If you’ve been keeping up with red carpet events like we have, then you’ve probably noticed how unbelievably bronzed and sculpted celebrities have been looking lately. (We’ve definitely been taking screenshots of makeup looks for inspiration.) These, of course, can be credited to the talented individuals working behind the scenes to bring their look to life: makeup artists like Mai Quynh and Gita Bass.
Between these two makeup artists, their extensive clientele lists include everyone from Ali Wong, Michelle Yeoh, and Emma Roberts (Quynh) to Elizabeth Olsen, Tina Fey, and Laura Dern (Bass). We had the awesome opportunity to speak to both of them about their tips, tricks, and advice for creating iconic makeup looks that are as sculpted as they are luminous. Keep scrolling to find out everything you need to know about their process and discover a few pivotal products along the way.
“For most skin tones, bronzers add a healthy glow that can accentuate your features and give you a more youthful and rested appearance without the dangers and premature aging that can come from the sun,” Bass explains. Recently, Bass created a brilliantly bronzed makeup look for actress Toni Collette at the Mafia Mamma and decided to use bronzer to complement the actress’s white Valentino gown. For anyone looking to add some warmth and dimension to their makeup look, investing in a bronzer may be a game changer.
As with any makeup product, there are ways to ensure your makeup looks its best. “The biggest mistake with bronzer is using a color that doesn’t work for your skin tone,” says Quynh, who just worked with Wong for the premiere of Beef to create this sun-kissed look. Luckily, for every makeup difficulty, there’s a tried-and-true solution. “Foundation colors mimic skin tones better, so it will be easier to blend and look more natural and less orange,” Quynh continues. “You want to go at least three to four shades darker than your skin.” Her biggest tip for application? Focusing the product on the chin, forehead, and cheeks before guiding it up to the hairline before lightly blending down to the center of the face for a finished look that mimics where the sun would hit the skin.
If you feel inspired to give bronzing and sculpting your face a try, keep scrolling to discover which products our experts gravitate toward and which ones we’re adding to our shopping carts ASAP.
Next up, Celebs With Sensitive Skin Love These 12 Foundations, According to Makeup Artists