Get The Look: Janelle Monae's Makeup by Jessica Smalls at The Grammys 2018

INSPIRATION: "I wanted to give Janelle a timeless and current look at the same time, so I decided to give her a Twiggy 2018 vibe."

“I wanted Janelle's skin to shine like the star that she is, so we began prepping her skin the night before Grammys with Kiehl’s Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Mask to help brighten her skin's appearance. 

When I arrived to Janelle the next morning, she was already glowing, but I decided to take the glow to the next level by giving her a light 5-minute steam, and then massaging Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate all over her face and along her neck, followed by Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream. I then applied Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado around her eyes, using my ring finger, to keep that delicate area moisturized.”

“For a bold and sexy eye look, I applied Buxom Cosmetics Eyeshadow Bar Single Eyeshadow in shades Lingerie Lover, Haute Couture and LBD to her crease, using a soft blending brush. 

The powerfully-pigmented formula glides onto lids with a luxe, powder-to-silk feel. I then lined her water line with Buxom Cosmetics Hold The Line Waterproof Eyeliner in shade Ring My Bell and swept the Buxom Cosmetics Eyeshadow Bar Single Eyeshadow in shade Twilight Tryst on top to make the green pop.

I finished with Eylure Luxe Silk “Trillion” false lashes and then applied a few individual lashes on the bottom for a “Twiggy” effect. To complete the look, I used Buxom Cosmetics Big Tease Plumping Mascara for instantly plumped, longer lashes.”

“Giving the moisturizer plenty of time to penetrate the skin, I then applied a pore minimizing primer all over her face using a synthetic brush. I then mixed Buxom Cosmetics Show Some Skin Weightless Foundation in shade In the Dark with the Buxom Cosmetics Divine Goddess Luminizer and using a damp sponge I applied all over Janelle’s face, starting by her nose and blending upwards and outwards. 

Using my ring finger, I sparingly dabbed some Concealer under her eyes to brighten. I contoured her face, focusing on her cheeks, temples and forehead with Buxom Cosmetics Hot Escapes Bronzer in shade Maldives, which gives off the perfect sun-kissed color and flatters all skin tones. And to complete her face I applied a soft pink to the apples of her cheeks, with some Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream on top for a subtle glow.”

“Now that her eyes and skin are finished, I hydrated her lips with Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1, and filled them in slightly with the all-in-one plumping lip liner, Buxom Cosmetics Plumpline Lip Liner in shade Stealth.

I finished the look with the ultimate plumping lip gloss, Buxom Cosmetics Full-On Lip Polish in shade Megan. The high-shine gloss tingles for a lusciously soft and seriously sexy pout. And a stunning red carpet look was born!”
-Jessica Smalls, @jessicasmalls