pages. In a time where social media dominates how we perceive beauty, it’s relieving to know that there are many influencers who are trying to spread a message of self-love. Breakout star, Addison Rae, has even started her own makeup line called ITEM Beauty, which features mostly natural-looking products that are meant to highlight what you already love about yourself. This push for inclusivity within the makeup industry and across social media platforms is exactly what we need right now.

Addison Rae recently did a “Get Ready With Me” video for Vogue’s Youtube channel where she described her relatively short and simple makeup routine for viewers. In the video she promotes her own beauty line and addresses her belief in wearing makeup that makes you feel confident. Rather than covering up, Rae suggests keeping it light and fresh, letting your natural skin take the spotlight. No matter who you are or how you feel about makeup, there’s no arguing that this trend spreads nothing but positivity to young and impressionable fans. No matter how you choose to embrace makeup, there is a look and trend for you. Makeup is meant for everyone, so don’t be afraid to experiment and wear what makes you feel beautiful.

This is a burst of hope and positivity that I think is absolutely necessary. With all of the stresses of life these days, it’s comforting to be told that your natural features are beautiful. Influencers today are reinventing what makeup was once perceived to be. Rather than a tool used to correct your flaws, they’re advocating that makeup should be used to shine a spotlight on what you already love about yourself. It seemed like social media had always been trying to bring us down and worsen our already abundant insecurities, however, this new trend has restored what social media should be: a place where everyone feels loved and accepted.

Photo Credits:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxUfLP8kYss

https://www.byrdie.com/no-makeup-makeup-look

March 23, 2020March 23, 2020

Keeping Your Skin Alive and Well

Who doesn’t want skin that radiates and glows from within, effortlessly looking like a sun-kissed goddess? Now that the world is in a global crisis and people are staying in with online classes, there is no reason to skimp on your skin routine.

The first step to your perfect skin journey is to make sure that you wash your face twice a day, once in the morning, and once at night. Be sure to use an exfoliating scrub, but make sure that it is not too harsh of a scrub.

The second step is to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. This is the key to healthy skin, so make sure you apply it right after you shower.

The third step is to make sure you are drinking plenty of water. Our skin contains 64% of water, so it is essential to make sure your skin is hydrated. It would be best if you were drinking at least eight glasses of water per day for optimal results.

The fourth tip is to use retinoids. They help battle off pimples, smooth skin, reduce wrinkles, fade hyperpigmentation, and brighten skin. They are the ultimate skin product that you can use. Ask your dermatologist to see which over-the-counter formula is best for you.

Another tip is to sleep with a silk pillowcase and make sure to wash it once a week. Pillows are not the first thought when talking skincare, but they can make all the difference to your skin if they are clean and made of the right fabric. Once a week, you should apply a face mask, as they are full of nourishing nutrients that tackle any skin issue, and they are also perfect for an at-home spa day while you remain quarantined.

Last but not least, it is essential to always wear sunscreen. The sun is your skin’s worst enemy, and sun damage lasts a lifetime. Even if it is not a perfect sunny summer day, it is vital to apply sunscreen as the UV rays will hurt your skin.

Your skin is the barrier which covers your beautiful body and soul, and if you don’t take care of it, who will? Be sure to treat your skin like it is a goddess, and it will make sure that you look like one.

November 22, 2019November 22, 2019

Holiday 2019 Anti-Haul: What Not to Buy this Holiday Season

With Thanksgiving only a week away, the commercial holiday season is already in full swing. While the holidays are ultimately about family, friends, happiness, and health, nobody (including myself) can seem to resist a good Black Friday deal. It’s no surprise that we live in an overly-consumerist society, and the holiday season seems to only increase consumer demand for new and exciting products, especially in the beauty industry. Beauty websites like Ulta and Sephora are packed with new holiday products, and it’s almost overwhelming trying to navigate through all the glitz and glamour. Back in 2015, famous drag queen and beauty YouTuber Kimberly Clark began her anti-haul series about new makeup releases where she explained the reasons as to why you didn’t need to buy them. Since discovering beauty anti-hauls, my whole perspective on the industry has changed, and I’ve been trying to be a smarter shopper. While new holiday makeup releases can be exciting, there is no way that one person needs to add that many products to their collection. Today, I’m here to put my spin on the anti-haul to try and help everyone become more conscious consumers. I’m going to be going through some of the new holiday makeup releases and telling you which products you can skip, so (hopefully) your wish list can become a bit more concise, and you can save a few bucks. The holidays always feel a lot better when you have a little extra cash! Happy Holidays!

