Welcome to Drugstore Heroes, a monthly series in which we highlight the often overlooked and under-promoted drugstore beauty products that industry experts trust. From editors to content creators and even celebrities, we’re asking tastemakers to share their top recommendations for affordable, yet effective products. Get ready to see drugstore beauty at its best.
(Image credit: Original art by Makenna Frederick)
ICYMI, the 98th annual Academy Awards took place last week. And while everyone was waiting with bated breath to see the red-carpet fashion and beauty (they were divine) and hear the winners announced in each category (they were about to make history), we knew better than to go offline once the ceremony ended. Of course, because of the after-party.
This year there was an influx of celebs here Vanity Fair Party after the Oscars. While there were many stunning and charming celeb looks to discuss, one stood out in my memory above all others – Kendall Jenner’s. She wore a stunning baby-blue Chanel dress, but I was most amazed by her makeup, which was fresh, smooth, and sun-kissed… and created entirely with drugstore products.
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Yes, it is true. celebrity makeup artist mary phillips Jenner used 17 affordable skin-prep and makeup products to create her look. He also used his internet-viral under-painting technique. (For the uninitiated, “underpainting” flips traditional makeup application on its head, such that contour, concealer, and highlighter are applied First Foundation for a natural-looking, airbrushed finish.) It’s proof that you don’t always have to pay a high price for high performance.
(Image credit: Getty Images; original art by Makenna Frederick)
I caught up with Phillips to discuss the inspiration behind this look, review the exact products she used to create it, and even pick her brain about makeup tips and tricks. “The inspiration behind this look was a nod to the ’60s,” she said. “We really wanted to emphasize the eyes while pairing them with a defined, mod-inspired pinky nude lip.”
The obvious next question was Who Drugstore products were used. Answer? L’Oréal Paris Products. Jenner is a brand ambassador, so I wasn’t surprised to learn this. She said, I Was Got curious about the exact things and how Philips implemented them. Luckily, she was willing to share all that information and more.
Phillips told me that, for this look, skin prep was “everything,” like applying foundation and concealer in light layers. “This gives me complete control over where I build coverage and where it leaves the skin looking fresh and glowing,” she says. In fact, this is her #1 tip for getting red-carpet-worthy makeup at home. “One of the most common mistakes I see is that people use too much product. If you first apply a small amount of color corrector over any discoloration you can actually use much less concealer. It’s all about being strategic. When you layer sparingly and with intention, the skin looks fresher, more natural, and never cakey.”
17 products worn by Kendall Jenner at the Oscars after-party
loreal paris
Collagen Moisture Filler Moisture Bounce Serum
This serum is loaded with collagen, glycerin and squalane to make skin soft, smooth and bouncy (as per the name). Phillips used this as a first step in preparing Jenner’s skin. “Kendall’s skin is already naturally beautiful, but for me, skin preparation is everything,” she says. “I started by immediately massaging in L’Oréal Paris Collagen Moisture Bounce Filler Serum to plump and hydrate her skin.”
loreal paris
Infallible Skin Ink 2-1 Foundation Concealer – 80 Light Warm
“I then used L’Oréal Paris Infallible Skin Ink 2-1 Foundation Concealer to conceal the under eye area and highlight the center of the face,” she says. His #1 trick? Apply foundation and concealer in light layers. “This gives me complete control over where I create coverage and where I leave the skin looking fresh and glowing.”
loreal paris
True Match Foundation – N4
“On top of contour and highlight, I buffed L’Oréal Paris True Match Foundation into the skin,” she says. This is a medium-coverage, natural-finish foundation. It’s formulated with six shades for the most accurate skin-tone matching, and it’s incredibly easy to blend.
loreal paris
Infallible Fresh Wear Bronzer – 350 Medium
Jenner looked radiant and sun-kissed on the red carpet, and it’s all thanks to this powder bronzer, which provides natural-looking complexion and dimension. “(I) painted the cheekbones and perimeter of the face bronze “L’Oréal Paris Fresh Wear Bronzer.”
loreal paris
Haute Precision Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner – 010 Black Silk
Phillips *actually* used L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Precision Felt Tip Eyeliner to create Jenner’s ’60s-inspired eye makeup look. However, it is out of stock. This is a great option, because it’s just as silky, highly pigmented, and long-lasting.
“For the eyes, we wanted a lot of drama. I followed her natural eye shape with L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Precision Felt Tip Eyeliner and extended it into a wing to create a bold cat-eye effect.”
loreal paris
expansive mascara
Jenner’s full, wavy lashes came courtesy of this new L’Oreal mascara, which I reviewed a few months ago. The formula is thin, buildable, and flexible, so it doesn’t clump or clump, and the small, dense brush dispenses just the right amount of mascara onto my lashes. It sweeps them up and out for exceptional lift and length.
(Image credit: Original art by Makenna Frederick)
In total, Jenner’s 17 red carpet-approved drugstore beauty products are worth $237.
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