I've Nailed The Makeup Base
And it's on sale!
I don’t have a great creative intro for today’s send because until last night, I had no idea what I was going to write about. Luckily, I went to an event, someone gave me a compliment on my skin, and now we’re off to the races!
This isn’t to flex (at least not more than usual). It’s more to say this: I have nailed the no-makeup makeup transitional season base routine and it’s fooling the ladies. Because right now, my skin is NOT great. I’ve got breakouts on the sides of BOTH of my eyebrows. But no matter: The base has been aced, and now I will share.
Primer
My makeup now, begrudgingly, starts with Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter. I thought I didn’t need it. I thought I could get by with the dupe. Turns out the dupe broke me out and the real deal really does do wondrous things to the face. Like, seriously. A friend described the effect as “snatched” and I have to agree. It’s definitely a makeup product (it doesn’t tighten or hydrate or anything), but it makes your skin look so immediately good that you won’t care. I’m calling it a primer because I use it under other products, but it’s not gonna do what your Hydrogrips or Soft Mattes are gonna do. I don’t really think of it as a performance enhancer when it comes to the wear of my makeup.
Instead, it just gives you this “fresh from the facial” glow, with a hint of color, particularly if you buy a slightly darker shade than you need. Critical to the glow is its blurring effect. It’s not silicon-y like the matte blurring primers of…10 years ago. Instead, it envelops skin in this cushiony, creamy, imperceptible texture that makes you look really hot and really poreless. Chef’s kiss. Incredible.
Skin Tint
I feel like the Gee Beauty Prime Skin tint is a too-well-kept secret. I used a previous version of this product back in 2019 and loved it (I also distinctly remember getting compliments on it). Since then, they’ve upgraded the packaging and added SPF 20, which I love to see. Tinted SPF products are hard to get right in my eyes: They’re either too tinted, not tinted enough, the wrong tint, or not for anyone who has even a hint of oil production going on in their skin. This is the best hybrid I’ve found thus far (that is also 25% off with code “summernow”).
This stuff blends so seamlessly that I forget I’m wearing anything, even when I’m wearing a shade too dark to match my fake tan. Even though it’s lightweight, you actually GET some tint. It’s not a ton of coverage (I’ll supplement with concealer if/when I need it), but it evens skin tone and amps up the Flawless Filter poreless situation you started in the first step. It’s better when applied with hands than a brush. Trust me, I tested.
Ultimately, I love it because the combination of the two results in you looking like you’re not wearing any makeup. This base makes me borderline self-obsessed, catching glimpses of myself in the mirror and lovingly gazing for a few seconds too long.
Powders
Don’t hate me, but I’m really into powder again! Is this a collective feeling? Are you also into powder? Please tell me in the comments because I would like to dive deeper into this subject and want to know if it’s worth our collective time.
Because the weather is warming up and I’ve suggested two liquid-y products that give a bit of glow, I find that setting — just a bit! — is your friend here. I hit the middle of my forehead, under my eyes, around my nose, and my chin with the Kosas Cloud Set. I like it, I don’t love it. There’s a lot of hype for this product and…why? I am not totally sure. It works like a powder? I use it because I prefer a baked or pressed powder over loose when I’m not, you know, DOING my makeup. It’s less messy that way.
Around my hairline, across my cheeks and eyes, and on my jaw, I opt for matte powder bronzer. I’ll owe you a better review of one soon — I’m still working my way through a GIGANTIC La Mer limited edition shade that came out in 2016 or something. It’s light enough to not look fake on me and doesn’t skew too orange (how I’m feeling about Guerlain Terracotta at the moment). The day I run out of this bronzer will be a very sad day. Maybe that’s when you’ll get the ultimate matte powder bronzer review via email.
Cream blush in a summer color
Blush isn’t necessarily considered “base,” but in this case, it really pulls the look together, even if it’s your last step. If you’ve ever DM’d me or discussed makeup with me in person, you know I am deeply loyal to one blush and one blush only. Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks has had my heart for 3 years and I don’t plan on shifting gears any time soon.
I do shift between shades though and after a winter romance with Mimi (THE perfect tawny beige number, truly so chic) I am back in the loving, warm arms of Bichette, a red berry that helps me approximate the look of spending 10 minutes too long in the sun. I apply and diffuse the pigment with a soft, flat, dense brush like this Rephr no. 17 (40% off right now, take advantage) on the outer points of my cheeks up almost all the way to the sides of my eyebrows, kind of like highlighter. I also dust it over the bridge of my nose, and here’s the kicker: on the top of my forehead and the tiniest little bit on my chin. I don’t want to look red of course, but blending it out so that it’s barely noticeable gives you a very believable sunkissed-ness that you can’t get from bronzer alone. The affect feels very alive. It makes me excited for summer. Almost.
Coming up next week: Some more makeup goodies to throw in your summer tote. I don’t want to spoil it but I’m loving me some lip products this season…
As always, hit me up in the comments with requests. See you next week!
I am also back into powder (and prefer pressed) but haven’t found any that stand out to me, so I will be watching this space closely!
Ok, I've been Influenced and I bought the Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter. I'm surprised at the concealer-like wand and I was wondering, how do you put it on? Brush, fingers, ?