If “Dry January” was a better description of your skin than your alcohol consumption, it may be time to rethink your beauty routine. Dull, dry skin is a threat to everyone who lives in colder climates, but it’s especially pernicious for actors, who are expected to shine onscreen no matter the season. Here’s how you can rehaul your skincare and makeup routines to glow like an A-lister.
How to prep your skin
1. Vera Steimberg, makeup artist for Zoe Saldana and Eddie Murphy, says that prepping your skin before applying products is an essential first step. She recommends using a red-light mask, like the one from Skin Gym. “It will give you more of that collagen and help stimulate the skin,” Steimberg says. Massaging your skin with a jade roller can also help wake it up. “If you put makeup on without having the skin prepped, it might look a little dull.”
How to Do Stage Makeup2. No matter how tired you are at nighttime, always clean your face to remove makeup and excess oils before going to bed, Steimberg says. This will prevent breakouts that might pop up the night before an audition. She also recommends actors use pimple patches for breakouts and avoid touching their face. “You can have a steam shower. If you can put your face in a bowl of ice water for a minute, it will wake you up [and] your face will look incredible,” she says.
3. It’s an old standard, but one of the most important things an actor can do is make sure to drink enough water. “During the winter, a lot of people do not drink as much water, so that makes the skin look dehydrated,” Steimberg explains. “I always recommend having your water.”
Scott Barnes, makeup artist for Jennifer Lopez and founder of Scott Barnes Cosmetics, agrees that hydration shouldn’t be overlooked. “I do juices,” he says. “I use ginger [and] turmeric with olive oil. I do a shot of that. I make it every day and that really helps to brighten up your skin and gives your skin some real healthy glow to it.”
4. A good facial scrub can also eliminate any dry skin on the top layer of your face. A lack of hydration or humidity in your living area can intensify this dryness. “There’s a fine line between being powdery and being greasy,” Barnes says.
How to apply makeup like a pro
“If your skin is looking good, [a] minimum amount of makeup goes a long way,” says Steimberg. Avoid too much color and layering on too many products. Adding a lot of makeup on top of foundation prevents the skin from breathing, she says, and dampens any glow your skin might have.
Why You Shouldn’t Wear Makeup for Your Next Self-Tape AuditionPinks and bright colors are more reminiscent of summer, so Steimberg suggests using brown lipsticks during the winter months. “We’re seeing a lot of lip liners with just a natural lip inside and [focusing on] the eyes,” she says. She loves a red lip, a classic at any time of the year, as well as “a very clean eye with lots of mascara [and] a very fine eyeliner. It’s super chic.”
Barnes agrees that focusing on the eyes is important. If you want to draw attention to the area, he recommends using Lumify eye drops. “It gives your eyes a real brightness,” he says.
The ultimate beauty hack, Barnes adds, is putting Aquaphor ointment under your concealer. “It keeps [concealer] put and it doesn’t crack,” he says. For those who might be singing and dancing under heavy production lights, it’s a lifesaver for preventing cracked lines in your makeup. Casting directors want to imagine you in the role you’re auditioning for, so less is more, says Barnes. “Having even skin is the key thing.” He recommends using a moisturizer and foundation combo that can give you the best even tone.
How Actors Transform Their Bodies for RolesBarnes is a big fan of Sisley makeup products but understands not everyone can afford luxury prices. “If you’re going to use drugstore stuff, L’Oréal is really great,” he says. “They have anti-aging and it’s [a] rich formulation, too.” He also swears by a combination of jojoba oil and water. “Those two together make the most beautiful moisturizer on your skin,” he says. “It soaks into your skin. It’s as close to your own natural skin that you can [do].”
At the end of the day, Steimberg says it’s important for actors to really know their skin. “Don’t just try things because it’s popular right now,” she says. “Learn what your skin is lacking and just try to stick with a few products that work for you. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.”
