Q&A: Talking Beauty & Bad Bunny with Bianca Richards, Allure's Social Media Manager
Fragrance-obsessed and ready to fight for her concealer — the Bronx native keeps it cute, curated, and Cancer-level loyal.
We’re kicking off a weekly series where friends of The Beauty Chat spill their routines, recs, and rituals—from their holy grail concealers to the podcast they always push. Think of it as your new favorite scroll: beauty picks, pop culture takes, and inspo you didn’t know you needed.
Bianca Richards
Job: Social Media Manager, Allure
Generation: Genzennial
Zodiac Sign: Cancer
💋💅💄 BEAUTY REGIMEN
How much is your beauty routine?
Eyebrow threading (monthly): $8
Gel Nail Art (monthly): $130-$160
Skin-Care Routine: Max $75
Makeup Routine: Max $300
Hair Care & Styling Routine: Max $120
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Total: $650-700 💸
Which beauty product would you personally fund the creation of if the brand threatened to discontinue it?
D.S. and Durga I Don't Know What perfume: I love the way perfume can evoke such powerful sensory experiences — and I’ve never come across a skin-like scent this beautiful before.
Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer: True story: I was a beauty intern at Cosmopolitan and Seventeen in 2016, which is when this concealer launched. They had extra shades for us to try, and it's been a mainstay in my stash since then. It's truly the best concealer to cover up dark marks and create a seamless canvas for makeup prep.
Makeup By Mario SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer: I can use this product on its own everyday and it will just add the most beautiful, radiant, natural-looking finish for that ultra sun-kissed look.
What's the most impactful beauty lesson you've learned since you started your career / adulthood?
Honestly…
Sunscreen usage—not just for skin protection, but for preventing new dark marks and hyperpigmentation.
Don't overcomplicate your skin-care routine. Maintaining a simple, hydrating skin-care routine reigns supreme for maintaining a healthy skin barrier.
I never realized that scalp/skin health is deeply connected to gut-health, and I am currently in the midst of uncovering this as I am trying to get my scalp psoriasis under control.
What's your relationship with fragrance?
I must have a lifetime supply of D.S. and Durga I Don't Know What. PLS AND THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What's your manicure philosophy: (MULTIPLE CHOICE)
Simple and subtle.
Something cute and on trend, but not too flashy.
Super trendy but functional.
✅️ If it wouldn't impress Cynthia Erivo, it’s not for me.
What is your signature beauty look?
For makeup, it's a brown lip liner — nude gloss duo.
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For hair, it's a slicked-back bun, but my scalp psoriasis is not letting me live my best life, so, unfortunately, I have to develop a new signature hairstyle. 😭😭😭
We listen and we don't judge: What's a habit you'd be put in beauty jail for?
Not washing my makeup brushes more often.... 🫣
What's the best spa treatment you've experienced?
A luxury massage at some lodge spa in Salt Lake City. It was the warm bed that did me in, truly.
😊🫶🙃 LOVE & LIFE
Are there any parts of your beauty routine that pull from your cultural heritage?
Laid baby hairs for a slicked-back look. (Context: She’s Puerto Rican and Thai.)
What's a beauty product or habit you put your friends / family / partner on to?
Products I’m always recommending:
Habits I encourage people to do:
To the men in my life… or should I say boys (because they be childish): Wearing SPF and washing your face every morning and night.
In general... Stop picking at your breakouts!
In the series “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” she woke up before her husband every day to put her face on, and then slipped back into bed to pretend she was always flawless. What's something beauty-related you hide or would hide from your partner?
Matthew never makes me feel weird or insecure about it, but I wish I could hide my scalp psoriasis.
We listen and we silently judge: What could a partner do to give you the beauty ick? (i.e. have a rattail, not cut their toenails, use your "downstairs" razor as their "upstairs" razor, etc.)
Have a rattail and not cutting their toenails is criminal, so yes to those, but Matt is pretty good with his hygiene and routines... maybe leaving hair around the sink? Drives me insane lol. But my ultimate beauty ick, partner or not, washing your face with your rings on. I cannot stress how 🤢 that is to me.
⭐🎧📖🎥⭐ ZEITGEIST
Favorite Substack / Newsletter:
Favorite Social Platform:
TikTok and Pinterest
Which content creator(s) have you been watching a lot of lately, and why?
Oriana @orianasiphanoum on TikTok: She's my makeup shade twin and recommends products based on our same shade.
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Aniyah Morinia @aniyahmorinia on TikTok: She's a beauty writer at Who What Wear, and she documents her day in the life, inserting fun dialogue and cultural memes into the mix.
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Nuha @devotedly.yours on TikTok: She's a pop culture reporter who covers everything, but her Diddy trial coverage is goooooooood.
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And Murder, Mystery, Makeup by Bailey Sarian on Youtube: My two worlds collide ❤️
What TV show are you obsessed with right now?
Forever: It's a coming-of-age love story. There were many touching moments and lessons sprinkled throughout the series.
F1: The Academy: Netflix’s latest sports docuseries shares the career journeys of female motorsport drivers, bringing much-needed visibility to women in a traditionally male-dominated sport.
What's the last movie you don't regret paying for, and why?
Sinners. Michael B. Jordan—that's it.
Which song / album do you currently have on repeat, and why?
Bad Bunny DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS
Bad Bunny DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS
Bad Bunny DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS
Bad Bunny DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS
Bad Bunny DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS
Bad Bunny DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS
Bad Bunny DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS
Bad Bunny DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS
Bad Bunny DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS
Bad Bunny DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS
Do I need to explain why?
(Editor’s Note: She wrote it 20 times, so I cut it in half and spared you the scroll.)
What's the last book you enjoyed?
This is basic, but Abby Jimenez's Just For The Summer. I rarely go for romance, but this one was superrrrrrrrr cute. I loved it.
Which podcast do you always recommend?
True crime girlies and gals must listen to Serialously with Annie Elise.
What's the coolest side project you've ever worked on?
I had the honor of being a part of the Jordan Women’s Collective in 2023. The initiative is rooted in creating equity for women in male-dominated spaces, championing representation, inclusivity, and creative innovation across our professional careers and passions. Whether through product launch campaigns or community activations, the Collective’s mission is to empower women in streetwear and celebrate their multifaceted identities across industries.
As a member of the New York cohort, we had the opportunity to design a limited-edition AJ1 Zoom CMFT 2 SE sneaker — titled “You’re Welcome.” The design pays tribute to the women—past, present, and future—who have shaped New York City culture to thrive and exist globally.
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What do you want to plug?
This Just In, the Allure Instagram franchise I co-created with our Associate Beauty Director Sarah Kinonen, where we feature new beauty product launches. I, especially, love when I get to spotlight POC-founded or -owned beauty brands.
Love this format !