This has been “The Summer of Taupe” for me, and I call this look “easy polish” because it’s both of those things! A bright lip is the focal point, and there’s just a little definition on my lids for balance.
As for the products I use for this, hmm… Let me bust out my makeup bag.
- NARS Brow Perfector in Komo — This is one of their new brow pencils that just launched for fall, and it’s SUPER good. Big plus: The caps for the pencil and the spoolie ends are both the same size, so you can use them interchangeably, which means I don’t end up smashing the tip of the pencil by accidentally trying to force the wrong cap on the tip.
- Chanel Le Stylo Yeux Eyeliner in Mat Taupe — Thanks to this, I can’t remember the last time I touched a black liner.
- Chanel Eyeshadow Liner Kohl in Contour Clair — I just think this chubby matte taupe eyeshadow pencil goes really well with Mat Taupe liner.
- Hourglass Caution Mascara in Ultra Black
- It Cosmetics CC+ Illumination Full Coverage Cream in Tan — [INSERT ANGEL’S SINGING!] I can’t say enough good things about this stuff. I use it instead of under-eye concealer.
- Estée Lauder Double Wear Light or Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation — Double Wear Light has sheer-to-medium coverage with a satin finish, and Double Wear Stay-in-Place is medium-to-full with a matte finish. Both are lightweight, long-lasting and…straight-up fantastic.
- MAC Cream Colour Base in Vintage Rose — (I’m all about that cream blush life these days.)
- Chanel Jumbo Longwear Matte Lip Crayon on 269 Impact — When I don’t wear this bright matte berry with my current go-to look, I grab one of the (many) nude lipsticks in my purse. But I like 269 Impact more than everything else right meow.
Your turn. What’s been your current go-to makeup look this summer? Are you happy with it? Do you plan to change your look for fall? Feel free to go into as much (or as little) detail as you want! 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Jane says
My current go-to makeup look is what I would call “whatever I haven’t ron out of”. I usually try to use up my summer stuff so that I can start fresh for autumn (since makeup wise, it is my favorite season). So it’s basically NARS Radiant Tinted Moisturizer, Laguna Bronzer, ABS brow powder in medium brown, Chanel stylo waterproof eyeliner in Mat Taupe (love it , too!), NARS Deep Throat blush and Velvet Lipglide in Roseland. I have been using the bronzer as eyeshadow and smudge the liner some of the time.
Just saw the reformulated NARS eyeshadows posted on their site. I am bummed that my favorite duo has been discontinued, but it looks like there are some new single matte and satin shadows that Iam interested in. I still have my eye on the Chanel quad obscur, but it is pricey.
Hope all is well. Going to Philadelphia tomorrow to tour some colleges and have cheesesteaks. Yum!
yelena says
question, I’m all about multitasking products….but i’m always very cautious about my under eyes as it’s supposed to be the most delicate skin in your makeup routine, so my question is, is it safe to use foundation in your under eye area?
or are there some foundation ingredients that should be avoided in the under eye area?
or am I just being paranoid? haha
Karen says
Hi Yelena,
I have sensitive eyes and haven’t had an issue with it. I also figure skin is also a huge organ; even if you try to keep one type of product just in a single area, it’s going affect other parts of your face/skin as well. If you can put foundation near the nostrils of your nose (a sensitive area for me) why not be able to take it underneath your eyes?
Eileen says
If you scrutinize the ingredient lists, you’ll see that concealer is basically just thicker, more pigmented, long-wearing foundation and either product is OK to use in the eye area. Some women just use foundation under their eyes, some women just use concealer under their eyes, and some women use both concealer and foundation under their eyes. What you use just depends on how much coverage you need to get your desired effect. And, of course, you’d want to keep either product out of your eyes and be aware of ingredients to which you, personally, might be sensitive.
