Sukhie’s Lipstick Trick Is Too Good
Do you have a holy-grail beauty product or trick? A few months back, Joanna shared five products she swears by, and it got us thinking about the tried-and-true favorites we’re devoted to: the nail polish we go back to over and over again; the world’s best-smelling sunscreen; that one little tip that totally changed the way we do our hair (for me, it was this post!). This week, after seeing Sukhie Patel’s gorgeous lipstick on Instagram, we asked her to share her secrets. And boy did she deliver…
Sukhie’s lipstick trick: “I apply a thin layer of Anastasia Lipstick in American Doll, blur the edges around my lip line with my pinkie, then add a layer of Weleda Skin Food, which keeps my lips moisturized all day.” How gorgeous is the effect?
The duo works for blush, too. “Next, on the back of my hand, I mix a tiny dollop of Skin Food with liquid lipstick, and dab it on my cheeks for a sheer, glossy blush that inherently compliments my lips,” says Sukhie. “Finally, I add a couple dots of plain Skin Food to the tops of my cheekbones as a highlighter — et voila.”
How about her runners up? “My magical mousse for curly hair gwôrls: Evo Whip It Good — I even buy travel bottles for work trips. Plus, skin scrubby mitts, the bulk bag of Epsom salts (16 oz tins in this economy?!), Clinique bottom lash mascara that gives a kitten flick at the corners of your lashes and doubles as an eyebrow gel; and using my electric toothbrush in the shower to combat sensory challenges.”
Thank you, Sukhie!
Do you have a favorite product or trick? In the past, we asked folks about their beauty uniforms. Now we want to know about your heroes: those few things you will love forever. More posts like this coming up soon. xo
P.S. Sukhie’s week of outfits, and the random $10 beauty product we swear by.
Tags: makeup
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96 commentsI haven’t worn lipstick outside of events, maybe ever in my life (lol) and for some reason when I saw the Spring/Summer Chloe photos with a bright pink/bubblegum lip, I had to try it! haha! https://www.instagram.com/p/DPmGxY2jSFE/?hl=en&img_index=4 . I found Mac Lipstick in this pink color called ‘St. Germaine’. It has became my happiness! Now I wear lipstick whenever, because this color makes me so happy and it’s a fun way to brighten the day :) So, either try this color out or find whatever color makes you happy, too!
Avene’s Mineral Sunscreen Face Lotion for Sensitive Skin SPF 50. I have spent hours doing research on “the best mineral sunscreens” and purchased sooo many different ones over the years (from Badger to EltaMD to Kosas). They were either too drying, too expensive or had a white cast. On a whim at the drugstore, I bought this one (the small tube, NOT the bottle, which I’ve tried and didn’t love). Guys, it’s amazing! It’s tinted and moisturizing and provides a nice smooth base under foundation. To justify the $40 CAD price, I tell myself it’s my sun protection and light coverage most days. Was surprised to see the reviews on Amazon aren’t great but most reference a weird smell (so maybe don’t order it from Amazon..) It does have a zinc-y mineral sunscreen scent but honestly it could smell like feet and I’d probably still use it. https://www.eau-thermale-avene.ca/en_ca/p/mineral-face-lotion-spf50-0364760781266-69716462 If you’ve been looking for a great mineral sunscreen, try this one!!
fyi Dior Nail Glow now has a different formula. I think they removed the ingredient Fluorescent Brightener 367 which was deemed controversial in some countries. The new version no longer has that special “glow” that made the whites of your nails pop. I have not been able to find a satisfactory dupe which leads me to believe they are removing that ingredient from all nail polishes(?) I recently purchased Essie Glow and Shine Hard to Resist (clear, pinky color) but unfortunately, it’s not the same as my beloved Dior Nail Glow!
The Manicurist Active Glow polishes are also so pretty!
On the plus side, now you won’t get cancer at 45. Hopefully. I’ve seen a white nail pencil that you use under the nail edge to whiten it – then you can add a glow polish on top and maybe that will work?
