Tag Page makeup

Evonne

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I Don’t Need “Makeup Theory.” I Need a Mirror.

I used to think I needed to “understand the structure of color” to get better at makeup. Like… do I need an art degree to draw my eyebrows? No. The truth is: makeup = technique + knowing your own face. That’s it. You don’t need to contour like a pro—you just need to know what your cheekbone looks like. And no, your bone structure is not a “mystery only makeup theory can solve.” You can literally touch it. A makeup artist who’s seen thousands of faces will always do it differently than you. That’s normal. You only need to get good at your own face. Everything else is noise. Do you follow makeup rules or your face shape? #beauty #makeup #knowyourownface

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beverlymills

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The Nude I Still Can’t Replace

Choiz dropped a new shade—Midnight Flame. One look at the swatches and I thought, maybe this could finally replace the ones I missed. So I lined it up with PF’s Plum Rose and Oddity’s Soft Fade. Plum Rose is a soft satin with that muted nude-pink balance—barely there but never dull. Choiz’s new one has finer shimmer, more purple in tone, and a stronger glow under light. Oddity’s Soft Fade leans browner, a bit more grounded. All nice, but each with a different intent. Midnight Flame is clever, especially for olive undertones. But Plum Rose? Still unmatched in its quiet simplicity. #beauty #makeup #nudematchquest

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beverlymills

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Three Years, No New Makeup

I opened my drawer and realized: most of what I use has been with me for over eight years. Pans worn thin, labels faded. My last pan hit post was four years ago. Still using the same ones. I used to love discovering new formulas, tracking launches, swatching in-store. Now? I stick to what works. I still replace essentials, but I haven’t bought new makeup—real new, not just backups—in almost three years. Not out of discipline. Just… I stopped wanting more. Maybe it’s not about hitting pan anymore. Maybe it’s about feeling okay with what’s already there. #beauty #makeup #slowdownseason

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Evonne

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Graduation Photos, Rosacea, and a Pink Blush Win

Took my graduation photos today—face burning, sun blazing, full-on summer meltdown. But somehow, my makeup held. I used all mineral products, and for once, nothing slipped or stung. I think I’m finally getting the hang of mineral blush. Lily Lolo Ooh La La gave just the right pink pop for photos, no filter needed. ETVOS 20 as base, Benecos 002 for a soft contour, and the ETVOS pressed powder for touch-ups. Even after sweating buckets, no weird patches, no redness peeking through. Just a small fan and some tissue—good as new. I used to avoid blush because of rosacea. Now it feels like part of the celebration. #beauty #makeup #rosaceaready

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Evonne

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The Only Base I’ve Used for 7 Years

I don’t wear foundation when my skin’s acting up. But I still want to look like I’ve slept. This mineral powder from Synergie has been my go-to for seven years—no remover needed, just brush and go. SPF40, smooth texture, and it never clings to dry spots. It’s not full coverage, but that’s what I like. It evens things out and keeps my skin calm, even during flare-ups. No itch, no tightness. Just light coverage that stays put and feels like nothing. People say, “Your skin looks really good lately.” It’s not my skin. It’s this powder. #beauty #makeup #rosaceaready

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slittle

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Conference Makeup That Commands Respect

Just finished presenting at NCA, small award in hand, flight home tomorrow. While packing, I'm looking at the makeup that got me through three days of academic performance anxiety. I brought exactly what I needed and nothing more. Tom Ford 31 for morning sessions—matte browns that whisper "I know what I'm talking about" without trying too hard. The formula is unforgiving but worth it when you nail the blend. Charlotte Tilbury Exagger-Eyes saved dinner presentations; sometimes you need that flash of shimmer to remind everyone you're human, not just a research machine. Two NARS blushes came with me. Impassioned for the soft credibility of a put-together academic. Mata Hari—that bruised purple shade everyone avoids—for when I needed to look alive after five hours of conference coffee. It's deceptively wearable, like academic confidence itself. Three lipsticks: MAC See Sheer for "approachable expert," MAC Business Casual for "take me seriously," and YSL 83 layered on top when I needed to feel powerful during Q&A. Chanel base and powder because some things shouldn't be experiments when you're already performing. What's your go-to makeup when you need to feel professionally untouchable? #beauty #makeup #academiclife

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kyleleon

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My Makeup Stopped Being a Chore

