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7 simple makeup tricks that make Rihanna shine, according to her artist
If you’ve ever wondered why Rihanna’s skin always looks so amazing, we can confirm that not everything is due to good genes or expensive facials. Whether she’s serving jaw-dropping looks on the red carpet or more of a natural vibe, it’s Hector Espinal, her longtime friend and global makeup artist at Fenty Beauty, who is behind her brilliance. With nightlife on hiatus, it’s safe to say that most of us aren’t wearing as much makeup as before, but there’s no denying the uplifting power of a touch of mascara and highlighter here and there. Ahead, Espinal reveals tips and tricks that his famous clients (including Rihanna, of course) swear on for enviable everyday makeup in just a few moments. Oh, and they are all compatible with a face mask. Start with skin care “When people tell me they want ‘celebrity skin’, I tell them to start with skin care,” says Espinal. “Without skin care, I can’t do a makeup look. It just doesn’t work. If you really take the time to moisturize, everything you apply on top will look great. The minute you don’t, you’ll see a little more texture. ”Of course, the texture of the skin is not bad, but if you want to minimize the appearance of pores, blemishes or dry spots, hydrated skin is essential. “A good cleanser, tonic and moisturizer followed by eye cream and that’s it,” says Espinal. He recommends Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer SPF 30 to hydrate the skin and protect against UV rays. For uniformly tinted skin in a flash, Espinal combines a base pump with primer or moisturizer. “I mix it with my fingers or a sponge and that’s it,” he says. According to Espinal, Rihanna loves to build thin base layers to obtain a natural and radiant final result. Her favorite is the Pro Filt’r Moisturizing Foundation, which gives the skin a pleasant, moist effect when applied with a damp sponge. Three steps for natural makeup While Espinal thinks the makeup look without makeup is actually one of the most difficult to do (he tells us it usually involves about 20 layers), there are three products he looks for for quick and natural makeup – and the base is not involved. “I go straight to the concealer, usually Match Stix Matte Skinstick, which melts on the skin with just my fingers,” says Espinal. “Concealer is the fastest cheat to achieve this look, because it’s like you’re faking hours of sleep. Then, I apply blush cream to the cheekbones and lots of mascara for that truly awake look. ”TikTokers are crazy about Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara right now, while Espinal likes Full Frontal Volume, Lift & Curl Mascara. Apply the concealer strategically Many of us were created in makeup tutorials on YouTube, where carrying the concealer to cover under-eye circles or “bags” was one thing. But Espinal believes that a little goes a long way and product placement is important. Instead of applying concealer in bands or triangle shapes, Espinal aims at the inner corner of the eye and up in the eye socket to cover any darkness. He then mixes the concealer down to hide any dark circles. “Less is more,” he says. “Fingers are a great tool for mixing concealer, or you can use the tip of the sponge. But I always have a cute eyeshadow brush on hand because it gives that nice, polished airbrush effect. I prefer this over a flat concealer brush because it is so much softer. ”Espinal also has a great tip for finding the perfect concealer shade: instead of testing it on the back of your hand, test the concealer on the inside of your forearm just below your wrist for a much better color combination. The fastest cut for shiny skin Espinal says there is a fine line between looking oily and dewy, and it all comes down to the T zone – essentially, nose, forehead and chin. “I make sure that the T zone is nice and matte,” says Espinal, who likes Invisimatte Blotting Powder to absorb the shine. Espinal loves a multipurpose product and usually uses a gloss (ie Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer) as an illuminator on the cheekbones. “Put a little on the back of your hand and mix it with your finger, so that it gets the perfect dew without looking oily,” he says. “If you want to look really natural, use a moisturizing spray for your face and spray on the sides of your face to create a beautiful dew effect.” Combines with monochromatic makeup for everyone Rihanna’s characteristic daily look is monochromatic makeup: combining her cheeks with her eyes. You only need one product, which is a suntan. “I feel that monochromatic makeup is in fashion now,” says Espinal. “Using your tan, subtly sculpt your cheeks and use it on your eyelids instead of in the shade too. It is really the easiest look for everyone and all you do is finish with mascara and a touch of lip gloss. ”Espinal says to avoid creating a monochromatic makeup look using blush. “You have to be very attentive here,” he says. “If you put blush on your eyelids, you should be prepared so that it can look like you’re having a bad reaction.” So use your favorite suntan lotion to increase the heat. The powder foundation changes the game Not only is the powder foundation much more comfortable under a face mask, but it will also make your skin look perfect in seconds, says Espinal. “I like to take a large tan brush and apply powder foundation all over my face for an airy look. It doesn’t look heavy or transfer, which is great if you’re wearing a mask, ”he explains. Espinal says that sometimes he also changes the concealer for a light layer of powder base to blur spots and irregular skin tones, since it looks a little more natural. Putting back some lip gloss or highlighter on top of your cheekbones is a must to ensure your skin doesn’t look smooth. Use blush to sculpt cheekbones When it comes to applying blush, Espinal has a great tip for lifting and sculpting your cheeks. “Place two fingers directly on the sides of the nose and, using the width, you will know where to start applying the blush,” he says. Basically, keep the space where your fingers are resting without blushing. “Otherwise, you will look like you are blushing too much,” says Espinal. “Then work from the cheekbones upwards.” Apply the blush very low and you can drag your cheeks down. Espinal also skips suntan completely and contours with blush for a more subtle appearance. Just suck on the cheekbones and apply to the cheek cavities, rising towards the temples. At Refinery29, we are here to help you navigate this oppressive world of things. All of our market choices are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something for which we have a link on our website, Refinery29 can receive commission. This story was originally published on Refinery29 UK. Like what you’re seeing? How about a little more R29 goodness, right here? Yes, Trinny London is really worth the beauty HypeAn Ode for fat girls who love to look sticky AF7 signs you need to clean your makeup bag as soon as possible