Comeback of the Year: Gucci Beauty

Gucci’s Creative Director Alessandro Michele is no stranger to being unconventional and tastefully excessive, and Gucci Beauty is the epitome of both. Using models with smiles that would not conventionally be featured on makeup campaigns, Michele was able to address the issue of changing beauty standards in the fashion industry. Under the direction of English makeup artist Thomas de Kluyver as the brand’s Global Makeup Artist, the aesthetic for the relaunch of Gucci Beauty is completely unexpected. In keeping with Michele’s vision, Kluyver incorporated old-Hollywood glamour into the packaging. By incorporating lead singer of the Brooklyn-based punk band Surfbort, Dani Miller, into the makeup campaign, Gucci’s comeback into the makeup world is anything but ordinary.

Gucci originally launched its makeup collection in 2014. With ex-Creative Director Frida Giannini and famed makeup artist Pat McGrath behind the original collection, the full range of makeup products offered was approved by makeup artists around the world. However, the brand halted its makeup line in 2016, with brands like Glossier, Huda Beauty, and Too Faced swiftly filling in the space that Gucci Beauty had once filled in the makeup world.

However, with a lipstick launch encompassing 58 different shades, Gucci Beauty showed that it is back and better than ever. At $38 a pop, these lipsticks are priced relatively similar to other high fashion brands such as Chanel and Tom Ford. These lipsticks are exclusively available online for now, so check them out here!


Feature image via artist @jodarte on Instagram. All other images via Gucci’s website.

Meet Kaja, an Adorably Packaged K-Beauty Brand

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Sephora and its steady stream of new releases always has me on edge. The fresh skincare collections have been my latest obsession, but recently, a new brand caught my eye: Kaja. This adds to the wave of the rise of K-Beauty. Brands like Glow Recipe, Laneige, and Saturday Skin have broken through American markets with adorable packaging, skincare routines, and handy products with Glossier vibes. Up-and-coming K-Beauty brand, Kaja translates from Korean as “let’s go.”

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This concept, I assume, is based on the ability for any of Kaja’s products to be easily stored for on-the-go looks. All Kaja products come with cute packaging in pastel colors, which make them perfect for display.

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Available on Sephora, Kaja currently carries eleven products, ten of which are makeup and one of which is skincare. The unique aspect of Kaja is its stackable products, such as their blush and eyeshadow. These items have applicators resembling stamps, for a bubbly accent. From my experience working with these, the pigmentation is really good. While the stamp applicator works well, it’s in the shape of a heart. Not sure how often I’ll use that. The brow product looks just like Gimme Brow or Boy Brow, so I’m not sure how special it can be.

What is really impressive to me is the shade range that Kaja offers. Considering that K-Beauty normally focuses on and caters to lighter skinned target populations, Kaja really went out of the regular market for this line. The concealer comes in twelve shades. At first, twelve might not sound like much, but the variety of shades ranges from fair to dark.

The lipsticks are really cute too. My first impression was that it was very similar to Fenty’s Mattemoiselle.

While the brand is still relatively small, I’m hoping it grows into a staple brand and I’m excited to see how they expand with their next product launch.

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Beauty Brand Review: beautyblender Bounce Foundation

Sometimes you should stick to what you're good at. And in this case, the news that beautyblender was coming out with a foundation had me thinking, "keep making your overpriced egg-shaped sponges that I will keep buying every three months because personal hygiene will be my excuse to feed into consumerism."

Of course, this reaction came warranted, as beautyblender teased the foundation through Trendmood with a picture showing a confusing shade range. You'd think after the Tarte Shape Tape foundation disaster that people would learn... but they really don't.

Here's the rundown: it's called Bounce Liquid Whip Long Wear foundation, is currently available on Sephora, and retails for $40 for a fluid ounce of product. Thankfully, we don't have to be worried about the strange shade names, since beautyblender opted for a number system that strangely minds me of GPAs.

As shown above, there's 32 shades including a whole lotta vanilla and for some reason, a literal orange shade. The CEO of beautyblender spoke out and says she intended on making an inclusive shade range for medium skin tones, as those are often ignored.

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If anything, the few special features of the beautyblender Bounce foundation is its packaging, including a blending reservoir on the back of the foundation resembling a beauty blender.

