Make Up For Ever ULTRA HD foundation, concealer, & loose powder
Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit, Rose Metals & Nouveau eyesahdow palettes
MAC Cosmetics blush in Gingerly, highlight in Double Gleam, BlackTrack liquid eyeliner, lipstick in Marrakesh-Meree, & Give Me Sun bronzer
Benefit Precisely My Brow pencil & Gimme Brow setting gel
Sigma Beauty brushes.
(Disclaimer: I do have Keanna’s consent to post the images on designated websites including Facebook, Instagram, WordPress, and use in my digital portfolio.)
TikTok’s buzziest beauty trend is all about creating a soft matte look, while still letting your skin shine. Get the lowdown on how to achieve the cloud skin finish.
Beauty lovers can finally have the best of both worlds.
There’s no denying TikTok is the gift that keeps on giving, especially when it comes to showcasing fun and functional techniques people can implement in their daily makeup routines. And now, TikTok’s buzzy cloud skin trend is a win-win for everyone, as it perfectly blends a dewy and matte finish.
So, what exactly does that mean? Well, the cloud skin craze consists of creating a soft and hazy matte look, while still letting your skin breathe allowing a natural glow.
MAC Cosmetics’ Global Senior Artist, Dominic Skinner—who originally coined the term cloud skin—explained why people were opting for the versatile look. Fun fact: The trend initially took off in 2020 during London Fashion Week, but it’s been picking up steam once again on TikTok.
“People are becoming fascinated with skincare and skin treatments but they also aren’t seeing foundation and powder as something they simply put on and run with,” Dominic told Refinery29 at the time. “It’s all about specifically placed powder, a touch of foundation and a facial oil to prime the skin.”
As for where you should dust your powder? The makeup artist suggested you mattify the inner corners of the eyes and around the nostrils, which will make your foundation last longer.
But if you tend to shine in other areas that you don’t want to be highlighted (no pun intended), he said, “I always powder the jawline so it makes the cheeks look slightly shiny and sheer. And when you powder your forehead, just powder the hairline because you control the placement of the shine, and the powder will slowly dissipate and graduate to nothing.”
All in all the cloud skin trend adds softness and radiance to the complexion, with Dominic adding, “It’s sort of lightness and a fluffiness.”
Products: – Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter – Make Up For Ever ULTRA HD foundation, concealer, & loose powder, single eyeshadows – Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit, and gel eyeliner – MAC Cosmetics blush in Melba, highlight in Double Gleam, lipstick in Laissez-Faire and Russian Red, Clear Lip Glass, & Give Me Sun bronzer – Benefit Precisely My Brow pencil & Gimme Brow setting gel – Sigma brushes.
(Disclaimer: I do haveShantel’s consent to post the images on designated websites including Facebook, Instagram, WordPress, and use in my digital portfolio.)
Let’s be honest: Sometimes powder foundations and tinted moisturizers just don’t cut it. When the goal is smooth, even, radiant-looking skin, liquid foundations are often the recommendation. However, with so many formulas on the market, it can be hard to know which product is actually worth weaving into your makeup routine. With that in mind, editors set out to find the best liquid foundations. To do so, they enlisted the help of a handful of reviewers to research the most popular formulas and test them out firsthand to see which actually live up to the hype.
After rigorously testing 27 top-rated liquid foundations—taking into account the formula’s coverage, finish, active ingredients, and overall wear—we uncovered the top six liquid foundations. In the end, the NARS Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation came out on top thanks to its extensive shade range and high scores in all of the aforementioned categories.
Ready to uncover the other five winners? Keep reading for the best liquid foundations, according to InStyle testers.
Best Overall
NARS Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation
What We Love: This lightweight liquid foundation has a glowy finish that doesn’t sink into creases at all.
What We Don’t Love: The formula is a bit watery, which makes it drip a bit when you pump it.
The NARS Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation boasts a lightweight liquid formula that offers buildable medium coverage. “I would say [the coverage claims are] true—it has a great coverage that builds very easily,” our reviewer reveals. The foundation is sold in 36 shades ranging from light to dark, with options for warm, cool, and neutral undertones alike.
This liquid foundation formula doesn’t only offer color coverage, though. It’s made with biomimetic oat to reduce the appearance of redness, Japanese lilyturf to help reinforce the skin’s moisture barrier, and cacao peptides and milk thistle to counteract the negative effects of environmental stressors like blue light. In that way, this foundation helps protect and nourish skin just as much as it perfects its color tones.
