4 High-Low Makeup Looks to Try if You’re Bored of the Same Beats
Sadaf Razi is Adore Beauty's Senior Beauty Editor.
She's a former fashion editor (who worked at various glossy mags) and stylist-turned digital beauty and lifestyle writer. She has been in the lifestyle/media industry for over 10 years and her work has also been featured on international covers like Elle France and Vanity Fair Mexico.
Some of her fave Adore Beauty products include Cicaplast B5, CeraVe Cleansing Oil and Lancôme Renergie Triple Serum.
I have my go-to dewy, no-makeup makeup look pretty down pat.
And when I want to spruce things up a bit, I use the same reddish brown eyeshadow that’s my failsafe, works-for-my-features shades. Plus, it always gets me compliments.
But MOST of the time I have the same (*said with a sigh) no-makeup makeup look going on, and ya girl can get bored of the same old thing, ya know?
Even the most loyal “no-makeup makeup routine” can start to feel a little... well, monotonous.
As a Cancerian (yes, I’m supposed to not like change), I’m actually all for experimenting with new looks.
So, if you’re also craving a little makeup refresh, here are four fresh ideas to try, along with a few high and low products to help you get there.
Berry-Toned Makeup for All Seasons.
Who says berry tones are only reserved for winter? Content manager and makeup artist Megan's romantic makeup look is proof that soft, ethereal berry and pink tones are on-trend all season round.
Products to try for a berry makeup look:
Base:
- Jane Iredale PurePressed Base Mineral Foundation Refill - For those who prefer mineral makeup and comes in a pressed form, the Jane Iredale mineral foundation offers a semi-matte finish, is good for those with sensitive skin and is vegan and cruelty free.
Blush/Cheeks:
- Napoleon Perdis Cheek Switch Creme Blush Stick in shade 'Go on Rose' - Blush sticks aren’t just great for avoiding the dreaded cracked blush tragedy (we’ve all been there), their compact nature makes them perfect for travel or to keep in your handbag for midday touch ups. The Napoleon blush stick in shade ‘Go on Rose’ is the perfect way to anchor your berry toned look. These Napoleon blushes are also silky, easy to apply, buildable and boast a long-wearing formula.
Lips:
- GIVENCHY Le Rouge Interdit Baume Lip Balm 3.4g in shade N10. Beautifully subtle berry and hydrated lips are easy work with the GIVENCHY Le Rouge Interdit Baume Lip Balm. With the power to adapt to every skin tone, and your natural lip colour, this stunning balm gives: I just bit down on a blackberry vibes.
- NYX Professional Makeup Duck Plump Plumping Lip Liner - For some added depth, the new NYX Professional Makeup Duck Plump Plumping Lip Liner in shade 'Fill Em In' is perfect for lining your subtle berry lips. Plus, it’s under $20?! An extremely plumping lip liner for fuller-looking lips and long-wearing colour.
Eyes:
- Benefit Cosmetics Badgal Bang Mascara Colours - To elevate your berry-toned makeup look, swap your classic black mascara for a rich plum hue—it’s the subtle yet striking twist you didn’t know you needed. (See how gorg the rest of these Benefit coloured mascaras look on here).
Cool-Toned '90s Makeup.
Raise your hand if the '90s makeup look still being on-trend makes you very happy? You can't see but both of my hands are raised.
Why not try a cool-toned take on the timeless trend?
Products to try for cool-toned 90 makeup:
Base:
- Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation - She’s an icon, she's a legend - she is Giorgio Armani Luminous silk foundation. For a base that LASTS, nothing beats this long-wearing foundation used and loved by makeup artists.
- elf Perfect Finish HD Powder - Sheer - A mattifying powder for $14? Yes please. We know our '90s divas would have used this translucent pressed finishing powder if they had the chance.
Lips:
- M.A.C Cosmetics Macximal Silky Matte Lipstick - In my humble opinion, MAC not only makes some of the best wearable lipsticks, they also do the best nineties lipstick shades. The new MACximal Silky Matte Lipstick is packed with coconut oil, shea butter, and cocoa butter, it conditions your lips while delivering 12 hours of rich, non-feathering, non-caking wear. Our colour picks? 'Hodgepodge' and 'Whirl'.
- Maybelline New York Superstay Teddy Tint Lip Tint - For an everyday lip that's even more on the affordable side, the new Maybelline Teddy Tints are sooo good. My pick would be 'Latte to Go' or 'Keep It Cozy'.
Eyes:
- Bobbi Brown All Nudes Eye Shadow Palette - Smokey Nudes - This eyeshadow palette couldn't be more universal if it tried. For a subtle, '90s look that gives definition, apply a light shade first then add dimension with that perfectly 90s brown, smokey shade at the end. It’s giving: Whitney, it's giving Janet and it’s giving ‘90s supermodel.
