With Oscar night just days away, starlets and stylists are carefully plotting their statements for the biggest red-carpet event of the year. While Instagram updates can make anyone feel as though they're in on the Hollywood secrets for red-carpet perfection, there are untold tricks that makeup artists keep up their sleeves for those moments when nothing can be left to chance. I spilled some of my favorite tips on E! this week and I want to let you in on my top ten most unusual tips for a flawless face from lips to lashes.
Gwyneth Paltrow and P. Diddy prep for the red carpet
1. DIY Lash Perm
The eyes have it when you're flashing the paps with your best blue steel. To really open the eyes and make lashes look as long and thick as possible, always curl your lashes before applying mascara. If you give your curler a quick blast with a hair dryer beforehand, the heat will give lashes a boost to keep the curl in place through any after party.
Charlize Theron
2. An Alluring 3D Lip
Before Angelina Jolie's leg took on a life of its own her lips were the main awards season attraction. Fake a full 3D pout in three foolproof steps: first brush a white, matte gel eyeliner on the lip line and over the lip. Create depth by adding a neutral shade of cream lipstick to the center of the mouth, and then top with a matching gloss. The different textures create a very full-looking, 3D pout destined for social media stardom.
Angelina Jolie
3. The Ultimate Feline Flick
Winged statement liner has been an Oscars mainstay since Barbra Streisand reigned over the red carpet with a teased bob and cat-eye liner in 1969. To build intensity with liner apply scotch tape from the corner of the eye angled toward the temple to map out the shape of your line. Apply your design then remove the tape to reveal perfectly clean and crisp lines worthy of a makeup pro.
Emma Stone
4. A Mess-Free Smoky Eye
The area under the eyes can make or break a look when it comes to appearing fresh and well-rested. While oxygen facials and juice cleanses certainly don't hurt, I love to apply my energizing eye masks under the eyes while I'm creating a smoky eye. The masks reduce puffiness and discoloration while also keeping the area free of shadow fallout. Just make sure to conceal the under-eye area afterward!
Jennifer Lawrence
5. An A-List Complexion.
Blemishes are an unwanted accessory on any occasion, but they can be quickly remedied with a clever combination of products. Before you reach for your concealer, apply eye drops or a nasal spray over any blemishes. They both act a bit like a topical steroid, helping to shrink blood vessels and minimize redness.
Jessica Alba
6. Hair that Shimmers
No matter how many hot oil treatments or serums you try, the hair of mere mortals never quite looks as shiny as, say, Amy Adams'. One of Hollywood's top hair pros says the reason lies in one his most trusted red carpet beauty secrets: "I will take ultra-fine glitter powder and mix it with hair spray, then I'll use this mixture when styling." The lights and cameras pick up the sparkle so viewers at home are left with major hair envy.
Amy Adams
7. An Oscar-Worthy Glow
Stars are subject to thousands of photos during a red carpet event. To give skin a scene-stealing glow, mix two drops of argan oil with foundation before applying. This trick helps to even out light reflecting from the skin, so it appears flawless in photos.
Kerry Washington
8. Bright Eyes
You may have heard of putting frozen teaspoons on the eyes to take down puffiness, but there's an even easier trick for wide-awake eyes -- place an ice cube on your tongue and hold it to the roof of your mouth for ten minutes. This method results in eyes that look refreshed and bright.
Reese Witherspoon
9. A Full Fringe of Lashes
Lush lashes are essential to define the eyes in photos and I absolutely adore a faux lash, but some women are uncomfortable wearing them. Here's the trick for getting natural lashes red carpet-ready: Coat the top of your lashes with a translucent powder followed by a generous amount of mascara on both the top and bottom of your lashes to pump up the volume.
Adele
10. Picture-Perfect Makeup
The secret to keeping celebs' makeup looking matte, not caked, is to dip a makeup brush in moisturizer, removing the excess cream, and then dip it into powder before applying it to the skin. This offers coverage and shine control without giving skin the dreaded dry, powdery look.
Sandra Bullock