The best part is that, thanks to its lightweight nature, it dries quickly and leaves skin looking radiant in a flash. “It is dewy and very natural looking,” our reviewer notes. “It is glowy and doesn’t set into my creases at all.”
The one downfall is that, since the formula is so lightweight, it’s a bit watery. As such, when you pump it out, it tends to drip a bit, which can potentially waste precious product.
Even with that one shortcoming, our reviewer remains head over heels for this product. “I loved the formula. It melted into my skin and it looks great. I really don’t have any dislikes,” she shares.
Price at time of publish: $49
Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural | Active Ingredients: Biomimetic Oat, Japanese Lilyturf, Cacao Peptides, Milk Thistle | Size: 30 mL | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Value
L’Oréal Paris Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation
What We Love: It’s notably more affordable than other high-performing liquid foundations we tested.
What We Don’t Love: This foundation does include fragrance and the smell a con for some of our testers.
Newsflash: The way-too-thick, orange-tinged foundations of drugstores past are long gone. The L’Oréal Infallible Fresh Wear 24HR Foundation was one of the top performers of our tests thanks to its just-right consistency and its ability to dry down quickly while still being able to blend for seamless coverage. Plus, it doesn’t crease or cake with wear.
“This feels like the perfect combination of a thick and thin foundation,” our reviewer says. “It is not runny but still light and not overly thick.“
From a coverage stance, this drugstore staple delivers buildable coverage with a natural, semi-matte finish. “I love the finish of this product and the packaging,” our reviewer shares. “Upon first use, there is nothing I do not like about this product. It looks beautiful on the skin without being drying or cakey and it went on like a dream.”
In addition to evening out skin tone, the foundation, which is sold in 40 shades, also offers SPF 25 sun protection. (Though, considering dermatologists recommend at least SPF 30, don’t let that fool you into thinking it replaces the sunscreen in your skincare routine.)
Price at time of publish: $16
Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural | Active Ingredients: Octinoxate, Titanium Dioxide | Size: 30 mL | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Light Coverage
ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint with SPF 40
What We Love: This serum-like formula has a dewy finish that never looks oily or greasy.
What We Don’t Love: It has a slightly tacky finish.
If your goal is radiant, natural-looking coverage, this lightweight liquid foundation is a must. The ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Foundation is sold in 30 shades, all of which have skincare-meets-makeup benefits, and is Cindy Crawford-approved. This formula is lightweight and fairly thin—serum-like, as advertised.
In addition to creating natural-looking coverage, this serum-foundation hybrid revitalizes skin with a blend of hydrating squalane, smoothing niacinamide, and plumping hyaluronic acid. What’s more, it’s infused with zinc oxide to deliver SPF 40 protection, so it acts as a sun shield, too.
“This formula claims to provide dewy, lightweight coverage; I would say this is 100% true—it leaves my face with that ‘your skin but better’ look and blends really easily,” our reviewer notes. Part of what makes it so natural-looking, she adds, is the fact that it doesn’t sink into creases or fine lines—even over extended wear.
Two things to note: Despite the beautiful finish it delivers, from a physical feel stance, our reviewer found this serum foundation to be a bit tacky to the touch. Then, from an application standpoint, she says that the serum dropper is a bit more difficult to use than a classic one-handed pump. “It’s easier to dispense too much or too little product,” she admits.
Still, those two pitfalls weren’t enough to deter her from this popular liquid foundation. “Overall, I loved this formula,” she says. “Its coverage is definitely more sheer, but it imparts a dewy, natural-looking glow and blends incredibly easily. The added broad-spectrum SPF protection is also a bonus.“
Price at time of publish: $48
Coverage: Light | Finish: Radiant | Active Ingredients: Plant-Based Squalane, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid | Size: 30 mL | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Medium Coverage
Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24H Long Wear Matte Foundation
What We Love: This liquid foundation has the perfect consistency—it’s not too watery and not too thick—and it feels weightless on the skin.
What We Don’t Love: It’s not quite full coverage—but it is buildable, so you can still achieve adequate coverage.
The Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24H Long Wear Matte Foundation claims to be a full coverage foundation but when our testers wore it from morning to night, they found that it’s actually a great option for medium coverage. That said, they admit that it is buildable, so it is possible to achieve fuller coverage if that’s your goal. And, even if you do opt for extra layers, they found that it remains lightweight and comfortable throughout wear—it never feels heavy on the skin.
Part of why it’s so comfortable is because it’s specifically formulated to be. “It contains eternalsoft polymers to provide an increased level of comfort for ultra-long wear,” our reviewer found.
Logistically speaking, the foundation, which is housed in a tall, frosted glass bottle, is sold in 43 shades ranging from light to dark. “It claims to have a natural-matte finish, which I agree with,” one of our reviewers says. “It is matte but still has a bit of a glow and does not look drying or cakey on the skin. It does not settle into fine lines or wrinkles. It has a very nice finish.”
Even though the coverage this foundation delivers doesn’t quite match up with its claims, our reviewers found that, overall, there’s nothing they don’t like about the product.
Price at time of publish: $52
Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte | Active Ingredients: Eternalsoft Polymers | Size: 30 mL | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Full Coverage
HOURGLASS Vanish Seamless Finish Liquid Foundation
What We Love: Although the finish is matte, it has a touch of dew to keep skin looking natural and healthy.
What We Don’t Love: It takes longer to dry down because it’s a thicker formula.
The HOURGLASS Vanish Seamless Finish Liquid Foundation is another liquid foundation that claims to offer full coverage, that our reviewers found to be closer to medium-to-full coverage in reality. Despite not fully living up to its claims, though, our reviewers concluded that this thick formula is truly something to behold.
“I love how full coverage this product is while still looking natural on the skin,” our reviewer says. “It claims to have a natural finish, which I agree with. The finish does not appear too matte and still has a bit of a glow. I do not feel that my skin looks heavy or cakey after applying. Overall, it looks very healthy and even on the skin.”
Like the Lancôme foundation, this Hourglass formula comes in a luxurious frosted glass bottle that feels heavy and expensive. “It also has a soft closure, which I love,” our reviewer says. “The foundation comes out in a pump and leaves no mess at all. I love the packaging.“
Although the HOURGLASS Vanish Seamless Finish Liquid Foundation is comfortable to wear, since its a notably thicker formula, our reviewer does note that she thinks it’s best for shorter wear. “It would be amazing for special events when I want to cover redness, acne, or other imperfections,” she says. “My skin still looks healthy and dewy without being overly heavy.”
Price at time of publish: $56
Coverage: Full | Finish: Natural | Active Ingredients: Sunflower Seed Wax, Jojoba Esters | Size: 25 mL | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Splurge
N°1 DE CHANEL Red Camellia Revitalizing Foundation
What We Love: This medium-coverage foundation leaves skin looking even, smooth, and hydrated.
What We Don’t Love: It’s pricey and we wish it had a wider shade range.
Spending $70 for a bottle of liquid foundation may seem like overkill but our reviewers found that this medium-coverage makeup product is well worth the splurge.
“After applying the N°1 DE CHANEL Red Camellia Revitalizing Foundation, my skin looks so healthy and glowy in all the right places,” our reviewer marvels. “It does not look cakey or oily, just extremely fresh and healthy. I love the finish of this foundation. It doesn’t look too unnatural or like I’m wearing a lot of makeup and it doesn’t settle into fine lines.”
Speaking of a lot of makeup, this liquid foundation is buildable, so you can wear a single oat or layer it on for the tailored coverage you desire. “It is easy to layer this foundation,” our reviewers assure us. “It has a medium coverage, evens out skin tone, and leaves the skin looking super smooth and hydrated. It is not too heavy on the skin but still covers up imperfections.”
It doesn’t just make skin look smooth and hydrated during wear, though. Since it’s formulated with Chanel’s signature red camellia oil, it actually works to impart anti-aging benefits long after wear.
Given the high praise, you’ll be glad to know this luxury liquid foundation looks as expensive as the results it delivers. While the 20 shades span from light to dark, we do wish they had more skin tone offerings.
