Screenshots from Flawless app
Right now, I have a saved collection of Instagram beauty looks that catch my eye as I’m scrolling—a virtual bow around my finger to remind me to test them out later. When I looked back through what I’ve flagged, I noticed an overwhelming number of pictures have a single makeup artist in common: Patrick Ta. The industry pro is a master of both effortless-looking and bold beauty choices, and knows how to give his clients the gift of cosmetic confidence. (Including, by the way, Gigi Hadid, Shay Mitchell, Jenna Dewan Tatum, the Kadashians, and Chrissy Teigen. Casual.)
So when the makeup guru launched his own app “Flawless” back in June, I couldn’t wait to see firsthand how he executed the looks I’ve actually seen on Gigi and company. The digital beauty destination includes step-by-step instructions for looks he’s created with links to the exact products he used, video tutorials, product reviews and behind the scenes insights. (For $5.99 a month, you can access additional beauty content, as well.) So, I picked three of my favorite celebrity looks from the app and gave ’em a whirl. Here’s how it all went down.
1. Shay Mitchell
This siren-red lip on Shay jumped out at me immediately. Following Ta’s instructions, I prepped my skin with a light moisturizer. (I went with my no-fuss favorite Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre instead of the pricier La Mer option that Ta lists. Girl is on a budget!) For even coverage, I blended out my BareMinerals Made-2-Fit Liquid Foundation around my T-zone and, per Ta’s instruction, went in with Tarte Double Duty Beauty Shape Tape Contour Concealer two shades lighter than my foundation to brighten my undereyes. Next, for my best attempt at those signature Shay Mitchell cheekbones, I went in with a creamy contour.
I drew a steady line with my NudeStix Sculpting Pencil in a downward diagonal from my ears towards the corners of my lips. Grabbing my Beautyblender, I buffed everything out as seamlessly as possible. Ta suggests using three different contour products for the glowy bronzed cheeks, but I stuck with just my creamy contour stick and a little Nars Laguna Bronzing Powder on top for a sun-kissed glow. (And, for time’s sake.)
After setting with a translucent powder, I added a warm peachy blush to the apples of my cheeks and brushed on my shiniest powder highlighter, Urban Decay 8-Hour Afterglow in Sin, down the ridge of my nose and applied with abandon. For the eyes, Ta details exactly where to apply your shadow, but it was tricky to figure out good product duplicates for the shades he suggested, since the app only lists the shade name and no real color descriptions.
But no fear! Referring to the image of Mitchell, I picked a Lancôme Petit Trésor Sparkling Color Eyeshadow in Rose Satin, a shimmery champagne shade, and pressed it at the inner corners of my eyes, then went in with Clarins Ombre Iridescente in Silver Rose for a warm wash of a neutral pink. (After that, a few thick coats of mascara.) And finally, the lip! I swiped on the Sephora Collection Liquid Lipstick in 01 Red (the same product Ta used on Mitchell), then let it dry before blotting my lips together. After a quick teeth check, I was done. The pop of red paired with shimmery, summer skin was bright and wearable, and way easier to do on my own than I thought it would be.
2. Jenna Dewan Tatum
Next up: Jenna Dewan Tatum’s amped-up, night-out, all-over nude palette. Similar to the first look, I moisturized my skin to start and applied a lip balm. Then, I applied Shiseido Synchro Skin Glowing Luminizing Fluid Foundation to the center of my face and blended out with my trusty Hourglass Vanish Foundation Brush, going back in under my eyes with concealer to brighten. To set the base, I went over everything with translucent powder on a fluffy, large brush for the most coverage. To contour, Ta suggests applying a creamy, warm bronzer to sculpt out the cheekbones, jawline, and nose, going back in over the same spots again with a touch of matte powder bronzer to intensify. (As a lifelong member of the Pale Irish Skin Club, I’m taking notes.)
Next, I grabbed a coral cheek color— Milani Baked Blush in Corallina—and applied to the apples of my cheeks. After filling in my brows with Benefit Cosmetics Precisely, My Brow Pencil, it was time for the eye makeup.
Using the shimmery bronze shade “Sidecar” from my Urban Decay Naked Palette, I went over the lids and blended up past my crease. With the slightly darker shade “Smog”, I blended out the crease even further for more depth. It wasn’t one of Ta’s steps, but I added a swipe of liquid black liner along the upper lash line for the illusion of a thicker lash base. For the lip, I outlined with the dirty rose colored MAC Lip Pencil in Whirl, (Ta suggests slightly over-lining, to get a fuller effect) then applied the creamy, nude-pink Cle De Peau Beaute Lipstick in Bamboo allover to finish.
The whole look was like a warm, nude wash that made my eyes pop and complexion glow. It’s a monochromatic vibe I can definitely get on board with, even if it’s a little more makeup than I’d wear on a typical day.
3. Olivia Munn
Lastly, I’m onto Olivia Munn’s vampy, romantic dark lip. I have to admit the reason I wanted to try this one is because it’s different from what I usually wear (I tend to go with softer, pastel tones), but the deep, wine shade and bright complexion had a certain intrigue. Getting the hang of the beginning steps now, I primed my face by applying a light, hydrating moisturizer and letting it sink it. Next it was time for the base: liquid foundation (mixed with some oil, per Ta’s trick for a more natural, effortless look) and creamy concealer under the eyes.
For a light contour, I went in with my NudeStix pencil, blended away, added an all-over glow with Nars Laguna Bronzing Powder, then dusted on highlight with a fan brush onto the high points of my face (brow bones, cheekbones, tip of the nose, etc.). For the oxblood lip, I mixed two shades from Avon: Power Plum and Bold Bordeaux. Finally, I lined my lips after lipstick for a clean, crisp finish. I immediately felt more adventurous, and plan to add a few new lip shades into my routine once in a while.
And there you have it! Worth noting: these are just three of many tutorials that the app offers. On deck for me? Sofia Richie’s emerald green smoky eye, Karlie Kloss’s barely-there daytime makeup, and Chrissy Teigen’s peachy flush. And while I’m still a mere makeup muggle, I found Ta’s instructions easy to follow, descriptive, and encouraging. (Though sometimes hard to find the best dupes for certain products.) My biggest takeaways from trying my hand at three of Ta’s looks: Blending’s a nonnegotiable, highlight away to your heart’s content, and never fear a bold lip.
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