Model and Gen Z beauty and fashion influencer Meredith Duxbury is beloved for her down-to-earth makeup tutorials. In 2021, during Duxbury’s junior year of college, she kicked off the #foundationchallenge on TikTok, which went viral for showing how she achieves her flawless look — which is thanks to 10+ pumps of foundation applied with her hands! In the world of beauty blenders and foundation brushes, Duxbury’s insistence that hands are best for blending is, in a word, innovative.
“I would describe my approach to beauty as being very open and versatile,” Duxbury tells CNN Underscored. “I think the reason why we all love makeup so much is because there are no rules; you can color outside the lines. Beauty is supposed to be lighthearted and fun, and for me and many people, it’s also a form of art.”
Since going viral, Duxbury has collaborated with countless beauty brands — Charlotte Tilbury, YSL Beauty, Pat McGrath Labs, MAC Cosmetics, L’Oréal, Lanc?me, Estée Lauder and Maybelline among them — in addition to becoming the face of e.l.f. Cosmetics’ O Face lipstick and launching the Morphe x Meredith Duxbury collection. “I love a good challenge, and [all these experiences] have taught me so much that I didn’t know before,” she says. “I’ve had to be patient and allow myself to be open to new ideas.”
Today, Duxbury has nearly 19 million TikTok followers and 2 million Instagram followers, and when she’s not walking runway shows, she’s sitting front row in New York, Paris and Milan. That said, Duxbury is ever-evolving. “I’m working on something really fun outside of beauty and fashion that I think my audience will really love and enjoy,” she says. “It has more of an educational aspect, which I’m excited about.”
Ahead, Duxbury shares seven of her beauty must-haves with CNN Underscored, plus the $19 Amazon gadget that helps her capture all her viral content.
Duxbury’s perpetually glowing, highly moisturized skin is directly correlated to this product. “The Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream is a staple in my skin care routine,” says Duxbury, who notes it's “hydrating” and “great for replenishing the skin,” especially during the colder months. “They have the cutest mini travel sizes too, so it’s so easy for me to travel with since I’m always on the go.” Tatcha’s most successful product — one Dewy Skin Cream is sold every 60 seconds — the moisturizer mixes ingredients like Japanese purple rice, red algae and uji green tea, which work to plump and hydrate skin.
How does Duxbury achieve her signature flawless look? “I use Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter every day in my makeup routine, whether I’m doing full glam or soft glam,” she says. “The product is so versatile and immediately makes the skin look healthier and more awake, so I use it no matter what!” Boasting a 4.6-star rating, the Hollywood Flawless Filter comes in 12 shades and blurs the appearance of fine lines and pores.
Known for her practically perfect makeup application, Duxbury says the right tools are key to achieving the look. “AOA Studio Paw Paw makeup sponges are the best beauty blenders you’ll ever get your hands on,” she says. “They’re so soft and don’t have any texture to them, so they won’t leave any marks in your makeup — and they’re 10 dollars for a pack of six, which is such a great deal.” Incredibly soft, latex-free and washable, the cute pink sponges have a 4.7-star rating on Amazon.?
“The Morphe x Meredith Duxbury 35-Pan Artistry Palette has every eye shadow color you will ever need,” Duxbury says of her collaboration. “It’s so versatile. I developed this palette to be usable for both soft glam looks and bold, colorful looks. There is also a mirror inside, which I was adamant about including since it’s?harder to find in larger palettes of this size!” Containing a whopping 35 neutral, pastel and bright color pans, the palette also comes with a step-by-step guide to creating four of her signature looks. Duxbury’s fave lip combo is also part of her collaboration with Morphe.
More from Morphe x Meredith Duxbury
“I know this seems basic, but the Wet Brush Original Detangler is the only hair brush that I use on my hair,” she says. “My hair is very delicate from coloring it so often, so I need a hairbrush that is flexible and works with the hair instead of against it.” The brush’s success — it has a 4.7-star rating on Amazon — is attributable to its “intelliflex” bristles that easily glide through hair.
Another tool in Duxbury’s hair arsenal: This detangler from Bumble and Bumble. “I use this every time I wash my hair,” she says. “It smells amazing and is a great detangler. It also protects my hair against the heat, which I need since I get it styled so often.” In addition to defrizzing and softening hair, the conditioner hydrates, detangles and protects strands from heat damage (up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit).?
When it comes to creating all those viral beauty moments, Duxbury’s must-have tool is, surprisingly, less than 20 bucks on Amazon. “The Octobuddy is so helpful for capturing content, especially on the go,” she says. “It’s pretty much just a suction adhesive that you stick on the back of your phone case, and it grips to mirrors, walls, windows, etc.” Available in seven colors, the hands-free phone holder is attached via a sturdy adhesive backing.
“I’m obsessed with the Parfums de Marly Delina Exclusif fragrance,” Duxbury says. “I wear it every day. It’s sweet and flirty, and I always get so many compliments when I wear it! It’s definitely on the pricier side, but it’s so worth the money if you’re looking for a long-lasting perfume.” Combining notes of pear, lychee, rosa damascena, incense and vanilla, the fragrance is both spicy and floral and is housed in a luxe pink vessel.
