A medium-buildable foundation with a smooth, soft-matte finish.
31N
Deep with Neutral Undertone
30W
Deep with Warm Red Undertone
29N
Deep with Neutral Red Undertone
28W
Deep with Warm Golden Undertone
27C
Deep with Cool Red Undertone
26N
Deep with Cool Red Undertone
25W
Deep with Warm Golden Undertone
24W
Medium-Deep with Warm Olive Undertone
23C
Medium-Deep with Cool Pink Undertone
22N
Medium-Deep with Neutral Undertone
21W
Medium-Deep with Neutral Undertone
20N
Medium-Deep with Neutral Golden Undertone
19N
Medium-Deep with Neutral Undertone
18W
Medium-Deep with Warm Golden Undertone
17C
Medium with Cool Pink Undertone
16W
Medium with Warm Olive Undertone
15N
Medium with Neutral Golden Undertone
14W
Medium with Warm Peach Undertone
13N
Medium with Neutral Undertone
12C
Medium with Cool Neutral Undertone
11W
Medium with Warm Golden Undertone
10N
Light-Medium with Neutral Olive Undertone
9W
Light-Medium with Warm Peach Undertone
8N
Light with Neutral Undertone
7C
Light with Cool Pink Undertone
6W
Light with Warm Golden Undertone
5N
Light with Neutral Undertone
4W
Light with Warm Golden Undertone
3N
Fair with Neutral Undertone
2N
Fair with Neutral Olive Undertone
1C
Fair with Cool Pink Undertone
31N
Deep with Neutral Undertone
Medium Coverage, brightening, balancing
A hydrating cream that brightens and blurs with a radiant...
Hydrangea
Light cool pink
Wisteria
Coral pink
Anemone
Coral
Heliotrope
Apricot
Delphine
Muted peach
Daylily
Rich taupe
Foxglove
Warm terracotta
Ophelia
True pink
Camellia
Mauve
Hibiscus
Bright plum
Azalea
Berry
Dahlia
Deep berry
Hydrangea
Light cool pink
Brightening, blurring and longwearing
A does-it-all concealer that brightens, blurs and contours while nourishing...
LX 200
Very Deep Skin Tone, Neutral Undertone
LX 190
Very Deep Skin Tone, Cool Red Undertone
LX 180
Deep Skin Tone, Warm Neutral Undertone
LX 170
Deep Skin Tone, Golden Undertone
LX 160
Deep Skin Tone, Red Undertone
LX 150
Deep Skin Tone, Neutral Undertone
LX 140
Medium/Deep Skin Tone, Neutral Undertone
LX 130
Medium/Deep Skin Tone, Warm Golden Undertone
LX 120
Medium/Deep Skin Tone, Pink Undertone
LX 110
Medium/Deep Skin Tone, Golden Undertone
LX 100
Medium/Deep Skin Tone, Peach Undertone
LX 090
Medium Skin Tone, Olive Undertone
LX 080
Medium Skin Tone, Pink Undertone
LX 070
Medium Skin Tone, Golden Undertone
LX 060
Medium Skin Tone, Peach Undertone
LX 050
Light/Medium Skin Tone, Neutral Undertone
LX 040
Light/Medium Skin Tone, Golden Neutral Undertone
LX 030
Light Skin Tone, Pink Undertone
LX 020
Light Skin Tone, Peach Undertone
LX 010
Fair Skin Tone, Neutral Undertone
LX 200
Very Deep Skin Tone, Neutral Undertone
Medium coverage, brightening, blurring
A hydrating skin tint that delivers powerful skincare and sheer,...
140
Very Deep Skin Tone/Red Undertone
130
Deep Skin Tone/Neutral Undertone
120
Deep Skin Tone/Red Undertone
110
Deep Skin Tone/Golden Undertone
100
Medium Deep Skin Tone/Golden Undertone
090
Medium Deep Skin Tone/Olive Undertone
080
Medium Tan Skin Tone/ Peach Undertone
070
Medium Skin Tone/Peach Undertone
060
Medium Skin Tone/ Neutral Undertone
050
Medium Skin Tone/ Pink Undertone
040
Light to Medium Skin Tone/ Neutral Undertone
030
Light Skin Tone/ Warm Golden Undertone
020
Light Skin Tone/Warm Peach Undertone
010
Fair Skin Tone/ Cool Pink Undertone
140
Very Deep Skin Tone/Red Undertone
Sheer Coverage, illuminating, hydrating
Designer and activist Aurora James has been busy since she last appeared on Rose Inc almost two years ago. Very busy. To start, the Brother Vellies founder graced the cover of Vogue in 2020 and was named one of Time100’s most influential people of 2021. This is partially because of the success of Fifteen Percent Pledge, the nonprofit organization she started in May of last year that challenges retailers to dedicate at least 15% of shelf space to Black-owned businesses. Her reach can be seen in Nordstrom, Sephora and Ulta Beauty — three stores that have taken the pledge — and this month marks the start of a two year partnership between the organization and Google to further support Black-owned businesses with training and resources.
