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Beauty Look to try: regencycore makeup inspired by Netflix’s “Bridgerton"

Mar. 9, 2021
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If you’ve been off the internet for the past couple of months, let me fill you in. Not on the important stuff, mind you—I just need to tell you about Bridgerton. A broadly silly show, part period drama, part soap opera, has broken all manner of Netflix records, and no one knows quite why. Well, I think one contributing factor has to be the show’s distinctive and delightful aesthetic. And luckily, it can be pretty easily recreated at home. Okay, not the bustiers and corsets, so much—but “regencycore” Bridgerton makeup is just a few products away.

The skin is the clear focus of the look. You want it to be even, smooth, and glowy, yet still somehow “natural.” Starting with a gommage like the Nudestix Lemon Aid Detox and Glow Micro Peel Face Mask can help gently but effectively buff away any uneven texture and give you a super polished surface. A gentle liquid exfoliant like the Bybi Beauty Day Glow Brightening AHA Tonic can help maximize the glassiness of your skin.

A good level of hydration is also key, so applying a thick eye cream like the Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado and a dewy moisturizer like the CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion will give your makeup the juicy base it needs. For more hydration, mix in a couple of drops of the Pai Rosehip Bioregenerate Oil.

For more gloss, a reflective primer is essential. I adore the Glossier Future Dew (not technically a primer, but incredible under makeup to give a glossy glow to the skin) but the Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Face Primer and MAC Strobe Cream are also fantastic for adding glow with less of a slippy, oily texture.

On top of this, you want a base that looks natural yet is extremely long-lasting—no mean feat in the world of makeup engineering. The MAC Face & Body Foundation ticks both boxes, though; as you apply with your fingers, you can feel the product start to tighten up as it sets. Once it’s on, it essentially becomes waterproof. Add a hint more coverage with a medium-coverage, dewy concealer like the RMS Un-Cover Up, or add even more reflect with a glowy pen like the YSL Touche Eclat. If you must powder, go for something like the RCMA No Color Powder, which sets and mattifies without really adding any excess product.

You want your brows to look as natural as possible, but there’s no harm in grooming them into place to help give your face some structure. The Colourpop Brow Boss in Clear is a great option, but for an even more affordable experience, just opt for some $1 drugstore clear mascara. Brush upward and outward, though don’t go overly feathery, as it’ll look too modern to be truly of the regency era.

A similarly toned blush and lip are other cornerstones of this look, so opting for a product you can use for both is a great easy way to cheat. The Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lip and Cheek Glow, Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks in “Pale Pink,” and Stila Convertible Color are all formulas that look equally beautiful buffed over the cheeks and dabbed onto the lips. 

Rather than adding a contour product, you should aim to contour with your blush placement. Take it higher than you usually would—almost to the area where you’d apply highlight. This will lift the cheekbones and sculpt the face in a more flushed, romantic way. You can then add just a teeny hint of a glossy, sheer cream highlighter (the MAC Cream Color Base in “Pearl”” or RMS Living Luminizer are my picks) right on the uppermost part of your cheekbone.

If placing your blush on your lips isn’t for you, the Charlotte Tilbury Hyaluronic Happikiss in “Pillow Talk” or the Colourpop Blur Lux Lipstick in “Y2K” are perfect muted blush shades for the Bridgerton look—just choose if you’d prefer a creamy or blotted finish. For extra gloss, a dab of the Bobbi Brown Crushed Oil Infused Gloss in “In The Buff” works over any neutral lipstick to add dimension.

Eyes are kept pretty natural, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun. The Colourpop Super Shock Eyeshadow in “Frog” is the perfect neutral glitter shade that looks pretty unnoticeable until the light hits. You can add a soft sweep of neutral brown in the eye’s contour to define without looking overly makeuppy. Smudge a little of the Nudestix Magnetic Matte Eye Color in “Slate” across the upper lashline to make lashes appear fuller, too.

Curl lashes, then apply a lengthening, separating mascara. The Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes are truly incredible, but I think the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High may be a “dupe”—it offers a similarly fanned-out, fluttery look. Apply the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in “Cottage Cheese” on the lower waterline to open up your eyes and make them appear wider and brighter. 

Finish the look with a dab of clear balm on the lips. The Indeed Labs Hydraluron Volumizing Lip Treatment is great, since it’s not too shiny but not overly thick and matte, either. It’ll keep lips looking smooth and soft—ideal for all the kissing this look is perfect for.