Effortless, modern, understated. A subtle healthy glow to enhance one’s natural beauty is what I try to achieve when applying makeup. I keep this look consistent throughout the year, with the exception of special events, which then I usually substitute my cushion compacts with a medium-full coverage foundation with some more blush and highlighter, and apply with a bit more precision. I’ve listed below the order in which I apply my makeup (all of which takes about 10-15 minutes) and some products I love for their texture, tone, and ease of use. For reference I have neutral/warm-toned skin and wear NC15-20 depending on the season.

1
Primer

A primer is not always necessary, however, they definitely help makeup last longer and preps the skin for makeup. When applying makeup in the mornings, I prefer bases with SPF so it gives me an extra layer of UV protection.

2
Foundation

My love for cushion compacts is above and beyond! They are so much easier to apply than anything else and offer seamless light-medium coverage. They usually leave a satin finish that looks like a second skin. If I don’t reach for a cushion, I usually apply a tinted moisturizer or liquid foundation with a sponge so it looks as natural as possible. I prefer a soft, satiny finish. If the finish is overly glowy, I powder lightly with a fluffy brush, and if the finish is too dry, I lightly mist.

CHANEL Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow Moisturizing Tint SPF30
(Shade: Light)
$40

ESTEE LAUDER Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation
(Shade: 1W1 Bone)
$43

HERA Black Cushion SPF34 PA++
(Shade: 21N1 Vanilla)
$44

LAURA MERCIER Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear Foundation
(Shade: 1W1 Ivory)
$48

ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Foundation
(Shade: 4 Formosa)
$48

VAPOUR Soft Focus Foundation
(Shade: 112S)
$48

ARMANI BEAUTY Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation
(Shade: 4)
$64

KOH GEN DO Aqua Foundation
(Shade: 113 Warm)
$77

CHANTECAILLE Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer SPF15
(Shade: Alabaster)
$79

LA MER The Luminous Lifting Cushion Foundation SPF20
(Shade: 13 Warm Ivory)
$125

CHANTECAILLE Future Skin Cushion Skincare Foundation
(Shade: Alabaster)
$128

CLÉ DE PEAU BEAUTÉ The Foundation SPF21
(Shade: I10 Very Light Ivory)
$250

3
Concealer

I have pretty dark under-eye circles (genetics plus lack of sleep), so concealer is necessary for me. Choose one shade lighter to cover the undereye area (and you can also use it to highlight), and the same shade as your foundation to spot conceal any blemishes.

LUNA Long Lasting Tip Concealer SPF34 PA++
(Shade: 01 Light Beige)
$19

LAURA MERCIER Flawless Fusion Ultra Longwear Concealer
(Shade: 1N, 1W)
$29

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
(Shade: Affogato)
$30

LAURA MERCIER Secret Camouflage Correct and Brighten Concealer Duo Stick
(Shade: 1N, 1W)
$32

YSL BEAUTY Touche Éclat All-Over Brightening Concealer Pen
(Shade: 2 Luminous Ivory)
$38

CLÉ DE PEAU BEAUTÉ Radiant Corrector for Eyes
(Shade: Ivory)
$65

CLÉ DE PEAU BEAUTÉ Concealer SPF25
(Shade: Ivory)
$73

4
Powder

Powder helps set to foundation and concealer. I have normal to combo skin, so I only apply on my T-Zone where it may get a little shiny. Avoid applying too much all over to keep your skin looking natural.

LAURA MERCIER Translucent Loose Setting Powder
(Shade: Translucent)
$39

DEAR DAHLIA Sheer Light Finishing Powder
(Shade: Everlasting)
$43

BOBBI BROWN Sheer Finish Pressed Setting Powder
(Shade: Pale Yellow)
$44

CHARLOTTE TILBURY Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder
(Shade: Fair)
$45

LA MER The Sheer Pressed Powder
(Shade: Translucent)
$100

SISLEY-PARIS Phyto-Poudre Compact
(Shade: 2 Natural)
$112

5
Shading / Contour

I don’t consider this step heavily contouring, however, I like to shade the bottom of my face to disguise any puffiness and the sides of my nose and the tip to create more depth. Shading right underneath the bottom lip also creates an illusion of fuller lips.

peripera Ink V Shading
(Shade: 03 Hazel Grey)
$16

Too Cool for School ArtClass by Rodin Shading
(Shade: #1 Classic)
$26

DIOR BACKSTAGE Contour Palette
$45

6
Blush

I gravitate towards peachy, coral, and muted pinky shades. Cream or liquid blushes applied with a sponge create a natural flushed look.

3CE Mood Recipe Face Blush
(Shade: Mood Peach, Rose Beige)
$19

LAKA Just Cheek
(Shade: Blique, Mars)
$19

NARS Blush
(Shade: Sex Appeal)
$30

LAURA MERCIER Blush Color Infusion
(Shade: Bellini)
$32

ARMANI BEAUTY Neo Nude A-Line Liquid Blush
(Shade: 30 Peach)
$36

HERA Face Designing Blusher
(Shade: 03 Chiffon Coral)
48,000원

CHANEL Joues Contraste Powder Blush
(Shade: Jersey, Rose Bronze, Rose Petale)
$45

7
Highlight

A subtle highlight gives you a lit-from-within look! I just dab a bit on the top of my cheekbones, down my nose, on my chin, and cupid’s bow.

