COVID award season is officially behind us! With all the efforts to be respectful of these times while still honoring the great performances of the year, what have we learned? That we continue to love glamour pouring onto our screens and the trusted artists who bring us the dreamy beauty looks behind them.
As a makeup artist lucky enough to work in Hollywood on these shows and contribute to the beloved glamour and glitz, I know our hope, at the end of the day, is that our work empowers anyone who is watching. Add some drama to your day by wearing a lip inspired by Jo Baker’s choice on Vanessa Kirby or add some length with soft organic waves like Larry Sim’s did so well on Zendaya. Playing dress up is our job—it’s not weird or bold for us to play with color and styles.
We invite you to step into your own beauty story and find the confidence to play with your look. Here, I share some of my favorites and asked my brilliantly talented peers what products and tools got them through this season. Can’t wait to see you on the next carpet! #LOVEyourselfLOVEmrs
What products/treatments were instrumental in creating your look?
Molly R. Stern, makeup artist
For Amy Poehler at the Golden Globes
“I wanted Amy to look effortless and fresh. For me it was essential to get her complexion right. I used a combination of great skin care, a face tool and a gorgeous foundation. For skin care, I used the Natura Bisse Diamond Instant Glow ($90), which exfoliates, brightens and lifts. I then stimulated her skin to get her blood flowing and polished her skin using Armani Luminous Silk Foundation ($64).
Renato Campora, hairstylist
For Amanda Seyfried at the Oscars
“The key products that I used for Amanda’s look was CBD oil on damp hair, the FEKKAI Brilliant Gloss Multi-Tasker ($20) and the Wella EIMI Stay Firm Workable Finishing Hairspray ($18) for a solid finish.”
Latrice Johnson, makeup artist
For Regina King at the Oscars
“I prepped Regina’s skin with Clinque Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator ($25). It creates a beautiful glowing effect on the skin, and it leaves skin feeling plump and smooth but not greasy—the perfect canvas for makeup. It’s an oil-free gel cream, so it works for all my clients, regardless of skin type.”
Carola Gonzonles, makeup artist
For Kerry Washington at the SAG Awards
“For me, the most instrumental part of creating my look is prepping the skin to make it look healthy, radiant, and flawless. That’s usually where I spend the longest time on my makeup application. For this look, applying the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Plumping Waterproof Mascara ($8) and sealing in the makeup with Neutrogena Radiant Setting Spray ($14) to make it waterproof was important since I knew Kerry was going to jump in the pool and needed the makeup to stay put.”
Mara Roszak, hairstylist
For Kate Mara at the Independent Spirit Awards
“I used Living Proof Restore Smooth Blowout Concentrate ($29) to create Kate’s ‘wet’ hair look! I apply it on dry hair and saturate it with the serum. This allows the hair to still have movement while having a long lasting wet looking style!”
Cynthia Marie Franco, facialist
For Salma Hayek at the Golden Globes
“Salma is a fan of my Head To Toe Glow, which consists of a whole-body dry brush and exfoliation, lymphatic drainage massage with Epicuren Espresso Limon Oil ($72), and silicone cupping. Then, I wrapped her in an infrared blanket to detox sweat all while getting a micro-current lifting facial. This is one of my most requested red carpet treatments.”
Adir Abergel, hairstylist
For Vanessa Kirby at the Oscars
“Virtue Labs Restorative Treatment Mask ($30) was critical because her newly bleached hair needed extra hydration so I could create a smooth, shiny, and healthy finish to the hair.”
Thuy Nguyen, nail artist
For Lana Condor at the GDGA Awards
“I use OPI’s Expert Touch Lacquer Removal ($5) to remove gels, regular nail polish and sometimes acrylics! It’s so versatile and I only have to bring on solution with me instead of multiple ones. It’s also low in odor so it helps to limit engulfing a room with the smell of acetone.”
What product is your must have? The one you use on almost every client.
Mara Roszak
“My new hair oil RŌZ Santa Lucia styling oil (launching May 11th) is my go-to staple product. It is the first thing I apply to every single client of mine before I start styling. It is personally formulated by me to work on all hair types to smooth, add shine, de-frizz, and enhance your hair’s natural beauty!”