Hi! What does Sukhie mean when she says: “using my electric toothbrush in the shower to combat sensory challenges”? I think my son may have this and would love to understand.
I came to the comments for the same reason! I have always strongly preferred a shower toothbrush and now I’m wondering if it’s for sensory stuff!! lol
The feeling of a manual (non electric) toothbrush feels like nails on a chalkboard for me, for some reason. I can and do stomach it when needed, but the combo of the electric tooth brush plus the distraction of the feeling and sound of the shower is way less grating for me. I also now keep a little waterproof tub of floss in the shower too!
The most valuable part of my routine is LaRoche Posay Lipikar Triple Repair for Dry Skin Cream. It’s the ONLY thing that’s worked to get rid of my weird, random perimenopausal eczema patches. You can use it on your face, it’s fragrance free, and fairly inexpensive. Weleda Skin Food is also terrific, I love the light version as a moisturizer during the winter.
It’s amazing!
Does anyone have any tips for psoriasis on your scalp? I have had this problem for years and have used steroid ointments, shampoos and scalp serums with varying success. It’s such a pain.
I have had this too for decades. You can’t ever ditch the steroids (I use the clobetasol liquid for scalp). However, lately I have found that the T/Sal shampoo once per week is helpful & I started using a scalp scrub once per week. The scrub has no steroids or chemicals: it is an exfoliant. I picked up the Kristin Ess one at TJMaxx: it is sugar based. I was really impressed at how well it worked to make my scalp feel non-scaly and non-itchy.
Have you tried Otezla or one of the other oral or systemic options? It’s totally changed some of my friends lives. Also, we now know patients with Psoriasis are at a much higher risk of developing psoriatic arthritis so it’s good to get in front of your doctor and learn treatment options either way! (disclaimer I used to work in the derm space!)
I suffered for YEARS!!!! I was using Sulfur & Salicylic acid pastes to lift the crusted flakes from my scalp. I started using the JVN complete pre wash scalp oil and it has pretty much cleared it up. I first received it as a sample and thought why not but my god it has changed my life. Pricey but I highly recommend it.
A friend of mine struggled with psoriasis and treated it with steroids but it kept coming back. She did an elimination diet with a naturopath and found some food triggered/made it worse (I think the main one for her was dairy). When she and I lived together she ate a very simple diet (lots of veggies, rice and fish). She swore that the changes she made to her diet were game changing for her psoriasis.
Thanks for the replies. I have booked in with a trichologist to see if she can recommend something that works. I actually have that JVN oil but must try that and exfoliation out again. I have considered the elimination diet but I’m worried they’ll say dairy and I truly adore everything dairy. Thanks again.
I found it dietary – zero issues after eliminating all dairy, fwiw.
I’ve been really into elf’s $8 lip and cheek tint, (a dupe for the great benetint one). I mostly use it for my lips, and it’s great because it’s a fairly long lasting wash of color that you can build up but it doesn’t add an extra layer. You can slap on lipstick or gloss or balm and when those wear off first, you still have a wash of color underneath.
Here’s something I recently discovered: If you put the Aquaphor stick on your lips prior to makeup, and then do your whole makeup routine so that it really sinks in, you can apply any lipstick and it just looks so smooth and picture-perfect. Right now, I’m very into a Clarins lip stain in red water (let it sit, be patient!) followed by a matching lip oil. Your lip color will stick around. Even if you make out with someone. Even if you eat an apple. Even if you make out with someone while eating an apple!
I’m so glad to know this Sukhie! Thank you!
One of my self-care goals for this year is to make better use of the skincare and make-up that I already have, and this lipstick trick might be the hack to getting me to add more color and zhuzh up my WFH days. Thank you!
I swear by DHC lip cream. I buy about 10 at a time so I have it everywhere: purse, work desk drawer, bathroom, living room. I use other lip balms on occasion but I always come back to this one as it lasts so much longer and really helps my lips feel moisturized! Plus it’s just gives a soft shine, not too overdone. I’ve been using it for close to 15 years and it never disappoints. I also swear by Suave cocoa butter and shea body lotion. It’s incredibly cheap, but keeps my skin moisturized and itch free all day!