“I love the finish of this foundation and how my skin looks so healthy, dewy, and even,” our reviewer says. “I feel that I could wear this everyday or for special occasions. There is not much I do not like about this product, other than the high price tag.“
Price at time of publish: $70
Coverage: Medium | Finish: Luminous | Active Ingredients: Red Camellia Oil | Size: 30 mL | Cruelty-Free: No
What to Keep in Mind
Coverage
Liquid foundations come in a variety of coverages, ranging from light to full. While many foundations fall in the medium to full category (with BB and CC creams offering lighter coverage), light coverage liquid foundations do exist. What type of coverage you choose, depends on your skin concerns as well as personal preferences.
Formula Finish
Think about how you want your skin to look post-application. If you want to look dewy and glowing, consider a hydrating satin foundation (like our Best Overall pick, the NARS Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation); if you want a mattified end look, focus on matte foundations. Oilier skin types may prefer a matte finish to help combat that mid-morning sheen of grease, whereas as drier may want the extra hydration from a dewy product.
Wear
Do you want a liquid foundation that wears flawlessly all day long? Or are you looking for something that you plan to only wear for shorter-duration special occasions (like a wedding or night out)? If you’re leaning toward the former, you’ll want to buy a foundation that’s designed to last for up to at least 12 hours (the the Lancôme Teint Idole Matte Foundation has a staying power of up to 24 hours), and that’s specifically marketed not to cake or crease. When working with special occasion makeup goals, on the other hand, you can be a bit more flexible with the wear duration of your liquid foundation.
“Celebration” was the name of Off-White’s spring show, presented inside the Ateliers Berthier last night in Paris. X-Ray-print blazers, belly cut-outs, and arrowed cowboy boots filled the industrial space built by the architect Charles Garnier and used for storing Paris Opera sets. It was a fitting venue to honour Virgil Abloh, the late multi-hyphenate designer, who began workshopping this season’s spring 2023 collection before his passing last year.
As he examined and experimented with each piece that walked the “Impossible Blue” runway last night, Ibrahim Kamara, Off-White’s new image and art director, realised it’s a celebratory one. After all, Abloh was often drawn to the warm indigo shade, which carpeted the catwalk and punctuated model gazes, courtesy of blue pigments from the Paperwork beauty collection, for the show.
“I wanted to be quite playful, but glam rock,” said make-up artist Hiromi Ueda backstage as she held the Maze shade of Paperwork’s multi-use crayons in her hand. “It’s beautiful, sexy, and confident.” Ueda relied on just two of the beauty line’s colour sticks, Maze and Jet (an inky black), to complete every look. For sooty gazes, Jet was faded at the edges with a blending brush for a smoked-out effect — and, of course, finished with a pop of Maze on the lower waterline. The subtler version seen across models of all genders, and especially those wearing white (called the “pure” look), consisted of Maze traced along the lower waterline and wiped away for a “worn-in eyeliner” effect that was nearly imperceptible.
Visible from across the cavernous rooms, though, were the “bold blue” graphic wings that hairstylist Jawara called a “harder blue look.” He and Ueda discussed the glam rock direction ahead of the show, where words like “tough” and “playful” described the mood. Jawara ultimately gave models wispy mullet and pixie wigs alongside cornrows, slick backs, and one cerulean buzz cut. “I think they complement the hair really well,” said Jawara of the final make-up looks. “We came up with it together.” It reflects Off-White’s larger goal to uplift its coterie of artists and speaks to the collaborative spirit that continues to define Abloh’s legacy.
L’oreal Paris Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation
This serum foundation keeps mature skin in mind and is fortified with SPF 50 and niacinamide to protect and even skin tone. Reviewers say the sheer coverage blends right into your skin, without caking or accentuating fine lines. Plus, it settles into the skin quickly so it’s easily buildable for more coverage wherever you need it.
No7 Lift & Luminate Triple Action Serum Foundation SPF 15
No7’s Lift & Luminate foundation targets mature skin with its creamy formula fortified with peptides to fight against wrinkles, plus vitamin C to brighten and reduce discoloration. It’s light enough to keep from creasing and caking, but still gives medium coverage.
Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint
We can credit Glossier as one of the originators of the no-makeup-makeup look, so you can trust that its lightweight skin tint is effective and dewy AF. The Perfecting Skin Tint gives light, blurring coverage and also provides some moisture, thanks to glycerin. A few drops will give you sheer coverage, but you can build up too.
Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint
Here’s a bestseller from Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty. Reviewers praise its longevity and hydrating powers for normal and dry skin types. “I put just a few drops on my face and it had the perfect amount of coverage,” wrote one reviewer. “It also made my face look smooth and still showed my freckles. It lasted 8+ hours on me.”