1. Advent Calendars

One of the more popular products that never fails to come out every year are extravagant, beauty-themed advent calendars. While these can be exciting to open every day, you realistically won’t be using most of the products that you receive. Typically, advent calendars are filled with sample size or mini products, many of which are from the company’s main stock that have not been selling well. Advent calendars are smart marketing wise, but realistically you will not be getting your full money’s worth of products that you are actually going to use. For a price tag that often runs over $100, like this one from The Body Shop, or this one from MAC Cosmetics, advent calendars can be a huge waste of money. If you still want to have an advent calendar experience, you should stick to the chocolate calendars from your local drugstore, which don’t break the bank and never fail to disappoint!

2. Full Collection Value Sets

At face value, buying a full product line for a fraction of the cost seems like an amazing deal, but when you really think about it, it’s still a giant waste of money. Full sets, like the Fenty Beauty Mattemoiselle 10/10 Lipstick Collection, which retails for $149, and the Cover FX Glam and Glow Liquid Lights Vault, which retails for $235, offer great discounts for the amount of product you’re getting, but nobody needs to get 10 new lipsticks or seven highlighters all at once. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on a vault or larger than life gift set, buy two or three of your favorite products from that line that you know you’ll get use from. Buying less of one product isn’t a bad thing; it allows you to only spend money on the products that you know you will use up, instead of getting a bunch of products that you probably won’t use.

3. Too Faced Holiday Sets

While Too Faced is a brand that sells amazing, cult-favorite products, their holiday sets are notoriously worse quality when compared to their normal product lines. This year’s holiday set, Let It Snow, Girl!, retails for $49, and features an eyeshadow palette, a bronzer/highlighter duo, a blush palette, and a mini mascara. For the sheer amount of product you’re getting, it seems like a good deal, but the quality of the products is just not worth the price tag. Also, Too Faced is repetitive with their holiday collections, so if you have ever gotten any Too Faced limited edition holiday sets in the past, you can definitely skip this one. When you look past the cute packing, you’re getting a natural eyeshadow palette with a pop of blue and purple, basic face products, and mini version of a mascara that you probably own in the full size. Instead of spending money on a basic collection, buy a few Too Faced products from their normal line, because I can guarantee that the quality will be much better.

4. Perfume Samplers

Every year, Sephora comes out with a Holiday Perfume Travel Sampler, retailing for $25. The sampler includes five perfume samples and a voucher for a free mini-sized perfume of a scent of your choice from the set. In theory, this idea isn’t too expensive and seems like a good idea to try a few different scents. However, the samples that you are paying for are the exact same samples that you can get in the store for free, and can be used a maximum of once or twice each. Although it comes with a voucher, paying for a bunch of free samples is a bit ridiculous, and you are only allowed to redeem your voucher for one of the scents included in the set. Instead of spending money on this, I would recommend going to Sephora and getting free samples of scents you may be interested in, and buying a rollerball or mini sized perfume of scent that you know you love. On the other hand, if you’re ok with spending a bit more, use various holiday sales (Hello, Black Friday!) to invest in a larger size of a scent that you’ll be able to use every day.

5. Boujee Skincare Sets

I absolutely love skincare, and the idea of a sample set of high-end skincare products is really exciting. While some sets are a pretty good deal, most skincare sets are fairly pricey and don’t actually include that much product. Sets like the Drunk Elephant Midi Committee Kit, which retails for $48, and the Tatcha Dewy Glow Set, which retails for $65, contain sample sizes of popular skincare products, which are nice, but only have enough product for a few uses each. To get the full experience and benefits of a skincare item, it is important to use it consistently over a few weeks, which is not possible with the sheer amount of product you are getting with these sets. Instead of spending a lot of money on a bunch of samples, I recommend you research skincare products that will really work well for your skin type, and invest in one really good full sized product that you will be able to get a lot of consistent use out of.

