No-Makeup Makeup

My makeup routine is pretty simple. Always the same: curl my eyelashes, mascara, some definition for my brows, a little blush, and maybe some foundation to even out my skin tone. I see makeup as an opportunity to reveal what’s underneath. Some days I don’t wear any, but when I do, I like my makeup to look natural because I want to see my skin—I want to see me—shining through.

I’ve been loyal to my favorite products for years. I use Nars blush in Orgasm, which also comes in a multi-purpose stick which I love for that summer glow. Bobbi Brown’s Smokey Eye Mascara is fantastic. My beloved brow expert, Sania Vucetaj, makes an incredible eyebrow pencil that I’m obsessed with. I don’t wear eye shadow every day, but for those times when I need a more polished look, I use Laura Mercier’s Caviar Stick Eye Colour in Amethyst. It’s a creamy stick and can be used to line my eyes or smudged for more of a subtle smokey eye.

I’ve never been a huge fan of foundation, but that all changed when I found Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation. I don’t even have the words to explain how much I love this product. It’s light, but it’s also buildable. I even use it as a concealer. It’s the best. Trust me.

Lately I’ve been adding color to my lips. Even if you’re doing a neutral no make-up look, it’s good to accentuate one feature. A pop of color brightens up my face and makes me feel pulled together, both physically and emotionally. There’s really nothing like a colorful lip to make you feel like yes, you can leave your house. I have to tell you: red lipstick has given me the courage to face the day on more than one occasion.

My color of the moment is Bobbi Brown’s Luxe Lip Color in Your Majesty. It’s a deep bordeaux red. The key to making lipstick look fresh and natural is to apply it with your finger; it makes it look like more of a stain—less perfect. It also allows you to control the intensity of the color. If I want a more dramatic look for evening, I use a lip brush. I never use lip pencils because no matter how dark I go, I want it to look soft and easy. My other go-to color is Giorgio Armani’s Rouge D’Armani Lipstick #514 Eccentrico. The texture of both Bobbi Brown and Giorgio Armani lipsticks is a dream.

Makeup shouldn’t cover up who you are; it should bring out your inner beauty. What are some of your favorite products? Share them in the comments below! My no-makeup makeup ritual reminds me to see myself in the best possible light—to remember who I am underneath it all.

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