Flower Beauty Get Real Serum Foundation
This drugstore beauty buy from Drew Barrymore’s FLOWER Beauty is enriched with antioxidants and probiotics for an added skincare boost. Plus, its hydrating, lightweight formula is great for folks with dry skin. You’ll barely notice it’s there.
The Ordinary Serum Foundation
Beloved brand The Ordinary is known for quality ingredients at actually accessible price points. Its water-based serum foundation is richly pigmented and semi-matte, so it provides more coverage than other foundations of its kind and could be a good option for folks with oily, acne-prone skin.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer Hydrating Gel Cream SPF 30
If the more than 5,000 five-star reviews aren’t enough for you to immediately add this tube of goodness to your cart, maybe this will: it’s a 3-in-1 product packed with hyaluronic acid, squalane, and SPF. Not only does it act as your face moisturizer, but your foundation and sunscreen too. It gives enough coverage to blur dark spots, but still show off your skin’s natural look.
Perricone MD No Makeup Foundation Serum SPF 20
It’s in the name: Perricone MD’s No Makeup Serum Foundation acts more like a second skin than a cover-up. Its semi-matte coverage makes it a solid pick for anyone who wants to stick it to shine, and it’s enriched with peptides to fight against fine lines.
This skin tint from Shiseido offers lightweight moisture similar to a BB cream, for normal, combination, and oily skin types. Reviewers say it left their skin feeling cushiony and soft.
It Cosmetics CC+ Cream Illumination with SPF 50+
Reviewers love this full-coverage CC cream for a reason: It’s packed with peptides, collagen, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide—all ingredients derms love for nourishing and hydrating skin. So not only will the coverage make your skin look radiant, but it’ll likely improve it in the long run too. Win, win.
ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Foundation
This cult-favorite skin tint from Ilia boasts an impressive SPF 43 and comes packed with hydrating plant-based squalane and hyaluronic acid, as well as niacinamide, which derms love for brightening and smoothing skin. This dewy serum foundation provides light coverage and an overall blurring effect—and has an extensive shade range for darker skin tones.
Tarte Sea Hydroflex Serum Foundation
Tarte’s serum foundation combines hyaluronic acid with vegan collagen to plump skin, plus niacinamide to soothe and brighten. It gives medium semi-matte coverage, and buildable coverage. So if you’re not into the super dewy, borderline sweaty look, SEA Hydroflex might be right up your alley. What’s more, you only need 2–4 drops for optimal coverage.
Saie Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturizer SPF 35
This lightweight SPF 35 tinted moisturizer intends to give sheer, dewy coverage and lock in moisture all day long—and it delivers on both fronts. Slip Tint features licorice to fight discoloration, plus pansy flower, which works in combination with hyaluronic acid to help your skin retain moisture.
Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation SPF 25
Clinique’s serum foundation includes salicylic acid to fight breakouts, so it’s ideal for folks with acne-prone or oily skin. Plus, the addition of vitamin C and hyaluronic acid gives this serum foundation a skin-care boost. It’s also oil-free, meaning it won’t clog your pores, and it offers medium to full coverage.
Lys Beauty Triple Fix Serum Foundation
Here’s an innovative foundation from LYS Beauty that is fortified with ashwagandha and turmeric to combat stress and brighten, plus hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate. It’s fragrance-free and gives medium, dewy coverage.
Tower 28 SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation
Tower 28, a sensitive skin-friendly brand that earned the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance, makes a delightful creamy tinted mineral sunscreen foundation. It offers 30 broad-spectrum SPF and is boosted by white sage extract to combat redness and irritation.
ILIA True Skin Serum Foundation
Another winner from Ilia, this foundation gives a bit more coverage than the original Super Serum Skin Tint. The True Skin foundation is formulated with soothing aloe and mastic, a plant resin that helps to mattify and refine pores. It’s also enriched with powerhouse oils like jojoba and marula to keep you quenched and flourishing.
Rare Beauty’s Positive Light is one of the best tinted moisturizers. It offers breathable coverage and has an impressive shade range. It’s water- and silicone-based, making it a good pick for folks with combination or oily skin. Though it’s important to note it only offers 20 SPF through mineral filters, derms recommend at least 30 SPF, so consider wearing additional sunscreen to boost your protection.
