Just look at celebrities strutting down the red carpet, and it’s no wonder we’re all wanting to unveil the secrets for skin that looks as good, as flawless as theirs.
Red carpet skin is the standard for skin whenever we’re not talking about a glass skin glow. It’s skin that has a healthy, luminous finish, and it looks so effortlessly perfect, of course. Take your cue from like stars like Hailey Bieber, Emma Chamberlain, and Kendall Jenner, and you’ll know just what we’re talking about.
While skin like that comes with weeks of prep (let’s be real), there are tricks up a makeup artist’s sleeves for celebrities to parade skin that’s gloriously aglow on the big day too.
So, when @officialsavannahrae dropped a video revealing three hacks to achieve celebrities’ red carpet skin, it swept the internet by storm. The video has racked up 2.9 million views, 479.5K likes, and counting.
What is TikTok’s celebrity skin hack?
“So, a friend of mine does makeup for celebrities – and I know we all have the same question – I was like, girl, how do they look so good on the red carpet?” said Savannah in her video. Turns out, it only takes three steps.
The first step is to use a “really good, hydrating primer” like the Becca Backlight Priming Filter, spreading lots of it all over the skin. If you’re looking for a more affordable primer, the E.L.F. Poreless Putty Primer is supposed to do the trick too.
Then, you mix two products on your skin: an illuminating product and a skin tint.
@officialsavannahrae The glow is insane #makeuptips #makeuphacks #charlottetilbury #glowymakeup #naturalmakeup #redcarpet #fyp #foryoupage
@officialsavannahrae’s TikTok recommends, specifically, the Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter Foundation to give skin that luminescent glow.
She doesn’t recommend a particular skin tint, but the product she uses is the Dior Backstage Face and Body Foundation, in the tiniest amount – so, as she mentions in a comment, it gives an effect that’s “similar to a tint”.
After she blends everything with a damp beauty blender, her skin really does look dewy, flawless, yet still looking like skin. “Like, my texture is gone,” she enthuses.
Having tried so many of TikTok’s makeup tricks that have proved truly effective, we didn’t waste any time testing out this celebrity makeup hack for ourselves.
I tried TikTok’s celebrity makeup hack
@dailyvanity This is the celebrity makeup hack that supposedly gives your skin a red carpet glow 💃🏻 Does it really work? #celebritymakeuphack #celebritymakeuphacks #celebritymakeuptutorial #celebrityskin #glowymakeup #makeuphacks #makeuptips #fyp
The primer that @officialsavannahrae recommends is not just any primer, but one that hydrates. Primers are good not just for blurring pores and keeping makeup in place, but can also lend skin-loving benefits like hydration, brightening, or reducing wrinkles and fine lines.
Since the hack involves using a hydrating primer, I chose the KOSÉ Esprique Essence Glow Primer, which is packed with 90% serum to hydrate skin and lend it a dewy radiance.
Normally, it’s best to use a primer sparingly, in just a 10 cents to 20 cents amount, in order to cover the skin lightly without the primer piling or gathering in certain areas. However, following @officialsavannahrae’s advice, I slathered on lots of primer, which took some time to spread evenly over my skin.
With just the primer, my skin looked brighter and more illuminated already. The KOSÉ Esprique Essence Glow Primer gives a slightly shimmery finish (unlike most primers), so I also hoped that this would contribute to my final dewy, red carpet glow.
The key product in this three-step makeup hack, I believe, is the Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter Foundation. Unfortunately, I didn’t have this product in my makeup bag, so I turned to the Becca Light Shifter Dewing Tint Tinted Moisturiser in the shade Orbit 2 instead.
Becca’s tinted moisturiser hydrates the skin whilst lending a hint of colour and coverage; it also gives a pearlescent finish that’s a must-have for this celeb red carpet look. I applied it in dots all over my face.
Next, it was time to sweep on a light layer of skin tint. I used the D Program Allerdefense Essence BB Sunscreen, a BB cream, for a hint of coverage that keeps my skin still looking like skin.
I used my fingers to apply the formula to my cheeks, forehead, and chin, over the Becca Light Shifter Dewing Tint Tinted Moisturiser that was already dotted on my face.
Finally, with a damp beauty blender, I blended the duo of products into one another and over my skin. It felt like a stickier, greasier blend compared to when I tap foundation over my skin. It’s likely because of the Becca Light Shifter that’s a tinted moisturiser rather than an illuminating foundation like the cult-favourite Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter.
This is my verdict
My skin took on a slightly more dewy and radiant glow, compared to after using my usual blend of foundation and concealer.
The shimmer-infused products (the Esprique Essence Glow Primer and the Becca Light Shifter) were what I think are responsible for giving my skin its tad more iridescent sheen. Since the makeup I used offers light coverage, this probably also helped my skin to achieve a dewier, glassier look.
However, the smooth, textureless skin that @officialsavannahrae (and so many other TikTokers who have tried out this hack) flaunted didn’t come true for me. I could still see, clearly, the bumpy pores and rough texture on my skin.
Here’s another red carpet secret you should know: in the weeks leading up to the big event, many celebs pay special attention to their skincare and lifestyle. This is so that their skin looks its best, giving makeup a smooth canvas to go onto.
Since smoothing textured skin is not quite as easy a feat as you might imagine, I relented a little in this area.
How to get the best results on TikTok’s celeb skin hack
If you’re looking to achieve a luminescent, radiant glow, then I would say that it’s worth giving this celeb skin three-step makeup hack a shot, especially with these products.
Illuminator: Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter Foundation
The star product in this hack, the Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter Foundation is one that you surely need in your stash for an airbrushed, high-glow, red carpet finish.
This holy grail product has its status for a reason: it’s infused with finely milled powders that smoothen the skin, reduce the look of pores, and give a soft-focus finish, even as this highlighter foundation stunningly illuminates.
The Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter Foundation retails for RM324 on Zalora.
Primer: E.L.F. Poreless Putty Primer
Even if the Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter Foundation has already put a strain on your wallet with its steep price tag, you still achieve your best red carpet skin with this affordable primer from E.L.F.
The E.L.F. Poreless Putty Primer has a velvety, putty-like texture that melts easily onto the skin. Since it’s infused with nourishing Squalane, your skin will also feel softer and more hydrated – perfectly prepped for the illuminating foundation and skin tint that are to come after.
The Poreless Putty Primer is actually one out of the three types of primers available (the other two are the Matte Putty Primer and Luminous Putty Primer). Still, it’s the best one for minimising the look of pores and giving you a smooth, blurred complexion!
E.L.F. Poreless Putty Primer retails for RM65 on Shopee.
Skin tint: Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen
For a skin tint, we vote that you go for the Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen.
It’s lightweight, non-sticky, and non-greasy, so your dewy celeb skin finish won’t be a result of oily skin but, rather, a true, hydrated glow. Since it comes in 24 different shades, you’ll be able to find the best fit for your skin tone too.
Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen retails for RM142 on Sephora.
Skin tint: Huda Beauty GloWish Multidew Skin Tint
Up the ante on a luminous, glowy finish with the Huda Beauty GloWish Multidew Vegan Skin Tint!
If just the Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter Foundation doesn’t give you quite enough glam on its own, then layer on this skin tint that’s another pearlescent formula for an ultimate mega-watt glow.
With the sheer coverage of Huda Beauty’s skin tint and with the gleam that it gives, you’ll be ready to strut the red carpet, with celebrity-standard skin yourself.
Huda Beauty GloWish Multidew Skin Tint retails for RM155 on Sephora.
Featured image credit: @officialsavannahrae/TikTok (left)