Clinique Black Honey, always and forever.
Real heads remember when Caroline recommended skin food in 2018! I bought my first tube then and have repurchased many times :) skin food stands the test of time! https://cupofjo.com/2018/05/23/best-highlighter-luminizer/
I miss Caroline!!!
She’s on substack and, if I may say so, even more brilliant than before!!
I am absolutely devoted to Vermont bee balm lip balm in the original flavor (they also have an orange but i dont do that one). I order 8-10 tubes at least annually. NOTHING COMPARES.
Same here! Although I absolutely love the orange one. The flavor is very subtle and natural.
Susanne, I feel so excited that someone else knows what’s up!!!!!
My game changer is Essie nail polish in “Birthday Girl.” I originally bought it for my 13 year old’s bday because of the name. It looks like a sparkly bubble gum pink in the bottle, but a single layer reads more like a subtly sparkly neutral, not really pink at all, and it turned out to be the polish that helped me kick my lifelong nail biting habit! It’s forgiving and doesn’t show chips, but also is more bite-deterring than a clear polish, for me. I haven’t bitten my nails in months!
Y’ALLLL Weleda til I die – their chapstick ‘everon’ is incredible. It’s waxy enough that you just need a single swipe and it is truly moisturizing and honestly the best I’ve ever tried. A swipe over a blotted lipstick calms down the effect of the makeup and makes me feel like a very cool girl. Buy it if you can find it!
I have used Nivea Essentially Enriched body lotion for years – it’s the only one that works for me. For the past few years, I’ve been wearing Violette_FR Bisou Balm and Plum Lip lipsticks – I love the smudgy/blurry look, and it’s so easy to apply. After years of experimentation, I have fully embraced products for my (apparently very needy) curls. On sopping-wet hair, I sometimes leave my conditioner in, and then I use cream, gel, mousse (I will have to try Sukhie’s rec!), and hairspray in that order. I mix up brands for everything except my hairspray – for that, I’m devoted to Frizz-Ease. I air-dry always (forever apologizing for my wet hair when I hug), and then I scrunch out the crunch. The curls are even better the next day.
OMG Frizz-Ease hairspray forever!
Do you wrap your curls in a silk headwrap or bonnet or anything? I want to transition to wearing my hair curly but I dont want to have to wet it every day.
Sukhie just casually feeding a capybara? Guh! So cute!
I live Sukhie’s lipstick trick , but it’s her beautiful curls that really caught my eye.
Something I enjoyed about the Beauty Uniform pieces was getting to know a bit about the person featured. General things like why the products work with their lifestyle. I’d love to see this in the upcoming posts; why is this product a hero product for the person?
got it, thank you, Kim!
Hi, all–Just a note about the Skin Food because I just bought some after reading so many good things. With the caveat that everyone has different sensitivities, it is very, very fragrant to me. It’s a natural, pleasant smell but I had to wash it off because I could tell it was going to trigger a migraine for me.
I agree about the smell!
I originally bought Weleda after seeing it recommended on CoJ :) but yes, it was a big migraine trigger for me too.
Sukhie’s red lip and red sweater are perfect together! I’m into lip oils…like a gloss but very moisturizing. Elf and Summer Fridays are my faves right now.
OK this is genius! 💄 A couple days ago I put a bunch of little stickers on my nails, and painted over them with gel top coat to seal them/UV set them. They are bringing me a lot of joy!
OMG, I love this idea!
Did you then take the sticker off to leave a relief? I’m trying to envision this lol.
I have recently discovered for myself that 100% raw shea butter works beautifully for my face and hands (and all over body, really). What’s funny is that until now, I have adamantly avoided shea butter in any face care products because I assumed it was a clogging ingredient. I just randomly decided “eff it” and decided to try shea butter to help my winter eczema lizard hands. It has healed a stubborn, months old rash patch in less than a week! So I took the plunge and started using it on my face. I have *extremely* sensitive, peri-menopausal, perioral-dermatitis prone, acne-prone, dry/combo skin and it’s been a game changer in how my skin feels and looks!
