Makeup Tips

When it comes to pencil eyeliner, price does not always equal quality. This is one of those makeup categories where both high-end and drugstore brands perform extremely well, and the best choice really comes down to the type of eyeliner you prefer, rather than how much you spend.

The main thing to consider is the formula.

Gel-like pencil eyeliners

Gel pencils are creamy, smooth, and highly pigmented. They glide onto the skin easily and tend to have stronger colour payoff and longer wear. If this is the type of eyeliner you enjoy using, investing in a higher-end option can make sense.

The Lancôme DRAMA LIQUI-PENCIL Longwear Eyeliner is a great example. It applies with the ease of a gel liner but still feels like a pencil, making it ideal for both precise lines and smudged looks.

That said, there are excellent budget-friendly alternatives that perform just as well:

Glossier No.1 Pencil for a creamy, comfortable formula

Essence Stay & Play Gel Eyeliner, which works as a very close dupe for the Lancôme formula

Classic kohl pencils

Kohl eyeliners are softer, more powdery, and designed to be smudged. They are perfect for smoky eyes or lining the waterline and are not intended to be ultra-precise.

If you are looking for a classic kohl pencil, you truly cannot go past the Rimmel Soft Kohl Pencil. It is affordable, easy to use, and has remained a staple for a reason.

On the splurge end, the Charlotte Tilbury Rock ’N’ Kohl Eyeliner offers rich pigment and a smooth kohl finish, but it is very much a luxury option rather than a necessity.

Is splurging worth it?

Eyeliner is one of the few makeup products where budget brands consistently do a great job, alongside mascaras and brow pencils. Spending more does not automatically mean better performance.

If you want to be strategic with your makeup budget, your money is often better spent on foundation, concealer, and cheek products, where formula and finish can make a bigger difference.

My friend Natalie says this blush gives me a glow that looks so lit-within that I look as though I swallowed a candle.

I was delighted to have this beauty end up in the palm of my hands, and on my cheeks. This blush may be my favorite I’ve used, and it has become a staple in my makeup collection, AKA something I use every single day.

A beautifully airy texture, it is a perfect liquid-to-powder hybrid that blends into skin effortlessly. All it takes is a dab on each cheek (I often do a small dot on the nose too for rosy warmth). The pigment payoff is balanced: strong enough to show and add color but somehow you can never overdo it. It’s soft enough not to overwhelm, it’s beginner-friendly, but a beauty aficionado will still love it.

Read the full story on my substack.

I have used Benefit Gimme Brow and liked parts of it, but it never gave me what I wanted, it was never quite the right level of hold and sometimes appeared more dry than fluffy. Other gels were too runny, too dry, too pigmented, or not enough. There was a Lancôme one I loved once, but they discontinued it.

Soft, fluffy, feathery, almost as though I had my eyebrows laminated, every time I use this product I love it a little bit more each day.

I have zero criticism and as a very brutally honest (sometimes too honest for my own good) person that says something.

I arrived in California. A place where bronze skin is a necessity and athleisure is actually a thing that everybody wears here, but I’m not against it. The slow pace, the California mood, and organic farmers market at noon—I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t experiencing a bit of California-cation.

Naturally, I needed a bit of a bronze glow for my trapped-away-in-new-York-winter skin. As an Aussie, -10c is something I don’t think I’ll ever get used to, nor find joy in. (That’s 12 degrees for my American friends reading).

I typically wear less makeup in California, likely because I’m always by the beach and not racing around squeezing every minute out of 24 hours in New York.

When it comes to a brand like e.l.f., they do have some products that outperform their price tag, but it’s not necessarily the first brand I associate with quality. And liquid bronzer in particular is a product that can be tricky to get right. Admittedly, I haven’t bought or used much e.l.f. in years. It was a brand I explored more back in my beauty blogger days, but it hasn’t really been one I’ve needed to purchase since.

So I found myself in CVS, purchased this drugstore contouring product (drugstore brands really have come a long way since 2011) and I’m pleased to report it gives me a beautiful, sculpted glow. Somehow contour-y, and somehow bronzey at the same time, it doesn’t look cakey and it blends into the skin beautifully, especially with a big, dense kabuki brush. Now, it’s a staple.

