Heroine Make by KissMe Volume & Curl Mascara
brown
A common subject of debate in the redhead beauty community is whether black or brown mascara is more complimentary to our features. I am generally in the school that brown is most suitable for everyday looks, but it has been challenging to find a brown mascara that actually lengthens and defines my pale lashes to their fullest extent. This one has become my holy grail. It is smudge-proof, tear-proof, and actually requires a significant amount of micellar water to remove fully. Totally worth it.
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A’PIEU Juicy-Pang Jelly Blusher
BE01 Nude Pink Beige
Back when I was still experimenting with makeup, I assumed I needed a cool-toned, berry-colored blush to offset all the orange in my hair. Boy, was I wrong! Cooler tones actually bring out my pink undertones in an unpleasant way, making me look like I just ran a 5K. The right warm-toned blush can bring much-needed balance to bright, redheaded features. I love this one because it is so easy to tap on and blend with your fingers.
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Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream
no. 13 Bright Beige
Finding a tinted sunscreen or BB cream that suits my pinky complexion has been another big obstacle in refining my beauty routine. I have been using this one for years as my daily foundation, and I don’t think I will ever stop. Bright Beige is the perfect shade for a pale redhead—a peachy tone that blends seamlessly with my skin, still providing substantial coverage for redness without a ghost-like appearance. The added SPF is also a welcome bonus!
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Too Cool For School Artclass By Rodin Shading Contour Powder
For the longest time, I didn’t think contouring was even an option for me as a redhead. However, studying pictures of myself led me to notice that I could benefit from carving out my features more to add dimension to my broad, pale face. Finding a contour product that wasn’t too dark and orangey was the next challenge. I settled on the Artclass palette because I thought a sheer powder would be the best bet—and I haven’t turned back. I love Korean products for my face because they add such a subtle pop of color, creating a soft look overall.
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ROUND LAB Birch Juice Moisturizing UV LOCK SPF 45
Every redhead knows that sunscreen is a non-negotiable, especially for the face. I have tried many through the years, only to end up frustrated by dramatic white casts and pilling under makeup. The Round Lab sunscreen is the best by far—it goes on smooth and feels weightless on the skin. I know it’s effective due to the lack of freckles I’ve gotten on my face during my time using it (I know they’re sun damage, but I do miss them a little bit).
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CeraVe Healing Ointment, Hyaluronic Acid Skin Protectant for Dry Skin
This product has been an unexpected hero in improving my skin overall. I, like many redheads, am a sufferer of chronic dry skin. Flakiness near my mouth and nose has made applying makeup very frustrating over the years. I have experimented with overnight slugging with several petroleum jellies, but this is the only one that leaves me feeling smooth but not slimy. I simply put a thin layer over my skincare at night and wake up with supple skin that’s ready for makeup.
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bareMinerals Original Loose Powder Foundation SPF 15
On the days I need a little more coverage, this powder is my go-to. It’s easy to underestimate the power of a powder foundation, but bareMinerals does not mess around! Just a light dusting of this over my BB cream completely evens out my complexion and locks everything in for long workdays or nights out.
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Erinde 10 Colors Matte Eyeshadow Palette
04 Cement
Another redhead beauty barrier is finding an eyeshadow palette that complements pale skin without clashing with our bold hair color. My makeup graveyard has far too many palettes with only the palest shades used up while the others remain untouched. This is the first palette in which I have utilized every color. I love that these tones align with the naturally occurring shadow colors on my face, allowing me to enhance what’s already there.
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Wonderskin Lip Stain
Whimsical
Any makeup lover can appreciate a one-and-done application product that stays on all day without fading. The Wonderskin lip stain was a game-changer for me, especially in the shade Whimsical. It’s the perfect warm rosy hue that goes well with both everyday and formal looks. When paired with a matching gloss, it really shines. I apply it as a lip liner to focus on making my pale lips pop.
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tarte maracuja juicy lip plump
Honeysuckle
This is the gloss I like to pair with the Wonderskin lip stain. It’s a similarly rosy tone, not far off from Clinique’s iconic Black Honey, but slightly more brown and fitting for my redhead coloring. It looks great on its own as well.
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e.l.f. Microfine Brow Pencil
Auburn
Of course, every redhead needs a ride-or-die eyebrow pencil in her arsenal. This one’s my favorite because it’s super fine and easy to maneuver through the thinner parts of my brows. I used to make the mistake of overfilling my brows, making them dark and blocky. This product allows the user to focus on filling in the areas that need more definition for a natural look. I prefer the shade Auburn, but Taupe is pretty neutral and forgiving as well. I even use it as a subtle lip liner when doing a “no makeup” look.
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