November 21, 2019November 21, 2019

How Your Cosmetics are Effecting the Environment

The beauty and cosmetic industry have always been a place with criticism as a result of their history of animal testing. In recent years, however, this has improved and there are many notable cruelty-free and vegan brands, but now there is a new issue on our horizons. As knowledgeable climate change activists, such as Greta Thunberg, receive more publicity, people around the world are beginning to acknowledge the effect we are having on our environment. Individuals have chosen to make changes in their lives, such as purchasing metal reusable straws as opposed to using plastic ones that end up in our oceans. Although these kinds of alterations can eventually make a difference, they are ignoring the industry which has a largely negative effect on our ecosystems.

Many luxury cosmetic brands profit off of the use of ornate and lavish packaging, which often allures costumers to their products. The downside of this type of packaging is how it is disposed of. Most commonly these packages are recyclable, and even when they are, consumers often toss them in the trash. Many sites have stated that the global cosmetic industry alone produces 120 billion units of packaging. Not only are these products difficult to get rid of, but making them in the first place is extremely water and energy intensive.

The largest issue, which is often forgotten or ignored, is the number of chemicals which go into our makeup. Although these have all been tested to ensure they are ok for our skin, it is unclear how they impact our ecosystems. When our makeup washes down our drains, the chemicals are spread through our sewers, oceans, lakes, and streams, eventually reaching the plants and animals in those regions. Through testing it has been discovered that these chemicals don’t break down, but instead accumulate together, and have led to the disease and harm of aquatic life. On top of that, the spread of these chemicals by rain water has allowed it to infiltrate our agriculture soil.

There are many beauty consumers who have attempted to get ahead of these types of issues, and have become loyal customers to “natural” or “organic” brands. Unfortunately, these brands are not much better because of the methods they go through to attain their natural ingredients. In attempts to get their ingredients in a cost effective and fast way, there has been an increase in farming and mining, ridding us of our natural resources. This has also led to an increase in pesticide use and the implementing of poor labor practices on farms.

Other aspects of these kinds of cosmetics, which people often don’t realize, have negative effects are the use of microbeads. People often favor soaps and products with these microbeads to help exfoliate their skin, but what they don’t realize is that those plastic beads you use to wash your face are being spread to our oceans. Not only is this bad because they take years to biodegrade, but they can also be ingested by fish and other aquatic animals. By way of the food chain, effected aquatic life ultimately makes their way back to us.

Fortunately, many companies have been formed or revamped with the mission of creating an ecofriendly beauty community. Some steps which these companies are enforcing are the use of recycled packaging, water-free products, and renewable energy. If you are looking to create your own Eco-Friendly beauty routine, here is a list of 10 natural, environmentally safe brands:

Ecco Bella
NYX
Tarte Cosmetics
Physicians Formula
Lush
Ilia
RMS
Kjaer Weis
Elate Cosmetics
Body Shop

November 7, 2019November 7, 2019

1970s Disco Glam Makeup Tutorial

Let’s get groovy baby!

The 1970s was a transformative decade when it comes to all things beauty. Many remember the 1970s for the hippie subculture, which carried over from the anti-war movement of the 1960s and preached love, peace, and acceptance. This philosophy was also reflected in beauty trends, as people tended to embrace their natural beauty and opt for more natural makeup. However, there was a whole separate side to the ‘70s, which was all about the emerging popularity of the disco movement. The disco scene was extravagant, with influences coming from the sexual liberation movement, the women’s rights movement, and the gay rights movement. Disco was all about the night life: dance floors were packed, parties were wild, and everybody was looking to have fun. This scene was complemented by the flashy, colorful, and larger than life makeup looks that were widely popularized in the 70s. With the holiday season slowly creeping upon us, it’s time to add some retro glam into our makeup routines that will make us want to throw on a jumpsuit, platforms, and some hoop earrings to go back in time and fit right into Saturday Night Fever! Let’s get groovy baby!

1. Blush, Baby!

In the 1970s, blush was not only prominent but also a necessary part of every person’s makeup routine. From regular powder to cream and even to liquid, blush was all the rage! Many ‘70s babes went for the draping technique, where you apply blush right above the contour line, bringing the product up towards the temples, instead of applying product straight onto the apples of the cheeks. To give this look a modern twist, I would begin with a baby pink cream blush, like the Glossier Cloud Paint in Puff and apply along the guidelines of the draping technique. To elevate your look, you could even lightly apply a matte pink powder blush, like the Tarte Amazonian Clay blush in Dollface, over top of the cream blush, to give your look an extra punch!

