Bombshell Make-up Look

Last December, the New York Times published an article titled, “Lashes, Lashes, Lashes: What It Took to Give the ‘Bombshell’ Women the Fox Look”. I had recently seen the movie and was amazed at the transformations, especially Charlize Theron as Megyn Kelly. I thought, I should see if I could recreate that make-up look for Beautypendence.

Then I procrastinated.

And then Bombshell won the Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling at the Oscars on Sunday night. I thought, “I better get on that!” And I did last night. And it was A LOT of product. Here’s my play by play.

Here’s me, starting from scratch. That means a freshly washed face followed by a serum and moisturizer. Makeup always sits better on a moisturized palette.

If I was wearing this makeup for more than an hour, I’d apply a primer first. But in this case, I went straight to foundation. To create a glow that will look good under camera lights, I incorporated one small pump of Armani Fluid Sheer in #2 (my newest toy) into my trusty Luminous Silk Foundation in shade 5.5. I applied with a paddle foundation blush but then used a sponge wedge to blend well.

More priming the canvas with concealer under the eyes. And then on the eyelids Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Minor Sin, a light champagne shimmer.

And now for the eyeshadow. This required two palettes. These Maybelline City Mini Eyeshadow Palettes are my new favorites. This one is called Chill Brunch Neutrals. I liberally applied the two violet, plum shades. Blend, blend, blend.

And now for round two of shadow, this time Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette. (I believe this is discontinued.) I wanted to build up the dark colors around the lashline, so I used the midnight navy and black shades. And plenty of cream shimmer shade to highlight under the brows.

It’s starting to look weird. It’s time to add in some eyebrows. Per the NYT article, I put a little higher arch in my brows than what is natural for me. My weapon of choice is Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade in Ebony. I’ve always found that applying brow makeup with an angled brow brush the easiest of all brow makeup solutions.

This is the part I’ll regret later, because black eyeliner is the biggest pain to take off. No matter! I do it for you, Beautypendents!

First, I applied Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero on the upper and lower waterlines and below the lower lashline (which I never do). They have a waterline version of their eyeliner that’s stickier and longer lasting, but I forwent that option to make my eye makeup removal a little less challenging. I used a short bristled brush to smudge the eyeliner below the lashline.

For more impact on the top lid, I used MAC Pro Longwear Fluidline, a gel liner, in Blacktrack. This stuff stays put. You can see what a difference the liner makes to bring out the eyes.

About this time, I start to lose the will. It’s 9:52pm on a Monday. Who thought this was a good idea? I decide to take a break on the eyes.

Now for some bronzer. I apply both a shimmery and a matte option, Lorac Tantalizer and Benefit Hoola. Camera lights wash you out, so adding in some warmth helps. I use a fluffy blush and sweep on my face in a “3” shape on both sides of my face, starting around the crown down to the chin, and also lightly down the bridge of the nose. Basically, apply to the areas where you would get a sunburn.

Next up, blush. Again, I used two products. I started with Nars Liquid Blush in Orgasm. The compact powder version never worked well for me, because I thought it was too sheer for my skin tone. However, this liquid version is buildable. I smiled and the applied with a sponge wedge on the fullest parts of my cheeks. Then I went back with this very old Bare Minerals mauve powder blush using a brush. Looking back, I should have applied more blush.

And now for the key product to the broadcast journalist look — strip lashes. They make a HUGE difference but are generally a pain in the a** to apply. Having longer nails did make it easier this time. Ardell has many options, all affordable. I like their faux mink ones, because they’re lighter to wear. I went for the biggest ones I could find in this brand. Retrospectively, I should have picked a fluffier option from a different brand.

The NYT article also talked about using copious amounts of lip gloss. Layers and layers of it. I started with a BITE lip crayon in Glace and then applied NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Smokey Look. It’s a pinkish nude with shimmer. And then I applied the gloss again. And then again.

Fini! In the photos (and I presume on a TV camera), the makeup looks heavy but kind of normal. In the mirror, it looked like a lot. I mean, I just attended a black-tie gala last Friday and didn’t wear anywhere close to this much makeup.

But if this is a look you want to achieve, go for it! Playing with makeup is meant to be fun. My final tips:

• Start with clean, well-moisturized skin
• Be patient and diligent blending your eyeshadow
• Strategically place your highlighting products on the places where you want light to bounce
• Use more blush and bronzer than you think you need if you’re going to be under camera lights
• Be sure to be stocked up on an eye makeup remover to take all this off before going to bed

Do I look ready to do the news (in my white t-shirt)?