- Eye Of Horus Goddess Mascara - Nothing says '90s makeup like shades of brown and burgundy and to our delight, brown mascaras are having a comeback. Infused with organic moringa oil, the Eye of Horus Goddess Mascara conditions lashes while delivering rich, buildable volume. Its smudge-proof, long-wearing formula ensures bold, fluttery lashes without clumping—because a 90s makeup goddess deserves nothing less, right?
Listen to the Beauty IQ Uncensored episode below for more makeup inspo (and how to build a routine under $100).
No-Makeup Makeup( But Make It Glow).
Not a new concept, more that we wanted to show off some of the new and exciting skin-enhancing makeup products that make your skin look glowy and freshhh.
Glowy no makeup-makeup products to try:
Base:
- Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Blur Primer 30ml - Setting the stage with a radiance-giving primer is key.
When the magic of the iconic Touche Éclat meets the perfection of a blur in Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Blur Primer what you get is an instantly illuminated complexion, with smoother, more even-looking skin. Think lit-from-within glow with a silky, even finish.
- Clinique Even Better Clinical Vitamin Makeup SPF 25 - When I found out my favourite brightening concealer now comes in a brightening and hydrating lightweight foundation, you best believe I was excited. Just like its concealer counterpart, this skincare and makeup-in-one foundation offers buildable coverage with a serum feel. Infused with vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and salicylic acid, it brightens, hydrates, and smooths while protecting your skin, so you get a radiant, even complexion that just keeps getting better. And for added glow, graze the cheeks and highpoints of the face with the MCoBeauty Flawless Glow Luminous Skin Filter.
Blush/Cheeks:
- AB LAB by Adore Beauty HA Plump Lip & Cheek Multistick - Nothing says fresh, dewy, natural flush than a blush in a shade like ‘Belini’ by AB LAB. This multi-stick is the ultimate do-it-all beauty essential—infused with hyaluronic acid for a dewy, hydrated finish, it melts seamlessly into lips and cheeks for a natural, fresh-faced glow. Sweep some over the eyes for a natural 'healthy flush' tonal lewk.
- Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara - Very Black - Ok I know we want to keep the look as natural as possible, but we always need some lash drama right? Try the famous Maybelline Sky High mascara (which now also comes in a brown version if you want something even more soft and subtle). Maybelline’s Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara takes lashes to new heights—literally—thanks to its flex tower brush that lifts and lengthens every lash. Infused with bamboo extract for lightweight, buildable volume, it delivers fluttery, sky-high impact without flaking or smudging - all of that for only $26. Winner.
Fresh Face Paired With a Bold Lip.
A bold red lip and fresh, dewy face, is very much giving French girl beauty.
I love a red lip (my go to always is M.A.C 'Chilli') and pairing down the rest of my face with my base shining through.
Here’s some products to try and help you nail you the French girl beauty look:
Base:
- Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré Moisturiser 75ml - This cult primer and moisturiser hybrid is known for giving you a dewy, smooth finish that always ensures a flawless makeup finish.
- TIRTIR Mask Fit Red Cushion Foundation - Ok I have so many things to say about this foundation (you can watch me say them and try it for the first time IRL in this YouTube video) however there's many reasons I LOVE this K-Beauty foundation, it leaves a non-cakey, full coverage finish that will leave your skin looking beaut but also let your bold lip shine.
- GIVENCHY Prisme Libre 4-Color Loose Powder 10g - The setting powder made famous thanks to Kylie Jenner- and if anyone knows how to nail a makeup look (a long lasting one at that), it’s Kylie Jenner so if this is the setting powder she likes to use - then so do we. Givenchy Prisme Libre Loose Powder is the ultimate multi-tasking setting powder, designed to blur imperfections, control shine, and brighten the complexion with its unique four-colour blend. Also delivers a soft-focus, long-lasting matte finish—perfect for setting makeup while keeping skin radiant and flawless all day.
Lips:
- MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Color Pencil Extreme - Line your bold red lip first with a red shade only slighter darker than your lippy, but one that still delivers impact. The MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Color Pencil Extreme in shade ‘412’ is perfect for this. This long-wearing formula stays put without smudging, is waterproof, has a creamy feel and helps minimise bleeding and feathering.
- Gucci Beauty Rouge A Levres Mat Lipstick - There’s something about luxe brand lipsticks that feel extra lush and velvety on the lips. Gucci Beauty's Rouge à Lèvres Mat Lipstick is the epitome of luxury, offering a rich, velvety matte finish that delivers intense colour with just one swipe. Infused with hydrating ingredients, this lipstick ensures your lips stay smooth and comfortable all day long, making it the perfect balance of bold and effortless.
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