2. Touch of Sun

In the 1970s, bronzer came back into style, and every girl wanted that sun kissed golden glow. Many celebrities, notably Cher and Farrah Fawcett, used bronzer to dramatically contour their cheekbones, which is reflected in the contouring trend of today. Bronzer was also liberally applied to the forehead, temples, and jawline. These dramatic contouring lines complemented the draped blush trend shown before and helped the face to appear slimmer. To help modernize this retro glow, I would opt for a semi-matte bronzer with a slight bit of glitter, like the Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess and use a larger fluffy brush to apply the product to the cheekbones, temples, forehead, jawline, and the sides of the nose. Instead of creating such harsh contour lines, I recommend that you blend out the product a little more, to give your face makeup a more seamless effect.

3. Bold Shadow

The most exciting part of 1970s disco glam had to be the bold eyeshadow! ‘70s makeup lovers were all over monochromatic eyeshadow looks, with a popular color being blue. Today, we are starting to see monochromatic looks coming back into style, which I’m personally ecstatic about! The 70s also saw the increasing popularity of cream eyeshadow, which created simplistic yet bold looks. To bring these elements into a modern glam, Colourpop is where it’s at! I would start with the Colourpop Blue Moon palette, which consists of a monochromatic blue color scheme. Run one of the deeper blue shades through the crease to create some dimension, and pack one of the bright blue shades onto the lid. To give your look a little extra drama, the Colourpop Super Shock shadows (specifically this one in the shade Coconut, a deep blue) have a formula between a cream and a powder, and their pigmentation is next level. I would use your finger to apply the Super Shock shadow over the lids to give the look some glitter and shine, and you’ll be the queen/king of the disco!

4. Lash n’ Line

In 1971, Maybelline released the Great Lash mascara, which has remained a cult favorite to this very day. Talk about consistency! ‘70s disco gals loved to go for the long, dramatic lashes, with coats applied liberally to both the top and bottom lashes. To go with the lush lashes, black eyeliner was used on the upper lash line, and the outer half of the lower lash line. To make your eyes pop today, Great Lash is still a great option for mascara. Simply curl your lashes and apply two coats of mascara and you’re done! For eyeliner, line the upper lash line with the Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel liner, and bring the product down onto the lower lash line, but only apply a thin line to keep the eyes from looking too heavy. To add an extra pop to your look, apply a white eyeliner, like the NYX Retractable eye liner, to the water line on the inner eyes, which will make you look like a gorgeous doll!

5. Statement Lip

The ‘70s, were all about shine, glitter, and glow, and lipstick trends at the time didn’t differ too far from that. Ladies loved voluptuous lips and used lip gloss with almost every look. If they didn’t go for the gloss, they would opt for a lipstick with shiny or glossy finish. Popular colors included light cherry reds, rich corals, and natural pinks. To get a 70s pout, I would use the Bite Beauty lipstick in Cayenne, which is the perfect red. To add the extra shine, use the Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in Diamond Dust, which really elevates the look and will make your lips look exactly like the disco ball hanging from the ceiling of the dance floor! Classic red with a bit of shine will never go out of style!

November 7, 2019November 7, 2019

Best Skincare for Crisp Weather

It’s that time of year when there is a nip in the air. Not only does that mean bundling up in a million layers and losing a pair of gloves each week, it also means that your skin needs extra TLC. Cold weather is bad for skin because it strips away moisture, and with no humidity, skin can end up cracked and in some extreme cases, it can bleed. Skin care should emphasize restoring the moisture that can dry up in the cold, so here are my favorites (and affordable!) products for the chilly weather ahead.

Cleanser: Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser ($18.00)

When choosing a cleanser for fall/winter, it is important that the formula is more creamy so the skin can be moisturized. Glossier’s Milky Jelly Cleanser is great because it is super gentle on the skin while still given it a fresh clean. This cleanser has five different skin conditioners that leave your skin smooth and moisturized.

Face Moisturizer: Cetaphil’s Daily Face Moisturizer ($12.00)

The most important part of the skincare routine for chilly weather, a good moisturizer can repair the skin through hydration. Even though there are many great (and expensive) moisturizers out there, Cetaphil’s Daily Hydrating Lotion is a cult classic at only $12.00. What makes this moisturizer so special is that it is oil-free, so it gives your skin the moisture it needs, but does not leave the skin greasy (a double win!).

