Phoebe Bridgers is on the rise. On the heels of her Who What Wear March cover debut last week, the songstress celebrated her first Grammy Awards ceremony on Sunday, where she was nominated for four awards, solidifying her place as a force to be reckoned with in the indie-rock pantheon. With all of the Bridgers buzz currently swirling, we just can’t help but note all the epic beauty moments that have marked these momentous occasions. On that note, we’ve got some piping hot BTS tea to share from the shoot that we just know you’re going to love. On top of trading in her signature skeleton suit for dreamy Annakiki dresses, a slinky Paco Rabanne number, and the most gorgeous Chained by Sedona cape, the singer gave us some subtle beauty moments we’re still dreaming about. Keep scrolling to learn how hair and makeup artist Nicole Wittman brought the looks to life.
First of all, yes, you read that correctly—Wittman was responsible for creating both the hair and makeup looks on set. In case you weren’t aware, that’s kind of a big deal! Our multitalented artist told us that, in terms of inspiration, it was all about the surrounding elements. “We shot outdoors on a property with horses, big, billowy trees, and a cottage, so the hair took inspiration from the surroundings. A bit of style but with texture and movement,” she remarked.
“For Phoebe’s hair, I used Oribe hair products. I primed her hair with Oribe’s Foundation Mist ($32), then added Imperial Blowout Transformative Styling Hair Cream ($68) and Royal Blowout Heat Styling Spray ($69) and gave a rough blow-dry before styling her long layers into more of a fringe-type vibe to frame the face. Then, I styled the hair using a flat iron to give texture,” she said.
Once the ideal wave is achieved, Wittman recommends finishing off with the Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray ($48) to lock everything into place. “This style is great for the masses, as it is very adaptable to all hair types,” she added. “The key is to go with your natural texture. It actually is best if you don’t blow-dry the hair perfectly straight. You want the movement from the texture.”
As with the hair, the shoot location had a heavy influence on the makeup situation, with some of Bridgers’s signature makeup calling cards mixed in: polished skin, a touch of goth, and a little bit of grit. Wittman and Bridgers, who work together often and have fostered a truly collaborative relationship when it comes to beauty, came up with the theme of “a dame who landed on earth from outer space” for this look, which is where that gorgeous silver eye element came from. “Her energy is open and honest,” Wittman commented. “Phoebe’s style of makeup is always inspired by the shoot. We keep elements of her always.”
“Skin prep is major for shoots like these. We don’t cover—we perfect. You get to see the real skin, and if you are seeing the real skin, it needs to be cared for,” Wittman said. “I first applied a mask I picked up while traveling in Paris. I love to find skincare when I travel. Then, I used Weleda’s Awakening Day Cream ($26) mixed with a couple drops of Awakening Oil ($25). For the eyes and lips, I applied Weleda’s Skin Revitalizing Eye and Lip Cream ($24).
Then came the actual makeup application, which Wittman said relied heavily on Danessa Myricks Beauty products. For the complexion, they kept things simple and airbrushed with Vision Cover Cream ($22) mixed with Beauty Oil With Gold Leaf ($30) and a dusting of Evolution Setting Powder ($24) for a velvet finish. “On the cheeks, I used Colorfix Eye, Cheek & Lip Cream Pigment ($18) in Latte and buffed it into a sheer wash. I also used it on the lips for a sheer wash of color. On the eyes, we used the Metals powder ($18) in Supreme mixed with Colorfix Magic Set and Seal ($18) to create a liquid-metal finish that lasts all day,” Wittman explained. “The great thing about this makeup is the sweet spot is a couple hours after application. Worn makeup always has an element of realness. We aren’t looking for perfection—we are looking for real.” With a flick of MAC’s Eyebrow Styler ($19) and Big Boost Fibre Gel ($23) through her brows and a swipe of MAC’s Extended Play Gigablack Lash Mascara ($21) for long, defined eyelashes, the look was complete. Swoon!
Read the full March cover story with Phoebe Bridgers here.