The highly anticipated sequel to 'It's Time for a Skincare Routine!'
Bridget Sophie. Source: Wix
Now that we’re semi-allowed out of our caves, unless you live in the dark lands of Victoria, I’ve been hit with the realisation that if I’m presenting myself to the world again, I should probably slap on some face. But between having a newborn and being locked inside, I haven’t coloured in my face in what feels like years. I think my make-up bag consists of some Australis Bronzer, Max Factor Full and Soft Mascara and some Juicy Tubes (no: not sponsored. But would love to be. Enquire within). Not that it would matter, because I learnt while researching this segment that I’ve been applying approximately 97% of my make-up completely wrong. Basically, just got the lip gloss right. It’s clear I’m in no way qualified to impart any sort of make-up wisdom on you, so once again, I’ve brought in the big dogs. I’ve consulted award-winning make-up artist Bridget Sophie, from Bridget Sophie Studio to bring you the basics of your make-up routine.
Foundation
The word ‘foundation’ is a pretty strong indication that this is where we should start. But like your Camilla Muumuu, it’s not one size fits all.
Stunning Pinn wearing the Flower Beauty Light Illusions Foundation, set with Hourglass Veil Translucent Powder and Flower Beauty Hydrating Spray. Can confirm, she also has a dewy skincare routine.
Liquids
First up, we have matte-liquid. This is top billing if you’ve got oily skin, blemishes or it’s hot, so you’re going to get sweaty and want to counter that natural wet look. If you use this on drier skin, it can exaggerate fine lines and flaky skin.
Next up, we have the Regina George of foundations, the most popular. Moisturising liquid foundations with a satin, or satin-matte finish. These generally have a slight sheen for that dewy look, which is so hot right now, dewy. But it’s not ideal for already oily skin. They typically provide a light to medium coverage.
Powders
Powders, which apparently are not the same as Bronzers (which we will address later on), are super lightweight. You can wear them on their own, especially if you want to reduce the shine of the sunscreen you have definitely just put on, but more commonly as Bridget suggests, you use it to set your foundation and touch up during the day. You can put it all over your face, or use it to touch up areas that get oilier throughout the day, like on your shnoz or forehead. Powders can be totally translucent or have a little bit of a glow to amplify that dewy look. But go easy Fuller- if you have oily skin, the powder can gather in your pores, and if you have dry skin the powder can absorb the moisture drying you out even more.
Cream Compacts & Stick Foundations
Triggered.
Source: GIPHY
Then we have cream compacts and stick foundations. These remind me of my mum waking me up at 6am when I was four years old to put a five-inch thick layer of Max Factor pancake make-up on my face for dance competitions, full Toddlers and Tiaras styles. Those offer medium to full coverage, which is great for your next performance of Wicked with your local community theatre or if you just prefer a thicker application. And look and I can’t talk about them anymore because like I said- I’m triggered.
Tinted Moisturiser
Finally, we’ve got tinted moisturisers, which I like to wear and claim as my natural skin, because as much as I’d like to say my extensive skincare routine affords me skin akin to an Instagram filter, it does not, and I very much need a tinted moisturiser in the morning so I don’t look like I’ve been dragged out of a 300-year old grave. It’s the most natural coverage and gives you a bit of colour. But don’t be fooled by one that has SPF, because unless you’re putting a tablespoon on your face, you still need sunscreen.
Bridget appreciates the frugal life and has given us this super easy hack to create your own tinted moisturiser, by mixing 1/3 moisturiser and 2/3 foundation. Bridget also says your application depends on the product, but you can totally use your fingers, especially for the tinted moisturiser. But remember, “You’re not giving yourself a deep tissue massage, you’re gently guiding the product on your face, which also includes your ears and neck.” She also says that “If you’re going to use a beauty blender, use it to blend right at the end otherwise it soaks up too much product.” Finally, Bridget recommends always using a primer with any type of foundation including tinted moisturiser.
I know choosing a foundation is a bit like choosing a DVD at blockbuster, the choices are a little overwhelming. So, in addition to this required pre-reading, I would also add the suggested reading of visiting your local Mecca, or department store for a make-up consultation. They’ll be able to choose the right formula for your skin and match the foundation to your skin tone. Plus, Mecca will give you really health sized free samples so you can test drive the products before you buy.