Lip Balm: Burt’s Bees Lip Balm ($3.59)

I don’t know about you, but the moment the weather gets chilly, I never go anywhere without a trusty lip balm. Since the air is so dry and cold, chapped lips are one of my biggest issues regarding skin care, but Burt’s Bees lip balm has never let me down. This formula is all natural using ingredients such as beeswax, peppermint and vitamin E. To get the best results, apply after using your favorite lip scrub and your lips will be silky smooth.

Hand Lotion: Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve ($16.00)

Now for the most important product during the winter (especially if you leave your trusty gloves at home): hand cream! My hands get super dry and chapped during the winter, so Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve has always been a life saver. This thick lotion is filled with oils and moisturizers that only hydrate your hands, but also create a barrier to prevent dryness. With a 5-star rating, it is no wonder why so many people, including me, turn to this lotion the moment the weather starts to nip in the air.

November 7, 2019November 7, 2019

HBO’s Euphoria Makeup: Maddy’s Rhinestones and Chains

Let’s jump into what all of this euphoric conversation is about by moving through some of Maddy Perez’ best makeup looks.

The makeup used on HBO’s new hit show Euphoria not only has everyone talking, but we are all wondering about the television series’ unique and unusual beauty trends. I know I am a little late to the game, but I recently just finished watching the show a few days ago, and it was so enticing that it only took me about a day and a half to finish. I was intrigued by not only the outrageous plot line and character development but also the audacious styles of makeup that the actresses wore on the show. Let’s jump into what all of this euphoric conversation is about by moving through some of Maddy Perez’ best makeup looks.

In particular, there is one character that really caught my eye while I was watching the show. Maddy Perez is seen in the most casual settings, including the school hallways, hanging out with her friends, and even cheerleading practice, with some of the most fascinating styles of makeup that cause everyone to turn heads. The first style that we see Maddy wearing is a frosted eyeshadow look from the 2000’s, which a touch of rhinestones. The elements of Euphoria that make the show so entrancing include the styles and vibes that the characters give off. The show has kind of a Hunger Games effect and it left me wondering: is this a story based in the future or the past? Some trends from the 1980’s are depicted, like the bold colored eyeshadow, as well as trends from the 1990s and 2000s.

Adding the rhinestones to her outer eyelid doesn’s fail to add an uncommon ingredient to this look. We see Maddy, as well as a couple other female characters on the show wearing eyeshadow with rhinestones in almost every episode. One of Maddy’s looks that really stood out to me was her metallic purple eyeshadow lined with rhinestones. This look, to me, was marvelous and did nothing but exhibit Maddy’s dauntless character. Maddy was a teenager that was bored with societal norms and did anything she could to bring attention to herself, and this look surely accentuated this futuristic enigma.

Most of Maddy’s makeup looks in Euphoria were also coordinated with her nails, this one being my favorite. This magenta eyeshadow style is a pure interpretation of “less is more”. They used minimal rhinestones for this look, but instead of having them all around her eyelids, they went far enough to lightly line her eyebrows which makes Maddy’s look even more enchanting. Placing rhinestones on or near the eyebrows is a style that does not cross the minds of many people, but it adds more attention to the top half of the face, which is the most beautiful!

Who would have thought that chains would be glamorous? Or, to put them on your eyelids? The Euphoria makeup crew may have been the first. They thought instead of using normal gold eyeliner, why don’t we do something eye-catching (quite literally)? Maddy’s gold eyeliner was made from a thin gold chain from a craft store, which was glued on top of a bright blue eyeliner. To add even more glamour, Maddy also has a wing on her eyelids that is outlined by tiny triangle studs.

Maddy’s character would not have been the same without these enthralling makeup looks. These styles of makeup are becoming more and more prominent as more and more Euphoria fans arise. Both women and men are stepping out of their comfort zones to break through the societal norms of makeup by using styles shown on HBO’s Euphoria. Thank you, Euphoria, for giving us more ways to express ourselves with fashion.

November 4, 2019November 4, 2019

Skincare Essentials for the Colder Months

From the frigid outdoors to cozy indoors

With the colder months ahead, chapped lips and flaky skin are sad realities; however, there are some magical products to fight the curse of dry winter skin…

The mindset for skincare in the fall and winter is *HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE*

The more moisture, the better, to help combat crisp fall winds, or even a few snowflakes. The temperature from the frigid outdoors to cozy indoors really messes with the skin in terms of dryness and texture.

