Joanna Ellner Takes Us Inside Her Makeup Bag
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8 hours ago
Skincare innovator and beauty writer Joanna Ellner gives us full access to her makeup bag
With over 20 years in the beauty industry under her belt, it’s safe to say that Joanna Ellner is an expert when it comes to cultivating glowing skin. And in 2023, the award-winning beauty journalist launched REOME, a biotech-powered prestige skincare brand. For Joanna, skincare is the basis for a great makeup look. ‘Your makeup is only as good as your skin,’ she tells C&TH. ‘That goes for investing in intelligent, performance-based skincare – which is how we approach our formulas at REOME – then, taking time to perfect your base.’ Below, Joanna Ellner takes us through her makeup bag and daily routine, and shares her personal beauty philosophy.
What’s Inside My Makeup Bag? With Joanna Ellner
Joanna Ellner
Let’s start with the bag itself – describe it for us?
An uncharacteristically maximalist Emilio Pucci leather pouch, in hues of khaki and off-white. Somewhere between small and medium, perfect for throwing in my bag day to day, depending on where I’m doing my make-up
What’s your pre-makeup beauty ritual?
I like to do a light facial massage using the heel of my palm to drain excess fluid and smooth out any under-eye puffing. The products I use for this are the REOME Active Recovery Broth, our do-it-all, hero serum, which plumps and softens skin so that it’s ready for make-up, and the REOME Firming Eye Treatment, a cooling, brightening and tightening wonder formula.
Let’s break down your makeup routine – prep?
After doing the above, I apply a generous layer of MECCA Cosmetica SPF50 Sunscreen, whatever the season.
Face?
Usually, I start with a thin layer of Giorgio Armani Power Fabric Foundation, using an Endoto Kabuki face brush for a seamless finish. I then apply Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer just under my tear troughs, and Kosas Revealer Concealer – which is lightweight and super blendable – where I need it on my face.
I rotate through different shades of cream blush, depending on the season and my outfit – but currently, it’s Nars Afterglow Liquid Blush in Orgasm, dabbed onto the apples of my cheeks and buffed out with a Suqqu brush. (Japanese brushes are the best.)
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Eyes?
The best mascara I’ve ever tried, after 20 years in the beauty industry, is Too Faced Better Than Sex. Terrible name, great mascara. It thickens and lengthens – doesn’t blob or migrate.
I put in the labour, too. I spend around five to six minutes applying my mascara in light layers, building up the lash thickness and combing through to separate. It’s tedious but the difference is miraculous.
Eyebrows?
I adore a brow lamination by Anu Khapang. But in between appointments, I’ll top up with Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze – brushing it into the brow in upward strokes with a clean mascara spoolie.
Lips?
I used to be a committed red lipstick disciple, but in the last five years, my look has evolved into something more minimal. I now prefer a swipe of By Terry Baume de Rose lip balm, or Summer Fridays Lip Butter in Vanilla. For evening occasions, I’ll spend a little time contouring my lips with MAC lip liner in Velvet Teddy.
To set?
I keep everything fixed and in place with Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Matte Powder Foundation – it offers a considerable amount of coverage without caking. I tap it into skin using a flat, stubby, densely packed Suqqu brush (versus brushing on), which I find gives a more seamless finish.
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Finishing touches?
A spritz of either Santal Calling by Ex Nihilo, I Am Verdant by Vyrao or Floating by Liis. My clothing style functions as a uniform of abstract shapes in neutral colours – black, white and cream – and my signature make-up stays pretty much the same no matter the day, for speed and ease. So the ‘play’ has to come from my fragrance these days. I like fresh, imperceptible smells that linger on the skin – not too sweet, not too oudy, just the smell of healthy, fresh skin.
Which item instantly makes you feel made up?
A brow kit. If my brows are well groomed and defined, I feel instantly in balance, dressed, ready to go.
What’s the one piece of makeup you always carry in your handbag?
I’m not sure I could pick just one. I carry a pared back version of my makeup bag in my larger tote, in case I head out in the evening. I will likely reapply different elements throughout the day, too.
What’s the most expensive thing in your makeup bag?
REOME Firming Eye Treatment – it’s £125. I carry it in my bag to add a touch of radiance and skin glow around the cheekbones throughout the day, and anywhere on the face that needs it.
And the most luxurious?
Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady Hand Cream is the most decadent one I’ve tried in 20 years of trialling and reporting on beauty. The texture is like a soft putty, and the scent is like wearing a pair of black heels on your hands.
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What about the hero product you can’t live without, and have used for years?
The Estee Lauder Double-Wear Stay-in-Place Matte Powder Foundation. It’s simply remarkable at refining and aligning the complexion, even without too much liquid foundation underneath. It’s the one thing that I’m devastated to have left at home and end up buying a new one as I can’t be without it. I’ve now got a little stack of about eight, with varying degrees of use, like a makeup Miss Havisham. But it’s really that good.
Tell us about a beauty trend you love?
A sporty, brushed-up brow. Having not been genetically blessed with a generous brow, I’ve spent years toying with ways to bring it to life through lifestyle changes and treatments. A dyed, laminated brow, for me, is an instant confidence-driver.
And one you can’t wait to see fall out of fashion?
Overdrawn lips has probably reached its zenith. Feels like a lot of work, too.
What’s something you did beauty-wise in your youth that you’d never do again?
Where to begin? Mostly hair related. I dyed my hair black from a box at home at aged 16. I once cut in a micro fringe. And at 18, I bleached my hair blonde but left the underside black. I idolised Debbie Harry, Blondie, and Nina Persson. It was of a time. I’ve always been a curious observer of beauty, and in my teens I embodied the looks I so loved. Later, I wrote about them, as a beauty editor.
The best piece of beauty advice you’ve been given?
Your makeup is only as good as your skin. That goes for investing in intelligent, performance-based skincare – which is how we approach our formulas at REOME – then, taking time to perfect your base. Finding your one true foundation is a rite of beauty passage. And when you find it, don’t ever let it go.
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What’s your beauty philosophy?
Skincare is a form of self-connection – it’s a way we signal to our bodies that we care for ourselves, and as a self-cultivating practice, it dates back to prehistoric times. I re-discovered skincare as a form of gentle therapy during the pandemic, and that was to become the first bricks of building REOME.
What item do you think should be in every makeup bag?
A brilliant brow gel – it immediately makes you look more awake. Healthier. A bit sporty.
I would also say a good perfume; people remember a good scent. And I love how it’s always a conversation starter between women, a way to immediately break through and connect.
Makeup: for touch-up or self expression?
My self-expression and creativity has shifted from my face into my work; how I conceive of products, and packaging, shoots and visuals. So, my make-up has to be functional, consistent, and make me feel wholly like myself.
More From Joanna
Keep up with Joanna Ellner (and her makeup bag favourites) over at reome.com