Product Recommendations
Tinted Moisturisers
IT COSMETICS YOUR SKIN BUT BETTER CC CREAM, $63. SHOP NOW
This is as popular as Mishca Barton was in 2003. It’s got a medium coverage with a slightly dew finish. It covers your uneven skin tone but always looks like skin.
NARS PURE RADIANT TINTED MOISTURISER $72 SHOP NOW
A lightweight, oil-free tinted moisturiser that offers sheer-to-medium coverage and a radiant finish. Light-diffusing pigments provide a translucent veil of colour over the skin, which blurs the appearance of hyperpigmentation, pores and dark spots. Formulated with hydrating botanicals, it helps to improve overall skin condition.
Liquid Foundations
NARS SHEER GLOW FOUNDATION, $75. SHOP NOW
This comes recommended by the Grazia Beauty Editor, Emily Algar. She has two ride-or-die foundations, with this one being the more cost-effective. “It makes my skin look almost perfect but not like I’m wearing tonnes of makeup. The finish is luminous, but not greasy; long-wearing, but not cakey. It doesn’t settle or crease or oxidise, and the shade range is superb".
GIORGIO ARMANI LUMINOUS SILK FOUNDATION, $100. SHOP NOW
This is Emily’s second choice, and popular amongst the bougie types. Emily rates it one notch higher than NARS in terms of coverage, but since it’s a bit spenny, save it for spesh occasions.
FLOWER BEAUTY LIGHT ILLUSION LIQUID FOUNDATION $9.79 SHOP NOW
Finally, a spend-savvy option! This foundation gives you a dewy look and is also really light, so those with oily skin that like a dewy face swear by it.
KOSAS TINTED FACE OIL $67 SHOP NOW
A lesser-known brand, but the Mecca Chit Chat group on Facey froth it, particularly because the owner Sheena’s approach is that your make up shouldn’t just get to sit on your face and do nothing, it should work for that prime pos, so this actually works to hydrate your skin too. Two birds, one stone.
MAC FACE AND BODY $54 SHOP NOW
This is Bridget’s ride-or-die. She uses it as an everyday foundation and also during work shoots. I think this is what I use too, but honestly, I found my foundation in a bathroom at a club, which now that I think about it, is actually probably really disgusting.
Setting Powders
HOURGLASS VEIL TRANSLUCENT SETTING POWDER $74 SHOP NOW
This bad boy is Bridget’s go to (and about 234 million other peoples'). It sets your paint, while blurring fine lines and pores. It can be worn with any skin tone because it claims to be truly translucent. Bridget loves it because it also catches the light so gives you that au naturale looking glow.
HOURGLASS AMBIENT LIGHTING POWDER, $77. SHOP NOW
Like the above, this Hourglass setting powder too is quite lauded after, but this one comes in different shades that mimic different types of light. It legit claims to be ‘cutting edge’ technology. Mecca also suggests you can apply different colours to different parts of your face, which indicates to me it is firmly planted in the too hard basket for everyday use. But it is super popular, so again I’d suggest having a chat with the gals at Mecca if you’re interested in this one.
BARE MINERALS ORIGINAL SPF 15 FOUNDATION $51 SHOP NOW
A favourite in the Mecca circles. It’s a lightweight powder for buildable coverage, that claims not to blur pores, imperfections and fine lines.
LAURA MERCIER TRANSLUCENT SETTING POWDER $62 SHOP NOW
This setting powder is a matte one, so great for oilier skin or those more humid days when you literally need to powder your nose.
Concealers
Let’s talk concealers because sadly, our blemish did not end with puberty and no matter how much sleep we get we’re ALWAYS TIRED. So, we need top-notch products that are going to filter us flawless. Cover discolouration, lighten dark areas and disguise blemishes. And not to sound the alarm, but if you don’t have the right concealer or you’re not applying it correctly, you could be doing the total opposite of creating a flawless complexion, like you’re basically making yourself look like a zombie with pre-Clearasil level acne.
Dis me?
Source: The Mother Plucker
Now, I don’t know where we got taught how to apply concealer, but Bridget would like me to scream this for the people in the back. You do not need a concealer 4 times lighter than your skin tone and you do not need to apply it in a triangle under your eyes. Well shit, I’m guiltier than Ted Bundy on that one. She says that “You want your skin to look like, skin.” Yeah makes sense. In hindsight, the triangle of Casper white concealer against my NARS Laguna bronzer really doesn’t feel right.
So, what do you need?