Do you have a brand you recommend?
Hi Amanda! I ordered from The Plant Guru via their Etsy shopfront. I wanted something that was 100% pure/raw shea butter, sourced and produced in Africa. They also have a regular website but I first found them on Etsy. https://www.theplantguru.com/shop/butters/organic-ivory-shea-butter-jar.html
My skin type is similar to yours. What do you use for washing your face—or what is your routine, if it’s not too much to ask? Curious because my skin is smooth sometimes and sometimes breaks out with clogged pores. I now smear it with coconut oil and use a hot towel to wipe it off.
Hi Nima! It’s taken a lot of trial and error, but here is what works for me. This is my exact routine: Morning: – rinse face w/ water – wipe face w/ cotton round using Dickinson’s alcohol free witch hazel – moisturize with Olay active hydrating original beauty fluid* – if it’s an SPF day, I’ll use Elta MD UV Restore (all mineral sunscreen) Evening: – remove makeup/sunscreen off with Bioderma sensibio micellar water – wash with Cetaphil fragrance free daily facial cleanser – tone with the same Dicksinson’s witch hazel used in morning – moisturize with Olay active hydrating beauty fluid – treat with tretinoin .05% cream + azaleic acid 15% gel – seal it all in with raw shea butter *Also in a fit of desperation for a moisturizer that was lightweight, layerable, affordable, and non-irritating, I picked up this Olay lotion figuring it’s been around forever and there must be a reason it’s so loved. It has scent (!) and a light pink tint (!) and I’m shocked to say my skin LOVES it. Definitely my most surprising beauty purchase. I hope this helps! <3
That is seriously detailed! Thank you for that. I don’t think I can keep to a routine like that, but I will try a few of the steps.
I love skin food and literally have a tube in all the places (work, my car, my purse, first floor of the house, second floor of the house, and on and on). I remember going for a facial and being asked what I put on my face and replying with skin food (oh the “you are crazy” look that I got back…it was the dead of winter and skin food works!) Never thought to use it as part of my make up, but I will now. Suhkie is gorgeous and these pics are motivating enough to try asap!
I do the blush trick with Skin food and lipstick too (yay), and use the chubby bottoms of my palms for natural looking application (another CoJ sourced tip). I shared this palm trick with my girlfriends who are non CoJ readers, they loved it. I try to tell them about Larry and adding water too… :)
This made me smile 😄
Wintertime my skin can get dehydrated not dry. Two different skin reactions to severe cold weather, dry air/indoor heating/work environments. Dry, I can get away with a light weight clean fragrance free moisturizer but dehydrated periods, I layer up moisturizers. Protection. For products I like Prequel’s line. Hair, my fav’s remain waterless Everist line. Lips in winter-nipple gel is the best kept secret lip protection. Hands/feet-oh yeah-they need love! I like the Sand+Stone hand cream which brings light fragrance to my body and even helps with hair flyaways. But I have found that cool, short showers are vital in colder months. Not using makeup at all these days.
The way I imprinted on Sukhie’s spectacular Week of Outfits seven years ago! Not at all surprised that she’s even more of an ultra-competent icon now, and am inspired all over again.
same! forever an icon.
100% same…I can see the photos in my mind’s eye!!!
Haha same, I’ve definitely imprinted on quite a few Week of… posts over the years—Lisa Fine, Jenny Gordy, Nicole Bruno, the list goes on :) …
Love this post- so beautiful! Anyone have any secrets for handling adult (probably hormonal) acne? Feeling so very over it!
I know you may not be looking for a prescription solution (totally get it, if so) but spironolactone works wonders.
You may already be trying this, but I stopped drying my face with a towel. After washing my face with a moisturizing cleanser (60 seconds! Gemma said so!) and thoroughly rinsing, I either squeegee it off with my hands, or use a tissue or cotton round, then put on moisturizer. Also changing my pillowcases more frequently. What I thought was hormonal was actually bacterial and it cleared right up.
