Beautyblenders, Bronzer and Scotch Tape: Top Backstage Makeup Essentials at the Oscars
How the Oscars' head makeup artist keeps the glam intact all night long.
By Tatiana Bido, Aesthetic Content Manager ·
Heading the Oscars backstage makeup is no small feat. After nearly two decades doing the job, Hollywood makeup artist Bruce Grayson is the maestro behind the scenes. His Oscars night prep involves stocking up on essentials like brushes, mascara and blotting paper, ready to tackle quick touchups. Leading a team of makeup artists, Grayson is poised to prep presenters like Ariana Grande, Charlize Theron and Issa Rae.
Reflecting on his kit essentials, he notes the most important tool in his kit is not what one might think. “Believe it or not, it’s Scotch tape,” he says. “There’s nothing more useful than Scotch tape to remove a glittery and shiny fabric that transfers from dress to dress. Or to remove powder on the shoulder from a backstage hug.”
As the countdown to the 96th Academy Awards begins, Grayson gives NewBeauty another exclusive glimpse into his meticulously curated Oscars backstage makeup kit.
“The genius short handled eye shadow brush, MAC 217S ($30), works equally as well with concealer. Ideal for shading or blending, it’s the perfect tool to quickly fix complexion flaws that appear before talent hits the stage.”
“It’s important for us to move fast, so when laying down concealer or covering up imperfections I use the MAC 195 brush ($27). It allows me to pat or lay down the product with precision but has a tapered tip to go into the creases and corners of the eyes.”
“Not available in the U.S., Suqqu Base The Foundation ($83) has a beautiful texture and the foundation lights up skin on camera. If you’re wondering how celebrities look filtered on camera, it’s this foundation! I also love their wide color range. To apply, I take a pearl-sized amount using a spatula and gently spread from the center of the face to outwards.”
“Made with the backstage makeup artists in mind, Beautyblender’s teardrop shaped double-sided Power Pocket Puff ($18) deposits the perfect amount of powder onto skin. It’s a BTS artist’s dream tool. I have multiples of these in every kit!”
“I’m a big fan of multi-color concealer kits, like the Koh Gen Do Mai Fanshi Moisture Concealer ($63), because mixing two to three colors to brighten up the complexion always looks more natural.”
“This super creamy matte M·A·Cximal Silky Matte Lipstick by MAC ($25) comes in some of my all-time favorite MAC lipstick colors like Cafe Mocha, Chili and Ruby Woo, all must-haves in my kit because the colors are universal and work well on all skin tones.”
“Beloved by makeup artists, celebrities and supermodels, the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Kit ($54) is available in three universal shades. The lip liner and lipstick duo are super blendable, making it easy to create gorgeous, fuller-looking lips.”
“Nanoblur ($25) is a primer but it can be used to blur imperfections underneath makeup or it can be used over makeup to mattify. The texture is so sheer and unlike a lot of other mattifiers it doesn’t add an extra layer.”
“I always have Beautyblenders ($20) on hand because they leave no no discernible mark when you apply either blush or foundation. Brushes are great, but you can use a sponge to help revive makeup.”
“I’m really into cream blush right now and my go-to at the moment is the Charlotte Tilbury Matte Beauty Blush Wand ($42) in Pink Pop and Peach Pop. Charlotte has been supportive of us and we’re using a lot of her products backstage.”
“I always have Dior Forever Skin Correct ($40) concealer in Warm Peach. It conceals, it’s movable, it goes on really easily and it gives a lot of warmth and an overall glow underneath the eye.”
“Some men will use foundation or some will just spot conceal on areas of the face they might need some color correcting. If a guy has a great complexion, why put makeup on him? We’re going to color correct where he needs it. If we’re going to put on a full foundation, my favorite foundation for men is Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Moisture ($99).
“Fran Wilson Eye Tees ($4) are perfect for quick eye fixes. One side is flat so you can smudge one end underneath the eye if you use a pencil or to even out eyeshadow. The other is pointy so you can be more precise.”
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