This Makeup Mistake Isn't Doing Kristi Noem Any Favors

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It's clear that Kristi Noem is a big fan of "Mar-a-Lago face" and even one of its worst offenders. For those who haven't heard of the term, it describes the heavy makeup that Republican women seem to favor these days, which includes thick false lashes, overdrawn lips, and spackled-on foundation. Some even undergo plastic surgery to look the part. The Secretary of Homeland Security is frequently seen with all three makeup offenses, but the one mistake she's always a victim of is her overly matte base. As a makeup artist with over 15 years of experience, I can attest that older women should be opting for dewy foundation vs. matte formulas, and Noem's choice has her skin looking overly dull.

With Noem's penchant for laying it on thick — her foundation, that is — she should opt for a more luminous finish, as it'll hide her makeup flaws better. Instead, her heavy base is shown creasing in her nasolabial folds (the skin that reaches from the corner of one's mouth to the nose) and underneath her eyes. The texture of her skin is also highlighted in an unflattering way, which is only punctuated more by her overload of blush and bronzer. I believe women at any age can rock a full face of makeup, but that doesn't mean the overall effect can't look more natural, especially when it comes to foundation.

When you can't help but zoom in on someone's makeup, that means that they used a hand that was way too heavy. Makeup should enhance one's features to bring out their eyes or subtly even out their skin. Unfortunately, Kristi Noem's application is not doing her face, which has transformed a lot over the years, any favors. I suggest that after applying her skincare products, which should include a hydrating serum that's not too oily, the former governor of South Dakota should use a silicone-based primer like the Photo Finish Primer by Smashbox to even out any imperfections on her skin. Next, she should apply concealer only where it's needed, such as under her eyes and on any dark spots.

While Noem does a good job of matching her foundation to her skin tone, it looks like she uses way more than she needs, which she can remedy by applying it with a slightly damp makeup sponge. This helps spread the foundation out more evenly in a thinner layer. Then, she can go over only the areas that need more coverage with a drop more, using a light tapping motion to blend everything together. Finally, instead of coating on more makeup by setting the face with powder, Noem could use a finishing spray, such as Tatcha's Luminous Dewy Skin Mist. We get that Republican makeup is trending right now, but the caked-on effect is never a good look, especially if you want to take years off of your face, not the opposite.