Our subtly sexy #FOTD comes courtesy of newly minted yummy mummy Joanne Peh, whose facepaint is unfailingly polished and professional, yet fabulous enough to boogie from the boardroom to the bar. A win-win for all!
Oh, and for the fellow single ladies out there: Want to catch the eye of that geeky-cute colleague from the other department down the office corridor? Here are some speedy pointers to nail this Joanne-inspired nude look that should do just that – and under 15 minutes or so to boot, too. Smartphone timer on standby? Let’s go!
Image: Instagram
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The first course of action is to even out your canvas. Skip heavy foundation and veil your face with a sheer layer of a cushion foundation stick. Don’t overthink it: Simply dot directly onto your face and blend, blend, blend.
While waiting for it to absorb, mix a twenty-cent coin’s dollop of creamy foundation into roughly the same amount of moisturiser. Use this extra-moist custom “highlighter” on your cheekbones, for a sexy, out-of-the-gym-shower look.
Try: Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick, $125.
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To breathe depth and dimension into flat facial features, feel free to experiment with the latest bronzing palettes on the market, which yield a sunkissed effect that’s a world away from the overdone and over-baked contouring of yesteryear. Do it the Korean way by lightly buffing a brick hue into the hollows of your cheeks and along the temples. Blend well in natural light – do your makeup next to a sunlit window, if possible – to make sure you’re not overdoing things.
Try: Nars Sculpting Multiple Duo, $60.
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It might take some getting used to, but you’ll look more youthful if your visage isn’t caked over with pancake product. Dot and dab concealer only on areas with marked dullness and discolouration. If you have dark circles, warm up a bit of creamy concealer between your fingers look down onto a mirror placed flat on a table to locate the crescent shaped shadow beneath your eye, then carefully pat in with your ring finger – you can even dab your product directly from the tip of a perfecting pen.
Try: Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer, $40.
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Set with a light dusting of translucent powder. Apply powder using a soft brush and deft circular motions, then pat off excess by lightly cupping your palms against your face.
Try: Clarins Loose Powder, $60.
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It’s absolutely essential that you anchor your minimal makeup look with strong brows. Fill in sparse areas with a brow pencil, then darken and set with a clear gel.
Try: Benefit Cosmetics Goof Proof Eyebrow Pencil, $42.
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On to the lids. Using a damp brush, pick up some champagne or bronze shadow from your go-to palette (or pen, if you’re next-gen like that) and press onto your lids instead of sweeping it on. This will lend your eyes a pearlescent luminosity that’s perfectly pretty and AM-appropriate; you can always pile on the pigment in the PM.
Try: By Terry Ombre Blackstar, $60 from Escentials.
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Nearly there! You may skip liner if you wish, but curl your eyelashes and add a slick of a subdued sandy-hued mascara onto your upper lashes. If you’re blessed with generously fringed eyes – lucky you! – you can consider omitting mascara altogether. Instead, amp up the shine by using a clean mascara wand to wiggle clear petroleum jelly onto your upper and lower lashes.
Try: Dior Diorshow Pump’N’Volume in 090 Black Pump, $54.
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A hint of a tint on your lips is all you need to round up this look – a balm will do in a pinch. To avoid looking shellacked, press the product into the centre of your lips using warm fingers, then purse your lips together for an ultra-natural stain.
Tadah, office-ready celeb-inspired makeup that should pass muster with your tight-lipped HR director and googly-eyed admirer alike. Practice this a couple of times and you should be able to whip this up on bleary-eyed weekday mornings before the kettle pot starts whistling. Jiayou!
Try: Kiehl’s Butterstick Lip Treatment, $28.
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