Georgie Eisdell, makeup artist
For Carey Mulligan at the Oscars
“Mascara—I use it on every single client. I am obsessed with lashes so it is a non-negotiable staple for me. My can’t-survive-without mascara is Loreal Voluminous Mascara ($9). As far as false lashes go, I love Kasha for individuals, Love Seen for full sets, Sweed Lashes for quarter sets, and Ardell for a one-stop-shop.”
Tracey Levy, makeup artist
For Reese Witherspoon at the Oscars
“My must-have product is Armani Beauty’s Fluid Sheer ($62)—this is such a universal product! The color range can be used for so many different things, from highlight to contour. You can also mix with foundation to create even more luminous skin.”
Autumn Moultrie, makeup artist
For Viola Davis at the Oscars
‘My must have is simply my Surratt Lash Curler ($34).”
Gita Bass, makeup artist
For Tina Fey at the Golden Globes
“Skin prep is super important to me and I love to smooth and brighten the skin before I apply makeup—it’s really my favorite way to create a natural-looking highlight and glow without having to use a lot of makeup. I love prepping the skin with Beautycounter Counter + All Bright Serum ($82) as it adds an instant boost of radiance and helps even out the skin immediately. It absorbs super fast and creates the perfect base for makeup.”
Florrie White, makeup artist
For Emma Corrin at the Critics Choice Awards
“It would have to be a lip balm to banish dry lips. I generally have about six to eight in my handbag and pockets. I can’t go anywhere without them. I also use them on eyelashes, brows and cuticles. Some favorites are Clinique Moisture Surge Treatment ($18), Dr. Paw Paw Multipurpose Soothing Balm ($8), and La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 ($15).”
Mark Townsend, hairstylist
For Gal Gadot at the Golden Globes
“Dove Beauty Refresh + Care Volume & Fullness Dry Shampoo ($5) is the hardest product to keep in my kit because when clients see how amazing it is, I end up giving it to them to take home. This dry shampoo is like having five products in one can—I use it to add volume at the roots and then spray throughout the hair for that ‘second day’ texture in the hair.”
Emily Cheng, makeup artist
For Yara Shahidi at the Critics Choice Awards
“Dior Contour Palette ($45)! I use it on nearly every single client.”
Renato Campora
“To prep the hair I use Kenra Moisturizing Oil ($18) and Fekkai Dry Texturizing Spray ($20).”
What is your go-to tool right now?
Lona Vigi, hairstylist
For Reese Witherspoon at The Oscars
“My go-to tool right now is the GHD Curve 1.25 Soft Curl Iron ($200). It can create soft waves and cool girl hair offering just the slightest bit of body. I can do whatever I want to do with just that one iron.”
Latrice Johnson
“My go-to tool right now is the Artis Elite Oval 10 Brush. I use it to apply moisturizer and to apply body makeup—literally for everything.”
Stephen Sollito, makeup artist
For Amy Adams at the SAG Awards
Definitely the Ziip GX Series Nanocurrent Device ($495). I had some dark spots and this tool completely got rid of them. I love using it—simple, easy ,and it works.”
Sheika Daley, makeup artist
For Zendaya at the Critics Choice Awards
“My go-to tool would have to be my lash tools from Elora Lane. I’m a lover of lashes and they have all the essentials for the perfect lash application.”
Sabrina Bedrani, makeup artist
“I just discovered Jillian Dempsey Gold Sculpting Bar ($195) and I’m obsessed with it. It’s made in Japan and vibrates through six thousand rotations, stimulating blood circulation, contouring, lifting and de-puffing.”
Emily Cheng
“The Pause Well-Aging Fascia Stimulating Tool ($115). I put it in the freezer and keep an ice pack with me to help with puffiness, improve blood flow, and encourage collagen and elastin production. I apply a layer of Sisley’s Flower Gel Mask ($115) or Barbara Sturm’s Hyaluronic Acid ($300) first.”
