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A couple of months back, I packed a small makeup bag for an overnight trip and completely forgot to unpack it when I got home. Just the other week, while I was looking for a sticky clothes roller at the top of my wardrobe, I accidentally stumbled upon it. It felt like finding a forgotten artifact.
Instead of satisfying my curiosity right away, I decided to make a video as I unpacked it, showcasing whatever I found, similar to a makeup version of a surprise cooking show. Even though I wasn’t sure what I’d find, I assumed it would mostly be products I regularly use for my “barely there” makeup look—essentially a polished version of my usual face.
To my delight, the bag had all my usual items, including a tube of my all-time favorite makeup base. In the video, I show how this product creates a naturally enhanced look. It’s none other than the Kevyn Aucoin Stripped Nude Skin Tint. It has a light, creamy texture and creates a lovely blur-and-glow effect. It blends effortlessly, providing just enough coverage to even out skin tone, perfect for those who want the dewy look of tinted moisturizer without the greasy feel.
I missed the sale at Space NK for my shade, but the full range is available at Sephora. I’ll do a full review later with before-and-after photos. In the video, I applied it with the Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Brush, though using fingertips works just as well.
I’ve also incorporated the Rare Beauty Bronzing Stick in my routine. At first, I wasn’t keen on using contour sticks, but they’ve grown on me. They make precise application easy, and you can buff them in with a brush, just taking care not to disturb the foundation underneath.
Using cream products like these can be tricky with a very moisturizing base, but traditional powder bronzers and blushes are great because they don’t mess with the layers beneath. They also help set everything in place.
I found my beloved Vieve Eye Wand too. The Coffee shade is perfect for creating a soft, smoky look. It blends beautifully, but you have to be quick as it sets firmly. I like using it to give my eyes a bit of a lift. Plus, it takes half the time of traditional eyeliner.
For mascara, I rely on L’Oreal’s Telescopic. It’s my go-to for lengthening and separating lashes without going overboard. It stays on well but is easily removed with regular cleansing products.
I completed the look with some lipliner and a lip oil balm from Ipsum. After a quick tousle of my hair, which is easier now that it’s shorter, I was done. The overall look was simple yet polished, highlighting a fresh and healthy complexion.