Yves Saint Laurent Nu Bare Look Tint Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation
With nearly 800 five-star reviews, YSL’s skin tint is fortified with hyaluronic acid and glycerin to hydrate and moisturize, plus mallow, which helps to brighten the skin for an allover glow. It has the texture and weight of a water cream, so it makes an excellent beginner-friendly skin tint option.
Kosas Tinted Face Oil Comfy Skin Tint
Ideal for dry skin, this face oil skin tint hybrid is packed with nourishing oils like avocado, meadowfoam, and jojoba to enhance your skin long after you take your makeup off. It feels like a second skin and provides a healthy glow with light coverage.
Milk Makeup Sunshine Skin Tint Clean SPF 30 Foundation
The packaging of this skin tint from Milk Makeup is innovative and refillable; you press the base of the container like a pen until the product moves towards the glass rollerball, which glides across your skin. It’s formulated with skin-loving oils like jojoba, avocado, and mandarin, plus squalane and mineral SPF.
Typology TEINT Tinted Serum
Boosted with aloe vera, vitamin C, and squalane, this buzzy-tinted serum from Parisian brand Typology gives the coveted blurring effect. The coverage is just enough to hide slight discoloration and blemishes for an overall glow. Everyone will be asking you to drop the skin-care routine.
When it comes to cheap thrills, few things leave a beauty-lover more elated than having the best drugstore mascara in tow; a tried-and-true tube that curls, volumizes, defines, and comes with a price tag that encourages you to layer it on liberally. From richer color payoff to smoother, creamier textures that don’t flake or smudge, the offerings at the pharmacy are only getting better, furthering the stakes when it comes to what you ultimately toss in your basket. Here, the best drugstore mascara formulas to stock up on.
L’Oréal Voluminous Mascara
An all-time favorite pick for five of the makeup artists we spoke with, L’Oréal’s Voluminous Mascara comes out on top. “I’ve been using this mascara forever and it’s a staple in my kit,” explains celebrity makeup artist Gita Bass. “It’s super-black and adds incredible volume and curl, and never clumps or flakes.” On top of the aforementioned aspects, fellow artist Alana Wright can’t get enough of the brush, which she considers the perfect size, shape, and density “to still able to reach those tiny lashes in the inner and out corners of the eyes,” she says. Another bonus is the gentle, non-abrasive formula. “It doesn’t irritate even the most sensitive eyes,” says Los Angeles–based makeup artist Autumn Moultrie. Celebrity makeup artist Rob Rumsey emphasizes how buildable it is—“You can do one swipe for a natural look or you can do multiple coats for more drama.” While Carbon Black is the most popular shade, both Moultrie and editorial pro Akiko Owada also like reaching for Black Brown, which can have a softer effect. “It provides clump-free lashes, it doesn’t run, and it’s easy to control,” adds Owada of the formula’s all-embracing appeal.
CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara
For bolder, more intense lashes, CoverGirl’s Lash Blast is another tried-and-true go-to. “I love its creamy texture, which gives you volume and length instantly in one coat, and it’s easy to layer it for more drama,” explains French makeup artist Cedric Jolivet. “I find the silicone brush [makes it easy] to grab the lashes from the root, and it totally works on short lashes!” Makeup artist William Scott, whose clientele includes Padma Lakshmi and Mette Towley, agrees. “It’s perfect for those who want maximum volume on the first swipe, and with a lash comb, it can be spread over the lashes to make them more fluttery.” There’s just as much to love about its waterproof formula: “It will dry a bit faster, which help the eyelashes to stay curled,” says Jolivet of why it’s worth the extra time spent removing it at the end of the day. “I always curl the lashes first, but I noticed a lot of mascaras don’t hold a curl and make your lashes look heavy…not this one!”
Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mascara
For Matin, who counts Angelina Jolie as a longtime client, it’s all about Neutrogena’s Healthy Volume Mascara with its nourishing ingredients and jet-black pigment. “It’s a true volume mascara that doesn’t dry out the lashes,” he says of the formula, which is supercharged with vitamin E-rich olive oil and protective sweet almond. “It stays flexible and won’t crumble throughout the day.” Another major draw? “It has a giant brush!” adds Matin. All the better to coat every little lash.
