How To Break Out Of Your Beauty Rut And Get Ready For A Brand New Year
Right now is the perfect time to rethink what you need and want from your everyday make-up routine
If you’d asked me a year ago who I wore makeup for, I would have said everyone else. I might have then made some self-deprecating quip like, “nobody needs to see how tired I look without concealer”. However, I now know better. Over the past year, on days when no one but my family and the postman were looking, I found myself reaching for makeup when I felt flat. And while I’m not suggesting lip gloss was a silver bullet for all the stress and strain of a pandemic, there was a psychological boost of sorts.
Turns out, while I thought makeup was managing the expectations of people around me, it was doing far more important work on the inside. Moving forward, how will we embrace makeup on the other side?
We will revel in the ritual of getting ready. And we will want to have more fun. That’s why now is the perfect time to hit refresh. To reach for lighter formulas that make our skin feel as good as it looks. To try new shades and techniques that challenge the way we have always done things. After all, if we’ve learnt anything in the past year or so, it’s that there is always beauty in change… and change in beauty.
Change the order you apply your makeup. In the interest of achieving the same flawless glow with less product, makeup artists will often apply a light layer of liquid highlighter to skin before foundation. After that, step back and appraise your complexion. Then, simply add a creamy concealer only where needed.
Iridescent Illuminating Fluid in Ivoire, $85, from Chanel
This is a trap even beauty directors fall into: In an attempt to look naturally flawless, I simply don’t apply enough base. The problem is that modern formulas are designed to be buildable, so you can control coverage. But that means it’s often not until a second or third pass with your brush (a game-changer for anyone yet to try one) that you achieve a finish that will last. Our pick: Dior’s Forever Natural Nude, $82, is a water-based formula perfect for those with dry skin wanting slightly more coverage that feels weightless.
Dior Forever Natural Nude Foundation, $82, from Zalora
Ditch a dusting of setting powder for a new step earlier in your routine, that will result in a more radiant finish. We’re talking primer, which absorbs shine and ensures make-up stays put. Smooth on after moisturiser and sunscreen, but before base.
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Hydrating Primer, $26, from Sephora
You may have a well-loved pencil in your kit, but the secret behind full, feathered brows is usually pomade. It’s great for filling sparse brows and defining thicker ones. Using an angled brush, apply colour with short, light strokes. Begin in the middle and fill from there, to avoid build-up at either end. Then blend with a brow brush.
Benefit Cosmetics POWmade Brow Pomade, $35, from Sephora
While we’d be lying if we said the smoky eye was over (classics never die); shimmery copper eyes are soft and flattering. For staying power, dust a neutral shadow over lids as a base. For daytime, focus a creamy, copper shadow on the lids. For night, opt for a sparkly copper shadow, extending it up and out a little before blending. Pair with bronzed skin and a shimmering lip gloss.
Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Palette in Copper Charge, $92, from Sephora
Many of us are familiar with the process of swapping out blush for bronzer when we want a sun-kissed glow, but it’s only when you layer them that you achieve a healthy glow. Start with a bronzer that suits your tone. As a general rule, avoid any shades that look too orange, as the tone will make you look unnaturally tanned. Instead, opt for one or two tones darker than your natural skin. Then wake up your complexion with a dab of rosy blush on your cheek apples.
Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzing Powder –Highlighter and Bronzer, $76, from Lazada
Balms are great, but sometimes a girl just has to shine. Gloss makes your smile look brighter and your mouth fuller. Even better, you can dabble in shades that may feel too strong in lipstick form. We’ve found the most wearable formula is also the most conditioning: Clarins Lip Comfort Oil in Red Berry, $36, is a plant-based gloss that delivers a subtle shine and some seriously hydrating ingredients too.
Lip Comfort Oil in Red Berry, $36, from Clarins
No one wants to look too “done” right now, but that doesn’t mean colour is off the cards. A summer trend we love is matching a vibrant manicure to the shade swiped on your mouth. Our pick is a classic, siren-screen red. If you don’t like a vibrant shade on your lips, opt for a more subtle stain.
Butter London Patent Shine 10X Nail Lacquer in Mums The Word, $27, from Sephora
Text: bauersyndication.com.au