Written By Lesley Downey
As I mentioned a few weeks ago, February is the worst for dry skin—not only that, but somehow my face looks its saddest too. Under eye circles are usually the darkest now, and your face looks at its absolute palest. Buying a new spring lipstick seems like a bit of a stretch now (unless you are lucky enough to be going somewhere warm!), but a few tweaks to your routine can add life to your face. Enjoy.
1) Try a primer under foundation or your tinted moisturizer. You’ll be surprised at how primers blur fine lines and add staying power to your makeup. There are so many out there, so choose one that addresses your needs—there are hydrating formulas, as well as those that mattify or smooth out pores. I love Hourglass’ Veil Mineral Primer and my all time steal primer is ELF’s. Sometimes primer alone with strategic concealer is all I need.
2) Add more coverage in strategic areas to give the impression of more even skin. Try Tarte Shape Tape Concealer—people, the hype on this product is real. I use this sparingly (and I really mean it) under my eyes, around my nose and blend it like crazy with a brush. You only need a tiny bit—I have both Medium Light and Medium—the lighter color to brighten under my eyes and around my nose and the medium on the redness in my cheeks.
3) Ditch all-over powder for now, and consider switching to one with a slight bit of sheen for key areas. Try the lightest textured powder you can get your hands on just in your T zone, and then try a more luminous product on your cheeks. Try Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Finish Pressed Powder applied with a brush oh-so lightly only where you need it. Then, to add warmth I use Laura Mercier’s Candleglow Sheer Perfecting Powder in 3. Some bronzers just look all wrong in the dead of winter—this is subtle enough to add dimension without looking flat.
4) Find your perfect nude lipstick—like your lips but better. Finding the perfect color can be tricky since one person’s neutral can make another look like a corpse. Take a cue from your natural lip tone—look just inside your lower lip and that can help guide you. I adore Kevyn Aucoin’s Thelmadora which is a rosy nude and my favorite (super steal) nude lip liner is Milani Color Statement Lipliner in Nude 03— but again find your signature nude which can be anything from a tawny peach to a deeper berry.
5) Switch up your eyeshadow routine by using an all over brightening cream shadow with a colored liner. MAC’s Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Painterly or Soft Ochre smooths the lid area and covers veins and darkness. Then, add colors like plum, khaki, bronze or navy at the lashline. Picking one with a slight bit of sheen adds light to the eye area. I am loving Nars Velvet Shadow Stick in Frioul and Laura Mercier’s Amethyst and Steel Caviar Stick Eye Colour.
