We all have those Instagram profiles that we check every day, that we enable post alerts for, and that we allude to in conversation as if they were real friends. If you’ve ever scrolled through one of these images and wondered how she does it, you’re not alone. You’ve come to the right place. We’re excited to introduce our new series, Insta Stalking, in which we speak with the ladies behind the Instagram accounts we’re obsessed with about their beauty secrets. Following that, we’ll hear from nine busy ladies on the Zoom cosmetics they swear by for video chats.
To say that this year has been eventful is an understatement. For many of us, one of the most significant changes is that we now spend up to nine hours a day gazing at our coworkers (and, let’s be honest, at ourselves) on small video displays. As is the case with the majority of things during this strange time period, mastering our Zoom faces has been an adjustment—appearing camera-ready without seeming out of place with leggings is a tricky balance.
Add to that the reality that some women are applying lipstick with one hand while nursing a baby with the other, or are just attempting to take some time for themselves as meetings come earlier and earlier, and getting ready for the day feels more complex than ever. Fortunately, we were able to find down nine busy ladies who have perfected their Zoom makeup regimens. Continue reading to learn the finest makeup for video chats, as recommended by CEOs, writers, and campaigners.
Care in Action’s executive director, Jess Morales Rocketto
My busiest month is the month running up to Election Day. I typically work from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. and alternate between what I refer to as “camera-ready” Zoom calls—panels, conferences, and media appearances—and “regular” Zoom calls—meetings with my team or partners that would have occurred in-person in normal times. Generally, I aim to schedule camera-ready meetings on the same day to avoid wasting beautiful hair and makeup and to avoid getting ready every day.
One difficulty I’ve encountered is that work dress is considerably more relaxed in the post-COVID age, so I want to appear put together but not overly formal, which may be tough. As a result, I strive for a “natural soft glam” style that is optimized for HD while being as natural as possible. To do this, I’ll use a tinted moisturizer as a base but concentrate heavily on concealer in the middle of my face. My favorite concealer is Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer. Following that, I’ll use bronzer to warm up my face and neck, which is a life-changing trick I discovered while watching Bobbi Brown perform beauty videos. Additionally, I adore Smashbox Superfan Mascara and Live Tinted Huestick in Rise, which I use as a blush and lipstick.
And if I’m attending a truly camera-ready occasion, like as a television show, I create a super-chunky, thick winged eye with Sweet Street Cosmetics Wing Queen, the greatest liquid eyeliner on the market. You’ll feel as if you’re Cleopatra, yet on camera, it’s a beautiful, crisp wing.
Aavrani’s founders and CEO, Rooshy Roy
For me, a normal WFH day begins at 8 a.m., but no calls or meetings are scheduled until 10 a.m. Given that I am not a morning person (at all), allowing myself time to grab a cup of coffee and establish my daily objectives has been a game-changer for me. I spend at least three or four hours a day in video meetings, but I avoid scheduling them consecutively—it gives me time to collect my thoughts, prepare my follow-ups, and, of course, touch up my face in between.
For calls, I nearly primarily focus on my eyes and general skin. Healthy, bright skin speaks for itself, and I believe it is critical to attracting attention to my eyes in order to create trust and make relationships over the screen. My three go-to products are my Aavrani Hydra-Whip Moisturizer, Benefit Goof Proof Eyebrow Pencil, and Lano 101 Multipurpose Superbalm, in that order.
As we enter winter, it’s more critical than ever for me to hydrate my complexion—even the best makeup can only take you so far—and the Hydra-Whip guarantees that my skin instantly appears plump, smooth, and radiant, both on- and off-screen. I adore the Goof Proof pencil because it allows me to rapidly improve my brows’ natural form and attract attention to my eyes in less than 60 seconds. Finally, I’ve been obsessed with this all-natural Superbalm lately since it quickly gives my lips the appearance of being fuller while also delivering long-lasting hydration. It’s also worked wonders for my cuticles! If I have a little more time, I’ll apply Mented Cosmetics’ bronzer and Live Tinted’s Hueglow to give my complexion a warm, summery glow that looks incredibly natural on camera.
Photographer, director, and creator of Brainfreeze Productions, Dana Boulos
My usual weekday varies, but it always begins with a shower and an oversized dress shirt paired with vintage Levi’s. I brew tea and squeeze in an hour of reading while my hair dries, and then begin with phone calls, emails, and Zooms.
Working from home has undoubtedly altered my makeup regimen. I definitely pay more attention to my skin now and try to allow it to breathe. Due to the fact that some of my clients reside in different time zones than I do, my video sessions are typically very early in the morning. I usually have a jade roller in my freezer and rub it all over my face, particularly around my eyes, since I believe it helps me wake up.
I use Chanel’s Le Teint Velvet beneath my eyes to conceal any black circles, followed by Le Crayon eyeliner in the nude on my waterline, which instantly awakens me. I always dab a touch of Chanel blush on my cheeks to give my cheekbones a natural shine, and for my lips, I use a vegan tinted rose balm from Ralphie & Alice, which I adore. I always finish with a brown Chanel eyebrow gel.
Oh, and most importantly, I always keep my Aesop hand sanitizer and Chanel hand cream on hand at these times.
Dear Justyce, Nic Stone
As a writer of fiction for young readers—roughly ages 8 to 18—a portion of my day is spent on my couch weaving words into stories, while the remainder is spent virtually visiting with hundreds of those young people. Otherwise, I’m conducting book events where I’m speaking directly to grownups through my computer screen. And because I’m at home and aware that the quality of my camera is low enough that any imperfections are blurred, I’ve been spending less time correcting my face.
The good news is that this means I’ve mastered a five-minute process that includes eyeliner (usually only on my waterline), sparkly eye shadow (always with highlighted inner corners), mascara, and a vividly colored lip to match or complement whatever I’m wearing on my eyes. Boom, boom, completed. The colorful lip (with blue, green, or purple lipstick) is critical for me because it attracts people’s attention to my mouth while I talk, which means they’re more likely to listen without being distracted by other visual clues. The eye makeup is just cosmetic and serves to balance out the lips. However, it is also conceivable that I created all of that and it makes no difference.
Additionally, I usually keep a pair of large, dangly earrings on hand. I have ones shaped like fruit (papayas, peaches, and avocados), ones inspired by Wakanda that hang down to my collar bone, and ones with little puffs. At any one moment, there are no less than ten pairs of crazy earrings on the table where I placed my computer for virtual work. I believe they do a good job of recreating the Zoom appearance.