Molly R. Stern
“The Riki Loves Riki Mirror ($495). Great lighting is really important when applying makeup and it’s also great to bounce some light off our face for people to see how gorgeous we are! Adding some beauty lighting to those zoom meetings really makes the whole experience better.”
Marcus Frances, hairstylist
“I find myself always reaching for my Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer ($400). The speed, the varying heat settings, and the diffuser are all awesome! All so amazing and can be catered to any hair type.
What’s the one product you think is worth the splurge?
Molly R. Stern
“I love the whole range of light therapy products from Dr. Dennis Gross but I am seriously crushing on his DRx SpectraLite BodyWare Pro ($435). It treats aging and acne, but it also relieves mild muscle and joint pain. I am firm believer in if you feel good in your body, you tend to see yourself through more kind and loving eyes.”
Sheika Daley
For Zendaya at The Oscars
“La Mer Body Crème. I don’t go a day without it.”
Emily Cheng
“Barbara Sturm’s Face Cream ($215) has been doing wonders for my clients that have been using it consistently. I have seen such a change in the quality of their skin.”
Florrie White
For Emma Corrin at the Critics Choice Awards
“Eye cream! I feel your eyes tell how you are feeling and the thinner sensitive skin around them really benefits from a very clever product, which can soften signs of tiredness and aging. I love Sisley-Paris Black Rose Eye Precision ($158) and CereVe Eye Repair Cream ($16).”
Thuy Nguyen
For Vanessa Kirby at the Oscars
“My one splurge would be my Glamcor Light ($255). During award shows, I never know where I will end up for glam time, so having proper lighting helps my polish game! Not enough lighting could result in polish missing on the sides of nails and the possibility of tiny fibers adhering in between polish coats. No one wants bumpy or bubbly nails!”
Loana Vigi, hairstylist
For Reese Witherspoon at the Oscars
“I think the Virtue shampoos and conditioners are worth every penny. I also love the Kerastas Masquintense Thick Hair Mask ($56) and the az Haircare Remedy Restorative Masque ($46). Your hair is worth it!”
Carola Gonzonles
“Anything from Augustinus Bader.”
Mark Townsend
“Iles Formula Finishing Serum ($48) is an amazing lightweight serum I use to tame flyaways and add shine to every hairstyle.”
What is your favorite part about working an award show?
Gita Bass
“My favorite part of working an award show is the buzz you feel and the camaraderie with your team. It’s definitely a lot of pressure but you have this ‘we’re all in this togethe’ feeling and I love it! Also, even after all these years of doing them, I still get a little geeked out that I was part of something so grand and glamorous that’s being watched by so many. And when you’re happy with the transformation and the end result, it’s truly euphoric!”
Stephen Sollito
“It’s just exciting, the whole thing. Creating a look for a nominee never gets old. Seeing the hair, the makeup and the dress come together is magical. To be one of the 10 artists to do a female nominee is an honor.”
Renato Campora
“My favorite of awards season is campaigning with the actor throughout —we get to spend a lot of time together and really get to know each other as we create different looks for each event. During the Oscars, all of the elements come together and we end the season with something really special. And with social media, I’m able to share the work and inspire people, which makes me happy.”
Marcus Frances
“You play a small part in the Hollywood history that people see. Images that you helped create. From all around the world, people will have seen your contribution to the event.”
Latrice Johnson
“My favorite thing about award season is the anticipation of the dress, the silhouette, and the color. Waiting to see everything come together on the carpet, thinking about how I want the skin and eyes to look, and collaborating with talent, the stylist, and hairstylist.
Adir Abergel
“Being of service to my clients. Building their confidence and working and collaborating with my makeup, stylist and nail sisters and brothers.”
Emily Cheng
“Planning the look, creating moodboards, facecharts, practicing on myself and then seeing it all come together day-of!”
Autumn Moultrie
“My favorite part about working on an award show is knowing that my artistry is helping my client look and feel her best on her very special night.”
Georgie Eisdell
“Collaborating—I love working in a team coming up with the look together, and when everyones ideas work perfectly and you see your girl on the red carpet, there is no better feeling. The entire process is really fun, from seeing sketches of the dress to watching them walk out the door, I live for a red carpet moment.”
