Su's Makeup and Beauty Blog

So, I was playing around with makeup the other night. It was like 11:30 pm, snacks all over my bed, music low key vibing, totally in that weird creative zone. And I thought… hey, what if I tossed on some purple mascara just for fun? Just to see. And um, yeah. Game. Changed. My lashes looked straight out of a dream. Suddenly it wasn’t just about volume or curl. It was about vibes. And now I just wanna…

So, you heard the rumor: lip gloss is made from whale sperm. Yikes. That sentence alone makes me want to clutch my favorite gloss a little tighter and rethink everything. But OK, let’s talk about this seriously. Where did this myth even come from? And like… is it even remotely true? First of all: NO. Lip gloss is not made from whale sperm. You can put your gloss down (or keep using it proudly), because that rumor is…

Let’s get one thing straight: having acne-prone skin does not mean your makeup game needs to suffer. At all. Like, absolutely nope. I’ve had breakouts right before big events and you bet I still showed up with eyeliner winged to the gods and a fresh beat that made me feel like a walking filter. Honestly, acne-prone skin is super common. So if you’re stressing because your skin isn’t always clear, know that you’re not some rare unicorn. So…

Okay, let’s just talk about body butter real quick. Is it a need? I mean… kinda. Especially if you love that soft, buttery skin glow that makes you feel like you just stepped off a cloud. Or a Pinterest board. Or both. And if your vibe is smelling like dessert while your skin feels like silk, then this whipped body butter using shea and cocoa butter is about to become your new obsession. So grab your mixing bowl,…

Okay so I cannot even lie: South African beauty influencers are on a different level, and I’m absolutely obsessed. Like, I’ll be watching their reels at 1am under my covers, my skin still unmoisturized, and somehow feel motivated and personally attacked at once. That level of glow? The makeup skills? The confidence? It’s unreal. And guess what? You need to follow them too. Trust me on this. Especially if you’re into bold looks, rich melanin-friendly tones, that perfect…

Let’s be real: waiting for your nails to grow can feel like watching paint dry. It’s not just boring; it’s downright painful when you’re trying to get those perfect natural nails for a photoshoot or, I don’t know, literally any event where you want to flash your hands like you’re in a hand cream commercial. So if you’re like me, sitting on your bed in pajama pants, staring at your fingers like “Why are you taking so long?”; you’re not…

I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone rock a red lip as confidently as Taylor Swift. I mean, she’s basically made red lipstick her signature, right? She’s been wearing it since like, the Speak Now era, and it stuck with her through Reputation, folklore, and now The Eras Tour. So naturally, the beauty world’s been obsessed trying to guess exactly which lipsticks she uses. Truth is, Tay’s lip game is mysterious but not totally secret. Over the years,…

You just spent 45 minutes blending your foundation to perfection, locked it with a setting spray, threw on some killer mascara and a nude gloss… and then boom. You put on your mask and within seconds, your makeup is like “Bye, I’m transferring onto this fabric now.” Been there? Because same. It’s seriously one of the most annoying beauty problems ever. Like, how is my setting powder calling itself “matte” but my mask is glowing with liquid foundation?…

Okay look, we all know those days when we want to look cute without giving “full glam.” Like, you’re not trying to serve red carpet level makeup, but you still wanna feel put together. That soft, almost effortless glow that says “I woke up like this” even though you definitely spent time in front of a mirror? Yeah, that’s the no-makeup makeup look. And honestly, primer plays a way bigger role in pulling that off than people give…

So let’s talk about bronzer. That glowy magic that can totally fake a beach vacation or give you those warm “I’ve got this” vibes even if you snoozed your alarm six times. Using bronzer might seem kinda intimidating at first. Like, where does it go? Do you need it? What brush should you use? Can you end up looking like a Cheeto puff or a goddess? Totally fair questions. Especially if you’re just getting into makeup or scrolling…

Alright, let’s be real for a second: concealer is basically makeup magic. You know those days when your skin decides to throw a little tantrum? Like, “Oh hey, here’s a breakout right before your date” or “Enjoy these dark circles the morning after binge-watching that new K-drama ‘til 3AM.” Yep. That’s when concealer says, “I got you.” But using concealer isn’t just about dabbing it somewhere and hoping for the best. There’s an actual art to it. A…

Sweaty faces and smudged foundation? Yeah, we don’t vibe with that. If you’re like me and live in a humid place or plan to vacation somewhere sticky and tropical (hello, Florida in July), you know the pain. You spend legit 25 minutes perfecting your base, get outside, and boom; meltdown. Not dramatic, just real talk. So let’s talk setting products. Powders, sprays, balms… there are so many. But which ones actually lock your makeup in place when you’re basically…

Have you ever bought a blush that looked soooo pretty in the pan but then turned straight-up orange or ashy on your cheeks? Like… how? Is it cursed? Did it lie to us at Sephora? Plot twist: it didn’t lie. We just kind of ignored our undertone. And look, you’re not the only one. It took me longer than I’d like to admit to figure out which blushes actually match my undertone and don’t make me look like…

So you’re standing in front of your mirror, makeup bag exploding on the counter, halfway through your second iced coffee of the day, and you’re looking at your face like… wait. Do I put on concealer first or foundation? And honestly? It’s a real question. Like, a confusing one. Don’t worry, I’ve been right there with a Beauty Blender in one hand and a concealer wand in the other like I’m trying to solve a literal math equation.…

Okay, real talk: you’re standing in front of your bathroom sink, suitcase half-zipped, stressing over one simple question; can you pack your favorite lipstick in your carry-on, or is TSA gonna snatch it from you like it’s contraband? I’ve totally been there, like five minutes before Uber shows up and I’m second guessing if my tubes of MAC Ruby Woo and Fenty Gloss Bomb are going to end up in the security trash. Let’s clear this up once and…

Okay, so you know that moment when you’re staring in the mirror, maybe after scrolling way too long through TikTok hair tutorials, and you just know your hair needs a little something extra? A switch-up. Major vibes. Just that oomph that extensions totally bring. But then the panic hits: “Umm, who actually does hair extensions near me?” Been there. Totally get it. First off, let’s talk real quick; what kind of hair extensions are you looking for? Because seriously,…

Alright, eyeshadow sticks. You know them. You’ve seen them. But maybe you’ve looked at one and thought: “Okay, cute…but what do I actually do with it?” Same. The first time I swatched one, I was just standing in Sephora like, “Oooh, shimmer,” but had zero plans for my eyelids. I figured it was just another product that would sit in my makeup drawer and make me feel guilty every time I opened it. Let me just say this…

Okay, so let’s talk about Maitreyi Ramakrishnan. First of all, queen. Absolutely serving every red carpet she steps on. Have you seen her glam at the “Never Have I Ever” premiere? She’s out here giving skin, shimmer, and confidence with every blink. And I, your girl Su, had to try and recreate some of her most iconic looks because, honestly, why not? Plus, as a makeup artist living in Huntington Beach, let me just say: we don’t gatekeep…