Day to Night Makeup in 3 Simple Steps
BY JENNY JUNG
Look fresh and flawless around the clock with these easy touch-up tricks.
23 DEC - 2021
Balancing overwork culture and social FOMO is no easy feat.
“I’m so busy” - it’s the modern-day mantra that everyone can’t stop living by. Despite the fact that digital advancements were created to make life easier, we’ve somehow been thrown into a syndrome where unavailability is worn as a badge of honour.
Hopping from work to events, or in this month’s case, party after party, balancing overwork culture and social FOMO is no easy feat. And when there’s an IG photo opp around every corner, you need a quick and easy makeup routine to fit into an already time-scarce work-hard-play-hard lifestyle.
If you often find yourself doing 10-minute touch-ups in an Uber or office bathroom, this is the ultimate day-to-night makeup guide for the gal in demand. Right now, I’m balancing three jobs, so you can trust me when I say, I’ve got the beauty hacks down pat for this fast-paced life.
When it comes to day-to-night makeup, creams are going to be your best friend: no fallout from powder products, effortless blending overtired skin, and small compact packaging to fit in your handbag.
I’ve recently been testing out Aleph Beauty; a non-toxic and sustainable makeup line that’s been making waves in New Zealand with its exciting colour stories and superb formulas. Every day, my makeup bag has been going through major changes and I don’t say this lightly. I’ve found myself replacing some of my ride-or-dies with Aleph Beauty because of how beautifully they layer throughout the day. If you know me, you know I love my touch-up routine and the products you find in my makeup bag are my beauty rotation champions. Looking for uncomplicated, simple, and buildable formulations? Check out Aleph Beauty.
Aleph Beauty
But First, a Public Service Announcement
I found a concealer/foundation that actually allows for sunscreen to be applied on top with minimal damage control. It’s not something that you may have considered before but in this environment where our ozone layer is like Swiss cheese, the ability to top up our SPF protection is a necessary factor worth considering.
So, how did I find out? One day, I forgot to use SPF before my makeup and I decided to risk it all and apply it on top of my makeup later in the PM. It blended beautifully and all I needed to do was touch up the base makeup a little and reapply my cream blush.
Of course, this trick will be subject to how much powder you like to apply. For days when you know you’ll be out all day and night, I suggest using minimal powder to make it easier for yourself later in the evening. However, for your night routine, feel free to lock it all in with a good dusting of powder for extra insurance.
Pro day-to-night tip: use blotting sheets as touch-ups for oil control instead of powder so that your day-to-night makeup will look as fresh as possible for your special event.
Aleph Beauty Concealer/Foundation, $62
The Day
When you know you have to re-zhuzh the face for later, the trick is to wear a bold lip. A bolder lip choice will give you an excuse to keep it simple on the eyes, which means you can play them up later with ease. The shades I’ve been loving for that purpose are ‘Sangha’ and ‘Crush.’ If you’re a warm-toned queen, ‘Sangha’ is the dream red that is vibrant and zingy. On the other hand, if you lean more towards cooler tones, you can’t go wrong with the juicy and luminous berry hue of ‘Crush.’
They’re both from the Cheek/Lip Tint range, so you can also dab them on the cheeks for some colour. If a red or berry seems intimidating to use as blush, mix in a little bit of the Concealer/Foundation for a more skin-like blush tone.
Usually, I’m dubious of multi-purpose makeup products but I was uber impressed at the adaptability of the Aleph Cheek/Lip Tint. They’re more of a balm than a mousse, but they’re non-greasy in texture. It’s almost as if the formula transforms for the different areas of the face. While it sports a balmy creamy texture, it has an ever so slightly soft matte finish when blended on the cheeks. Brighter shades like ‘Sangha’ or ‘Crush’ can be sheered out to create a lip tint vibe or built up for intensity.