If you read monetized beauty blogs, you’ll come away with the impression that everyone needs a special under eye concealer. But remember, they are paid to advertise/sell poducts. The truth is many women simply need to dab a bit of extra foundation under their eyes to brighten and freshen their look. As for those women who really do need a dedicated concealer, there are some excellent ones on the market. Bottom line: Both concealer and foundation can be used safely under your eyes.
If you need a concealer, though, and want a two-in-one product, there are many excellent foundations—especially stick and cream formulations—that are actually advertised as dual purpose products. You can sheer them out and use as a foundation or build them up where the extra coverage of a concealer is needed. Tom Ford makes a couple great ones (a stick and a waterproof cream) and there are plenty of other less expensive options available.
Jane says
Sorry, that should read “Whatever I run out of” and ABH Brow powder.
sarah townsend says
This is going to sound like a charlotte tilbury ad, haha, but flawless filter with hourglass vanish stick used almost as concealer, charlotte’s eyes to mesmerize in marie antoinette and audrey liner. Glossier cloud paint in storm mixed with puff to get a muted rose. Current mascara is thrive causemetics. To really pop it up I use stila glitter and glow shadow in wanderlust.
Liz says
I haven’t tried substituting concealer for a cc cream or foundation, I’m curious now. My go to look right now is Estee lauder double wear in 4w1 applied with a sponge, or if im lazy just spot applying Maybelline Superstay foundation in Sunbeige on acne scars; then Maybelline SuperstayBetter skin concealer under the eyes and mouth, set a little with the loose Fit Me powder in light/medium or Covergirl Outlast Powder in medium (as long as I don’t overapply concealer I have no problem with them emphasizing wrinkles). On the eyes, I just put a medium brown on the lid which I blend up to the browbone and then a deeper brown on the outer crease and outer corner of the lid with the Milani Most love mattes palette. Easy. Then Mascara is NYC Big Bold Curl because all my other mascaras make my lashes fall out. Not HG but does the job. I finish up often with a bronzer and my beloved Clinique Cheek Pop blush in 01 Ginger pop, which is a nice warm blush somewhere between coral and peach. On the lips I usually line with Nyx Suede lip liner in Maison (slightly darker than my skintone) and put a tinted lipbalm on top.
Brandee says
Hi Karen,
I’ve been meaning to ask you about your current makeup routine- the recent posts have you looking fly!!!! Your skin looks in soft focus and refined. Time for o break out my double wear- and I too use it cosmetics cc( regular though) under eyes- it serves two purposes- sunblock and coverage.
Sarah Lowes says
Light shade just under the arch of the eyebrow, very dark shade on lids and medium between them – all from Urban Decay Nudes 2.
Smashbox colour correcting primer and Bare Minerals powder foundation – doesn’t slide off with sweat!
Suzanne C says
I haven’t been wearing makeup very often. August in Florida = staying inside as much as possible. 🙂
But when I do go out, I use FAB tinted moisturizer or Benefit Hello Happy Soft Blur Foundation, a touch of MUFE Color Paint Shadow in Lustrous Taupe, whatever brown liner I grab first (usually MAC Coffee or MUFE Aqua XL in Dark Brown), my beloved Tarte blush palette, a smidge of Benefit Hoola Bronzer, and my new BFF- Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Berry Tinted. Oh gosh, I just realized I’m having The Summer of Taupe, also.
Diana says
The It CC illumination I always reach for now too. Over my eyelids too as a primer. Hourglass lighting palette, Charlotte Tilbury lip cheat Pillow talk with Amazing Grace or the Sunset Lover with Pink Venus. Good to go.
Eileen says
I don’t wear the same makeup everyday so I don’t really have a go-to. This summer, though, there have been plenty of days when I haven’t wanted to really think about it. On those days I’ve been reaching for Clé de Peau’s Radiant Fluid Foundation, CdP’s cream blush in rosey pink, Les Beiges eyeshadow quad in either Dark or Natural (the first one released), Sisley Black eyeshadow used to define my lash line, Bobbi Brown Smoky Eye Mascara in black, and a swipe of Sisley Lipstix in Baby.
