Hi everyone-

So sorry if this is too off-topic for RPW, but I've seen the topic of makeup come up a couple times here and since this is an area I particularly love & spend time on, I wanted to share some content that I felt was...how shall we say...RPWish? I know this is a diverse community where people are surrounded by very different norms (you may come from a place where heavier makeup is very typical for instance), but for those of us in the urban United States, I feel like most makeup content & trends out there lately have in the vein of heavier, sexier looks.

NOTHING wrong with that, and nothing wrong with wearing makeup for one's own enjoyment or the appreciation of other women, but I thought I'd share a couple looks I've tried that men seem to prefer ;) Many super awesome makeup trends are really meant to appeal to a fashion-forward community, or fellow make-up lovers, rather than the simpler tastes of the average American male :)

I've found that creating a quick, 10-min makeup routine not only helps me consistently look good for my BF, but is just a really lovely, self-care moment that helps me feel simultaneously feminine and pampered, and also confident and ready to face whatever. For me, it's a great way to remind myself to put my best foot (or face...) forward in our relationship and not to slack off, even though we're slipping into that uber-casual, live-together rut.

1 Lisa Eldridge

Can't sing her praises enough. A super, super legit celebrity makeup artist & creative director for Lancome. This tutorial on how to SUBTLY cover up acne and problem areas is amazing and uses a very realistic teenage model. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jwngbzv0gbY Also particularly good: her first date makeup. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTGeYrshxwI

2 Korean beauty gurus

Love love love. Such girly & flirty looks. This is probably the most famous Korean beauty guru and this look is AMAZING, albeit less of a beginner-friendly one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxkVZxWjxKo

3 Makeup for a more mature face

She's a bit of a quirky personality, but her before/afters are amazing and she's got great tips specific for older women. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QHele9Nfno No surprise, Lisa Eldridge has an amazing 60+ makeup tutorial. And if you look it up on her channel, she's got a menopause-specific video as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-SZA1tkViU

4 School-appropriate looks

Last but not least, another amazingly talented makeup artist demonstrating a VERY light, easy look on her teenage daughter. Excellent look for those still in school (I think heavier makeup really ages you when you're 21 and under). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWlNO5UksIs