Most recently, James was nominated for Accessories Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Preparing for the CFDA Fashion Awards, which took place at the Bowery Hotel in New York City last Thursday, provided the perfect opportunity for sophisticated glam and a quick Rose Inc reunion. James paired a custom Brother Vellies x Brock Collection gown—complete with Kenyan, hand-carved wood elements—with the brand's Lijadu Billfold bag and strappy heels. Then, a soft makeup look and loose waves tied it all together.
James recalls the energy in the room that evening as palpable and amazing, made even sweeter by tablemates Iman, Liya Kebede, Precious Lee and Paloma Elsesser. “It’s great to see the fashion community all come together, celebrate and support all of the creative talent and masterminds in the room,” James says. “And, of course, I had the most fun table.”
Then it got even better: She received the Founder’s Award for her work launching and growing Fifteen Percent Pledge. “I am actually the first Black female designer to take home an award from the CFDA,” she says. “I am honored to be following in the footsteps of incredible Black women who have been honorees before me like Michelle Obama, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Bethann Hardison, Naomi Campbell, Pat McGrath and Iman. It’s such an immense honor, especially with it being such a historic moment.”
To celebrate her big win and monumental past two years, we’re sharing a peek into her glam process, including the playlist that sets the tone, below.
This is such a huge night for you! What was the inspiration behind the overall look?
I really just wanted to look like myself. I never like too much makeup, so keeping the base as light as possible is what’s important to me. I would also say that, because I was being honored for my nonprofit work, I kept it a little more casual because the topic is serious. Sometimes if it’s a purely fashion moment, I get a little more whimsical.
What’s your favorite part about getting ready for big events like this?
As one would expect, I love adding in the final touches to a look. My favorite part is seeing how accessories can evolve and elevate an outfit. Even for this night, I was down to the very last minute with choosing my shoes because you can style a dress in so many different ways.
What songs do you like to get ready to, ahead of big events?
“Afro Blue” by Robert Glasper and Erykah Badu, “The Boss” by Diana Ross, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, “At the Hotel” by Eunice Collins, “Door of the Cosmos” by Sun Ra, “Les Fleurs” by Minnie Ripperton, “My Song” by Labi Siffre, “Take Me With You” by Lyn Christopher, “Strange” by Patsy Cline and “Too Soon You’re Old” by Penny Goodwin.
What were the key products used for both makeup and hair?
For hair, stylist Mideyah Parker used all Oribe products and Dyson hot tools. For makeup, Shawn Lumaban and I used Fashion Fair Fabulous Face Priming Serum to even tone and boost radiance. Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation is a red carpet must-have that’s lightweight, water- and sweat-resistant and perfect for photos and all-night wear. Sephora Collection Clean Velvet Cream Blush Palette in Candied [provided] romantic, glowing skin and Danessa Myricks Beauty Lightwork Highlighting Palette added a boost of shimmer. Fashion Fair Set It Loose Setting Powder in Truly Tawny mattifies and makes makeup transfer-proof.
For touch-ups throughout the night, I kept my Rose Inc Blush Divine in my purse. I also used it more heavily for my CFDA after party look.
How has your relationship to beauty and self-care evolved in the last two years?
It’s been a big change. Finding the balance between running and designing Brother Vellies and growing Fifteen Percent Pledge has been tough. I definitely wore a lot less makeup during the quarantine. With all the work I’ve been doing in racial justice, I think self-care is top of mind from a mental and emotional space. I think I’ve personally been coming to terms more with just looking how I look every day, versus trying to look the most beautiful. Does that make sense? I just think existing in general—and not being in tears—was where the bar was set for me at a lot of points over the past two years.
An intensely hydrating treatment that restores pillowy bounce to lips.
An intensely hydrating treatment that restores pillowy bounce to lips.
A hydrating cream that brightens and blurs with a radiant...
Hydrangea
Light cool pink
Wisteria
Coral pink
Anemone
Coral
Heliotrope
Apricot
Delphine
Muted peach
Daylily
Rich taupe
Foxglove
Warm terracotta
Ophelia
True pink
Camellia
Mauve
Hibiscus
Bright plum
Azalea
Berry
Dahlia
Deep berry
Hydrangea
Light cool pink
A hydrating cream that brightens and blurs with a radiant...
Creamy lipstick that plumps the lips while drenching delicate skin...
Besotted
Beige pink
Hypnotic
Sandy beige
Poetic
Muted coral
Enigmatic
Terracotta pink
Persuasive
Warm rose
Graceful
Golden brown
Poised
Deep brick
Demure
Cool blush
Intuitive
Deep mauve
Eloquent
Soft plum
Besotted
Beige pink
Creamy lipstick that plumps the lips while drenching delicate skin...
A powerful hydrating serum that instantly brightens the complexion with...
A powerful hydrating serum that instantly brightens the complexion with...
Two mini versions of our bestselling shades and one limited...
Two mini versions of our bestselling shades and one limited...
A conditioning pomade-serum hybrid that volumizes and grooms for expertly shaped brows.
A conditioning pomade-serum hybrid that volumizes and grooms for expertly shaped brows.
An angled brush designed for control and seamless blending along...
An angled brush designed for control and seamless blending along...
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