How-to | Taraji P. Henson @ 2017 Academy Awards

Beauty inspiration from celebrity makeup artist, Ashunta Sheriff:
“The importance of having exfoliated, clean and moisturized skin plays a huge role in makeup looking flawless. My philosophy is makeup should enhance your natural beauty and balance out skin imperfections. I do not believe makeup should wear you or alter your face completely. I’m not a naturalist, but I am all for enhancing natural beauty – not masking and rebuilding a new face.”

Prep

“Before any big award shows, I love to begin by using DERMAFLASH. With its superior at-home exfoliation, plus the removal of unwanted peach fuzz, it helps makeup look more smooth, radiant and glowing.”

Use a Kate Somerville Goat Milk De-Puffing Eye Balm followed by Kate Somerville DermalQuench Liquid Lift Advanced Wrinkle Treatment.

Then Farsali 24 Karat Rose Gold Elixir all over the face.

Before starting makeup,  apply Glossier Priming Moisturizer to hold makeup in place and give a natural radiance to the skin.

Finish with Burt’s Bees Shea Butter Lip Balm is to prep lips.

Face

Apply Perfect Blend by Ashunta Sheriff Beauty in Tan using the dual ended vegan brush for smooth and flawless coverage. “It’s a buildable foundation that has built in technology that masks skins imperfections without looking heavy.”

“For the Oscars I add a little more lift with MAC Mineralized Concealer in NC40 under the eye area and on the brow bone.”

Set makeup with Dermablend Oil Control Blotting Powder using Surratt Beauty Powder Brush, “which has a beautiful design – almost like a Kabuki brush with a handle for better control, and the hairs are super soft and fluffy.”

Add some subtle contour by using St. Tropez 3-in-1 Bronzing Powder. “I wanted a soft romantic look, so I opted for Glossier Cloud Paint, a creme blush in Dusk, then applied Enlight by Danessa Myricks in Halo on cheekbones.”

Eyes

Base the lid with Urban Decay Eye Primer then use Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil to line eyes on both top and bottom lash line making a thick line, then feathering out with a Surratt Beauty Blending Brush “to create a soft, sultry smoke.”

Use Urban Decay Smokey Eye Palette and blend black in the crease, followed by using the dark brown on top to soften the edges.

Make a thin line on the top and lower lash line with MAC Creme Liner, then smudge it using Q-tips.

Apply House of Lashes Iconic Lashes with Duo Black Adhesive for extra boost of glam. “I added one coat of MAC Waterproof Mascara on bottom lashes.”

Add NYX Shimmerball Eyeshadow in Salmon on the center of eyes and in the inner corner of the eyes.

Use Damone Roberts Brow Pencil in Minx and highlight the brow bone in Peach to keep brows clean.

Lips

Line lips with MAC Cork Lip Pencil and top it with Surratt Beauty in Vivacious Pink.

Body

Use One Night Only Finishing Gloss by St. Tropez on the body.

“I added Danessa Myricks Enlight in Halo on her collarbone and shoulders to get that beautiful highlight.”