Cheek/Lip Tint in Sangha, $58
The Night
This is where things get interesting. It's nice to change up the makeup look you’ve been wearing at the office so that you can leave work behind and get into the mood for a great night ahead. Ditch the bright lip for a nude or 90's brown for a sultry and sexy look.
‘Grounded’ and ‘Terra’ have been my absolute favourites to create a neutral monochromatic look on the eyes, lips, and cheeks. Why monochromatic? Synonymous shades of browns and mauves across your facial features create the impression that you tried a lot harder than you did. If you want to add a little sparkle, the Hybrid Eye Pigment in 'Flicker' is the one to go for.
A Pop of Sparkle
When it comes to natural makeup brands, I tend to approach them with a little skepticism as the formulations can be hit or miss when it comes to performance. However, I’ve been blown away by how incredibly approachable and high quality the products have been while implementing them into my makeup routine - and the 'Flicker' Hybrid Eye Pigment is a stand out product.
According to Aleph, the formula is a powder, cream, and pencil hybrid. All of which results in a creamy, blendable, and long-lasting product. It also means that 'Flicker' can be used as a cream liner and shadow. For a night time look, Blend 'Flicker' all over the lids and lower lash line for a one-and-done smokey eye that is totally buildable to your liking. Because of the creamy pencil hybrid, you won’t have any fallout and you can achieve a professional look with just your fingertips. If you want to amp up the shimmer, pat on Aleph's Radiance in ‘Sun’ to compliment the gold tones.
'Flicker' is a rosy brown with a touch of purple depending on your skin tone. Scattered within are beautiful flecks of golden shimmers which makes blending easier for when you are in a rush. I was so pleasantly surprised by how mesmerising it looked blended all over the lids. Aleph really nailed universality with this product so I’m 100% sure that it will compliment absolutely everyone.
Hybrid Eye Pigment Flicker, $56
Final Call
If you find that your day activities have compromised the integrity of your base makeup, the Concealer/Foundation is great to layer up later on. Just make sure to top everything off with a dusting of your favourite powder.
Usually, I would recommend that you use your cream products before powder. However, with Aleph, I'd recommend that you layer the cream blushes on top of your powder to add insurance to your cheek colour's longevity. It's impressive how the Cheek/Lip Tint doesn’t bunch up over the day, even when applied in this way. That is the hallmark of an excellent cream product.
Speaking of powder, you may be wondering if the Aleph Prep/Finish Powder is worth the buzz. At first glance, I had my reservations as it gave me the impression that it may be chalky. But instantly, I was hooked. This weightless powder absorbs oil and blurs the skin without accentuating fine lines or dry texture. Don't be alarmed by the white shade of the Prep/Finish powder. It is absolutely flashback-free and completely translucent.
If you’ve read my previous article, you'd know I'm not a huge fan of "weightless" powders. However, when it comes to day-to-night makeup, using a heavier powder with pigment could lead to an irreversible disaster. Save yourself the trouble and stick to a powder that is feather-light.
Don’t forget to top up your mascara with an additional layer to keep your lashes looking extra black and photo-ready. The new Lift/Lengthen Mascara sold out within five days of launching and received rave reviews for it’s clump, flake, and transfer -resistant formula.
That’s a Wrap
If you're a beauty junkie, you will notice that Aleph seems familiar to a lot of natural makeup brands out there that have reached cult status. It calls for a deep dive in comparisons, but for now, I will say that while there are parallels in terms of product type and packaging, the formulas are as different as night and day and Aleph Beauty deserves to shine on its own.
I am so excited to be sharing Aleph Beauty with you all. If you've been with me for a while, you'd know that I am a massive advocate for makeup with a purpose. Believe it or not, the most striking makeup looks only take a few tools - and that's what I aim to share. We often need reminding that our beauty rotation doesn't have to be so complicated in the ever-saturated makeup world. With that being said, I feel as though Aleph is leading the way for genuine and accessible makeup - which I am loving!
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