Perfectly Imperfect: Charli XCX Shares Artistic Afterparty Look

Beauty, Celebrity August 16, 2021 By Kalena Phung

Photo Credit: ShutterstockBorn Charlotte Emma Aitchison, we know her today as English singer-songwriting pop star Charli XCX. The 29-year-old musician rose to superstardom in the mid-2010s with “Boom Clap” and her features in Icona Pop’s “I Love It” and Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy.” More recently, Charli has stirred commotion with the confirmation of a fifth album in progress. Additionally, she has also announced the release of her new podcast “Best Song Ever” set for debut on August 9. Amidst her busy schedule, the bold British pop star shared with Vogue the secrets to her newfound skincare routine and her post-party makeup look.

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A post shared by Charli (@charli_xcx)

Opening the self-care conversation, Charli expresses that she did not delve into skincare until the age of 25. She explains how she encountered a stubborn ordeal with adult acne and how that experience was used as a learning experience to push her into more healthy skincare habits. In becoming proactive about her skincare, she has discovered a plethora of products that help her to maintain clean, healthy, and glowing skin.

She begins washing her face with OLEHENRIKSEN Truth Juice Daily Cleanser followed by Dr. Jart+ Dermaclear Micro Water on an environmental cotton pad. She continues with a light application of Dr. Barbara Sturm Eye Cream underneath her eyes and OLEHENRIKSEN Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum which to her, is reminiscent of an Aperol spritz. The La Mer Crème de la Mer Moisturizing Cream provides hydration, and Algenist SUBLIME DEFENSE Ultra Lightweight UV Defense Fluid SPF 50 provides sun protection. Then, she concludes with a spritz of Caudalie Beauty Elixir for a refreshing finish. Ultimately, throughout this process of skincare and self-care, the popstar states, “I’m just learning to really stick to my routine.”

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A post shared by Charli (@charli_xcx)

Contrary to her skincare ritual, Charli has actually simplified her makeup process over the years. She fondly recalls, “When I was in school, I was super emo, and the only thing I could do was huge black eyes, kind of like raccoon eyes.” Now, she takes on a more mature and elevated version of that. She states, “I always found that when I did go out and sleep in my eye makeup, it would always look better in the morning.” The popstar begins with a drag of Charlotte Tilbury The Classic Eye Powder Eyeliner Pencil along her lower lash line and upper lid. Then, she takes the unconventional route of removing the product with Lancome Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover and a cotton swab. Trying to achieve the “slept in French vibe” she explains, “It’s like you just woke up and had the best night ever.”

Continuing with the organic feel of her aesthetic, she prefers to simply enhance the features she already has. With a more neutral shade of eye shadow, she uses Pat McGrath Labs Eyedols Eye Shadow which is just slightly darker than her natural tone. Additionally, she adds a minimal amount of Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Lashes Volume 2 Mascara to her outer eyelashes for a look that feels most comfortable to her. If she did not have the time to execute her entire beauty routine, however, Charli claims she would prioritize her eyebrows. Inspired by Frida Kahlo, she states she has never plucked her eyebrows. The only product she does use for her brows is Salon Care Extra Hold Hair Spray.

For finishing touches, Charli adds a pop of color to her more toned-down and natural look. She applies Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Stick across her nose and cheeks similar to the e-girl trend popularized by TikTok culture. For lips, she pats on a mixture of Glossier Generation G Sheer Matte and Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick. Overlaying that, she applies “one of her favorite bits” Lineage Lip Sleeping Mask to finalize her natural morning after aesthetic.