Have you ever stopped to think about what happens before those flawless photos of famous people at big red carpet events?
It's not just about putting on makeup and looking like a diva.
There is a whole ritual, almost a parallel event, that begins hours, sometimes days, before the big moment.
And makeup, of course, is essential.
If you think it's just about choosing a good foundation and a pretty lipstick, sit down and I'll tell you how this process is much more complex and well-planned than it seems.
Preparation begins long before the brush is drawn – major events
Even before the makeup artist appears with their arsenal of products, the skin is already being prepared with complete dedication.
Many celebrities begin a true self-care ritual days before a major awards ceremony.
Her skincare routine intensifies with sessions at beauty clinics, powerful face masks, deep cleansing, and even procedures like light microneedling or LED therapy.
It's like putting your skin in a private spa.
Plus, their diet changes: they eliminate sugar, salt, and alcohol, all to avoid last-minute bloating and acne.
And sleep becomes a top priority.
After all, no amount of makeup can prevent you from sleeping badly at night.
Makeup and dress go hand in hand – big events
Many people don't even realize it, but celebrity makeup begins with a conversation between the makeup artist and the hairstylist.
Everything must be in harmony.
The dress sets the tone for the makeup.
If the look is bold and complex, the makeup is often the opposite: cleaner, focusing on the skin and delicate details.
Now, if the dress is minimalist, that's where striking eyes or a vibrant lipstick come into play. Nothing is casual.
Every detail is strategically thought out to create a look that will last through photos, videos, and in-person meetings.
Makeup is considered an architectural construction.
When it comes to applying it, the process is almost mathematical.
It's not about over-applying or overdoing it, but rather applying well-defined layers.
It all starts with a powerful pre-makeup application. Lifting serums, primers with blurring technology, setting sprays—all of these products are applied even before the foundation touches the skin.
A common trick among celebrity makeup artists is to mix liquid highlighter with moisturizer, creating a natural glow that's noticeable even with several layers of product.
When applying foundation, the rule is clear: less quantity, more precision.
The foundation is full coverage, yes, but it applies very lightly.
First with a brush, then with a damp sponge, so that everything looks polished and natural.
The concealer is applied in the right places, without overdoing it, just to reinforce what's needed. The bronzer, blush, and highlighter are applied carefully, respecting the angles of the face and creating depth without looking artificial.
It's like painting a picture with a deep understanding of light and shadow.
The eyes are worked to seduce the cameras
Although they may seem simple, the eyes are always the center of attention in makeup.
They need to capture attention in photos, videos, and live.
And to achieve this, the makeup artist uses various techniques to lengthen and define them.
One of the most popular styles is the famous "fox eye," which creates that slightly stretched look at the outer corners.
The most curious thing is that this is often achieved with just brown eyeshadow and very specific brushes. Nothing too obvious, but with a striking effect.
False eyelashes are a must, but they rarely come ready-made.
Professionals often cut and assemble lashes strand by strand, creating a unique design that precisely highlights the shape of the celebrity's eyes.
All this with black glue, professional tweezers and a millimeter eye.
And as subtle as it may seem, this detail makes a difference in the final result.
The makeup lighting is designed like that of a film set.
Highlighter is one of the best allies for those who want to shine.
But there is no room here for exaggeration or random application.
Professional makeup artists for major events apply highlighter in strategic points: on the top of the cheekbone, on the bridge of the nose, on the tear duct, on the Cupid's bow.
And they don't use just one texture.
They often combine liquid, cream, and powder highlighters to create a three-dimensional glow, which works both live and under camera flashes.
The mouth also has its secret architecture.
A celebrity's mouth at an event has to withstand everything: drinks, interviews, kisses, and emotional speeches.
And to achieve this, the secret is in the layers.
Lip contouring is done with surgical precision, sometimes even using concealer and a brush to further define the shape of the lips.
Next comes the long-lasting liquid lipstick, followed by a more comfortable lipstick, to ensure your lips don't dry out and stay beautiful for hours.
And although many people carry lipstick in their purse, ideally it's not necessary.
Touch-ups, and most of the time, there are none.
It all ends with an invisible but striking finish – major events
Once your makeup is ready, setting spray comes into play. But it's not just any spray; it's a setting spray that creates a real protective film on the skin.
Keeps makeup on for hours, even under the heat of the spotlights.
Some makeup artists even finish with a light dusting of HD translucent powder in strategic spots, just to ensure there's no glare on cameras.
And before the celebrity leaves for the event, there's still one last touch: a general checkup in natural light and some tests with the phone camera and direct light, to make sure everything is perfect.
What can we learn from all this?
We may not have a personal beauty kit or luxury products on our vanity, but we can adapt many of these tricks to our daily lives.
Preparing your skin carefully before applying makeup for big events, layering products lightly, investing in good highlighters, and taking care with the finishing touches can make a big difference.
The main idea, after all, is not to create a mask, but to enhance your natural features with technique, care, and intention.
And most importantly, even with so much production involved, the goal of major event makeup remains the same: to make you feel beautiful, confident, and ready to shine, whether on the red carpet or any other special moment in your life.