Pantone may have chosen ‘peach fuzz’ as 2024's hallowed hue, but as a hairy twenty-something woman, this phrase has a different meaning to me. I vividly remember standing over the sink as a pre-teen, slathering Nair on my upper lip, and having to wait an agonizing ten minutes as the product tingled on my skin. I would then wipe it off to realize that it hadn’t caught every piece of black stubble that protruded from my face, forcing me to pluck out whatever remained with tears in my eyes—beauty is pain, right?
I’ve carried this visceral memory with me well into my twenties, as many others have, and it only took over a decade from those pre-teen years to realize that the most freeing take on peach fuzz might also be the most controversial: let it be. Everyone has a different relationship with the peach fuzz on their face (which often isn’t even peach-colored, might I add) — and eventually, a realization dawns: it’s okay to remove it if you desire, and it’s also okay to keep it, too. Here, I chat with two makeup artists about embracing your peach fuzz in your everyday makeup routine, welcoming it like an old friend. If you prefer to remove your peach fuzz, read on for post-removal makeup tips as well. Consider this a long-overdue ode to peach fuzz from an editor who’s finally embracing the hair on her face.
How to Wear Makeup With Peach Fuzz
“Peach fuzz is super common,” says New York City-based makeup artist Kasey Spickard. “I sometimes find [that] removing it can irritate the skin and cause breakouts or dermatitis, so embracing your peach fuzz is the only option for many folks!”
When it comes to wearing makeup over peach fuzz, start by prepping the skin with a moisturizer to ensure that your foundation will glide on easily. Next, create a smooth base using a hydrating primer like the Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Hydrating Face Primer. “This will also really grip onto your foundation so you get less separation throughout the day,” says Jonet Williamson, a New York City-based makeup artist.
For foundation, Spickard advises avoiding extremely matte foundation. “Matte coverage will emphasize the peach fuzz and settle into the hairs, accentuating them,” he says.
Because of this, he recommends opting for a hydrating lightweight foundation or skin tint versus a full-coverage foundation. The Saie Slip Tint is excellent for this—not only because it gives a natural finish that sits well on top of hair but also because it’s packed with SPF and hyaluronic acid for sun protection and hydration throughout the day.
Also, the less powder, the better, says Williamson. “Over-powdering will just end up clinging to peach fuzz, and it can start looking cakey,” she says.“I’d suggest powdering lightly with a brush or pressing powder in with a puff to avoid this.” The Ami Colé Skin Melt Talc-Free Loose Setting Powder will give the skin a soft, velvet finish and won’t cluster on hairs.
How to Apply Makeup Post-Peach-Fuzz Removal
If you bid adieu to your peach fuzz regularly, Spickard says there are some steps to take before and after removal and pre-makeup application. “When shaving your face, keeping the area clean and sanitary is your primary concern. Start by cleansing the face, then pat the skin dry,” he says. Next, make sure you’re using a dermaplaning razor with stainless steel blades for an extra smooth finish—the Billie Dermaplane Starter Kit is a great option for this, with built-in guards to help avoid nicks. “After shaving, you’ll need to let your skin rest—no makeup for eight hours and just keep it really hydrated,” says Williamson.
When it is time to apply makeup, Spickard recommends spraying the area with a sanitizing product like the Tower 28 Beauty SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray, which is formulated with hypochlorous acid. “This helps kill bacteria while soothing the skin simultaneously,” he notes. Add a layer of a gentle calming moisturizer, and you’re ready to apply primer, foundation, and the rest of your makeup.
It’s Your Peach Fuzz
Whether you choose to let your peach fuzz be or opt to remove it, know that the decision is up to you and your beauty preference. I wish I could go back in time and tell my pre-teen self that the peach fuzz I worked so hard to remove wasn’t out to harm me—it simply existed, and it could do so alongside my makeup look. Peach fuzz may not always be as cute and pretty as the Pantone hue suggests…but it’s a part of you, and that’s worth celebrating.