It’s likely that you will want two different concealers. Under your eyes, you’ll want a colour that already complements your skin, two shades lighter max. Also, something that has highlighting properties to contrast those dark circles. For the rest of your face, you want the same colour as your foundation. Anything lighter and you’re literally highlighting your blemishes. Again, makes sense when you say it out loud.
Liquid Concealer
Like foundation, there are also different formulas. Liquid concealers are the most versatile. They come in matte to dewy finishes. Like foundation, the oily types should steer towards matte. These are also the longest lasting. For normal to dry skin, a dewy finish will suffice. They do tend to stick less throughout the day but have a more au naturale look, which TBH a natural-looking eye bag is not really something I want in my life ever, in fact, it's what I’m desperately trying to cover up, so this is where you would bring in your setting powder. Whether you apply foundation or concealer first, is kind of up to you, but both powders should be applied after. Yes, both. If you want to use translucent face powder, cool, but make sure you use one with a bit of highlighter for the eyes.
Liquid concealers are also best for covering fine lines and pores because they’re lighter and not likely to clog pores or burrow in the lines. However, Bridget says that this will happen if you use too much product.
“It’s not Dulux and your face is not a wall so, you don’t need to apply it like a fresh coat of wall paint.”
You’ll find that a lot of descriptions call out ‘buildable coverage.” You start light and then add. I know it’s super tempting if you’ve got dark eyes because it looks like the thicker layer covers it up, but really, it just ends up chalking. Bridget suggests that “You just pop a little on your finger and lightly bounce it around where you want cover-up.”
I once watched a make-up tutorial on YouTube when I was obviously venturing out of my house one rare occasion and she said she uses her weaker 4th fingers so she doesn’t again go for that deep tissue stimulation. I thought that was a nifty trick.
Stick and Cream Concealers
There are also stick concealers, which are heavier, and not ideal for oily skin because they can clog pores. Those you can use on the go and take a bit of blending in because they’re thicker, and cream concealers, which are the ones you’ll find in a pot or compact. These are medium to full coverage, and again, generally not ideal for oily skin, but can be good for under eyes because they cover them dark bags.
Overwhelmed again?
I am a little bit, but honestly, knowing your concealers and foundations is life-changing. It’s the difference between getting bought drinks all night at da club and looking like you’ve dipped your face in chalk dust. Like I said with the foundations, I strongly recommend you pop into Mecca and do some test driving.
Production Recommendations
NARS RADIANT CREAMY CONCEALER, $48. SHOP NOW
This is the most used concealer in my Mecca Facebook group. I use it because the assistant told me it works better using fingers than a brush and I was sold.
M.A.C. STUDIO FIX CONCEALER $42 SHOP NOW
Another favoured choice within the Mecca circles that blurs imperfections.
BECCA AQUA LUMINOUS PERFECTING CONCEALER $40.50 SHOP NOW
Bridget’s top choice. Any concealer from the Becca range really.
BOBBI BROWN INSTANT FULL COVERAGE CONCEALER $54 SHOP NOW
Bridget also rates this bad boy because it’s radiant and dewy, leaving you look refreshed and awake. And those are absolutely the buzzwords I want to hear with a concealer.
LAURA MERCIER SECRET BRIGHTENING POWDER FOR UNDER EYES $45 SHOP NOW
Well it’s not a secret anymore... this powder locks your concealer in place. Bridget recommends it to help brighten your eyes.
Bronzers
You guys, I feel like I’ve been walking around with spinach in my teeth my entire life because why did nobody tell me that BRONZER IS NOT FOR YOUR WHOLE FACE.
Source: Supplied. Note: This article is mostly for my own benefit.
Bridget tells me the objective of bronzer is actually NOT too look like you’ve been in the sun for 7 days. Sassy biatch was like “if you want a tanned face, get a spray tan.” Well maybe NARS shouldn’t call it Laguna, I assumed you wear it so you’ll literally look like you’ve been living in Laguna Beach.
Bridget says gently over your nose and the hollows of your cheeks. You can also do the top of your forehead and along your chin bone. Unfortunately, you can’t use your talons for this, you will need to use a bronzer or kabuki brush to apply this. Bridget says she doesn’t actually use bronzer every day, only if she feels she looks a little sick or not as radiant as she would like. Now that I understand Bronzer is not a substitute for a holiday on the Greek Islands, this makes sense.
Product Recommendations
NARS BRONZING POWDER, $60, SHOP NOW
Whatever, this is still a best-selling bronzer. I STAN LAGUNA.
