Every day, sometimes even twice, my phone buzzes to life with a notification from Mary Phillips, the celebrity makeup artist who has worked her magic on stars like Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, Scarlett Johansson, Kim Kardashian, and Jennifer Lopez. With 2.2 million followers on Instagram, Mary regularly shares her expertise and behind-the-scenes glimpses of her glamorous clients’ looks, showcasing everything from bold red carpet moments to casual daytime beauty. Over the weekend, amidst scrolling through my feed, another alert popped up, and with a hint of excitement, I opened it to find Mary’s latest makeup tip: how to achieve a matte finish on the skin without sacrificing its lively dimension.
In her Instagram post, Mary directly addressed her vast audience and shared a simple yet effective technique that I felt was relatable and approachable for beauty enthusiasts of all levels. She emphasized the importance of not overdoing the powder application so that the skin doesn’t end up looking flat or lifeless, which can often happen when attempting to control unwanted shine. This really struck a chord with me, as many of us have experienced that makeup misstep where a matte finish can sometimes feel more like a dull mask. Mary’s technique seemed like the perfect balance between achieving a polished look and maintaining a natural glow, reminiscent of the way radiant skin should look—alive and fresh.
To illustrate her method, Mary began by applying a light pink loose powder under her eyes. This choice was interesting; the pinkish hue helps to brighten the under-eye area, making it look more awake and vibrant. Next, she demonstrated the application of a translucent powder, carefully dusting it onto her forehead, between the eyebrows, and around the mouth and nose—areas that typically attract shine throughout the day. Mary’s instruction felt incredibly easy to follow, and her expert yet friendly tone made the whole process accessible, almost as if she was right there, guiding us through every step.
After setting some of the more oil-prone areas of the face, Mary pulled out a skin-tone colored powder, applying it delicately “everywhere else” on her face to complete the look. Her emphasis on using minimal powder was an important reminder for anyone, myself included, who might be tempted to layer on product excessively. She relayed a personal preference for a lightweight touch, describing her approach as a way to “set the base” without overwhelming the skin. This added a practical dimension to her tip and reassured those of us who might worry about looking overly made-up.
What made this tip standout to me was not just the technique, but how Mary Phillips encapsulated the essence of beauty: the importance of enhancing our natural features rather than masking them. In our beauty-obsessed culture, where perfection often feels like the ultimate goal, Mary’s advice felt like a breath of fresh air. By encouraging us to use tools and products wisely, she reminded us that beauty is about feeling comfortable in our own skin—confident and radiant in a way that doesn’t require a heavy hand.
Furthermore, Mary’s Instagram serves as more than just a platform for sharing makeup techniques; it’s a community where beauty enthusiasts can learn, grow, and engage. Her content illustrates the artistry behind makeup while grounding it in everyday practices that feel attainable. In a world where trends come and go, it’s refreshing to follow someone who prioritizes authenticity and openness about the makeup process. In celebrating small, effective techniques like this one, Mary Phillips invites all of us to explore the joy and creativity of makeup without fear, one contour and highlight at a time.