The secret to looking like you got eight hours of sleep

“I’m inspired to be a makeup artist because I love to see a woman’s face after I have helped her choose a product that has addressed her concern and makes her feel great about herself,” says Kai Vinson.

Vinson, a Bobbi Brown makeup artist, recently flew to Manila to introduce Bobbi’s secret of the universe: a new corrector and creamy concealer that takes years off the face.

“This new formula gives you quick, perfect coverage,” according to Bobbi Brown. “It’s rich and creamy without being thick — so it goes on easily and blends smoothly with minimal effort.”

Brown’s secret is a two-step process, involving a corrector to brighten and neutralize undertones in the skin. For purple or green undertones around the eye, pink/peach shades are a match. Next: layer yellow-toned Creamy Concealer to lighten and blend under the eye area with the rest of the face.

The reformulated correctors and concealers erase dark circles, almost like there’s nothing there. The makeup line is a master at the no-makeup makeup look and, under the tutelage of Vinson, applying it is a breeze. His technique: dabbing lightly with a brush to deposit the concealer on the eye, followed by a brush of powder to set.

The new formula boasts silica, which creates a soft-focus effect that helps soften the look of fine dry lines, and kaolin, a natural mineral that prevents concealer from settling into lines.

The two-step approach offers a lighter hand at concealing dark lines — unlike other iterations which don’t exactly erase circles so much as expose them with a highlighter. A sit down with Vinson revealed the secret to looking like you had eight hours of sleep and how to avoid that terrible concealer trends of the ’90s.

YSTYLE: In the 90s, a certain look was popular: really obvious, thickly-applied concealer that ringed around the eyes so it looked like flashlights were pointing at them. My questions is: How do you avoid that?

KAI VINSON: Yes, I definitely remember the bad bright white concealers of the ’90s. (laughs) To avoid that, Bobbi suggests using a concealer only one shade lighter or brighter than your foundation shade. Bobbi has made it easy as with Bobbi Brown concealers you choose the color with the same name as your foundation. It has already been brightened to the correct shade for your foundation shade. 

Other tips: If you have darkness under your eyes, you will do best by using a corrector first under your concealer. Correctors come in pinky or peachy tones which correct all the darkness under the eyes while the concealer brightens. 

Vinson has done makeup for Oscar dela Renta, Donna Karan and Valentino, among others, and has been published in W magazine.

Between utilizing brushes or your fingers, what’s the best tool for applying concealer?

Best application is always a brush. But when on the go, fingers are better than nothing at all. Don’t forget to set with a small amount of powder for all-day wear! 

Take us through the process of erasing under-eye circles. Any tricks for application?

For best application, start off with eye cream. My favorite is Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream. It moisturizes and prepares the skin for makeup. With a brush, take a small amount of corrector and start where you have the most darkness. Some women need more than others. Sometimes it will only be in the inner corner, sometimes it is under the lashline and sometimes it is under the entire eye. Place where you need it. After applying corrector, use a small amount of concealer over the corrector to match your skintone correctly and add final brightness. Finish with a soft yellow powder. 

This will surely make you look like you get the eight hours sleep or vacation needed. 

How does it react to our humid clime?

This formula is great for the climate in the Philippines as well. It’s creamy enough to blend and look natural yet it has a nice long wear. 

What’s the best way to make concealer last longer? Or are we supposed to reapply it as we go through the day like lipstick?

The way to help concealer last longest is to set it with powder. Bobbi’s concealer kit has a pressed pale yellow built into the set. The pale yellow color adds a final brightness under the eye.

Of course, as the day goes, concealer does tend to melt into the skin as Bobbi did create a creamy formula, so you have the option to touch up later in the day with a quick application with your finger.

Biggest makeup crime you’ve seen in Manila?

I think they are universal and the same everywhere I go whether the US, Europe or Asia. 

Most interesting makeup trend you noticed here during your stay?

Foundation that is many shades too dark or too light. Choose a foundation that best matches your skin for most beautiful skin finish. It’s okay to work with one shade in either direction to warm the skin or brighten but several shades looks like a mask. 

Next is dark lipliner with light lip colors. Best to choose a liner that matches either the lip color or your lips. 

Lastly: Eyeliner under the eye but not on top. Bobbi’s best eyeliner practice is always on top, sometimes underneath if you like but never under alone. Also try to choose a liner darker than your eye color to enhance your lash line and eye shape. If you like bold colors, choose eyeshadow for that but keep the liner dark. Thickness is up to you.