This is my holy grail of face products for dry skin that can turn anyone’s face from flaky to smooth and moisturized.

Summer Fridays: Jet Lag Face Mask ($48)

It can be used a face mask or even as a thick moisturizer – also a great addition to your carry on, on flights hence the name.

Next one up, although a little scary sounding (but is a miracle product), is a facial oil which can has many applications from the face, hair, and even cuticles: all the dry places affected by the winter weather.

Acure Brightening Super Greens Serum ($11)

I LOVE this oil. Not only does it smell amazing like lemons, it’s a great alternative to moisturizer and sometimes even more affective. If you just slap on a pump or two a night, give it time to absorb and you will wake up with glowing, baby skin!

If you aren’t an oil person there is another great moisturizer to help intensely moisturize.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Water Gel Face Moisturizer ($8)

This moisturizer adds a good amount of hydration and does not leave a super dewy or sticky affect like an oil.

Another product I use throughout the colder months is some sort of exfoliant, whether chemical or a scrub, to help remove the flaky and dryness on the skin. However, I use the product about once a week to further dry out the skin.

Pixi Beauty Glow Tonic ($15)

A great noninvasive exfoliant perfect for sensitive skin to help remove any dead skin and help to tone.

Aveeno Positively Radiant Skin Brightening Daily Scrub ($6)

Both moisturizing and satisfying to scrub off a face of makeup, this product is a great and cheap addition to one’s skincare routine.

Oils, lotions, scrubs, and toners – all of these products are the armor to protect your skin from the outdoor elements!

November 3, 2019November 3, 2019

Easy “No Makeup” Makeup Products That Are Perfect to Wear to Class

A few products to incorporate into your morning routine to try when rushing out the door, or to look a little more awake

Waking up for an 8 am or even a 10am can both be a real struggle sometimes, and no one wants to spend hours on their makeup every morning before class. I love a “full beat” face of makeup that includes winged eyeliner and intense glowing highlight. However, some days I run out of time or want a quick out the door application. I wanted to recommend a few products to incorporate into your morning routine to try when rushing out the door, or to look a little more awake.

First Step: Skin

Especially with the colder weather, I like to keep my skin very moisturized or else I get those annoying dry patches or chapped lips. Two life saver products that I always apply before my makeup are:

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask($20)

I know you are probably thinking it is ridiculous to pay more than 3 dollars on lip balm but this stuff is MAGICIAL. It keeps my lips hydrated and soft throughout the cold and windy weather. It also comes in three delicious flavors (vanilla is my fav).

Neutrogena Deep Moisture Night Cream($11)

Marketed as a night cream (which I use it for), especially with the more frigid weather, I substitute this moisturizer into my morning routine (don’t worry I always apply an spf before no matter what even in the winter). So, my skin is hydrated, protected and ready for makeup.

Second Step: Base

My favorite base products are always changing, but my go-to to wear to class is either a light tinted moisturizer or a stick foundation to slap on, in which application does not matter – who wants to worry about blending at 8am.

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Hydrating Foundation Stick($32)

When I want a bit more coverage for when I know I am going to be having a long day of classes, I love to use this foundation by blending a few tiger stripes worth of product and voila! Its also a great and easy cream contour/ bronzer product as well.

Colourpop Pretty Fresh Tinted Moisturizer($14)
Lots of shades, a pump for easy use and a glowing complexion for the early mornings is all you need a product.

Third Step: Eyes

I usually for the school day keep my makeup pretty minimal only using brow gel(which saves so much time instead of filling in your brows) and mascara.

*Quick tip: I sometimes like to use the whatever bronzer I use as my eyeshadow*

Glossier Boy Brow Gel($16)

I love brow gel because it makes you look like you put in effort and adds color and volume with a few swipes.

L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara($11)

This is a great also cheap mascara because after only a few swipes your lashes are done.

Step 4: Face

Bahama Mama Bronzer($20)

Usually if I am running late or doing makeup for class, I usually pick just one face product to use either a bronzer or blush. Although mostly bronzer to fight my winter paleness.

Milani Baked Blush($8)

My favorite blush ever in any color really, I really like this berry color for the fall and winter months.

Then your makeup is complete! After these few quick steps, its usually time for a messy top bun and dry shampoo moment but at least you look a little more awake and feel a little more beautiful to start the day!