Using the ordinary’s azelaic and niacinamide has changed my relationship with my adult skin. I still get the occasional hormonal pimple, but it is much reduced!
Go to the dermatologist. I tried self-treating my adult acne based on random advice I read online and just made it worse. A derm can accurately diagnose what’s happening with your skin in ways that random people on the internet can’t.
a perscrption for Spironolactone changed my life, talk to your dermotologist!
Jul, I have also struggled with hormonal acne and agree with getting evaluated by a derm provider if possible! But I know that can be difficult to get scheduled and find someone you connect with; so here are some things that I found helpful with my dry, sensitive, acne prone skin: -Marie Veronique’s Acne Solution book -Oil cleanser (I’m using Dieux currently) -Applying a facial oil (was using plain jojoba oil, but trying Youth to the People Superberry right now) over top of damp skin (either plain water, mist or essence) -Using hydrocolloid patches like Mighty Patch or ZitSticka (or you can cut up hydrocolloid bandages) -Blume Meltdown Oil for spot treating when not using patches -Minimizing products as much as possible. -Retinoid if desired and tolerated. -And second those suggesting frequently washing pillow cases! I hope you find some relief soon!
I tried a load of things for my hormonal breakouts that started when I was 42 but the one that has really made a difference is the old fashioned Clinique exfoliating toner number 2 that comes in a massive bottle and is satisfyingly astringent. That, and the Inkey List spot stickers.
wait so are we not going to talk about the adorable capybara experience that is happening in this photo??
Am I the only one who wants to hear about the capybaras??
I want to know about that capybaras too!
Is Anastasia the only brand that doesn’t harm/ kill animals for skincare/ makeup? It baffles me how people use FOR CRUELTY products!!!
Here’s a big list of cruelty free, vetted by this site: https://www.crueltyfreekitty.com/list-of-cruelty-free-brands/ And another list from PETA https://crueltyfree.peta.org/companies-dont-test/
What?! There are numerous Leaping Bunny Certified brands. I’ve been using cruelty free beauty since highschool (early 30s now) and it’s very easy to find tons of options for anything i could want. I think designer brands are the only tier that are exclusively into animal testing. But I’m not in a $50 lipstick budget
Oh here’s another trick. I struggle with in grown hairs, bumps, etc on my thighs and bum (and chin and under chin too sometimes). Painful infected bumps. And they really scare me because I have artificial hip joints (infection can go to the joint, very very bad). I started using hibiclens after just washing with soap in the shower. It’s far more mild than I thought, and doesn’t even smell bad. Readers? 3 months in and I haven’t had a bump since. I’ve also been using on my arm pits – i notice considerably less stink between showers. Win!! Not glamorous, but man, I do not miss the painful bumps. Antibacterial gets the prize.
Hey, Sasha, thanks for sharing that trick! And thanks for normalizing the real life conditions that so many of us face. I’ll be passing this trick on to a friend who gets painful ingrown hairs.
https://hibiclens.com/faqs/ Another perspective from the maker. With respect.
Hillary, what am I missing? The bit about no faces? My dermatologist recommended, after I told her the other things I’ve tried haven’t been working.
@Sasha, My sister is a Derm dr in CA. I would be cautious using surgical strength otc products on the regular. If you can tolerate the solution, great. But, my intent was solely to emphasis’ this product is strong/potent to delicate skin. With respect.
Gotcha. This was my reaction at first too! Whoa, very strong, right?? But apparently what I *was* using (some exfoliating acids) are worse!! My dermatologist said they were probably stripping my skin and actually exacerbating the issue. Hibiclens is actually pretty gentle. I thought my skin would feel dry or itchy or something, but nope. Just no more awful bumps. I will caveat this with, of course, ymmv, always, and I’m a low frequency shower person due to sensory issues. Every other day at most. Sometimes every 3rd day. So not using the hibiclens daily. And while I have dry ish and sensitive ish skin, mine is by no means the worst. I hope this clarifies. Thanks for the conversation!
