Have you recovered from Beyoncé's Coachella performance yet? It's okay if you haven't and spent the last 24 hours watching her set over and over (same). Between the marching band, army of dancers, custom Balmain outfits, and whopping 26 songs, every time you hit 'replay' there's something new to obsess over. One thing that definitely deserves a moment is Bey's makeup. Like everyone at Coachella with sparkles dusted on their cheeks, eyes, and hair, the headliner got the glitter memo.
'Beyoncé's Coachella beauty look can be described as "the coolest girl on campus at college, meets Greek goddess",' her longtime make-up artist Sir John told ELLE.com exclusively, 'We did a glittery beautiful eye, soft nude-pink lip with golden luminous skin from head to toe.'
Read on for even more insider details from Sir John including the body make-up that makes Beyoncé glow, the trick to sweat-proofing make-up, and what music Queen B listened to while prepping for her big show.
How far in advance have you been planning this Coachella look?
About three weeks. I was dropping in and out of the dress rehearsals and just watching and soaking it all up. I was so inspired by the choreography and the styling, so I started a Pinterest board of cool college girls and went from there.
What inspiration did you have for Beyoncé's make-up look?
I was super-inspired by dress rehearsal and the band, college life. I was thinking about the coolest girl on campus: Who is she and what does she look like? That’s how we came up with the glittery eye.
Which products did you use and how?
For the eye, I used a light powder layer to prime the eye, the layered Lemonhead Houdini Highlite Spacepaste all over the eye, with a pop of Dirty Penny Spacepaste in the middle, to add extra dimension.
I then created a feline flick on the lid using M.A.C Fluidline Gel Eye Liner in Blacktrack. On the bottom I used a brown kohl rather than black. It softens the eye a bit and adds a contoured effect to the eye—that way it’s not too harsh. I finished with L’Oreal Lash Paradise Mascara. For the lip we did a pinky-brown using L‘Oreal Pro Matte Les Chocolats Scented Liquid Lipstick.
For complexion, we wanted her skin to be bronzed and super glowy. When she is photographed, in videos and on stage I am always super strategic with light and shade. So I focus on matte T-zone and dewy everywhere else. I used Tom Ford Bronzing Powder on the T-zone to mattify.
Since she had several bodysuits and shorts, did you apply any body make-up?
My new favourite product is ALLEVEN London Color Shield ($80), it is a super lightweight aerosol airbrush body concealer. It literally looks like your skin is HD, airbrushed without it being too obvious. I sprayed the shade Amber all over her body 30 minutes before she got dressed, with a focus on legs and cleavage. I also gave her face a light spray as it really evens out the complexion. It’s so lightweight, it doesn’t even look like makeup. The great thing about this product is it doesn’t transfer. So, when she’s changing her clothes so many times it doesn’t come off in between.
It's extremely hot in the desert—even more so dancing under stage lights. How do you sweat-proof Beys make-up?
I don’t use setting sprays—even though people are constantly asking me! It’s ALL about duality. I layer cream and powder for every stage. Cream and powder foundation, cream and powder blush, cream and powder eyeshadows and matte and cream lipstick. It’s the only way the makeup stays anchored throughout the day. I also don’t use moisturiser on her skin before a big set or concert. The moisturiser will lift the make-up, which we don’t want. For a big show like this, I use a primer to prep the skin.
You once said you use Elmer's glue for Beys eyebrows—what are other unconventional make-up hacks you swear by?
This isn’t too unconventional, but I don’t bake, I cook! I don’t believe in excess powder, it's super ageing. I never want to use anything too dry around the eye, and I never want anything that heavy around the eye. They key to a beautiful face is not to over powder it. If you layer powder and cream together it cooks perfectly and doesn’t budge.
What music were you both listening to while getting ready?
I’m the DJ when I go to her house or I get her ready for a big event. The 'getting ready' part can be stressful and emotions are high. It’s my job to calm her down, create a vibe and give her a moment. All make-up artists and hairstylists know that for the client, it’s not always only about the show—it’s about the getting ready party too. If you’re having fun from the beginning, then it should be a good show. Before Coachella, we listened to Stephanie Mills' "Whatcha Gonna do With My Loving."