My experience with the foundation isn't super special. The foundation performs well, though I wouldn't choose it over my new favorites–Fenty and Laura Mercier. I would say it is long-wear, full-coverage, and everything else you want in a foundation, but is this something I want to support? I'm not sure. Inclusivity in the makeup industry doesn't seem to be improving. What do you think?

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My Buys and Byes for Fall Quarter

Hello all! Welcome back to UChicago and welcome back to the billionth edition of “Yeju Talks about Makeup.” While I’d love to give you an update on my summer edit of my makeup binging, I’ll save you the hundreds dollars of regret and start the quarter off with something cheery. Here are the products I’ve been obsessed with recently that you should add to your collections and then I’ll give you a little “Do Not Buy” warning for some.

So, what am I loving this fall?

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Glow Recipe Blueberry Bounce Cleanser

With a new formula and packaging, K-Beauty’s up and coming brand Glow Recipe’s Blueberry Bounce Cleaner has replaced all Boscia and Glam Glow products in my makeup lineup. The smooth, oil-removing, and gentle cleanser is perfect for night-time skincare rituals to get rid of makeup or any excess oils. Not to mention, it smells great and looks great on shelves.

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Laura Mercier Oil-Free Primer

One of my summer impulse-buys, this product finally got me into primer. Normally, I think primer is a gimmick; Benefit’s Porefessional and Tarte’s Poreless Primer were too much dimethicone for my liking. But this is a lightweight, gel-based, vitamin-infused primer that creates a natural and dewy complexion for foundation. On good skin days, I even opt out of foundation and wear the primer as an illuminating base.

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Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint

The Glosser pop-up in Chicago might have changed my make-up game forever. I’ve officially opted for no-makeup makeup with this skin tint. Foundation has always been a shaky game for me, but this actually makes my skin look like a better version of itself. Paired with the Laura Mercier primer, I feel like I’m not even wearing makeup at all, but get just enough coverage for an even look.

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And… here’s what we’re ditching this fall…

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Sonia Kashuk Silicone Makeup Blender

I was really late to the silicone beauty blender trend, and I totally understand why the hype didn’t have me on the bandwagon immediately. After hearing that this blender was much more “hygenic” and saves more product than the normal sponges, I picked one up at Target. To my dismay, it’s literally the worst thing to happen to my makeup routine. The sponge doesn’t help blend at all. In fact, it pushes foundation all over your face without putting product in your pores. I also noticed that using this product made my makeup look cakey, leading to breakout prone skin. I’ll take a pass on that. Overall, it’s messy and doesn’t feel useful.

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Mario Badescu Facial Spray

I didn’t realize I’d ever want to ditch this product since it served as a great moisturizing spray, quick fix for dryness on off-days, and a primer if necessary. But since I switched to Boscia’s Rosewater Mist with Witch Hazel, I’ve been having better skin days and have seen my pores reduce in size. It’s not necessarily a bad product, but it’s just not the best anymore.

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Glossier Is Coming to Chi-Town!

Chicago: we're coming to town this summer!

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We know you guys are suckers for any and all things related to Glossier and it just so happens to be one of our go-to beauty brands–just check out one of our many product reviews!

As of this summer, the wait is over for Chicago-based Glossier fans to get an in-person experience of the brand. The company announced over Instagram that it's planning a pop-up in the city this summer. Subscribe to this link for the latest updates!

In the mean time, use this code for 10% off your first online order! Happy shopping :)

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Should I Really Buy Another Glossier Product?

If you are, like me, disgustingly susceptible to purchasing millennial pink themed products, then Glossier's newest mascara release is probably of little surprise to you. To be completely honest, I might not actually bite the bullet this time and buy it. Mascara dries out fast and at $16 plus time spent waiting for Lash Slick to arrive is not a very alluring prospect to me. Plus, photos and videos of the results don't seem quite as fun as, say, the photos for Lidstar did (which I have iffy thoughts on).

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Promising to be water resistant and to have the same effect as lash extensions, this little tube apparently spent years in R&D. I don't quite trust Emily Weiss to be an authority on cosmetics needed to push a mascara. Mascara requires a bit more drama than Glossier's products ever claim to promise. Maybe I'll cave. Keep an eye out on the blog for a potential Beauty Brand Review this summer. If you’re still curious, use this code for 10% off your first purchase.