Launching a substack...

If you’ve missed the content on Makeup Tips (started 15 years ago, I can’t believe it. Yet you are still somehow here... Find me over on SubStack where I’m going to post about beauty finds and marketing.)

https://substack.com/home/post/p-171394138

When I think about where beauty trends and innovations come from, my mind usually goes to Korea or Japan. Those are the countries we’ve been trained to associate with cutting-edge skincare and glass-skin foundations. China has never been my first thought.

And then Florasis landed on my desk.

Florasis sent me their Flawless Jade Breathable Longwear Cushion Foundation (Ode to Embroidery) and I’ll be honest I wasn’t sure I would love the formula.

But I was met with a real surprise on how it performed on my skin.

The cushion goes on like silk and gives me this smooth, airbrushed finish that somehow manages to blur my lines instead of exaggerating them. I have one frown line between my brows the dreaded “11” that showed up over the years (and probably got worse thanks to how aggressively I exfoliated my flaky T-zone as a teenager). Most foundations crease into it almost instantly. Florasis doesn’t.

The first time I wore it out, I got three compliments in one day and not “I like your foundation,” but “your skin looks amazing.” That, to me, is the sign of a great base product.

It reminded me of when I used to wear the La Mer cushion foundation years ago and loved the way it made my skin look fresh and luminous. I didn’t think I’d find something that could match that effect, but Florasis honestly holds its own.

It’s lightweight, comfortable, and lasts through my day without sliding around or looking heavy. The finish is radiant but not greasy, and it feels like it actually respects my skin, which matters more to me now than it did when I first started writing about beauty.

If you're looking for eyeshadows which can easily be applied with your fingertips it's best to look toward liquid and cream eyeshadows. Pressed pigment type products can also work, but you may find them a little more difficult to blend.

Here are some of the best eyeshadows that can be applied with your fingers:

Cream Eyeshadows, such as the classic Maybelline New York Color Tattoo or E.L.F Cosmetics No Budge Cream Eyeshadow. Use them as a base for other eyeshadows or blend a variety of shades for a complete look.

Pressed Cream Pigments, such as Chanel Ombre Premiere Eyeshadows or Hourglass Scattered Light Eyeshadows. The multitude of shimmering pigments make these a one shade wonder as they add dimension to the eyes and reflect light.

Glitter Eyeshadow Liquids like Stila Glisten & Glow/Glitter & Glow Eyeshadows for a sparkling glitter effect. Sweep over the eyelids and blend with fingertips for sheer sparkling color or build up multiple layers for strong pigment. If you're looking for a dupe try E.L.F Liquid Glitter Eyeshadows.

Liquid Eyeshadow Tints such as Glossier's Skywash (which provides a sheer matte tint to the eyelids) or Ilia Liquid Powder Eyeshadow Tint. These liquid eyeshadows apply to the eyelids and set quickly to matte finishes.

For years “clinical” style and “Active” ingredient style products have seemed scary. Even for myself - a person who has been writing about beauty for over 12 years, but recently I took the plunge into retinol and I don’t regret it. 

Sensitive skin, dry skin, and skin prone to eczema - it is no surprise I’ve kept away from Retinol for a while.  Retinol is a form of vitamin A and it’s an ingredient I’ve long wanted to incorporate into my anti-aging routine. It can help to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone.  In addition, retinol has exfoliating properties, which can help to unclog pores and prevent breakouts (some people have great results with using retinol when they’ve got mila seeds around the eyes).Starting slow and avoiding products with too higher of a concentration - this is my ultimate skincare duo for those who are afraid of retinol but still want to enjoy the benefits. 

GOOD MOLECULES GENTLE RETINOL CREAM

With gentle in the name and a $8 USD price tag I had to try this retinol cream. Not to mention it’s virtually ALWAYS sold out which speaks volumes for its efficacy and importance as a retinol cream in your skincare routine. I use this approx. 3x a week after cleansing my skin.  The cream has a smooth, lightweight texture that absorbs quickly and doesn't leave a greasy residue and I’ve noticed a visible improvement in the glow of my skin and any uneven texture that lurks around. With a formulation of 0.1% retinol my dry sensitive skin is very tolerable to it. 