This year I figured out something embarrassing: I've been doing my makeup wrong for years. Not the technique—the mindset. I used to think good makeup meant expensive everything. Now I know it means the right base plus whatever makes you feel human. My routine became ruthlessly practical. CPB primer because my skin drinks it up. Rare Beauty under-eye brightener that never settles into fine lines. CPB foundation so sheer it looks like I just have really good skin genes. Tom Ford Honeymoon quad because every shade works and I've hit pan on three of them already. The real game-changer? NARS liquid blush. I use it everywhere—cheekbones, temples, even as eyeshadow when I'm running late. One product, whole face warmed up, five minutes flat. Jo Malone lip balm overnight turned my chronically chapped lips soft enough for any lipstick. YSL mascara because some things are just worth the repurchase. Rare Beauty highlighter because sometimes you need that lit-from-within glow even when you feel dead inside. I stopped collecting products and started using what works. My makeup bag is smaller but my face looks better. Turns out less really can be more—if you choose the right less. What's the one product that simplified your entire routine? #beauty #makeup #skincaremakeup

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kyleleon

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I Broke Up With Luxury Makeup

SUQQU, CPB, Chanel—I used to think expensive meant better. Then I discovered RMK and realized I've been lying to myself about what good makeup actually costs. My vanity now looks like an RMK shrine. Four eyeshadow palettes, two blush compacts, foundation, that cult-favorite lip balm in 01. Each piece under $40, each one outperforming products that cost three times more. The 10 blush everyone raves about? I get it now. It's salmon-pink powder that somehow creates light from within, like you're glowing from a perfect eight hours of sleep you definitely didn't get. The foundation shocked me most. 100L matches my yellow undertones perfectly, lasts through humid days without separating, and costs less than a fancy dinner. My $80 SUQQU foundation sits untouched now—prettier packaging, worse performance. I'm not going broke for status anymore. When something works this well for this little, why would I? That clean white matte packaging doesn't scream luxury, but it whispers quality. Sometimes that's enough. What's the best drugstore-priced discovery that replaced your luxury staple? #beauty #makeup #budgetbeauty

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ericwagner

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Makeup Minimalism Is All Lies

Everyone's talking about "investment beauty" now. Buy less, love more. Build a curated collection. All lies. I spent two years convincing myself I only needed my Chanel lip balm and MAC Powder Kiss. Perfect minimalist routine. Then I bought Hermès Rouge H in 85 yesterday and remembered why I don't believe in beauty minimalism anymore. The moment I opened that magnetic case—the weight, the click, the way it sits in your palm like jewelry—I knew I was fooling myself. This isn't about need. It's about the split second when you swipe on a new shade and feel different. Rouge H 85 smells like wild roses growing on Shanghai apartment walls in May. Not the seductive rose oil in Chanel Flash Coco, but something cleaner, more honest. The color is what I've been searching for without knowing it: brown-red with purple undertones, like rose petals when they're almost too dark to be beautiful. Velvet matte finish that doesn't apologize for being dramatic. Maybe investment beauty works for some people. But I'm done pretending I don't want to feel the thrill of something new against my lips, the quiet luxury of a case that closes with intention. What's the last beauty purchase that made you question your 'rules'? #beauty #makeup #luxurylipstick

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Elizabeth Phillips

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First Impressions: Phytosurgence — Canadian Indie Makeup

Just tried Phytosurgence for the first time—this small Canadian indie brand has been on my radar. Picked up four products: 🌿 Cream Bronzer (Shade 2 Rosy Daybreak) My favorite. A light rose-toned bronzer that’s super easy to blend, perfect for beginners. It’s sheer enough to use over a large area as blush or contour without looking heavy. They recommend using a brush for best results, and I totally agree. 🌿 Cream Blush (Limited Edition Kindle from ’23) A warm, smoky terracotta shade. Highly pigmented—go easy and build it slowly. Perfect for cozy fall and winter vibes. 🌿 Tinted Lip Balms (Two shades from ’24 limited run) Distant Depth is a soft brown that barely shows on darker lips—great for evening out lip tone. Crash Cadence has a subtle rose tint and is more pigmented. Both are lightweight, comfy, and easy to swipe on anytime—nothing dramatic, but nice for everyday. Heads up—these are handmade and only sold on their website. Packaging and finish won’t match high-end brands; expect some air bubbles or mold marks in the cream products (especially the blush and bronzer). If you’re picky about perfect packaging, maybe skip these. Overall, I’m really happy with my haul. Eye cream shadows are next on my list! Ever tried a handmade makeup brand? What was your experience? #beauty #makeup #indiebrandlove

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