Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye
The color whisperer reveals her fête-ready routine.
Holiday Hero
“When I think festive, I instantly think of glitter! It’s the makeup version of Mariah Carey at Christmas. I look for a glitter that glides on and creates an unstoppable chromatic look. Historically, I’ve used Stila eye shadow toppers ($24, ulta. com) — I love the silvery one called Diamond Dust. It’s a conversation starter, especially amongst the beauty gals.”
Face Time
“When I’m prepping for a night out, the goal is to create a plump, glowy base. I start with a swipe of my favorite micellar water from Bioderma, Sensibio H2O ($15, walmart.com), then follow up with a face bath — soaking my skin with thermal water from La Roche Posay ($11, cvs.com) or Vichy ($10, ulta.com). I hydrate with Darphin Intral Toner
($45, nordstrom.com). Before moisturizing, I use a good dose of Caudalie Vinoperfect Serum ($79, nordstrom.com) or Eadem Milk Marvel Dark Spot Serum ($68, eadem.com).
I use my NuFace device ($209, nordstrom.com), focusing on the side of my face where I have been recovering from Bell’s palsy for the past few months. Before my serum soaks in, I add a bouncy moisturizer with a little shine and grip.
I’ve been using Rhode Peptide Glazing Fluid ($29, rhodeskin.com) lately, but my go-to has always been Kora Turmeric
Glow Moisturizer ($60, sephora.com). Then, I dance a little before I start my makeup.”
Pep Rally
“I set the tone almost an hour before prep time to really feel good while I’m getting ready. To me, getting ready is just as important as going out, so I light incense almost always. We have a special Ami Colé Incense Paper Booklet ($20, amicole.com) that comes with a custom ceramic dish. I light that, play music — usually Afrobeats — and pour a drink. It’s usually a nice tea blend, refreshing ginger cocktail, or coffee.”
Focal News
“I think of makeup like statement jewelry for my face. I usually focus on the eye and then offset with a lip oil, like our beloved Ami Colé Lip Treatment Oil ($20, thirteenlune.com), but occasionally I’ll go for a hot fuchsia matte or classic brick red lip.”
Clean Slate
“To take off my makeup at the end of the night, I start with an oil cleanse. I’ve been using Tatcha’s Camellia Cleansing Oil ($48, tatcha.com) for five years, if not more. Next, I use Klur Gentle Matter Cleanser ($40, klur. co) or La Roche Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser ($15, laroche-posay.us.com). I’ll use my Darphin toner and then — the holy grail for skin resetting — Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum ($195, vintnersdaughter).