PEACE OUT SKINCARE RETINOL STICK & UNDER EYE BALM 

This was the first Retinol product I ever tried and I LOVE it to pieces. As someone who is lazy with eye cream this is the perfect product to use - swipe it under the eye area and around the eye area a few times a week and see the results. As my skin starts to show signs of aging the biggest concern area I have is underneath my eyes and more specifically discoloration/dark spots. This has made a visible improvement in that area - I also like to swipe it over my forehead to help reduce the look of my fine lines. With micro-encapsulated retinol it’s not harsh like other retinol products and the smooth creamy balm feels nice on the eye area (and you don’t even need to tap it out under the eye area - talk about a lazy persons dream eye cream). 

SUNSCREEN

If you're looking for the best drugstore eyebrow products on a favorite - don't stress - we've got you covered.

ELF WOW BROW.

This brow gel is a fantastic option if you're looking for a gel that will work to fill in your brows as it grooms them. This buildable wax-gel has hair-like fibers that cling to the brow hairs to make them look thicker.

COVERGIRL EASY BREEZY MICRO-FINE BROW PENCIL

Updated Jun 1, 2021 - Originally Posted: Jan 11, 2019

If you’ve ever gone searching for an alternative to foundation, you’ve probably been told to use a tinted moisturiser or BB cream, but more often than not these embody all of the traits that most people hate in foundation, plus more. Whilst tinted moisturisers can be a great alternative to foundation, they’re often thick, greasy, prone to oxidization, take more work to apply and blend than regular foundation, have poor staying power, and an even worse shade range. Whilst there are some great tinted moisturisers (BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Recovery Gel for example) they’re not necessarily the only option when searching for an alternative to foundation.

This is not a generic list of tinted moisturiser recommendations, but rather a list of skin pick me ups. Moisturisers, creams, primers, and other products that nourish, give a naturally gorgeous glow and the illusion of an even skintone.

Dr. Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment SPF 30

If you’re after the perfect product to moisturise skin, correct redness, AND provide sun protection, look no further than Dr Jart Cicapair. Whether you suffer from redness, sensitive skin, or just want a product that will make skin look great without all the woes of foundation, this product is a total must have. Upon application the product is a slightly thick green cream, but it quickly dissolves into a perfect, universal beige tint which counteracts redness, blurs pimples, and dries down to a skin-like matte finish.  Moisturising and lightweight, the formula has an added bonus of SPF 30, making it the ultimate all-in-one foundation replacement.

 How to make your eyebrows extra full & fluffy with TWO brow gels

“Use Two Brow Gels: A fibre infused gel for texture. A clear gel for hold”

Should I use two brow gels? Can I even use two brow gels? The idea of two brow gels may sound a little scary at first. After all, who wants rock-hard eyebrows that feel uncomfortable and scratchy? Rather than envisioning crispy and uncomfortable brows, think of it this way: Apply one brow gel to add texture and volume, and another to really set those brows in place. Whilst fiber-fueled brow gels do provide some hold, it typically does not last as long as a tried-true-and-tested strong hold brow gel. Our recommended best volumizing brow gels provide amazing texture, but they do struggle to keep pesky brow hairs in place. Our clear brow gel recommendations are provided with both comfort and hold in mind so there are no crispy brows in sight.  

FOR BROW TEXTURE AND FLUFFINESS

*Hourglass Arch Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel

This fiber infused brow gel may be the best volumizing brow gel. With a perfect combination of hold and volume, this brow gel instantly adds an even layer of volume to each and every brow hair with many thanks to the dual-sided brush which features both short and long bristles allowing you to catch each and every hair. With a natural looking tint, this brow gel never looks fake or overly unnatural, but rather provides brows with realistic looking (and comfortable) texture that doesn’t flake or smudge. The hold isn’t the greatest, as brow hairs start to move about throughout the day.

*Benefit Gimme Brow Volumizing Eyebrow Gel

One of the original brow gels to pioneer textured and fiber filled brow gels, gimme brow contains tiny fibers which cling to your existing brow hairs for a volumized effect. The tiny brush allows for ultimate precision, giving you the ability to add texture to every patch of your brows. It does provide some hold, but it can feel dry. Its hold effects typically don’t last long, especially in warm and humid climates.

elf Wow Brow Fiber Brow Gel

This budget-friendly option rivals many of its high-end counterparts. With a sheer tint and buildable formula, this fiber brow gel provides fullness and volume within an instant. A slightly “wetter” formula than others, this formula contains a combination of waxes, gels, and clay, this may cause the formula to smudge, so setting with a clear gel is wise. 