BECCA SUNLIT BRONZER, $64 SHOP NOW
Bridget recommends any Becca bronzer as a strong choice.
Cheeks
It doesn’t matter how flawless your foundation is, if you don’t have any colour in your face you can definitely look a bit...dead. A little bit of blush can be life-changing, a little too much blush can make you look like you’re on your way to perform at a children’s party. With a blush, we’re playing the old oil or dry skin game again. Dry skin or those wanting a bit more radiance can opt for a liquid blush. Whereas if you have oily skin, you should opt for a powder blush. Bridget says she prefers powder blushes because she knows they last the longest too. I thought if a blush was a neutral colour it was just a highlighter and once again I am wildly incorrect and questioning my entire make up wearing career. Bridget says you should pick a blush based on your skin colour.
Can I please hire Bridget as my personal make-up artist? I need this look errday.
Source: @bridgetsophiestudio on Instagram
"Pinks and dusty roses look fabulous on fair skin. Neutral tans and browns on deeper," says Bridget.
Apparently, blush is another thing we’ve been taught all wrong. You shouldn’t actually smile to apply it because that changes the shape of your face. You should smile to find the apples of your cheeks, then relax and apply. Or put simply, apply blush where you naturally go pink after Pilates. To apply, Bridget recommends using the aptly named ‘blush brush.’
Product Recommendations
NARS BLUSH IN ORGASM, $48. SHOP NOW
Obvi. This is recommended by Bridget and every other white girl. It comes in powder, liquid and stick.
JILL DEMPSEY CHEEK TINT $45 SHOP NOW
You can use for fingers for this one to achieve that post-sexface look.
NUDESTIX NUDIES MATTE ALL OVER FACE COLOUR, $54. SHOP NOW
Bonus with this one is that it also works on your eyes and lips. So multipurpose.
Highlighter
Not to be confused with a neutral-toned blush, highlighters, as the name suggests are used to highlight. I feel like a MENSA level genius for finally understanding the intended purpose of a product. Highlighter goes on the areas where the light naturally hits your face, reflecting it back and making your face Shine like Vanessa Amorosi. Where the light hits my face, so I’m thinking my prime burn areas, the tip of my nose and my forehead?
Close.
Bridget says, “Highest point of your cheeks, under the tips of your eyebrows and for nights out with the gals, some under your cupid's bow.” A common misconception is that you also should highlight the bridge of your nose and your forehead. Remember you’re highlighting these areas so unless you want to highlight you shnoz and your forehead, she says do not highlight these areas. Which shit, no surprises here I’ve definitely been liberal with the highlighter application on the shnoz. You can use your blush brush to apply highlighter if you’re using a powder. Or if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, Bridget says you can even use an eye shadow brush.
Product Recommendations
CHANEL BAUME ESSENTIAL GLOW STICK IN TRANSPARENT, $71. SHOP NOW
So bougie, but Emily says this is the number one product she would buy from Myer. Plus, you can also use it to get that fluffed up brow look.
MCO HIGHLIGHT AND GLOW STICK, $9.80, SHOP NOW
Apparently one of these sells every 30 seconds. Available at Woolies it’s recommended by Large Almond Latte’s most knowledgeable beauty fan, Carly.
ANASTACIA BEVERLY HILLS LIQUID GLOW FACE HIGHLIGHTER, $23, SHOP NOW
Bridget recommends the whole range of highlighters from Anastacia Beverly Hills.
Lashes
I feel like we’ve reached the point of exam study where we’re on the home stretch! We can definitely take a break, head to da club, probably my fav, Seven (circa. 2007) and get lit on my other fav, cruisers. In other words, we’re on to the peepers. This train will not be stopping at shadows or liners, we’re on the express to lashes.
Now, the cheapest option is to slap on a lick of mascara. There are approximately 239 million types of mascara so this is like you’re in a blockbuster choosing your DVD combined with being at Coles picking out which lollies you want to eat while you watch the DVD. Bridget says drugstore mascaras are a bit same/same. The big watch out is waterproof mascaras. Wearing them every day can dry out your lashes and contribute to breakage.
One week post lash lift, loving myself sick. Source: Supplied.
