When it comes to beauty and makeup, the industry is thriving — especially for more South Asian representation. There is just so much talent in the field that it becomes imperative for MUAs and beauty bloggers to compete for space. Nevertheless, we see women, and thankfully plenty of brown women, taking a bold step into the beauty industry.
[Read Related: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Matte Lipstick Every Single Time]
Brown Girl Magazine had the chance to ask a few of our beauty enthusiasts who wholeheartedly give makeup a special place in their everyday routine. Let’s hear a bit from them…and while you are at it, jot some of their answers down for future reference.
Your Ride or Die/Holy Grail Makeup Products:
YSL Touche Éclat Blur Primer, Nars Concealer, ALL Anastasia Lippies, Stellar Beauty Mascara, Soft Glam Anastasia Palette. – Hira Ansari (@ansari_hira)
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My favorite brushes would have to be Real Techniques because they are such good quality and super affordable too. I have been using them for years now!” – Shreya Chaudhari (@theluxurybelle)
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There are some staples that I will ALWAYS restock, including the OG brow product, Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade; the best liquid liner for sharp wings, Sephora Collection Long Lasting Eyeliner High Precision Brush. And, the perfect nude lippy: Smashbox Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick in ‘Stepping Out‘. – Saba Zafar (@sabaaax)
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5 Products You Use Daily:
fhaEvery day I start with my Shiseido sunscreen, then go in with the Nars Radiant Creamy concealer under my eyes and around any hyperpigmentation around my mouth area. Then, I add some Glossier Cloud Paint in ‘Storm’ to the apples of my cheeks and blend upwards to add back color to my face. After that, I go in with the Kylie Cosmetics loose powder in ‘Soft Pink‘ and set my under eyes/wherever else needs to be set. I’ll finish it off by feathering in my brows with the MAC Shape + Shade Brow Tint! – Amber Makda (@ambernoor)
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I love a natural glow and warm eyeshadow for every day. Here’s what I use: Nars All Day Luminous Foundation in ‘Syracuse;’ Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette, one of the most flattering eye shadow palettes for brown skin! It has warm neutrals great for every day, deep brick tones, and a couple of brighter shades. All the shadows are matte and the pigment shows up really well even on tan to dark skin tones. My friends got me this palette for my birthday a couple of years ago and I ended up loving it so much that I bought another one, and still use it every day. I also use Maybelline Falsies Washable Mascara—hands down, my favorite mascara. I usually don’t wear eyeliner because it takes too long for every day and this mascara looks good without it. And I can’t go without the Maybelline Master Chrome Highlighter in ‘Molten Gold‘ and my MAC lipstick in ‘Del Rio‘ + Fenty Gloss Bomb. – Aliza Adhami (@alizaxv)
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The Best Beauty Advice You Have Ever Received/Given:
Skincare is the best canvas for good makeup! That means sunscreen every day, even if you have dark skin! A lot of people think melanin is enough, but it’s really not. Anyone can get skin cancer, and brown skin is especially prone to hyperpigmentation and acne scars that are difficult to remove. Sunscreen is the most important skincare product! – Aliza Adhami
Be comfortable in your own skin! There’s nothing more beautiful than a person’s confidence shining from within! – Sana Khan (@itsana.khan)
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Your MOST Favorite Dupe:
My favorite dupe is the Milani Luminoso Blush found in drugstores in exchange of Nars ‘Orgasm‘ Blush. I have been using Milani for years now and absolutely love it. – Hira Ansari
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My favorite dupe is the NYX Microbrow Pencil for the Anastasia Brow Wiz. I stopped spending $20 for one pencil a loooooong time ago! – Amber Makda
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Real techniques makeup sponge vs. Beauty Blender. – Shreya Chaudhri
NYX Cosmetics Soft Matte Lip Cream in the shade ‘Leon‘ for Anastasia Beverly Hills lipstick shade in ‘Spice.’ – Haram Shafaat (@_haramsfhara)
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NYX Cosmetics ‘Can’t Stop Won’t Stop‘ Setting Powder is a great dupe for the Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder. – Aliza Adhami
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NYX Professional Makeup Matte Bronzer ($9) is a great dupe for Makeup Forever Matte Velvet Skin Blurring Powder Foundation ($38). I use the MUFE powder in a darker shade as a matte bronzer and discovered last year that NYX makes an almost identical product. The color payoff is the same and they’re both long-lasting. I love matte bronzers for ‘no-makeup’ looks when you don’t want to be too glitzy! Most of the time matte contour shades are cool-toned, but these options have warm shades better suited for brown skin. – Saba Zafar
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The eyebrows definitely define a makeup look for me! I’ve recently discovered the NYX brow pencil and gel which have been my makeup STAPLES! They are the perfect dupe of the Anastasia Beverly Hills brow pencil and gel. The NYX brow pencil is extremely thin which allows you to either feather in or create defined lines whereas the gel has just the right consistency for that perfect brow! – Sana Khan
“No Makeup” Makeup Look or Full Glam?
I’d go with ‘no makeup’ makeup, just because it’s more my style and flattering on me personally. The one thing I will cave for, however, is a full pair of lashes, they’re my weakness! – Amber Makda
I am a full glam girl, I believe makeup is about expressing yourself and when I go all out with my face beat I feel fearless and ready to take on the world. I like to load up on my highlighter and wing out the eyeliner shamelessly. – Haram Shafaat
And, there you have it, y’all. A list of makeup tips and tricks from some of our favorite beauties who are hitting it out of the park! Now you know what they swear by, give the products a try.