CHARLOTTE TILBURY Mini Filmstar Bronze & Glow Contour Duo
$29

DIOR BACKSTAGE Glow Face Palette
(Shade: 002 Glitz)
$45

LAURA MERCIER Matte Radiance Baked Powder Compact
(Shade: 01 Golden Nude)
$45

CHANEL Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow Highlighting Fluid
(Shade: Pearly Glow)
$48

DIOR Diorskin Nude Luminizer Shimmering Glow Powder Highlighter
(Shade: 02 Pink Glow)
$48

HOURGLASS Ambient® Lighting Powder
(Shade: Ethereal Light)
$48

CHANTECAILLE Éclat Brillant
$92

8
Brows

I get my brows micro-bladed yearly but like to use brow mascara to make the hairs behave. I’ve also been dying my hair lighter the past year or so, so I like to use a lighter shade of brown to have it look more uniform with my hair color.

CLIO Kill Brow Color Brow Lacquer
(Shade: 01 Natural Brown)
$12

HINCE Signature Brow Shaper
(Shade: Natural Brown)
$20

KOSAS Air Brow Tinted Clean Volumizing Eyebrow Gel
(Shade: Medium Brown)
$22

HOURGLASS Arch Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel
(Shade: Warm Brunette)
$28

9
Eye Shadow

Matte shades of beige and brown can help shape the eye area, while shimmer shades applied to the middle of the eyelid, corners, and aegyo sahl (undereye area) add a subtle highlight. I like palettes that I can use in one go. I’ve also been obsessed with

URBAN DECAY Naked2 Basics Eyeshadow Palette – 6 Colors
(Shade: Naked Basics 2)
$29

ROM&D Better Than Palette The Secret Garden – 6 Colors
(Shade: 02 Mahogany Garden)
$33

3CE Mood Recipe Multi Eye Color Palette – 4 Colors
(Shade: Plot Twist, Smoother)
$38

NARS Mini Voyageur Eyeshadow Palette – 6 Colors
(Shade: Copper, Suede)
$41

WAKEMAKE Soft Blurring Eye Palette – 12 Colors
(Shade: 01 Daily Blurring)
$43

10
Eyeliner

I love a precise cat-eye with black pen eyeliner, however recently I’ve been reaching for dark brown as it’s a softer look. I fill in between my lashes with a pencil liner afterward.

CLIO Sharp So Simple Waterproof Pencil Eye Liner
(Shade: Black, Dark Brown, Brown)
$10

CLIO Waterproof Pen Liquid Eye Liner
(Shade: Black, Dark Brown)
$15

UNFRAME THE BEAUTY Eye Opening Liner
(Shade: Black, Brown-Black, Brown)
$16

STILA Stay All Day® Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner
(Shade: Intense Black, Dark Brown)
$22

11
Lower Lash Eyeliner

Although I prefer brush tip pen eyeliners for my top line, I like to define my lower lash line with a pencil liner for a bit more softness and also the ability to blur it out with eyeshadow or an eyeshadow stick.

CLIO Sharp So Simple Waterproof Pencil Eye Liner
(Shade: Cacao Brown)
$10

URBAN DECAY 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil
(Shade: Smog, Bourbon, Corrupt)
$22

Chantecaille Luster Glide Silk-Infused Eye Liner
(Shade: Earth)
$30

12
Undereye Highlight

I go in with a shimmery eyeshadow or glitter in a light neutral color to highlight my aegyo sal, which gives a youthful appearance.

INNISFREE Twinkle Glitter Hologram
(Shade: Moonlit, Starlight, Tears Glowing)
$10

3CE Eye Switch
(Shade: Throbbing)
$28

Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Shadow
(Shade: Copper, Moonlight, Nude Rose, Rose Gold, Sunrise)
$29

BOBBI BROWN Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow Stick
(Shade: Golden Pink, Truffle)
$30

DEAR DAHLIA Paradise Shine Eye Sequins
(Shade: 10 Lucid Dream)
$31

13
Mascara

I’ve been getting lash extensions up until Covid, however, I’ve been relying on lengthening mascaras that don’t clump and transfer lately. I’m embracing the more natural lash look!

ILIA Limitless Lash Lengthening Mascara
(Shade: After Midnight)
$28

GUCCI Mascara L’Obscur
(Shade: 1 Eve Black)
$35

HERA Rich Long Lash Waterproof Mascara
(Shade: 79 Lash Black)
35,000원

14
Lips

As I get older, I’ve been losing some color in my lips. I’m still not a big red lips person and love a #MLBB look. This is where tinted lip balms, sheer lipsticks, modernized glosses, and moisturizing oils come in. They provide the perfect amount of light pigment and enhancement.