What Makeup Products Does Mindy Kaling Use?
Mindy Kaling's Favorite Beauty Products Are as Obsession-Worthy as She Is
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If you've read Mindy Kaling's book Why Not Me?, you know that she's into beauty. But instead of taking her cues from classic film stars, she's inspired by Nosferatu. "That vampire taught me my number-one and number-two favorite beauty tricks of all time: avoid the sun at all costs and always try to appear shrouded in shadows," she quipped.
As you might guess, her descriptions of her makeup favorites are just as hilarious (but equally as packed with valuable tips). We dug up a list of Mindy's cosmetic essentials, penned by the writer herself. Just like you, she knows the struggles of finding darker-toned products that actually work. She's narrowed it down for you to a tried-and-true list, so whether you're headed to an Indian wedding or trying to get your contour on, you can look as flawless as she does.
Giorgio Armani Maestro Foundation
What Mindy says: "The most light and silky foundation of all time. My favorite makeup product in the world. Perfect for light coverage and looking natural and luminous."
Buy it: Giorgio Armani Maestro Foundation in 9 ($64)
Julie Hewett Lipstick
What Mindy says: "Your new essential. Vamp it up like Cookie from Empire. 'I'm a get what's mine.'"
Buy it: Julie Hewett Lipstick in Sin Noir ($24)
Tom Ford Eye Color Quad
What Mindy says: "I use this every day on the show to build a base of for my 'no makeup' looks. For as we all know, men love 'no makeup' because they have no idea what they're talking about."
Buy it: Tom Ford Eye Color Quad in Cocoa Mirage ($80)
BlackUp Cream to Powder Foundation
What Mindy says: "This line is from France like the Coneheads. For now you have to go to their site and have them send you samples. If you have oily skin like me (and a lot of other dark skinned women) you will love this! Full coverage."
Buy it: BlackUp Cream to Powder Foundation ($42)
Benefit Cosmetics Brow Zings Shaping Kit
What Mindy says: "I have like three eyebrow hairs. This kit is a must to make me look not like Joan Crawford. Wax on the left and powder to finish on the right."
Buy it: Benefit Cosmetics Brow Zings Shaping Kit in Dark ($32)
T. LeClerc Pressed Powder
What Mindy says: "The only pressed powder in the game, in my opinion. 'In the game' is the new Bill Simmons-y way I talk now. Makes makeup look flawless, adds no cake whatsoever. For yellow undertones in dark skin, you NEED to buy this even though it's a little hard to find. Yellow undertones: me, Winnie the Pooh, etc."
Buy it: T. LeClerc Pressed Powder in Banane ($39)
Tatcha Aburatorigami Japanese Beauty Papers
What Mindy says: "Just jam these in your Edie Parker when you don't have room for powder. No one likes shine except for on décolletage on Ashley Judd in A Time To Kill."
Buy it: Tatcha Aburatorigami Japanese Beauty Papers ($12)
MAC Cosmetics Lipstick in RiRi Woo
Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick
What Mindy says: "Can you believe that I put Kat Von D makeup on here?! I know!! But it's really good! An interesting coincidence is that goth girl makeup is actually pretty, appropriate makeup on dark skinned women. This is a perfect nighttime dark pink. Do it. A great line of cosmetics!"
Buy it: Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick in Bauhau5 ($21)
Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer
What Mindy says: "Strangely named; indispensable to my makeup routine. Literally the best concealer out there. My weekend 'no makeup' look is nothing without this. A must."
Buy it: Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer in 13 and 14 ($48 each)
CoverGirl Lip Perfection Liner Pencil
What Mindy says: "I feel like I got this free in a bowl in the bathroom of a Hollywood party. No matter. It's the greatest texture and evens your lip tone so any lipstick looks perfect over it. I have like 30 shades of brown and pink in my natural lips. It's maddening. This is super helpful."
Buy it: CoverGirl Lip Perfection Liner Pencil in Sublime ($7)
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat
What Mindy says: "Yep! The one and only. They used to not make this dark enough which was a bummer, racially. Not anymore! What is a highlighter? Put a little smidge under your brow bone or in the inner corner of your eye to look alert and all angular."
Buy it: Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat in 3 ($42)
Smashbox Step-by-Step Contour Kit
What Mindy says: "For easy to do contouring. We can all be Oprah, baby!"
Buy it: Smashbox Step-by-Step Contour Kit in Medium/Dark ($45)
Nars Cosmetics Duo Eye Shadow Compact
What Mindy says: "For my 'I wanna look like Lupita' mornings. This is a subtle and feminine eye shadow duo that works on every dark skin tone. 2015 will be about the smoky non-black daytime eye look."
Buy it: Nars Cosmetics Duo Eye Shadow Compact in Dolomites ($35)
Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer
What Mindy says: "If you have dark skin, you likely have oily skin, and who has time for that noise? I don't! This is so light and glides on easy."
Buy it: Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer ($52)
