This week’s inauguration ceremony was full of tradition, celebrity performances, and some of the best makeup looks we’ve seen in a while. Stars like J.Lo and Lady Gaga may have stolen the show when it comes to next-level vocals, but it’s former First Lady Michelle Obama that’s been all over our news feed in praise of her sultry, glowing makeup look.
In an interview with The Cut, the 57-year-old’s makeup artist, Carl Ray, spilled everything he used to achieve her look. “I wanted her to have a powerful beauty look that was classy, bold, and confident; but all of that would also need to be achieved through the top half of her face only.”
For her contour, he used Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skinstick ($25), Iconic London Illuminator Liquid Highlight ($40) for her glow, and Anastasia Beverly Hills DIPBROW Gel ($20) and Brow Definer ($20) for her bold, slicked brows.
To create a “glammed-up day time smoky eye,” Ray smudged out a range of colors from the Viseart Eyeshadow Palatte ($80) in 01 Neutral Mattes and patted Pat McGrath Eyedols Eye Shadow ($13) in Divine Mink onto the center of her eyes. Next, he lined Obama’s eyes with Pat McGrath Labs Permagel Eyeliner ($28) in Xtreme Black before topping it all off with Fenty Beauty Flyliner Liquid Eyeliner ($22). “I like to apply this liner on top of pencil liner for a more dramatic look, plus it stays put all day and night.”
Both her top and bottom lashes were coated with Glossier Lash Slick ($16) before being covered with Lilly Lashes. “For TV, we really need to make things a little more dramatic, so her eyes shine,” Ray says.
