Three Cities, Three Looks

A makeup artist shows us (step by step) how it's done

We recently kicked off a collab with Glamsquad, where Glamsquad clients across the U.S. can add Rare Beauty products to their makeup service. (Is dinner with my BFF a good enough reason to book a mini makeover? Asking for a friend).

In the office, it got us chatting about how we’d apply makeup in certain cities—which formulas, shades, and techniques we'd use depending on where we were.

But we’re not makeup artists, so I called an expert for her professional opinion. Here’s how Rachael Domingo, a Glamsquad pro, would create looks for Los Angeles, New York, and Miami.

Los Angeles

Rachael’s take: “An effortless glow with a healthy, dewy finish that looks like you just hit the best Pilates class of your life.”

Step 1: Use the Soft Pinch Blush Brush to apply Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Happy focusing on the apples and blending back towards the temples.

Step 2: Graze leftover color across the bridge and tip of the nose for a healthy, flushed look (very “I drive with the top down”).

Step 3: Maybe it was that 6am Pilates class, or maybe you were up late watching Netflix in bed—we aren’t judging. If you need a little pick-me-up, add Positive Light Under Eye Brightener to wake up undereyes and compliment the cheek color.

Step 4: Even out your complexion and add a healthy glow by mixing Always an Optimist Illuminating Primer with Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer. Apply from the center of your face and work your way outward.

Step 5: Add Soft Pinch Lip Oil in Wonder, an easygoing rosy mauve that shouts casually murmurs California cool.

New York

Rachael’s take: “A polished look that withstands city commutes and unpredictable weather.”

Step 1: Start by enhancing your cheekbones with Soft Pinch Liquid Contour using the Liquid Touch Foundation Brush.

Step 2: Use the Soft Pinch Blush Brush to apply Matte Bouncy Blush in Worth right above your contour. Focus on the apple of your cheek. It’s fresh but not fussy (because you don’t have time for that).

Step 3: Add two coats of Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara. This one stands up against sweat, summer humidity, and those rain showers that always start while you’re walking to the train.

Step 4: Using the Always an Optimist Powder Brush, soften the edge of your face and T-zone with a light stroke of True to Myself Tinted Pressed Finishing Powder. Keep it in your bag for on-the-go touch-ups.

Step 5: Set the center of your face with the Always an Optimist 4-in-1 Mist for a fresh finish. (Insider note: The center of the face is the first place makeup tends to break down and texture appears, so focusing mist there keeps a just-applied look that lasts.)

Step 6: Apply Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil in Delight as a lip liner and let it set while you're applying your makeup. After 10-15 minutes, gently wipe lip oil off lips with a tissue or wet wipe so you get a liner-stain effect.

Step 7: Finish with Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil in Hope, which keeps lips comfortable even when you have five places to be.

Miami

Rachael’s take: “A multidimensional look that’s heat- and sweat-resistant."

Step 1: Using the Soft Pinch Blush Brush, brontour (translation: use as both a bronzer and contour) with Soft Pinch Liquid Contour. This part’s key for a sun-kissed effect.

Step 2: Using the same brush, apply Soft Pinch Matte Bouncy Blush in Alive. An upward stippling motion towards the temples will give you a snatched cheek and blend into the contour. Channel a day at the beach—the warmer the better.

Step 3: Switch to the Always an Optimist Powder Brush and top the cheeks with Soft Pinch Luminous Powder Blush in Joy. Layering blush formulas will give great dimension with radiance…

Step 4: Speaking of radiance, more is more here. Add a pop of extra glow with Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter in Flaunt.

Step 5: Apply All of the Above Eyeshadow Stick in Growth to your lash line and smudge with your ring finger. This shimmering copper shade will give a soft, smoky eye that works for day or night.

Step 6: Add two or three coats of Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara.

Step 7: Set it and forget it with Always an Optimist 4-In-1 Mist for a fresh, long-lasting finish.

Step 8: Line slightly outside the natural edge of the lips with Kind Words Lip Liner in Gifted and smudge the color with your ring finger to blend it in.

Step 9: Finish with Soft Pinch Lip Oil in Affection, a muted berry that brings a bit of Miami heat.

Let me know if you try any of these looks! And a big “thank you” to Rachael (below) for walking me through this, step by step.