October 20, 2019November 3, 2019

Quick and Easy “No Makeup” Makeup Look

Our company is a collective of amazing people striving to build delightful products.

While creating full glam and striking makeup looks can not only be fun and a great way to express your creativity, it can also be extremely time-consuming. Unfortunately, not everyone has the extra time to perfect an intricate look on a normal day. Also, most people want to avoid wearing a full face of flashy makeup during their not-so-glamorous day-to-day life. (Unless you do, which is amazing too! Rock the full glam, baby!) On days filled with classes, working, errands, and adulting activities, a natural and quick makeup look is my absolute go-to! Fortunately, the “no makeup” makeup look also happens to be super trendy right now, so I recommend trying it out if you haven’t dabbled in the world of soft glam makeup. For all the on-the-go regular folks out there who still want to look fabulous, I’m here today to teach you how to achieve my perfect “no makeup” everyday makeup look!

1. Supple Skin

One of the most important parts of slaying the natural makeup look is having healthy, moisturized skin. On natural makeup days, I always ditch foundation and let my natural complexion shine through I make sure I begin by thoroughly cleansing, moisturizing, and a using a Vitamin C serum on my skin. My holy grail serum is the Sunday Riley CEO Glow serum, which helps to brighten and moisturize my skin. After my skin is prepped, I go in with the Glossier Stretch Concealer, using my fingers to tap and blend the product into any problem spots as well as my under eyes. The concealer has the same finish as any tinted moisturizer would and provides flawless coverage without changing the appearance of my natural skin.

2. Boss Brows

Once my skin is looking airbrushed, I need some bold brows to anchor my look. I was not blessed with naturally thick and gorgeous brows, so when I am trying to keep it simple, I like going in with an ultra-thin brow pencil, like the Anastasia Brow Wiz, to lightly draw in hairs to give the illusion of feather-like and fuller natural brows. Avoid going heavy handed with the pencil – block brows are so 2016! If you were born with naturally flawless brows, I recommend locking them in place with a brow gel, such as the Glossier Boy Brow, to avoid any stubborn hairs from going rogue throughout the day.

3. Lush Lashes

Just like my eyebrows, my natural eyelashes are super short and straight, so mascara is must in my everyday makeup routine. Halloween is approaching, but spider-like eyelashes are a makeup sin. In order to avoid clumpy lashes, finding a mascara that looks bomb after just one coat is essential. The Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara does wonders for the lashes, and makes them look long, curled, full, and dark in just one coat. Simply curl the lashes then apply a coat of mascara. I also personally like to brush through the lashes with a clean spoolie brush (this one from Morphe gets the job done) afterwards to remove any clumps or uneven patches.

4. Strobe, Baby!

Highlight! Highlight! Highlight! The key step in any natural makeup routine is ensuring that you have glowing, dewy skin. When I’m not wearing foundation and have minimal face products on, I opt for a liquid or cream highlighter and employ the strobing technique. My absolute favorite highlighter formula for strobing is the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector, which has a variety of shades to cater to different skin tones. My favorite shade to strobe with is the cult classic Champagne Pop. Strobing has been super on trend recently and is the opposite of contouring. Instead of applying bronzer to cast shadows on the face, you apply highlighter to the high points of the face: the tops of the cheekbones, the center of the forehead, the bridge of the nose, the cupid’s bow, the center of the chin, and the inner corners of the eyes. I prefer to dot the product in these areas of my face, blend out the product with my fingers, and then use a damp beauty sponge to further blend to ensure a seamless finish. Highlighting not only brightens the skin, but also emphasizes your natural glow-from-within!

5. Kissable Lips

When it comes to perfecting the “no makeup” make up look, you should pass on the matte lipsticks and go for shine. With the colder weather creeping upon us, it’s inevitable that all our lips are going to dry out a bit, so it’s very important to keep up on the moisture. My holy grail lip products are both from Glossier, which is my go-to brand for natural looks. To moisturize my lips, I always reach for the Glossier Balm Dotcom, which comes in eight amazing flavors (I’m team coconut!) and does a fantastic job of keeping my lips looking smooth. To top off the lip balm, I go in with the Glossier Lip Gloss which has my all-time favorite lip gloss formula. This non-sticky gloss keeps my pout looking plump, and the killer combo of these products ensures my lips stay on top of their game all day long!