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Beauty YouTubers to Check Out

Ah the perfect world of makeup tutorial videos, where life is peachy and the lighting is always good. You can practically breathe in the aloe and rosewater scents wafting from the screen. These videos are perfect for getting ready to or winding down after a long day, when I feel like glimpsing into somebody else’s polished daily routine. Here are my go-to beauty YouTubers, each skilled in their trade and representative of a distinctive style.


Maddie Ziegler

Age: 15

Location: Murrysville, PA/Los Angeles, CA

Style: Cali-casual, sporty

Subscriber Count: 2,417,954

Maddie intermixes more affordable, cult-favorite products like the Benefit 24-hour Brow Setter and Mario Badescu rosewater spray with higher-end products, like the La Mer moisturizing soft cream and Chanel bronzer. In her videos, she sometimes shares advice from her dermatologist Christie Kidd (such as avoiding tinted moisturizer for clearer skin!). She uses concealer and powder instead of foundation, and her makeup is natural and minimalistic, which I love. Link to her YouTube channel here.


Amanda Steele

Age: 18

Location: Huntington Beach, CA

Style: edgy, sophisticated glam

Subscriber Count: 2,809,295

Amanda’s makeup looks lean towards the heavy side, with lots of contouring and foundation. If you're one for more daring looks, definitely refer to her tutorials, as she's always experimenting with different hair colors and upping the ante of her makeup looks. Link to her YouTube channel here.


Jenn Im

Age: 27

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Style: chic, boho, Korean fashion

Subscriber Count: 2,169,425

Jenn was the vlogger who first got me into YouTube beauty tutorials, when I was just learning how to apply makeup. She's so cheerful and energetic, and occasionally I just leave her videos on in the background when folding laundry or doing busywork. I like watching her “empties” videos, where she takes empty product bottles from a prop trash can and gives reviews. In her "monthly favorites" videos, Jenn compiles makeup, diet tips, song recommendations, etc. She also travels a lot and documents the trips in her vlogs. Link to her YouTube channel here.


Extra tip: This is old news, but never let your guard down against new beauty products, be it makeup or skincare. Be cautious about trying new products on your face. Almost every dermatologist recommends products that are labeled “oil-free” and “non-comedogenic” to treat acne-prone or sensitive skin. That includes anything from face-wash, face creams, and makeup. For oily skin, opt for serums or light gels instead of lotion and cream. Always wash your face with a good cleanser at least twice daily, and preferably once more at noon on hot days. Avoid fast-acting products, such as those containing steroids or chemical brightening/whitening agents. Also, you can research natural and organic remedies, such as aloe or cucumber slices. In the crazy world of skincare products, less really does mean more.


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Beauty Brand Review: Glossier's Lidstar

The MODA Blog has had a long and storied past of reviewing Glossier products and at this point we're all kind of under the impression that the brand is relatively hit or miss (it's hard to ignore the "meh" quality of most of their products when the packaging is just so damn nice!). Being prone to dumping my hard earned cash on various millennial pink items, however, I of course purchased Glossier's new eyeshadow product, Lidstar, the second it came out. I purchased the shade "Cub," and was puzzled by what came in the mail.

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Lidstar arrives in a medicinal-like testtube with sleek pink packaging and a doe foot applicator. The instagram barrage of photos and videos about the product convey it as being able to evenly apply with the fingers, but when I did that, it sort of disappeared. I know Glossier is not meant to be used for a full beat. That being said, I was for sure expecting more pigment out of the product.

I finally figured out that the best way to apply Lidstar for SOME detectable color is to layer it on and then blend with a dome brush and wait to dry. It also works as a primer if you are doing a look that incorporates the color of the Lidstar in question. I am still on the fence about it is indeed worth $20, but it is an interesting little tube to play with.

Still a little unsure about trying out a Glossier product? Use this code for 10% off your first order! Happy shopping :)

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How Tati Disappointed Her Following

If you're not big into YouTube beauty bloggers, you may have never heard of Tati Westbrook. But if you had, you know that the mother of makeup reviews is known for her honest reviews and exciting weekly uploads.

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The much anticipated launch of Tati Westbrook's brand in the beginning of March was met with a less than anti-climactic release of not makeup, not skincare, but vitamins.

That's right... vitamins.