This mascara counts celebrity makeup artist and Neutrogena brand ambassador Amy Oresman as a fan, too. “This silky formula has an olive oil base, is incredibly buildable, and separates every lash with no clumps and no flakes. It also hydrates and strengthens lashes for those days you want to go without makeup.”
Maybelline Sky High Lash
“It’s by far one of the best mascaras on the market—and relatively newer, too,” says Colby Smith, who works with Dua Lipa and Charli XCX, of Maybelline’s Lash Sensational Sky High mascara. “I love that it’s super-black,” he continues. “A few coats and you really get that full long lash. It has the look of a high-end mascara without breaking the bank.” And Smith isn’t alone in his love of this mascara, considering how it took over TikTok in 2021.
L’Oréal Telescopic Mascara
For soft, supple lashes, you can’t beat L’Oréal’s Telescopic Mascara, insists Scott. “I love its applicator and slick formula, which make it easy to apply to bottom lashes and give long and defined lashes all around,” they explain, emphasizing the lengthening powers of its patented plastic-bristle comb brush. “It’s very versatile in that one swipe delivers length and the wand makes it easy to keep the lashes separated, and the formula builds nicely to add some volume.”
CoverGirl Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara
If sustainability in beauty is a 2022 goal of yours, swap out your old mascara for CoverGirl’s Lash Blast Clean Volume—a vegan, cruelty-free formula infused with argan and marula oil that won’t clump or flake. Think of this as a skin and environmentally-friendly take on the coveted classic CoverGirl Lash Blast mascara.
Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
“I have incredibly sparse, thin lashes with minimal volume and this is one of the few mascaras that is ultra black, ultra lengthening, and gives me incredible volume,” says makeup artist and TikTok star Mikayla Nogueira of the Essence Lash Princess mascara. “It makes my lashes truly stand out and appear as if I have a small false lash on. I’ve bought it over and over again.”
L’Oréal Voluminous Volume Building Waterproof Mascara
“My favorite drugstore mascara is L’Oréal Voluminous Hydrofuge Mascara. I have been using this mascara since I was in high school,” admits pro makeup artist Liz Castellanos. “It gives major volume to your lashes, adds length, depth, and stays put. It’s a staple in my makeup bag.”
Maybelline Great Lash Washable Mascara
The nostalgic Maybelline Great Lash mascara is still a drugstore staple—a formula crafted to thicken and condition lashes simultaneously. It’s the ultimate no-fuss mascara when you’re looking to quickly coat your lashes or to keep a bottle stashed in your beauty bag.
L’Oréal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara
If feathery voluminous lashes are your look, consider picking up L’Oréal’s Lash Paradise mascara that’s known to lengthen and separate lashes with just one coat. Even more: The brand’s new formula incorporates floral oil for softer, fuller lashes.
2023 has just begun, bringing with it a fresh start for all things—including our makeup. With the proverbial palette cleaned, recharged takes on existing trends and entirely original approaches have room to shade, delineate, and contour the coming months, filling it with all of the color and sparkle that a new year demands. Blush will continue to provide buildable warmth, eyeliner is going the way of the statement-making seductress, and refractive details will allow you to channel the vibes of mermaids and robots alike. A common thread exists in a continued want of play—a means of combatting darker days with rampant (and striking) self-expression. Here, five beauty trends that will be taking over in 2023.
Statement Lips
Lips are set to be bolder than ever in the new year—so bold, in fact, that they may be ready to work alone. “This is a model-off-duty/off-the-runway type look that can look amazing from day to night,” says makeup artist Tobi Henney, who recommends centering the lip by keeping skin clean and lightly grooming brows and lashes. She also notes that a resurgence of lipliners that are deeper than lipstick hues are on the rise, which work better to keep the focus on your natural pout. “It can help achieve the perfect lip shade and enhance lips by giving the illusion of more fullness.”
Futuristic Metallics
Alloy-inspired shimmer can veer whimsical or robotic, depending on how you play it. Mermaidcore ruled the spring 2023 runways, and the collective conversation around AI—and an influx of new technology—is bound to elicit futuristic beauty. “Blame it on our obsession with AI, fairies, and everything extraterrestrial, but whatever the reason I’m so here for it,” makeup artist Jenna Kristina. She recommends starting with Pat McGrath’s on-point palettes, including those from the legend’s Star Wars makeup collaboration. “It’s our meta selves in the real world.”
