As a professional makeup artist for over 20+ years, I can see and find the value in some of the most expensive and luxury makeup + skincare items. That being said, this 47-year-old artist and mom of three (expensive!) teenagers is getting a bit weary of just HOW pricey some of my favorite makeup brands and products are becoming. The rise and popularity of the trend labeled the “Old Money Aesthetic,” or “Quiet Luxury,” is sticking around. These are terms that, when associated with a makeup or style look, insinuate that you radiate a classy aura about you, you look “affluent” without having to boast about it, and are basically understated luxury.
So for today’s post, I want to show you that you don’t need a black Amex or that La Prairie Skin Caviar foundation (that runs close to $300) to get that rich girl vibe. The old money look can be summed up as – glowy skin, soft sculpting, effortless elegance, and is more about technique and product feel than price tags. It’s Champagne Glam!
This look is appealing for many women because its approach is actually more minimal than complicated, sticks to neutral colors, and shouldn’t appear as though you’ve spent two hours on your look.
Now let’s do a champagne glam like we have generational wealth…on a Walmart and soda budget, with all products under $20 each.
🍾 How to Achieve Champagne Glam 🥂
Steps to pulling off the Old Money Makeup Aesthetic:
Champagne Glam: 1. Focus on Skin
A radiant complexion says, “I have my dermatologist on speed dial!” Prioritize products that give a glow to the skin, cover well, but not too much, so that you’ll look like a million bucks.
Products used to achieve old money skin: Start with adding in an exfoliating glycolic acid toner like the cult favorite Pixi Beauty Skintreats Glow tonic, $16, BEFORE your moisturizer and SPF are applied. This will ensure that you’re starting with a brighter and glowing complexion. I love this stuff and use a cotton round soaked in it daily on my skin. Pacifica Sun Dreams illuminating drops, $16. The great thing about these drops is that they are skincare that meets a dreamy glow with the brightening power of vitamin C. These are NOT bronzing drops as you can see in my pic – more light golden.
I then added the foundation I can’t stop wearing, the Maybelline Super Stay Lumi Matte foundation, $11, in shade 125. It gives THE most beautiful finish – not too dewy yet not flat matte, the best balance of in between. Concealer is a must to finish off that skin and brighten those dark under eyes – Maybelline Instant Age Rewind dark circle eraser concealer is that girl on a budget, I’m wearing shade 115, $9.
Champagne Glam: 2. Fluffy, Groomed Brows
Rich girl brows are natural but polished. Think soft arches, full shape, and not too perfectly defined.
Products used to achieve old money brows: This Universal brow pencil by Billion Dollar Brows, $12, is truly a great, slightly waxy pencil shade that works for all and looks very realistic on the face. I grab this pencil when I don’t have much time to focus on filling in my skinny, sad brows because I know they’ll look good every time with minimal effort.
3. Soft Eyes with Definition
Rich girl makeup never means an overly complicated eye look.
A soft, neutral wash of warm matte colors on the lids in cork brown and sandy beige works beautifully. Add a soft, inky black eyeliner by tightlining on the upper lash line, then smudged very thinly on the top for a soft lift. Skip harsh cat or winged eyes (like I usually wear, ha ha!) and instead focus on opening the eye subtly.
A swipe of matte white liner along the lower inner waterline and just tapped around the tear duct area also opens up the eyes nicely and gives you that “rested, I’ve definitely had my beauty sleep,” look.
Curl lashes (do not skip this step) and apply a lengthening + separating mascara. The idea is clean, fluttery lashes that enhance your natural eye shape.
Products used to achieve old money eyes: The Milani Gilded Mini Eyeshadow palette in “Whiskey Business,” $8, gives me a warm neutral eye look that feels very sophisticated with amazing pigments for such a low price. I also used the Milani Stay Put mechanical eyeliner, in “After Dark,” $8, which has a built-in smudger + sharpener at the end that actually works! The other pencil I used was the Makeup Revolution streamline waterline pencil, $6, in “white.”
For the best lash line, start with the highly rated Revlon Extra curl lash curler, it’s only $9, so no excuses! Then, for no-clump lashes, try the e.l.f. Lash & Roll mascara, $6, that has been called the best dupe for the $29 Benefit Roller Lash mascara.
4. Blushed and Bronzed
Be sure to emphasize your cheekbones and give your face that healthy appearance that looks like maybe you spent some time in St. Tropez!
Products used to achieve old money cheeks: Stick to a cream bronzer that melts into your skin to give that lit-from-within effect. Apply your bronzer around the forehead, cheekbones, under jawline, and even under the bottom lip for a soft sculpt, such as the e.l.f. Halo glow beauty contour wand, $9, “light medium” is what I’m wearing here. I love the tiny sponge tip that helps to give exact placement without overdoing your contour.
A rosy or peach blush on the apples of the cheeks (and a touch on the nose) gives a youthful flush, and y’all know that I’m obsessed with the NYX Buttermelt blushes, $9, by now and they’re all I’m wearing! Shade “U Know Butta” is similar to the iconic Nars “Orgasm” shade.
Finish off that rich girl skin with a few swipes of the Morphe Cloudlight Soft glow veil powder, in shade “sunrise,” $16. It blurs but gives this gorgeous, expensive glow as well without being overly obvious.
5. Champagne Glam: A Signature Lip
Have a lip combo that says “I have amazing taste” and projects a hydrated and healthy pout!
Rich girl lips are plush, hydrated, and usually done in a soft, neutral tone. Start with a creamy lip liner to define the shape, with the $2 e.l.f. Creamy glide liner, in shade “Spill the Tea.” These liners are incredible for the price. I own almost every color at this point, and they still don’t add up to one Charlotte Tilbury pencil! Then fill in with a moisturizing lipstick or lip oil like my NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip in “Sprinkle Sprinkle,” $9. Check out my YouTube short here to see this combo in action.
The old money aesthetic is less about how much makeup you wear and more about how it’s worn. It’s a luxury vibe—minimal yet curated, like you woke up glowing and just happened to have amazing taste.
The Rest of My Look Details
A black + white printed top always looks classy, and here are some similar vibes with puff sleeves from Tuckernuck, $68, deep V stripes Tuckernuck, $220, this polka dot halter from Revolve, $58. // Chunky gold hoop earrings from Revolve, $44, or Target here, $10. // I’m wearing my Coach black handbag from over 20 years ago, so always invest in a good staple bag – it will last! The Teri hobo bag is a similar perfect size IMO, $229. // Stacking my favorite gold and silver bangles always finishes off an old money look too!
In Case You Missed It
The opposite of the neutral old money look would have to be my pastel makeup look I debuted on last week’s post, which is all about embracing CoLoR – ha ha!! Clearly, I like to experiment with ALL sorts of looks. And if you need help with getting your skin looking expensive, check out my post on these exact products that make my skin look more youthful.
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