Keep it current with a signature look
Avoid getting stuck in a beauty rut by refreshing your everyday look, writes Harriet Pudney.
Even for those of us who love makeup and trying new things, coming up with a completely fresh look every morning sounds a bit like hard work. Who’s got the energy to reinvent themselves before 8am on a Tuesday? It makes sense to have a signature look in mind – one you can throw on with minimal effort and know you look good in.
It’s a concept with an evil twin, though. Over time, a signature look can turn into a rut, and before you know it your go-to makeup look is no longer serving you. Maybe you’re over-loyal to a trend that now reads as dated, maybe your style has evolved and your beauty routine needs to, too.
There’s an easy way to avoid the rut, and it comes down to identifying the key elements of your favoured look, and updating their application and the products you use. You know what suits you, but you don’t want to be so inflexible that you’re not open to change.
Think Angelina Jolie’s dedication to a soft winged liner or Cara Delevingne’s statement brows, not Bella Thorne’s insistence on overlining her lips.
But beauty ruts can come for the best of us. Noted ageless angel Jennifer Lopez consistently wears about three times as much lip gloss as she should, giving a messy, goopy effect that’s best avoided. Being the genius behind I’m Real (feat Ja
Rule) won’t save you here. If you suspect you might be approaching rut city, take stock of your routine and have a literal good look in the mirror. Does that matte red lipstick still work? Could your high-coverage foundation be leaving you a bit overcooked? Think about what drew you to those elements in the first place, and consider how you might use that as inspiration for an updated version.
For instance, if you love a bold lip but want to change things up, something like MAC’s new Plenty of Pout Plumping Lipstick in Crazy Lush ($48). The formula has
a plumping effect, which is either a selling point or a reason to give it a miss, depending on your feelings on those tingly products, but this balmy cherry red is gorgeous. It’ll give you colour without being as harsh as its matte cousins. For a pinky-berry alternative, try Revlon Super Lustrous Sheers in Berry Smoothie ($28).
I’m a huge advocate of liquid eyeliner for its long-wearing and graphic qualities, but it can be pretty harsh. If you’re thinking it’s time to move on to a softer option, you have two choices: either change the colour or the texture. MAC Pro Longwear Fluidline
in Dipdown ($44) is a rich, easy-to-workwith dark brown that offers definition without too sharp a contrast. It’s particularly lovely for blondes. Apply yours with a small angled brush.
I’m also a fan of using a damp brush and eyeshadow as liner on days where I want a more low-key look. Look to pictures of Jolie for this one – she’s the master of a softly smoked winged liner. Any good-quality black (or in fact dark brown or grey, or the colour of your choosing) will work, and I tend to apply with The Body Shop’s Slanted Brush ($24).
As for foundation, regular readers won’t be surprised to hear me preaching the gospel of glowy, lowercoverage options. With a touch of concealer for under the eyes and around the nose, Stila Stay All Day HD Illuminating Beauty
Balm ($60) offers a fresh (but oil-free) finish.
For concealer, try the excellent all-rounder NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer ($47).