More Blush
Blush has been experiencing a renaissance in recent years, with blendable cream options and more-is-more application methods making cheeks (and eyes and the bridges of noses) romantically rosy. “There was a moment when it was only about bronzer and highlighter, but blush is back and bolder than ever,” Kristina says. “Adding blush is like adding life back to the skin.” The trend already has legs, having served as the main factor in several of 2022’s most memorable TikTok beauty looks—think sunburn blush, cold girl, and crying girl makeup.
Face Embellishments
The Euphoria effect shows no signs of stopping. “We’ll continue to see more experimental looks incorporating gems, pearls, glitter, and other accents that’ll cover not only the eyes but other parts of the face and body,” makeup artist Jaleesa Jaikaran says. Invest in an arsenal of flat-backed rhinestones and the like in all shapes, sizes, and shades to be secured with clear lash glue—if you can find self-adhesive options, even better.
Longer and Sharper Cat-Eye Wings
Kittenish flicks and TikTok’s alluring and elongating siren eyes will gain in popularity (and ease) with the help of an upgraded guard of liners. “With so many brands developing high-technology eyeliners that do not budge and are smudge-proof, the graphic feline liner look will be one to wear for a fun night out,” says Henney, who recommends focusing on pulling the eye shape upward and outward. Dark femininity is sure to be a major 2023 trend.
The multi-hyphenate’s latest beauty launch is inspired by “pure maximalism” — and a big pivot from her signature look.
When it comes to beauty, Victoria Beckham likes to keep things simple — yet sexy.
She’s been dedicated to her signature look — a glossy nude lip, sultry smoky eye, and glowing skin — on red carpets and runways since the ‘90s. But Beckham is ready to kick it up a notch with her latest launch, and she’s doing so by taking us back to one of the most alluring and glamorous eras of all time: the 1970s.
“I’ve always been inspired by ’70s style; the fashion and beauty moments of pure maximalism that still, somehow, had an ease to it: glossy lips, peacock eyes, billowy waves,” Beckham muses. “Our new Satin Kajal Jewel Liner allows for such a freedom of expression and sexiness — I’m constantly reminded of that gorgeous, glamorous era.”
The high pigment liners initially launched in early October, offering three shades: Night Flash, a rich, smoky black with silver sparkle; Gold Lamé, a shimmering, pearlized gold; as well as Sequin Green, an iridescent olive green. In December, Smoky Quartz, a neutral taupe shade, joined the family.
Much like Victoria Beckham Beauty’s other products, with the satin liner, you’re guaranteed a high color payoff with just one stroke. Plus, with a formula infused with skin-loving ingredients like vitamin E, pro-vitamin B5, and calming chamomile, expect a creamy, blendable, and easy-to-glide experience during application — then, of course, a long-wear, waterproof finish.
To top it off, the glitter appearance of the liners is made with micro-fine, environmentally-friendly pearls — not plastics. So as you rinse off your makeup at night, there’s no fear of bioaccumulation in the ocean.
“They give the look of a loose glitter with the concentration and precision of a pencil eyeliner,” Beckham explains. “You have a bit of time to play and fix before they set, and once they do, they last all day and night.”
While it’s hard to pick favorites, in true VB style, the star shares that her go-to shade is Smoky Quartz, which she says “gives an eye-catching, high-contrast drama to my look.” Later adding, “I’ll layer it onto my upper lash line, wing it, and smudge it out.” But she doesn’t necessarily want you to follow her lead.
Reminiscent of the disco era, Beckham’s latest launch is all about fun, freedom, and fantasy. “You can achieve whatever eye look you’re in the mood for,” she says. “A little flick; a rimmed, lived-in look; or smudged-out smoky smoulder.”
Products: – Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter – Make Up For Ever ULTRA HD foundation, concealer, & loose powder, single eyeshadows – Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit, and gel eyeliner – MAC Cosmetics blush in Melba, highlight in Double Gleam, lipstick in Devoted to Chili, Clear Lip Glass, & Give Me Sun bronzer – Benefit Precisely My Brow pencil & Gimme Brow setting gel – Sigma brushes.
(Disclaimer: I do have Teanna’s consent to post the images on designated websites including Facebook, Instagram, WordPress, and use in my digital portfolio.)
Kassy Rose Makeup Artistry 