Q&A: Brown Lippies, Slicked Backed Edges, and Black Beauty Trends with Melanie Curry of Allure & SELF
The Atlanta native shares why she believes your favorite beauty trend is unapologetically Black in nature.
In this weekly Q&A series, 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.
Melanie Curry, @melaniercurry
Job: Associate Manager, Audience Development, Allure & SELF
Generation: Gen-Z
Zodiac Sign: Cancer
💋💅💄 BEAUTY REGIMEN
How much is your beauty routine?
Uhh 😅, well, prepare to be taken aback. I spend quite a lot on skin care, makeup, hair, and nails, but I do not pay for any treatments or services. My skin-care routine is as follows:
SKIN CARE
Total: $200.54 – Not bad, honestly.
On to makeup. I use a lot of makeup, because, well, I’m just a girl. Kidding, but seriously, I like to switch up my look. Some days, I’ll wear a foundation. Other days, it’ll be a skin tint, or I’ll go bare face and add a touch of concealer or blush. It just depends. And since I’m so fickle, I have a catalog of foundations, concealers, and blush to fit my makeup needs. But to simplify everything, I’ll include the products I use the most.
EYES
CHEEKS
LIPS
BASE
NARS Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Medium Coverage Foundation OR Live Tinted Hueguard Skin Tint SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum
FINISHING TOUCHES
Total: $392.64 – Eek. 🫣
My hair and nail routine are harder to calculate, because 1) I wear a lot of protective styles, like wigs and braids. And 2) my nail routine depends on if I’m getting them professionally done or opting for DIY. My estimates are:
HAIR: $200 to $250 every month-ish
NAILS: Anywhere from $10 to $190 a month.
Grand Total: $750 - $1,000 💸
Which beauty product would you personally fund the creation of if the brand threatened to discontinue it?
That’s a hard question because there are so many holy grail products out there that no dupe can outdo. But if I had to choose one or two?
Definitely either the MAC Lip Liner Pencil in Chestnut (the crème de la crème of lippies for melanated skin!) or the Too Faced Born This Way Super Coverage Multi-Use Concealer. I’ll never forget that one Sephora employee who recommended it to me in 2018. Whoever you are, you’ll forever have my heart. 🫶🏾
What's the most impactful beauty lesson you've learned since you started your career / adulthood?
That I don’t have to glam my face everyday. For one, ain’t nobody got time for all of that. Like, IDK what TikTok is teaching the young kids these days, but your co-workers don’t care about your dark circles or active zits. Even at places like Allure, where our day-to-day consists of all things beauty, no one cares that you’re barefaced. It’s just not that serious.
What's your relationship with fragrance?
I love creating my own fragrances. I’ve visited the Olfactory a few times, and making your personable scent never gets old. That said, my favorite, go-to scent is Versace Bright Crystal. A friend gave me one of those Sephora scent samplers back in college, and once I had a whiff, I never went back. (P.S. Don’t tell anyone, but I also still use Bath & Body Works).
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?
Two things: I love to look glowy, and my eyelids can not be bare — either they’re covered in a shimmer or there’s a winged eyeliner. No exceptions. I know a lot of people are into the “clean girl” look or the baddie aesthetic (re: bright concealer, very matte), but I like to look bright and glowy with rosy cheeks, a bronzy glow, and pouty lips.
We listen and we don't judge: What's a habit you'd be put in beauty jail for?
I don’t clean my makeup brushes and…I use expired makeup. I know! It’s bad! But when my foundation and concealer costs more than my monthly electric bill, I’m using it till it’s gone. Plus, my controversial opinion is that brands have shorter expiration dates to get more people to buy their products. You cannot trick me!!
😊🫶🙃 LOVE & LIFE
What is an element of your beauty routine that's cultural?
Laying my edges, lining my lips with a brown lippie and applying gloss, acrylic nails with creative designs. I, personally, believe most current popular beauty trends were invented by Black American women, so really, my beauty routine is inherently cultural.
We listen and we silently judge: What could a partner do to give you the beauty ick?
Cleanliness. If you don’t shower everyday, 🤢🤢🤢. Oh, and if you have ugly feet. Like sir, get a pedicure, please!
What's the biggest beauty lie or myth you were surprised to learn the truth of?
That Black women don’t have naturally long hair. It’s racist propaganda, but hey, that’s what I was told growing up.
What beauty advice would you give to your younger self?
That my bare face is just as beautiful as my “done up” one. I’m still trying to remember that, even in my twenties.
⭐🎧📖🎥⭐ ZEITGEIST
Favorite Substack / Newsletter:
Telling the Bees by Tell the Bees
Reddit. I love reading people talking shit. LOL
What TV show are you obsessed with right now?
Love Island. Die hard Love Islander since 2018!
What's the last movie you don't regret paying for, and why?
The Materialists. I’m a guaranteed watcher if daddy Pedro Pascal stars.
Which song / album do you currently have on repeat, and why?
Lethal by Rico Nasty. Her second album is so damn good!! Love me a Black female rapper who doubles as a punk rock star.
Just discovered this Q&A series and I'm obsessed. Melanie is gorgeous! I have to admit I don't clean my makeup brushes as much as I should either 👀
I also don't 'believe' in expiration dates. I think they are there to protect the company so you can't sue them. Active ingredients might not be as active, but if it doesn't smell, you haven't shared it with anyone and haven't added anything to it (potential for bacteria), it's good to go for me!