While mascara is the cheapest option, it’s definitely not the laziest. So, you know I’ve got an alternative here. This week I got a perm and Botox for my lashes. Basically, it’s a lash lift using this low concentration perm solution, it legit smelt like I was getting my hair did. It also includes the Botox serum applied for length and a colour tint, because nobody wants poo brown lashes. I was super sceptical at first because I have little chodes of lashes, but sceptic no more, I'm a full-blown believer. It's like I got a full set of classic lashes, but they didn’t start falling out as soon as I left the salon and I haven’t been waking up every day to $25 worth of lashes on my pillow. I cannot believe they are my own lashes. A Botox lash lift lasts 6-8 weeks and cost me a hundy. As opposed to a set of lashes that would set me back about $150 and last 4-5 weeks. Falsies are another option here if you ceeb with mascara, but my vote is firmly with the Botox lash lift. If you’re in South East Melb, I got mine done at Lash Lift Studio in Glen Huntly.
Product Recommendations
MAYBELLINE LASH SENSATIONAL, $11.50, SHOP NOW
Bridget’s savey recommendation.
MAYBELLINE FALSIES $10, SHOP NOW
This bad boy is a cult favourite amongst the Facebook beauty circles.
MCO XTENDLASH, $11.90, SHOP NOW
Another cult fav, from the Woolies brand.
CHANEL VOLUME & LENGTH MASCARA, $56, SHOP NOW
For the bougies, this is what Bridget uses on her clients.
Brows
We’re not going to go into brows, because honestly, it could be a whole episode. If you want some direction with your brows, feel free to hit up our expert Bridget Sophie on the gram @bridgetsophiestudio, or slide on into Benefit Cosmetics. They’ve got the holy grail of brown goods.
Lips
Love a gloss. You cannot put it on wrong! If you’ve got chapped lips, also known as every single person in winter, definitely opt for a balm. You can even get one with a bit of colour. If you’re after some shine, “A gloss will get you looking instantly glowy,” says Bridget.
Source: Imgr
If lipstick is part of your every day, (and personally if it didn’t end up on my teeth for 100% of applications, I’d love it to be part of mine), Bridget says do not go cheap on it. We all know there is nothing worse than flaky lipstick. However, if you opt for a cheek and lip tint in one, you can get a little more bang for your buck. It’s best you also chuck on a lip liner underneath to help it stick. I actually was born with the unfortunate genetic disorder of a thin lip, so I like to run the lip liner slightly over the outline of my lips if I’m going to be a relatively dark room and nobody can tell. But hey, I’ve got basically every single element application wrong thus far, so you probably shouldn’t take my advice.
Product Recommendations
YSL LIPSTICKS, $50+, SHOP NOW
Bridget suggests you treat yourself to anything from the YSL range.
MAC LIP CONDITIONER, $28, SHOP NOW
It’s both a conditioner and a gloss and big enough to not lose in your handbag.
LANOLIPS, $14.95, SHOP NOW
Like the sheep’s wool? Yes. It’s another cult fav.
MAC LIPSTICKS, $30, SHOP NOW
These don’t even need to be recommended because I know you already have min. 4 of these.
Setting Sprays
Harry we’ve reached the top! It’s time to lock it in Eddie. Most of these make-up items have been around longer than the Colosseum, I assume, but you definitely wore your mum’s old Australis, so at least that long, which means sometimes marketers need to stay excited and make up new products. A setting spray is most likely to be one of those, so definitely try before you buy. Before setting sprays, I used hairspray before setting sprays and whatever, I’ve got those picks with my orange bronzer all over my face at 3am so it must have worked.
Source: @bridgetsophiestudio Instagram
Product Recommendations
MAC PREP + PRIME, $39, SHOP NOW
Bridget uses this regularly on clients. It’s a weightless, refreshing formula with a slight dew to it.
GEORGIO ARMANI PRIMA MIST, $69, SHOP NOW
Nothing by this guy comes cheap, but Bridget recommends this as a spendy option for the spesh occasion.
NYX MAKE UP SETTING SPRAY MATTE, $15, SHOP NOW
A universally adored savvy option for those wanting a matte finish.
Source: @bridgetsophiestudio Instagram
And there you have it fans, your go-to for a flawless, effortless, daily make-up routine. Thanks to Bridget Sophie for her expert tips, I think we can all agree it would have been highly negligent of me to do this without her. If you’re in Melbs and have a spesh occasion, a show or even want to learn how to do profess level make up, hit her up atbridgetsophiestudio.com.au, or just lurk her on Instagram like I do @bridgetsophiestudio
