Cult of Pretty

I feel like we’re all striving for a fresh, natural beauty look but at the same time my inbox is full of questions about how best to spackle over things.

I hate the look of foundation and concealer so passionately, but I totally get it. In my olde age I’ve realized there is a way to do both - look dewy and sheer + hide the weird parts … with the right products + the right brush.  So let’s start with undereye darkness.

I really don’t believe in painting over your undereye area to eradicate dark circles - it comes off fake - not to mention it looks TERRIBLE in photos.  I got this No Concealer Concealer from the folks at Perricone MD and it’s a great example of a concealing product that gives a nice, bright, well-rested look while letting your skintone shine through. It sort of reminds me of a BB cream … it’s sheer but still creamy - it provides coverage but not too much. A lot of the hard work is done by the formula reflecting light off your skin, vs. adding pigment to cover things up.

The other trick, which I learned from Sam Chapman/Real Techniques, is to apply undereye concealer with a larger, fluffier brush than those labelled “concealer brush” … It diffuses the product for a sheer finish, blends away harsh edges, and you can always build it up if you want more coverage.  She uses the Deluxe Crease Brush from this eye starter kit ($18 for the kit). I swear by it now.

Does this: Sheer, light-reflecting, fresh and natural looking concealer, especially good for undereye darkness
Is this: Perricone MD No Concealer Concealer
Get this: Above
Price: $45

Image via; product via the brand

Ok, major GPOY but I do this mainly to illustrate a point.  I have switched undereye concealers, and it is EPIC.

Benefit, cult of all cult beauty brands, opened a store in NYC and I was there for a fun event with their artists and Rent the Runway, who lent me this dress. I’m not making this up when I say… a homeless man told me he would give ME money when I walked by in this dress so I guess that’s my hooking demographic it looked amazing … no seriously though, I loved it.

I’ve had a lot of requests about keeping mascara/liner from smudging through the day, and also about undereye concealer that really works and doesn’t settle in fine lines - and I’m amazed to say this Stay Don’t Stray Primer kills both those birds dead. Seriously, life changer. It says it’s a primer but for me no additional concealer is needed - so brightening.

My tip o’ the day is to put it on your eyelids too, even if you aren’t wearing shadow (which I wasn’t in this pic). It makes you look super refreshed and pops your mascara.

Does this: Amazing concealer and primer for eyes - best I’ve used
Is this: Benefit Stay Don’t Stray Stay Put Primer for Concealers & Eyeshadows
Get this: Above
Price: $26.00

Totally co-sign x 1000 your investment in this - if your complexion is a markedly different tone than mine, recommend of course trying it on your skin first.

Images and product c/o the brand