Surprising Areas that Celeb Makeup Artists Pay Attention To
When it comes to getting their clients red carpet-ready, celebrity makeup artists and facialists take a 360-degree approach. This means that the pampering and prep doesn’t stop at the face. That heavenly, from-another-planet glow that stars have isn't all radiating from their face—it's a whole body look. "If it’s exposed, you should have lotion on at the bare minimum,” celebrity makeup artist Mary Irwin says.
“People may not notice, but they will notice the overall effect," confirmed makeup pro Jamie Dorman.
Celebrity aesthetician Joshua Ross loves to whip up DIY masks for his clients that he extends from the face to the neck and décolletage. One of his go-to elixirs contains pure vitamin C and virgin coconut oil to brighten, hydrate, and target sun damage.
If she has time, celeb makeup artist Maddie North will do a mask or exfoliating treatment on her clients’ neck and hands before sending them out to the red carpet (“It just really helps smooth everything out to ensure nothing looks dry or bumpy"). Los Angeles-based aesthetician Melissa Lekus gives her clients back facials if they’ll be wearing a low-cut or backless gown.
“I want to prep those areas perfectly so when they get their spray tan the client is primed for a smooth and even application to enhance their glow,” she says.
The special VIP attention is about more than one big night though. Extra love will pay dividends in the future.
“If you want to ensure no one can guess your age, the neck, chest, and hands need to be included into your skincare regime," Lekus explained. "They get a huge amount of sun exposure and often get ignored. As a result, they're a dead giveaway of age.”
While it may not be necessary for us mere mortals to get back facials and apply body makeup on a daily basis, giving these areas a little TLC before a special event and taking care of them for the future can make a world of difference.
Neck & Hands
Apply lotion anywhere skin is going to be showing—not just on your face. How you do it matters too: When dealing with your chest and above, always apply product in an upward motion to avoid pulling skin down, which can cause sagging over time. “Lift, lift, lift is my mantra,” says Lekus. Left with excess product on your palms? Apply it to the backs of your hands for a quick way to give the area a boost.
While your regular facial moisturizer is fine to use on your neck, chest, and décolletage, Lekus says that a cream specifically formulated for the neck can be beneficial. Our favorite? Strivectin’s TL Advanced Tightening Neck Cream PLUS, which contains powerful anti-aging ingredients like peptides and is proven to visibly tighten, brighten and smooth skin.
Arms
While not as delicate or front-and-center as the face, your arms are a major expanse of skin that deserve attention. To fight redness, uneven tone, or the light bruises and bangs inherent with living, Irwin swears by tinted body lotions and Dermablend body makeup. Copy the professionals' move and look for a formula that's transfer-resistant to avoid staining clothes.
The Westmore Beauty Body Coverage Perfector is a staple in Dorman’s kit. “It has a matte finish with a slight gleam so it doesn’t look flat."
Jaw, Collarbone, and Shins
“One thing I notice when I’m out and about is that girls forget to blend their makeup along their jaw, leaving a clear foundation line,” says North. “Make sure the color matches your neck, and blend the foundation down the neck to create a more even look.”
For a final touch, Irwin recommends applying some highlighter along the collarbone and down the shins to “draw attention to great legs."
Go forth and glow.