Of course, many of her followers remained optimistic about the slightly expensive vitamins. On the other hand, anxious and excited groups were utterly shocked that Tati was releasing what seemed to be another gimmicky SugarBearHair type of product.

The majority of the disappointed reactions were rooted in uncertainty about the actual effect of the vitamins. The product is not FDA approved - though the lab they are produced in meet FDA regulations - and have no solid evidence that confirm their actual benefits. Tati repeatedly claims that it clinically proven that this vitamin works... but what does that even mean?

Here are some claims of the beneficial results of the vitamins.

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My personal reaction was that of confusion, especially considering that if I wanted stronger nails, better skin, and longer hair, I would just let Mother Time take over as I pretend that water is the all-kill silver bullet for all my problems. Personally, I think $39.95 for a month for vitamins seems a little off, even for me, who loves to binge on lots of unnecessary beauty products. You can buy a high-quality foundation and several concealers for the same price, but maybe I should move away from associating Tati with just makeup.

Especially in this age where people are skeptical of gimmicky products, a person who has established a reputation of being truthful and reliable is taking a huge risk when releasing a product that could easily be looped into that family of strange vitamins with large claims and little effect. I hope to see something else from Tati. I was genuinely excited for her launch, but this simply wasn't it.

I'll give it to Tati, though. The packaging is pretty and I'm sure that the longer her brand is around, she will more than likely release amazing products. It's an incredibly inclusive brand so far for those that may encounter ingredient barriers; the vitamins are sugar, soy, preservative, paraben, and gluten free! It's also vegan.

Some unexpected effects, however, began to emerge as people scoured the ingredients and potential side effects. If you're on birth control, maybe be wary about choosing to use this product, since it contains palmetto, which can reduce the efficacy of birth control pills.

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NARS x Erdem

Arguably one of the sexiest brands in makeup, NARS, is collaborating this Spring with Turkish-Canadian designer Erdem for a Spring release collection of products with Erdem's signature floral artwork on the packaging. Expected to drop in April, the collection features lipstick as well as palettes. Check out the collection below:

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As a Turk myself, I must say I am quite happy to see a Turkish designer getting the recognition he deserves! You can buy this collection from Saks Fifth Avenue when it drops next month.

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Violette and Estée Lauder Create French Girl Beauty for the Masses

I'm simultaneously a self proclaimed makeup junkie and a self proclaimed cool french girl wannabe, so imagine my joy when I stumbled accross @violette_fr on istagram and youtube! Violette is a french makeup artist and online influencer with a very french girl chic kind of vibe. Basically, she makes me want to try out everything minimalistic. If you want to know how to look effortlessly cool, while simultaneously keeping up on the daily life of a very successful makeup artist, make sure to check Violette out. 

 
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Need Another Reason to Binge Buy?

We're rounding out on the last week of Ulta's annual 21 Days of Beauty Sale, where you'll see some of the best steals for products. While you might've missed out on some discounts for some of your favorite products like Stila's eyeliner or some Estee Lauder skincare, there is a lot of great steals packed toward the end. And if you're anything like me where first week has felt more like third week, this might be the perfect stress reliever. The sale lasts until April 7th, with a new sale going for about three to four products each day.

Here are some of the products I think you should keep your eye out for in the homestretch.

Saturday, March 31

Mario Badescu, 25% off entire line

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If you haven't heard of Mario Badescu yet, you're missing out. Some of my favorite products from this line are the facial sprays, which come with different infusions such as cucumber, rose, and lavender. Not only do these sprays smell amazing, but they also work as moisturizing and rejuvenating additions to your skincare routine. I like to use this product to dampen my beautyblender too. These items will be 25% off, so stock up!

 

 


Thursday, April 5

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion: was $22 now $11 

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Normally I don't buy into the primer hype. It seems gimmicky and sometimes makes me feel like I'm wearing an uncomfortable amount of makeup. Gladly, this product does the opposite. Urban Decay's primer potion has a really smooth, unnoticeable texture and finish that makes your eyeliner pigments pop without any creasing. It also makes your eyeshadow last a lot longer. Getting this half off is definitely a great deal, so invest now!


