I’ll admit, sheepishly, that one calendar 12 months in the past, I used to be not distinctive at doing my very own make-up. I’d improved since faculty after I coloured my brows every day with beneficiant scribbles of off-black eyeliner pencil, and September 2023, after I attended a lavish vacation spot marriage ceremony armed with simply 4 merchandise. By way of all of it, I knew there was room to develop. So when my boyfriend was nominated for a Grammy in one of the best musical theater album class, I knew it was time to place my year-and-a-half of free of charge makeup-receiving, expert-insight-gathering, product-scouring, and colleague-inspired magnificence know-how to work.
Kat DenningsGetty Photographs
The factor is—since junior 12 months promenade, I have been displaying make-up artists this picture of Kat Dennings on the pink carpet on the 2013 Tv Critic Affiliation’s Summer season Press Tour (an occasion that I am completely conversant in and undoubtedly know something about in any respect) for magnificence inspo. Her darkish nude lip, mushy orangey-brown eyeshadow, peachy blush, and smoky, burnt umber backside liner? Influencer-chef’s kiss.
So, as I unzipped my cosmetics bag, I considered the blush period ushered in by Sabrina Carpenter, and the understated glowiness of Gracie Abrams’s glam. My predecessors. My foremothers, from whom I used to be quickly to be ft away (a variety of ft away) on the Crypto.com Area. I’ll not have been allowed on the pink carpet (trigger I regarded too good?), however I used to be allowed in entrance of the mirror on the Courtyard Marriott, and, dammit, was I about to do some make-up—even when I forgot my primer, setting spray, and forehead pencil in Brooklyn.
Right here’s my Grammys GWRM, step-by-step:
Profit’s Boi-ing Shiny On Brightening Undereye Concealer
I began by making use of Profit’s Boi-ing Shiny On Brightening Undereye Concealer within the shade Lychee. I learn that undereye concealer is useless, however on Sunday night time, she was exhumed. I blended by tapping with a barely damp magnificence sponge.
Tarte Creaseless Setting and Brightening Powder
Subsequent, I locked issues in with the Tarte Creaseless Setting and Brightening Powder in Cool Pink. Amazonian clay helps it keep put for as much as 16 hours. It is for the undereyes, however I dusted a little bit throughout my complete face as soon as I wrapped up the remainder of my look.
Beaubble Berry Freckle Pen
I’ll admit it, I like a faux-freckle, and the Beaubble Berry Freckle Pen does an excellent job mimicking the actual factor. I like that the felt tip is a bit wider than among the extra in style choices, so it finally ends up wanting extra pure—particularly after I tapped at them a bit with my finger to melt the pigment. Psst: Hailey Bieber makes use of this, too.
Kosas Air Forehead Clear
Onto brows, my favourite half. I reached for my Kosas Air Forehead in Clear and brushed out every tiny hairlette (new phrase simply dropped). These items by no means will get crusty, which is large. I additionally put some in my BF’s brows as a result of forehead gel is for everybody.
Kulfi Magnificence Zari Eyes Eyeshadow
I utilized Kulfi’s Zari Eyes within the shade Auburn Aura. It’s a subtly glittery, cream-to-powder state of affairs that critically stays put. The truth is, it ended up being the longest-lasting a part of the entire operation.
Clinique The Finest Of Black Honey All About Shadow Palette
I used Clinique’s The Finest Of Black Honey All About Shadow Palette for a mushy eyeliner look. I used the accompanying, dual-ended, spongy brush to use the brownish-purple shadow, which I assumed complimented my lids properly.
Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara
To intensify my lashes, I used the Tartelette Tubing Mascara, one other Tarte favourite. I solely do brown mascara, and this can be a good one. By no means, ever, ever smudgy.
Saie Dew Blush
Saie’s Dew Blush in Rosy, a muted peachy pink, was subsequent, which I blended in with a blush brush. I additionally used the discontinued Saie Dew Balm (nonetheless unhappy about it) for highlighter. The following smartest thing is Saie’s Glowy Tremendous Gel (which gained a 2024 Better of Magnificence Award).
Ilia Lip Sketch Hydrating Crayon
I went in with Ilia’s Lip Sketch in Mauve Brown to line my lips. Sooo creamy and hydrating. Thanks, hyaluronic acid.
Ilia Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm
Then I went with one other Ilia fave—Balmy Tint in Light—which I’ll enterprise to say is far more lipstick than balm as a result of it packs a punch. Nonetheless, it’s tremendous comfy to put on as a result of it’s hydrating. Final however not least, I reached for the Clinique Black Honey Lip + Cheek Oil, which appears to be like nearly as good because it feels and options conditioning safflower oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, sunflower seed oil, and castor oil. I’ll have simply found my new signature lip combo,
In 25 minutes, I’d achieved my glam. And you understand what? I believe it regarded fairly darn good. The mushy, rosy-orangey aesthetic I’ve eyed on Miss Dennings since 2013 was lastly mine, by my hand. I weirdly didn’t hearken to a lick of music whereas I did it (I used to be nervous), however my focus was unparalleled. And after a year-and-a-half of click-clacking my keyboard at Attract, it felt glorious to see what I’d realized because the days of my four-product routine. I texted an image of my outcomes to fellow commerce group member Sarah Hoffmann, who emphatically authorised—and that girl can do a face of make-up if I’ve ever seen one.
I slipped into my costume and heels, admired my scorching, gifted boyfriend (of whom I’m enormously proud), and trotted over to the Crypto.com Area, the place we received to look at unbelievable performances by Doechii, Chappell Roan, Charli XCX, and so many extra. My make-up didn’t budge, and I’m fairly positive my reminiscence of the night time gained’t both. See what I did there? Cute.