What I learned from Estee Lauder’s Director of Global Artistry Jocelyn Biga

Pwera usog, but it feels like we’re moving into the more “normal” part of the new normal. Meaning, full makeup is finally making a comeback in all its gorgeous glory! And to celebrate this, Estee Lauder hosted a virtual class led by their Director of Global Artistry, Jocelyn Biga

During the Zoom sesh, the New York native created an easy statement look, shared her pro tips and tricks, and participated in a Q&A segment. Here’s what I picked up from that informative morning!

Don’t skip proper prepping

Even on a balmy day, Jocelyn doesn’t skip prepping with skincare. The key is to use products sparingly in the AM vs. slathering them on at night. She began by pressing the Micro Essence (sans cotton pad!) onto her skin, followed by the brand’s legendary Advanced Night Repair Serum. This lightweight duo doesn’t feel tacky and is just as comfy to use during the day as in the evenings. Then she took a small amount of the Revitalizing Supreme+ Moisturizer, warmed it with her hands and pressed it onto the jaw, outer cheeks, and forehead, proceeding to apply on the nose last as it doesn’t require as much moisturizer. Some Advanced Night Repair Eye Cream was dabbed on with the ring fingers from the outer undereye inwards. And lastly, never skip sunscreen! The Perfectionist Pro Multi-Defense UV Fluid SPF 45 was applied all over Jocelyn’s face and neck to get some sun protection on.

Liquid foundation is versatile

When asked to pick whether she preferred the Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation or the Double Wear Sheer formula, Jocelyn went for the bestselling Stay-in-Place because of how she could easily manipulate it. While it may be well-loved for its all-day anti-hulas properties, did you know that you could also enjoy a sheer version when you’re feeling more like a light-makeup day? Jocelyn proceeded to demonstrate how mixing a few drops of the Advanced Night Repair Serum with the medium-to-full coverage foundie over the back of her hand could create a DIY tinted moisturizer. No need to reserve your bottle only for full-coverage days!

Eliminate a cakey-looking base with strategic placement

The way to give your foundation a more natural, lived-in look is to make it more sheer across the center. Jocelyn prefers to use a foundation brush to apply her base, starting on the jaw and stippling outwards and upwards towards the cheeks. Then she moves inwards to the center (nose and chin) with whatever’s left on the brush. Same goes for the hairline, starting to blend from the outer edges of the face and working what’s left towards the center of the forehead. When the T-zone starts to get shiny, the thinner foundation application will reduce creasing.

Get crafty with the liquid lippie

Instead of reaching for a dedicated blush, Jocelyn opted for the Pure Color Whipped Matte Lip Color in Soft Hearted to produce a pretty flush. She mimicked a soft rouge effect by dotting the liquid lipstick’s wand on the back of her hand, then using a fluffy blush brush to soak up the color before applying to the cheeks. This practice can sheer out the pigmentation for a more seamless look vs. directly dotting on the apples of the cheeks. And make sure to just use patting and tapping motions with the brush rather than sweeping it on to prevent the base underneath from lifting.

BTW, she used another liquid lipstick from the same range to paint her pout. This time, in the shade, Air Kiss.

Do The Dab for some dewinessss

After applying blush and highlighter, Jocelyn took a damp beauty blender/beauty sponge and pressed it over a few drops of ANR Serum on the back of her hand before dabbing the sponge on the cheeks and forehead for an additional moisturizing glow.

She’s got The Look

The statement #FOTD Jocelyn created focused on the graphic liner and fox eye trends over a blooming complexion.

To create the jewel-toned statement liner, she used the Double Wear 24H Waterproof Gel Eye Pencil in Emerald Volt (inner lid) and Sapphire Sky (outer lid). The technique involves creating winged lines and sharpening and correcting with a cotton bud dipped in makeup remover. The eye makeup was done before applying foundation and concealer, so as to allow for clean-ups without erasing the base.

As I have monolids and only traditional eyeliner colors at home, it was a little tricky to copy the look exactly. But here’s my version:

For the cheeks, I used the Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick in Rebellious Rose, applied the same way that Jocelyn did.

How’s your makeup game going these days? Have you started returning to the looks you did prior to the pandemic, or have you embraced a more simplified routine?