Saturday, April 7

M.A.C. Prep & Prime Fix+, was $25 now $13

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MAC Fix+ spray was probably one of my best finds and additions to my makeup routine since I can remember. It has the ability to basically fix any lightly-pigmented shadow, blush, powder contour, and any problems in my life. The immense flexibility in usage for this product is amazing. I've used it to prime my makeup, set my makeup, and enhance pigmentation. It's definitely a great time to snag a bottle, or two. (Or three).

 

 

 

 


Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, was $23 now $12 

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Mascara is truly a hit or miss for me, but Too Faced definitely figured something out here. Maybe it's the hourglass shaped brush or the formula, but my lashes (which usually point straight out) actually curl and hold with this godsend of a formula. I've been doing okay with the L'Oreal Lash Paradise dupe for a bit, but with this sale, I'll definitely be getting the real deal.

 

 

 


These are just a few of my favorites for the remainder of the sale. Be sure to check out the other day's deals as well! 

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Blood Sugar... Worth it?

Since Beauty Killer and Androgyny came out, I have been fascinated yet a little intimidated by Jeffree Star's eyeshadow palettes. The palettes explore the world of art and color, stepping away from overdone nude and warm-tone eyeshadow themes. Especially in the makeup world, Jeffree holds his influence. His liquid lips may be one of the best in the game, but with the launch of his new palette - Blood Sugar - I'm starting to wonder whether it's time to enter the world of Jeffree shadows.

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Inspired by a medical theme crossed with desserts, this palette contains 18 shades that range around a highly red, pink, and unprecedentedly white shades. This likely fit for a theme for a great Valentine's Day gift. It launched on February 10th, and is now available on Jeffree's website as well as Beautylish

Just looking at the palette, the colors are vibrant, the shade range is cohesive, and the packaging looks amazing. As always, his brand is vegan and cruelty free. His past few tutorials have all looked stunning, proving that makeup outside the box is just great as the typical glam look.

A warning that Jeffree includes is that the shadows contain red dye (since his company doesn't use carmine), so people with sensitive eyes may want to be careful.

The entire line will include another lip scrub and his velour liquid lip as well. There will be four new shades to check out. 

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The Most Hyped Makeup Releases of 2018 (So Far)

2018 is the year for new makeup to drop, as evidenced by how much has already come out merely one month in. Below I have collected some of the most hyped releases of the year to date!

1. Tarte Shape Tape Foundation

This launch rocked the makeup world for two very different reasons- for the fact that Shape Tape is a cult item, and because the color array was not at all inclusive. Reviews are still going in the books, but from here, it already looks to be making waves.

 

2. Glossier's New Product (On Beyonce??)

Glossier is notoriously tight lipped about their releases, and they are playing especially coy with this one- for Beyonce's Grammys look, Glossier posted a photo of her teasing their newest product without saying what it is. The comments section was of course buzzing- and the general rumor is that it will be some sort of eye product. This will be a launch to look out for, as Glossier is not quite so into color cosmetics as they are into skincare.

66.6k Likes, 1,689 Comments - Glossier (@glossier) on Instagram: "Beyoncé wears ___ in ___ (coming soon)✨👀, Boy Brow in Brown, Body Hero Daily Perfecting Cream, and..."

Still a little unsure about trying out a Glossier product? Use this code for 10% off your first order! Happy shopping :)

3. Colourpop Lipsticks

Colourpop finally launched their lipsticks and they sold out immediately- not surprising to anyone who adores their huge array of products at almost too good to be true prices. Seeing as Kylie just launched her own collection, it follows that Colourpop would, as well- they are made in the same factory, after all.

18k Likes, 105 Comments - ColourPop Cosmetics (@colourpopcosmetics) on Instagram: "L U X L I P S 💋 @makeupbytreenz"

 

4. Urban Decay Collagen Spray

On the opposite end of the coin as setting spray is priming spray, the former of which Urban Decay has already proved to be an authority on making. Their newest spray is a collagen infused priming spray, which appears to be jumping on the collagen trend that has been taking hold of the beauty industry as of late. This is a product that strays from Urban Decay's usual colorful cosmetics line and crosses into the skincare territory, making it a product to watch.

Image courtesy of urbandecay.com

Image courtesy of urbandecay.com

Images courtesy of the respective Instagram accounts of Tarte, Glossier and Colourpop; Feature image via

Makeup Needs to Change

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Following the release of the uncomfortable, unacceptable, and laughably ridiculous shade range of the Shape Tape foundation, it really hit me that the makeup industry still has much more to learn, regardless of clear precedents and platforms of what should be reality.

