It Starts with Smart Skin Prep
A long-lasting look begins long before any makeup is applied. Celebrity makeup artists emphasize that proper skin prep is the foundation of flawless, durable makeup. The goal is to create a smooth, balanced canvas. This process often starts with a gentle
cleanser to remove any surface oils that could cause makeup to break down later. Next, hydration is key, but it has to be the right kind. Artists opt for lightweight, water-based, or gel-cream moisturizers that hydrate without leaving a heavy or greasy film. Over-moisturizing, especially with thick creams, can make the skin too rich and cause foundation to slide right off. For a red-carpet event, artists often let the moisturizer fully absorb for several minutes before moving on to the next step, ensuring the skin is supple but not slippery.
The Power of a targeted Primer
If there's one step professionals never skip for events, it's primer. A good primer acts as an anchor, gripping onto foundation and creating a barrier between your skin's natural oils and your makeup. For a soft glam look that needs to last, artists don't necessarily use one primer all over. Instead, they apply it strategically. A mattifying or pore-blurring primer might be pressed into the T-zone—the forehead, nose, and chin—to control shine, while a more hydrating or illuminating primer might be used on the cheeks to enhance glow. Some artists even use a setting spray *before* foundation, a trick learned from stage performers to create an extra layer of protection against sweat and oil.
Layering, Not Caking, Is Key
The secret to a modern, soft-glam base is using less product in thin, strategic layers. Makeup artists avoid applying a heavy mask of foundation. Instead, they often use lightweight liquid or serum foundations, applying them with a damp sponge or brush to sheer out the product and press it into the skin for a more natural finish. Coverage is built up only where needed, such as over redness or blemishes. This technique of gradual building prevents the makeup from looking cakey and makes it less likely to crack or separate in the heat. For the soft-glam effect, many artists are also using cream-based products like blush and bronzer *before* any powder, which creates a more natural, lit-from-within color.
The Strategic Set with Powders
Setting the makeup is a crucial step for longevity, but the days of baking the entire face are gone, especially for a soft glam look. Professionals use finely-milled, translucent setting powders very strategically. Using a powder puff or a small brush, they press the powder only onto areas that are prone to creasing or shine, like under the eyes, around the nose, and in the center of the forehead. Leaving other parts of the face, like the high points of the cheeks, less powdered preserves a luminous, skin-like finish. The key is to apply powder in a light dusting rather than a heavy layer, as too much powder can emphasize texture when you start to sweat.
Lock It In with Setting Spray
The final, non-negotiable step for a sweat-resistant finish is a generous mist of setting spray. This is what truly locks everything together. Artists use setting sprays to melt the powder and liquid layers into one seamless finish, taking away any powdery look and extending the wear of the makeup for hours. For high-stakes events like the BET Awards, makeup artists often opt for mattifying or long-wear formulas that are proven to be waterproof and transfer-resistant. Some will even do a final spritz after all makeup, including eyes and lips, is complete to ensure the entire look is sealed and ready for anything.
