Decoding the New York City vs. Los Angeles Beauty Rules: Which Tribe Are You?

With droves of New Yorkers—Beyoncé and Jay Z included—decamping for the sunny skies and wide-open spaces of Los Angeles in recent months, the distinction between the two cities is blurrier than ever. But a peek inside any woman’s makeup bag will tell you who is an East or West Coast native.  SPF-loaded serums and creamy bronzers pay homage to the tradition of basking in the California sun. And any L.A. girl knows that even an outdoor lunch at Sqirl requires post-hydrating hair care. It’s a look embodied by longtime resident Rosie Huntington-Whiteley—whose golden complexion is expertly enhanced with a swirl of warm blush and a flesh-colored lip stain. Between bombshell blowouts, her sun-kissed blonde hair is often pulled back into a simple polished bun—which also happens to be the laid-back way to transition from the beach to the street.

For the New Yorker, a good skin care regimen often stands in for makeup—with an almost-invisible bb cream and a moisturizing lip balm telegraphing cool urban minimalism. Local girl Liya Kebede’s second-day waves (hello dry shampoo) and shine-proof skin were practically engineered for life in a city that never sleeps. So, whether you’re jetting off on vacation or heading to the opposite coast to start fresh, we’ve done the packing for you. Here’s what you’ll need to blend in.

The post Decoding the New York City vs. Los Angeles Beauty Rules: Which Tribe Are You? appeared first on Vogue.