While the company announced on social media that 10 more shades would be released soon, it only made me believe that this company viewed non-white shades and their consumers as an afterthought. Furthermore, there's really no guarantee that those shades will be the ones we're expecting. Why hype up and release a product that doesn't meet the right standards? Surely you can do better that, Tarte.

Some context:

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The Fenty foundation line with its 40 inclusive shade range set the precedent for other leading brands that it is possible and necessary to provide access to shades that accurately reflect the skin colors of the world, not just the “mainstream”, easy-to-make shades. The Fenty line not only created shade ranges that truly served consumer needs, but it also stripped the strange fetishizing shade names that plague the beauty industry. The objectivity behind her shading line with a numerical system didn’t have me raising my eyebrows.

How bad is this problem in the beauty industry?

We all know that a trip to Ulta, Sephora, or even the drugstore can rack up the beauty budget. Makeup is not cheap, especially for people of color. In many cases, the most accommodating shades to non-white shades are available in only the most expensive brands, denying people the same level of access to the art of makeup and personal expression.

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This past year, I began watching Nyma Tang on YouTube, seeing the gravity of the situation. Her brilliant YouTube series “The Darkest Shade” shows the magnitude of the problem: the darkest shade of these companies is ridiculous. When Nyma finds a shade that actually works for her, I find that relieved look on her face so unsettling. This isn’t the way the beauty industry should be. A skin-match should not be a surprise for anyone.

Below is Nyma's reaction to the Shape Tape Foundation line. Honestly, it's heartbreaking and sobering. She's right when she calls the intention and the collection trash. The hype created around the product when all brands are fully aware of complexion lines coming to the forefront of the beauty industry is completely inappropriate. It's time for makeup to change.

Why this is important:

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As an Asian woman, I really don’t know what it’s like to not have my shade in a foundation, or what it’s like to have a palette not compliment my skin tone. This privilege I have certainly blinded me in the past from realizing that the exclusion that still occurs in this modern day; however, I began to recognize the important of correcting this problem. Internalizing this sort of toxic and discomforting culture begins at such a young age.

Growing up, there were so few Asian models, either for cosmetic or fashion purposes. I found myself emulating Western eye looks, wondering why my hair didn’t curl a certain way, or struggling to find an eyeliner look that truly complemented my face. Perhaps this was also the responsibility of such a white-washed, confusing culture. Only when I started seeing models like Ming Xi and Liu Wen did I realize that not only was it okay to look the way I did but that an Eastern standard of beauty was beautiful. It took me 20 years and moving to a diverse campus to realize what it truly meant to realize and embrace non-Western standards.

So now what? It’s comforting – only to a certain extent – to see influencers such as Manny MUA, Jackie Aina, and James Charles talk about this problem, since they have the power to spread the word through their platforms, reach the companies, and eventually bring to everyone what they deserve.

For now, I have no thoughts to support a brand that refuses to receive criticism, that shows only reactionary reparations, and marginalizes an entire community that can move the art of makeup forward. This only increases my reservations for those companies that create products for certain groups of people. Beauty is everywhere and in everyone. It's time to respect that.

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Feeds to Follow: @thatschic

Rachel Nguyen of That's Chic is a media mogul fit for the millennial generation. Her Instagram, Youtube and personal blog/website account for over 200,000 subscribers, readers, followers and fans, who receive regular updates across all platforms on everything from "Easy Last Minute Halloween Makeup" to her latest surfing outfit (she lives in LA and regularly catches waves with her photographer boyfriend) to her New Year's resolutions or her favorite jewelry line as of late.

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Nguyen's appeal largely stems from her success at curating an effortless Parisian chic meets LA bohemian vibe; her style draws from familiar brands and references like Reformation, Miu Miu, the Row and Urban Outfitters, mixed with bespoke, vintage pieces. Her makeup (often minimal) epitomizes the Glossier "no makeup makeup" craze, and her tutorials often mimic the low key, intimate setting of the brand's "Get Ready With Me" series.

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Check out her social media accounts for an honest take on beauty products, styling tips, day-in-the-life vlogs and general wellness advice: Instagram + Youtube + blog/website.

All images via ThatsChic.       