FOR BROW HOLD AND STAYING POWER

Makeup Revolution Clear Fixer Clear Brow Gel

Primers come in many different tones, formulas, and finishes, and whilst you can certainly choose a “one-size-fits-all” style approach to your primer, that’s not necessarily best for everyone. There are multiple variations of product which can help to target individual skin types and skin concerns.

IMAGE: GLOSSIER

PRIMER 101:

In short, primers are base products that you apply after you’ve cleansed and moisturized your skin, but before you apply any coverage products like foundation or concealer. Primers are designed to help make your makeup last a lot longer and smooth over the surface of the skin so your makeup applies evenly. 

They’re a great makeup prep product, but they’re not the same as your moisturizer. Some primers are skincare-makeup hybrids which allow you to simply apply it to your skin and get benefits of both. Depending on the primer you use, you may find combining a moisturizer and a primer provide too much “slip” to your skin, causing makeup to slide and apply unevenly. Majority of the time, this can be overcome by simply allowing a full 1-2 minutes for each layer of product to absorb and set before moving on to the next. 

PRIMERS FOR EVERYONE:

If your only goal and concern is to prolong the wear of your makeup without targeting any concerns such as redness or excess oil, stick with the basics and opt for a regular primer. These primers are not all universal, but their main goal and purpose is to simply keep your makeup looking fresher for longer, no matter your skin type. 

Updated Feb 25, 2021 - Originally Posted: Nov 29, 2019

Combination skin is a real thing. Not quite dry, not quite oily; knowing how to care for it isn’t always easy. This common but sometimes confusing skin type marries areas of the face that are in oil production overdrive with areas that are dry, forming a patchwork-like texture on the skin’s surface.  Simply, combination skin is out of balance, so sourcing beauty products to cater to it requires a little vigilance.

Alina Roytberg - co-founder of skincare company, Fresh - laid down the facts on this very skin type. She described the main indicators to include: “an oily T-zone (forehead, down the nose to the chin) with dry cheeks, or skin that’s [generally] oilier in summer and drier in winter.” If you ever wondered how your skin came to be this way, Roytberg will tell you that genetics plays a leading role, above environmental factors and personal lifestyle. Each step of your skincare regime can be curated to work in favour of both surfaces at play, where harmonising your skin’s hydration levels is key.

FACT: According to Roytberg, normal and dry skin types tend to lean more toward a combination skin type when you’re on your period.``

Your cleanser should serve as the backbone of your regime by manipulating the condition of your skin regardless of what products are placed on top. Choose cleansing products that work with, not against, your multi-faceted skin type; products that replenish and balance your skin’s natural oils. “Using a good, gentle cleanser twice a day,” Roytberg suggests, “will help cleanse the skin without over-drying or leaving any residue behind.”

Replacing oil with oil is also an effective way to rebalance moisture levels across the board – I love Frank Body’s Anti-Makeup Cleansing Oil. Alternately, opt for a gentle cream solution like Clarins’ Cleansing Milk containing extracts of soothing yellow gentian. Avoid cleansers that contain high levels of salicylic acid because this additive can further dry out the skin. On the contrary, cleansing balms that boast a thick, buttery consistency may feel a little over the top against areas that are producing generous amounts of sebum as it is.

TIP: “I recommend using a cream cleanser like Fresh’s Soy Face Cleanser after an oil-based [one] as a double cleansing ritual… to ensure skin is fully cleansed,” Roytberg says.

Dry shampoo sprays have become a staple for everyone who needs a quick touch-up but has zero time to wash their hair. It is an easy way to refresh the hair after a workout or between washes, to enjoy that perfect blow-out for one more day, or to give a bit of life and volume to your locks during lunch break. However, the classic sprays or powder formulas often leave a visible, chalky residue and can sometimes dry out the hair, causing itchy and flaky scalp. The demand for another type of product that carries similar benefits minus the undesirable effects has brought the dry shampoo foam to the hair care world. And the ingredient that makes all the difference is a very simple one, a tiny dash of water.

