There was a time when beauty was all about “more is more” — think matte skin, heavy coverage, and no pores, please. But thankfully, the beauty world is now embracing a more natural approach. Even on the runways at New York Fashion Week, where over-the-top looks reign supreme, we’re seeing one key trend that anchors them all: luminous, lit-from-within skin. The polar opposite of a “full face” of makeup, this trend celebrates the glow of a real, healthy complexion.
While we’ve seen some beauty brands, ahem, pivot to the radiant-skin look lately, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics has been there since the beginning. The legendary brand has always celebrated women’s individual beauty, with formulas that pioneered the real-skin movement. It’s also always had one of the most diverse ranges of foundation shades in the game (currently 42 and counting) — another reason it’s a backstage favorite.
And in case you thought perfect skin was just the province of women who sleep 12 hours a night and keep a retinue of facialists on retainer, think again. We spoke to Bobbi Brown global pro artist Cassandra Garcia — who’s created the beauty looks for NYFW’s biggest-deal women-founded labels, like Veronica Beard and Cynthia Rowley — about the three key products she uses to get her models radiant and runway-ready. Your three-step guide to all the “What are you doing to your skin lately?” compliments is ahead.
Bobbi Brown’s number-one moisturizer is a cult favorite for good reason: It’s a powerhouse that both perfects your skin and helps your foundation wear better and longer. “This is a go-to in my kit — it works on all skin types, and everyone loves the smell,” Garcia says. “It plumps the skin and provides a cushion, which helps foundation stay on all day. It’s hydrating, so it’s the perfect primer and moisturizer in one. Just apply it directly on the skin, and layer your favorite foundation on top.”
“There used to be a big emphasis on matte finishes and heavy coverage,” Garcia says. “Now, I’m seeing foundation used sparingly to just even out a model’s skin tone, and more sheer formulas to give the look of health and radiance.” Enter Bobbi Brown’s best-selling foundation, which Garcia loves for NYFW, since it creates a beautiful, natural look and comes in 42 shades to match any skin tone. Garcia recommends applying it with the Full Coverage Face Brush and buffing it out for a medium finish, or layering it to build fuller coverage.
Garcia admits she’s “obsessed” with this lip gloss, which she uses to finish off her models’ looks. The nutrient-packed formula “was developed with botanical oils from coffee seed and kukui nut, so it moisturizes and conditions lips without being sticky. I grab it whenever I need a light wash of color — it also layers beautifully over lipstick.”
All images courtesy of Bobbi Brown.
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