The Top 9 Products That Make Me Feel Like a Quarantine Hottie
Khera Alexander | @beautyrevolver | www.beautyrevolver.ca
Pre COVID-19, I was used to getting myself ready every morning, donning concealer, mascara, and filling in my brows to give myself a natural, office appropriate makeup look. Admittedly, I neglected this part of my beauty regimen the first two weeks of Canada’s stay at home order. In this time of crisis, it was difficult to even think about a work from home beauty routine when I was constantly checking the news for COVID-19 updates, worrying about loved ones because of our global crisis, and not sleeping. All I could manage were the basics: cleanser, serum, moisturizer. After a few ugly cries and some sleep-deprived days, I committed to checking the news way less, getting back to my sleep schedule, and taking some time in the mornings to be kind to myself with a makeup routine that calmed my nerves.
"Below are my top 9 Work From Home makeup products that get me together and make me feel like Quarantina: social distancing hottie of all social distancing hotties."
1) Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer
Packed with natural ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Water, and Hemp-Derived Cannabis Seed Extract, my skin is happy and hydrated when I put this on and my makeup always looks fresh, even after a long day. I apply this with clean hands, then jump over to one of my other features, like eyes, brows, or lips while the primer dries. Giving the primer a moment to set helps it get ready to hold on to my complexion products with a firm grip. After a minute or two, I move back to my complexion, adding my concealer, foundation, etc., and baby, it sticks to that primer like velcro.
2) NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, “Caramel”
This product is a tried and true classic that is worth the price. An incredibly rich, pigmented concealer, Radiant Creamy provides amazing coverage without looking thick or creasing. Formulated with Vitamin E and mineral powder, it covers my dark circles in one shot and brightens while still looking natural - perfect for video calls.
3) Cover FX Power Play Concealer, “N Deep 1”
If you have sensitive and acneic skin like me, this concealer is something worth checking out. Free of mineral oil, fragrance, gluten, parabens, and talc, Cover FX’s Power Play vegan concealer covers hyperpigmentation incredibly well. Blending it in with a Beautyblender, I get the most amazing skin-like finish that way. Monday-Friday, I enjoy the way this concealer wears so much that I only put a light powder on top; no foundation needed.
4) MAC Cosmetics Mineralize Skin Finish, “Dark Golden”
Even though my skin is on the oiler side, I’m a glow girl; I love products that give my skin a beautiful, natural, radiant look. MAC’s Mineralize Skin Finish has been a staple of mine for over a half-decade for this reason. This mineral powder helps blur imperfections, even out skin-tones, and set makeup, all while looking natural. In the mornings when I don’t want to spend more than 10 minutes putting my face on, this powder saves me.
PRO TIP: If you are much darker in the summer or after a sunny vacation, use your summer colour in this powder to bronze your cheeks, forehead, and temples when you’re less tanned. You can also use your winter colour to set your under eye concealer in the summertime. You’ll end up with a natural look that isn't as stark.
5) Glossier Cloud Paint, “Dawn”
Oh, the famous Cloud Paint. For many of us that are on-the-go, a product that is quick, easy to use, and high impact is important; Cloud Paint fits that category. This product adds colour to my cheeks in little time and is basically error-proof: whether I use my fingers or a brush to apply it, I get a soft, subtle flushed cheek that translates well on camera or in person.
6) NYX Micro Brow Pencil “Ash Brown”
In addition to being a glow girl, I’m a brow girl. NYX’s Micro Brow Pencil is the perfect choice for those that go through brow products like there’s no tomorrow. This affordable brow pencil comes in several shades, lasts all day, and has a brow brush on the opposite end of the pencil to keep brows shapely. It’s fine tip also guarantees that I create brow-like strokes when filling in my eyebrows. Did I also mention that it’s affordable?
7) MAYBELLINE Great Lash Mascara, “Very Black”
You know that one pair of affordable jeans you purchased at some random store or website that lifts your ass so well, you can’t believe you feel like such a hottie? MAYBELLINE’s Great Lash Mascara is like that pair of jeans. Since I was thirteen, Great Lash has given me defined lashes with lots of volume. I’m happy to purchase a new one because of how affordable it is.
8) NUDESTIX Nudies All Over Face Color Bronze + Glow, “Hey, Honey”
During my work week, I don’t want to spend an hour on a full face of makeup; I want to sleep. That doesn’t mean I don’t want to look like I spent an hour getting ready. Toronto-born brand NUDESTIX and their Nudies All Over Face Color Bronze + Glow is my go-to for creating an effortless, glowy look that literally takes 10 seconds. Meant for the face, eyes, and lips, I apply this product over my cheekbones and blend it in with my fingers, making me look fresh and ready for a meeting first thing in the AM. Vegan, fragrance-free, cruelty-free, and hypoallergenic, this is a product that works well for those of us that would love to experiment with cream products but are concerned about how our acneic skin may respond to it.
9) Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater
Remember what I said about having beauty products that are like affordable, flattering jeans? Mario Badescu’s facial spray is another one of those. This spray is the final step in my beauty routine that soothes me and makes me feel equipped to deal with reading “as per my last email,” and hearing “sorry, I was on mute” several times a day. Hydrating without making me feel like I look like bacon grease, this spray not only takes away any powderiness from my makeup application, but the scent and feeling of the spray hitting my skin is so soothing. It’s also priced well and comes in different sizes; you won’t be annoyed that you have to spend your coins on another bottle when you’ve finished it.
"My top 9 products are inclusive, easy to use, and bring me a sense of normalcy during this rapidly changing time."
No doubt, these are stressful times; it’s been important to me to find comfort in the small things. My top 9 products are inclusive, easy to use, and bring me a sense of normalcy during this rapidly changing time. They give me a private moment away from the anxiety-inducing newscycle and incessant workplace COVID-19 related conversations. Use this list to think about your own group of products that make you feel like a quarantine hottie. I hope they bring you a sense of calm, peace, and preparedness as we go through this experience collectively.