  IMAGE: AMIKA

What is Dry Shampoo Foam?

Frequent hair washing can lead to dry and damaged hair, frizzy, rough texture, and fast-fading hair colour. Dry shampoos help hair feel and look fresh and clean for longer without using water while leaving a nice scent and giving volume to the strands. Just like the classic dry shampoo sprays, dry shampoo foams are applied onto the roots of dry hair and massaged into the scalp, working it to the ends. The difference is in the added small amount of water in dry shampoo foams and the mousse-like texture that air-dries in less than a minute. The tiny bit of water in the formula makes it easier to apply and distribute the product through the hair without leaving powdery residue and drying the scalp. As the foam dries, impurities and oil are absorbed, and hair is refreshed.

Just like a lip balm, a body balm can provide ultra nourishment and long-lasting hydration. Forming a protective barrier over the skin, a good body balm will assist in locking in moisture and soothing inflammation and irritation.

So how does a body balm differ from traditional body lotions and creams?

Body Balm: The ultimate product for hydration, a body balm is almost like a hybrid which combines the best of a body cream and body oil in one. A thick (and often solid) balm, this is a product packed full of nourishing butters and hydrating oils. Upon contact to the skin a body balm will “warm” and “melt into the skin”. Although many are fast absorbing, others take a little longer to work their way into the skin, but that can actually be an added benefit: body balm they leave skin with a beautiful glow!

VS:

Body Oil: A richly nourishing oil which provides a glow and hydration to the skin. Great for ultra-dry skin, they are richly hydrating, but can cause some congestion. These aren’t ideal for use in the mornings or prior to getting dressed! Body oils can be rich and emollient or they can take the form of a “dry oil” which instantly absorbs into the skin

Body Lotion: Usually a lightweight liquid-cream formula, a body lotion is great for use in the mornings and for daily use. They help to maintain balance and hydration, they’re suitable for all skin types, and their formulas are fast absorbing. Those with excessive dryness, skin condition, or irritation may not find them quite hydrating enough

Body Cream/Butter: A richer, more emollient variation of a body lotion (and usually packaged in a tub!) a body cream or butter is ideal for use on very dry and irritated skin. These creams are best used after showering in the even as they often take a long period of time to absorb (resulting in a “sticky” feeling)

Body balms differ in texture and formula, some are more oil based, whilst others are a little more solid. As a general rule, body balms need to be warmed up for best results. Either scoop out some product or if the balm is in a stick (the Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Jar can actually be inverted to be used like a stick) then simply rub over the skin. 

A body balm is ideal for locking in hydration and moisture as they perform a protective barrier over the skin, thus making them great for those with eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, and other skin conditions which see a lack of moisture and hydration.

Body balms have the added benefit of providing a kick of moisture to areas of the skin which are prone to roughness and dryness. Unlike body lotions and creams, a body balm can help to restore and revive dry and cracked elbows, knees, ankles, and feet. 

Body Balm Tips:

Mix with a small amount of shimmer eyeshadow or illuminator and apply to the skin for a gorgeous glow

Massage into the cuticles for a deeply nourishing and protective cuticle treatment

Skin with acne requires a special type of attention, whether your acne is caused by hormones, diet, genetics, makeup (or wearing a mask!) acne can be a stubborn skin concern. Cleansing is an essential step to help reduce acne, but it's not as simple as washing your face with a cleanser and some water. From scrubs to acids, and the double cleansing method; when it comes to acne, cleansing the skin is important.

PHOTO COURTESY HONEST BEAUTY

Skip Scrubs

Scrubs which exfoliate and remove dead skin cells can seem like a good thing for those with acne and blemish prone skin, but they can often do more harm than good. If you have prominent acne on your skin, it’s best to avoid cleansers containing scrub ingredients (such as beads, coffee granules or other coarse ingredients).These ingredients can irritate & disturb acne, causing bacteria to spread over the skin and become pushed deep into the pores. Instead, opt for a chemical based exfoliant containing enzymes and acids such as AHA (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHA (beta hydroxy acids).