Chelsea says
Love this look!
My current go-to:
– SuperGoop CC Cream in Fair / Light in the center of the face
– Nars Soft Matte Concealer in Chantilly on blemishes
– Glossier Stretch Concealer in Light on undereyes
– Glossier Cloud Paint Blush in Beam
– Nyx Dose of Dew Face Gloss
– Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner in Whiskey
– Glossier Lash Slick mascara (it’s alright, haven’t decided whether or not to repurchase) – I also just tried the L’Oréal Voluminous in Burgundy but it smudged under my eyes and made my dark circles look worse than usual. It was really pretty though.
Rachel Runyan says
This summer has been abnormally hot, with most days being 85°+ F. So my go-to look has been pretty simple: Shimmery nude eyes and winged liquid liner and liquid lipstick or lipgloss. Sometimes I’ll pop some bright-colored eyeliner or eyeshadow on the bottom lash line.
Products used: Face — Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 100+, BH Cosmetics Flawless Finish Foundation, RCMA No Color Powder, either Physician’s Formula Butter Blush in Plum Rose or MAC Pink Cult, Sephora Tranquil (light contouring), whatever highlighter I grab, e.l.f. Original Mist & Set. Eyes — Too Faced Shadow Insurance, shimmery nude eyeshadow (usually from Tarte ROTS Vol. 3 Eyeshadow Palette), Physician’s Formula Eye Booster Lash 2-in-1 Boosting Eyeliner & Serum, black mascara, and ABH Love Letter (brows). The pop of color is usually from Huda Beauty Obsessions Palette in Electric or NYX Ultimate Shadow Palette in Brights. Lips — a liquid lipstick or lipgloss. NARS Full Vinyl Lip Lacquer in Abruzzo, Milani Matte Metallic Lip Creme in Matterialistic, Fenty Beauty Iridescent Lip Luminizer in Vay-cray, and OFRA Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick in Wonderland have probably been my most-used.
Kim says
I could just copy and paste from any other comment I’ve made in the last couple of years. Oh, wait, not 100%.
Amore Pacific Cushioned Compact (love that spf 50)
Chanel Malice
YSL Faux Cils
ABH brow pencil (the kind you need to sharpen – less waxy, which I prefer)
NARS pro prime on lids
Dark brown shade of shadow from EL Desert Heat palette, worn as liner on upper lash line.
Smith’s Rosebud Salve on lips
Lacy says
Lately I’ve taken a huge laid back approach to make up and have embraced my natural beauty along with my summer freckles. Like you I also recently hit a road block with concealer just not working for me anymore. NONE. Not my ride or die Nars or ITs bye bye. NOTHING was working no matter what I tried. So I decided to skip it… then realized it’s not as bad as I thought and then started skipping foundation too… Then also realized. Hey I”m just as pretty without it as I am with it, if not even more so – weird right? So these days it’s always at least Mascara, tinted eyebrow gel and lipstick. Most days I put on a liquid highlighter to the high points of my face and am out the door. Some days I skip the highlight and go for Nars Loves Me Not Blush form the Erdem collection instead or swipe on some eyeshadow just to mix things up. And if I’m feeling really froggy then I go for the whole shebang. Mascara, eyebrows, lip and cheeks with no foundation or concealer. Just lots of great skin care. After going without out them for a few days, then a few weeks and now a few months. I honestly don’t miss it!! And I love that it has speeded up my morning routine! However, now I have 3 unfinished foundations and a handful of concealers (trying new formulas when the HG’s stopped working) that I’m not using. And I feel bad they’re just… there… collecting dust. I’ve debated giving to friends but is that weird? Or do I just suck it up and wear them sometimes to get my money’s worth and not go to waste. PS – how do I get a picture next to my name?