My hero product is very grandma-adjacent and I’ll take no comments about that: Gold Bond Retinol Overnight Face Lotion. It’s thick and creamy, and it comes in a giant squeeze bottle so you don’t feel bad using a lot on your neck, your décolleté, your legs even?! When I get down to the dregs, I cut the top off and scoop out every last bit and then you can rinse and recycle the bottle, too! This stuff manages to keep my skin feeling great all winter long in the dry Colorado air – through skiing, through snowshoeing, through frequent chilly walks to school. You can get it at any drugstore, it’s less than $15 bucks and I like to think my grandma would have approved. (She wouldn’t have – she was way fancier than me. She was Chanel everything, all the way. Sorry Grama!)
Oooh, thank you! Now that I’m nearly 50 (what?!?!?!) my skin is suddenly dry for the first time ever, especially in winter. And it needs “improving” (again, for the first time ever). I look forward to trying this!
Gosh, she is gorgeous. And her sweet little girl has such dancing eyes. I love the lipstick trick. My daughters have loved the Skin Food forever. Do you have the winter dry skin? Or the peri/meno dry skin? Or the arid climate dry skin? Or the outdoors a lot dry skin? Or all of the above?? Lucky you!! Here’s how I manage with all of the above dry skin: Nivea cocoa butter cream, in the big tub. Then on top: beeswax balm to seal it all in. Here’s my recipe: 1/2 cup olive oil 1/4 cup coconut oil 1/4 cup beeswax Just melt all together and fill left over empty little jars and pots. You can add cocoa butter, or almond oil. It’s fun to play with to get just the right consistency for your skin. If you increase the beeswax, voila , lip balm! You can refill your tubes (can add a drop of lavender or peppermint). This balm is also great for boo boos.
Wasn’t Bad Bunny great? I think it is sad that we don’t value bilingualism in this country the way we should. My family is bilingual by choice (English and Spanish) but so many people aren’t. Great halftime show for sure!
loved the show. i live in arizona so most people know some spanish. laughed when you-know-who said no one could understand a word. lol
Agree! I picked French in middle school, which I will forever regret. I used to be able to get along in France okay, but it’s faded so much since the end of high school. I really wish I’d have taken Spanish as I’m sure I’d have used it SO MUCH MORE even without travelling.
Emily, same but in college! I dropped Spanish and switched to French before the semester started because my boyfriend and I had signed up for the class together and then broke up—and now Spanish would be so, so handy in various parts of my life. Lesson learned not to decide things based on men!
my friends and kids and I have all been texting each other today “por la mañana, café, por la tarde, ron” because we’ve all had that song stuck in our heads — and no one’s mad about it!
I’ve struggled with brushing my teeth my entire life and just figured out it was a sensory thing last year so also switch to brushing in the shower. I feel seen. Thank you!
OK but what is the best smelling sunscreen? The link in the original article doesn’t work in Germany :(
It’s called Vacation sunscreen!
I have a trick! I’ve struggled with acne since I was a preteeen (accutane helped for a while) and recently learned that there are online ingredient-checkers that help rule out products with pore-clogging ingredients. I use https://acneclinicnyc.com/pore-clogging-ingredients/ I just checked and Weleda Skin Food fails the test, unfortunately. (So did the “non-comedogenic” face wash, moisturizer, toner, and tooth paste I had been using for years. wah-wah.)
ooh this is great!
Hi Carolyn, you might want to try Weleda Skin Food Light – it passes the test! I find the regular skin food quite heavy and use the light version instead.
I wasn’t going to say anything because everybody is going on and on about how much they love skin food (and yes, it is a great and decadent moisturizer!), but it has lanolin, which is comedogenic. It’s also an animal product for those who avoid such things. Wouldn’t recommend it for the face, but it doesn’t disagree with everybody! Use with caution, that’s all :)
Can confirm the light version, or their Baby Face cream (literally for babes) are heaven for sensitive acne prone skin. At least mine.
Sukhie you look so lovely and also simply because it makes me feel giddy again after a loooong time: Muchas gracias, Benito. And also thanks so much to the dancing green grass people :) And off I go learning Spanish via Duolingo. Todos ustedes son encantadores. :)