Blanchett beauty at its best!
Celebs choosing to go “safe” with their red carpet makeup is a big bugbear for us beauty observers – we do need some drama for talking points.
There are, of course, exceptions to the barefaced-is-boring clause. You get a free pass when you’re a veritable institution like Aussie actress Cate Blanchett (or Lady Gaga, for that matter).
We think Cate’s regal radiance at this year’s Oscars is a classy exemplar of nude done right – beauty this unsullied should be shown off, as is. Her stylists made the right call in this instance; Cate’s gasp-inducing Armani Privé gown was busy enough without having to compete with say, a heavily smoked eye.
SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, $209 for 215 ml
Besides, Cate’s commitment as an SK-II ambassador meant that she was in a prime position to show and tell, as it were. “The continual use of SK-II Facial Treatment Essence has by far been one of the best beauty decisions I could have ever made,” Cate said in a post-Oscars press statement. That’s one very persuasive endorsement indeed.
Here’s how to get Cate’s consummate complexion. Makeup artist Jeanine Lobell had an enviably clean canvas to work with right from the start: Just a liberal patting of SK-II’s Facial Treatment Essence all over Cate’s face was all she needed prior to base makeup application.
(Tip from the screen queen herself: Cate Blanchett says she sticks her bottle of FTE into the fridge for an instantly refreshing skin pick-me-up.)
Lancôme Hypnôse Waterproof Custom Volume Mascara, $50
For the eyes, Lobell picked up the matte, medium-intensity taupe from Giorgio Armani’s Eyes to Kill Eyeshadow Quad in Effetto Nudo and sweeped it over the entire lid. Swirling her brush into the darker cocoa hues from the same palette, Lobell created depth and dimension at the crease.
In keeping with Cate’s creamy champagne gown, no harsh blacks were used on her eyes; instead, the deepest chocolate from the quad was applied wet as a liner. Lashes were inked up courtesy of Lancôme’s legendary Hypnôse Waterproof Custom Volume Mascara.
From left: Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Eyeshadow Quad in Effetto Nudo, Sheer Blush in #10 Beige and Rouge Ecstasy Lipstick in #103 Incognito
To coax colour from Cate’s cheeks, Giorgio Armani’s lovely Sheer Blush in #10 Beige was carefully buffed into the cheekbones until the pigments and her skin were one; for the lips, just one swipe of Giorgio Armani’s velvety Rouge Ecstasy Lipstick in #103 Incognito was used.
Viola, bare-faced beauty that’ll earn you top honours in the beauty equivalent of the Oscars!
SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, $209 for 215 ml, is available at all SK-II counters. For more information, visit www.sk-ii.com.sg and follow SK-II Singapore on Facebook.
Lancôme Hypnôse Waterproof Custom Volume Mascara, $50, is available at all Lancôme counters. For more information, visit www.lancome.com.sg and follow Lancôme Singapore on Facebook.
Giorgio Armani Beauty is exclusively available from DFS Galleria Singapore’s Beauty Hall. For more information on pricing and availability, visit www.giorgioarmanibeauty.com.