This is the makeup in my suitcase right now.

The before and after is pretty drastic, though people standing in front of me IRL often don’t believe I have makeup on. I’ll share how I do each step and a few amateur tricks for arriving at a truly no makeup, make up look.

ONE AND DONE FOR SKIN

I apply under my eyes, around my nose, corners of my mouth, etc. I’ll even smudge a tiny bit around my chin or anywhere too red/dark b/c I don’t use foundation or anything else. I have dry, imperfect skin and it’s hard to find concealer that doesn’t settle into dry skin/pores/imperfections.

Tower28: available here, here, and here
This is a serum concealer made for more mature skin that needs moisture. The branding looks like it’s for teenagers, but the product is one of the most natural looking I’ve tried. I find that I need a beauty blender for it since it’s liquid and spreads around. It’s almost empty, and I am switching back to an old fave:

RMS Uncover Up: available here, here and here.
I wore this for years, and if I remember correctly it is the holy grail of coverage and natural finish that doesn’t accentuate dry skin, pores, etc. I am going to order it and report back. I think it is more buildable than the Tower28 one. And you can be more precise about where you want it since it isn’t liquid. And you really do not need a beauty blender or brush, your finger is perfect to apply it. I guess it comes down to whether you like a cream or liquid concealer. I may prefer cream.

Application tip: I don’t cover up everything. I leave some imperfections (like I don’t cover every little spot). And I leave most of the skin on my face uncovered. Basically, make a big improvement, but don’t perfect. People will think you’ve done nothing, when really you’ve done a lot.

LUMINIZE

RMS Living Luminizer: Available here, here, and a mini one here (will prob last a year).
I love this and have used it for almost ten years. I apply it liberally on my cheekbones at the beginning of my makeup routine for a glowing from within look. And then at the end of my routine, I put it on my cheek bones again, brow bone, bridge of nose, cupids bow. I use plenty.

HEALTHY GLOW

Chanel bronzing cream (shade 390): available here, here, and here.
This is one of my all time faves. It gives the perfect healthy glow and a tiny bit of airbrushed, tanned coverage. So necessary. Huge mood boost for me before and after. Literally every makeup artist uses this. I apply with this kabuki brush.

BLUSH

RMS Lip2cheek (color is demure): available here, here, and here.
I’ve used this for almost ten years. I apply it high up and wide to draw the eye up and out (I have a narrow face). I even venture into my upper, outer under eye area to make the bags less pronounced.

LASH CURLER

Utowa lash curler: Available here.
This is the very best one in my opinion (and Violet Grey’s - I trust their curation).

EYELINER I USE AS MASCARA

Chanel liquid eyeliner: available here and here.
This is the most natural looking, clump free method for those who do not want to thicken or lengthen. Just darken.

Here’s how: remove as much excess product as I can and then gently drag the applicator against the bottom of my lashes, the same way you would with a mascara wand. Then I drag the applicator from my inner eye to my outer eye zig zagging in between the lashes in small strokes to completely cover the the tips.

The best part is it washes off completely and easily when you wash your face. It comes right off! And yet, it never ever flakes. Zero product fall out (something I always struggled with with mascara).

BROW BRUSH

Hermes brush: Available here and here.
Nars brush: I have this. Available here.
The only thing I do to my brows (for better or worse) is brush them up with this. I actually wish my brows were lighter. I’d buy the Hermes one if I were shopping now. You’ll prob have it for ten years, why not get a pretty one.

POWDER

Flawless finish setting powder (color medium): Available here and here.
Occasionally when I’m too shiny around my nose or forehead, I put a little bit of this on. Or sometimes I set my under eye concealer if I want to look better on zoom or in a picture. You can apply with a small brush like this and be super targeted about where you need it. I just put it on the edge of the Kabuki brush I use for bronzer b/c it’s the only brush I have with me, and it gets the job done.

LIP LINER

Lip cheat (color Pillow Talk): available here and here.
In my last letter I said I wanted to replace this, but it really is perfect. Have used for like eight years. I overline my cupids bow and very softly line the rest of my lips - sometimes I fill in my lips haphazardly. I wear it alone or with lipstick over it.

LIPSTICK THAT LOOKS LIKE A STAIN

Hermes refillable lip enhancer (I have color Rose d’ete but all of the shades are gorge): available here and here.
I love this. It’s glowy and fabulous. In person, it’s lovely. Though it doesn’t show up on a zoom screen, which is one of the reasons I just ordered the below.

This one also reads as a stain and is much more saturated in color:

Bisou Balm (color Saucette): available here and here.

Okay, that concludes my usual routine. There are plenty of days I wear nothing at all.

And on the opposite end of the spectrum, I’ve been collecting inspo images of women who have a signature makeup look that is very visually apparent and often includes eye makeup that transforms their appearance. And is a big part of their personal style and identity. I’ve never really played with makeup. Certainly not in the way that I’ve played with clothing to hone in very precisely on what I like and what feels like me.

I’m going to use liner to enhance or alter my eye shape in a bunch of different ways. Some super dramatic ones even. I’m also going to try contouring, which will be a first.

Shiseido microliner: available here. Recommended by Nina Park here.
Victoria Beckham contour stylus: available here and here.
I’ll also use my Chanel liquid eyeliner.

This is how Victoria Beckham recommends contouring. The nose shading is a little different on each model. I will play around with it.

Make up is so fun. And it’s something that doesn’t take up much space, so it’s accessible to me during my travels. I’m excited to try some things. More on this in the near future.

If you want to go down the beauty rabbit hole, here are links to all my faves.

Let me know if you like this kind of letter in the poll below - you can leave a note which I LOVE getting.

xx Haley

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