Brands to Know: CYO

For anyone who prowls the aisles of drugstores looking for the next cult product, the introduction of the brand CYO in Walgreens is a particularly welcome surprise. Made by the UK favorite Boots London, CYO is a brand based on the idea "Mix Layer Hack," which is extremely convenient given that no product clocks in over 8$. I discovered this brand while perusing the aisles of Duane Reade in New York, and have been patiently awaiting its full arrival in Chicago (it has limited availability, and is mostly in downtown stores, where you can best believe I have been scouting it out). To be honest, I was very surprised at the quality of the goods- so if you are around Walgreens and want to give CYO a try for less than the cost of your afternoon snack at Pret. I recommend trying their blush, foundation and their chrome eyeshadows for a surprisingly fresh looking face.

482 Likes, 31 Comments - CYO Cosmetics (@cyocosmetics) on Instagram: "HELLO Foolproof Foundation. Got your back when the struggle is real. 15 shades. 24hr, long lasting..."

224 Likes, 3 Comments - CYO Cosmetics (@cyocosmetics) on Instagram: "GOOD. TO. GLOW. Powders, oils, rocks and sticks. Super coconut-ey. Whichever way you bronze, go..."

All images courtesy of CYO Cosmetics' Instagram.

Daily Makeup Routine by Kardelen

For some reason, I always structure my day so that it starts absurdly early. Because of this, I try to get as much sleep as possible- but this can be at the expense of the time I spend getting ready for the day. Below are my makeup favorites for getting ready for work at 8:30 am.

Brows

I use these products and these only for my brows, because they help to shape and fill them in. An upside- the brow gel is only $2.99! Below are Essence's Make Me Brow and It Cosmetics' Brow Power Pencil. 

Skin

This is where I get a little fanatical about my skincare regimen: I try my best to keep my skin hydrated, matte and blemish free, and am constantly experimenting with new products to see which is best for my combination dry skin. These are tried and true for me. Below are The Ordinary's Hyaluronic Acid serum, Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Skin Tint, Glossier's Priming Moisturizer, and Glossier's Wowder.

 

Eyes

For every day, I don't wear as much eye makeup as I used to. I used to go to my 9 am chem class with a full smoky eye, but that was first year. Now, I dab on some mascara, blot on some concealer, and call it a day. These go-to products are Loreal's Lash Paradise Mascara and Glossier's Stretch Concealer.

 

Lips

I wish I was the kind of person to wear lipstick every day, but it's not easy- it can be messy and hard to keep up with. I instead opt for smooth, hydrated lips with a little wash of shine using the cult favorite Balm Dot Com, and if I'm feeling fancy, I dab on a little of Elf's Lip Stain for that bitten-blotted lip look.

 

Then it's a little lavender cologne on the wrists, and it's time to go! 

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So What Exactly is a Lip Shadow?

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Clinique is a classic makeup brand that has a go-to skincare routine that everyone or their mom has tried out before. The 3-step routine does wonders to balance out oily skin, clean up full-face of makeup, and moisturize dry skin.

In terms of their makeup, I've been fairly unimpressed with Clinique's variety of products. Their chubby lashes mascara works, but is nothing special. Their priming moisturizer was a little too similar to Glossier's, and the mini eye and cheek palette I was gifted have gone to the back of my eyeshadow drawer.

Naturally, when I found out that Clinique launched lip shadows, I was intrigued. As someone who sets most of her lipstick with Laura Mercier's setting powder, I thought this would be a minimal-budge, efficient product that would finally be Clinique's rise to fame in my ranks of makeup brands.

Let's not get too excited though...

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My first impressions of this product was pure lack of impression.

The product has a cushion tip, the packaging looks a little like a less-bold version of Louboutin's eyeliner, and the feel of the product seems to have a generic formula. Upon application, the product looked and felt just like regular lipstick (Which was fairly disappointing). After a little bit, it sort of powderizes. Yes, it's literally just liquid lipstick that turns into powder. 

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I would like this product, but it's very messy since the cushion applicator is sort of huge for a matte cream product. All eight shades this product are available in standard lip colors, but none of them are special enough for me to want to invest in. The product goes get pretty powdery the longer you wear it, and initial application is a bit patchy that only gets worse.

Overall, I'd give this a 5/10, and it joins the rest of Clinique products that really just didn't do it for me.

 

 

 

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