While her soulful vocals have become instantly recognisable the world over, Raye's distinctive beauty influences - a 1990s nude lip, voluminous rolled bob, and bold, exaggerated graphic liner - are also fast developing into something of a signature for the singer-songwriter.
So for the much-anticipated BRIT Awards, where the 26-year-old took home a staggering six awards, winning Artist, Album, Song and Songwriter of the year as well as Best R&B Act and New Artist subsequently making BRIT-Award history, it was only natural she went back to her beauty roots for the big night.
Resplendent in a black Fendi gown, Raye’s beauty inspiration was a marriage of old school Hollywood glamour with a modern 1990s twist. ‘It was a nod to Elizabeth Taylor,’ Lan Nguyen-Grealis, the MUA behind the look, exclusively told ELLE UK. 'We played with the idea of cooler tones on the eyes but still keeping it glam and dark with a smouldering edge and exaggerating the wing graphic liner to give more of a cat eye finish.'
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The liner was aptly bold, winged and exaggerated. ‘The graphic liner itself had many layers to ensure the depth and avoid any smudging. A black cake liner was used as a base line from the lashes to the outer edge at the top and bottom which was smudged to create the depth and shape. Meanwhile, the black liquid liner was used to create a darker sense of extreme black on the lashline and create the graphic dimension,' she adds.
Though eyeliner remained the star focus for the BRIT Awards, Nguyen-Grealis also employed a wash of neutral beige eyeshadow as well as a shimmering base ‘to take away any harsh lines from the sockets and liner’. As for her skin, pre-event prep involved a speedy five-minute face mask and a blurring primer to help keep unwanted shine at bay, while her lips had a classic nod to the 1990s. Throughout the evening, Nguyen-Grealis also made subtle changes via matte finishes and shine on the lips, ‘to work with her outfits for her performance and the afterparty’.
You'd be hard pressed to find a red carpet event where eyeliner wasn't centre stage. And there's a reason why: it nods to an important musical era for the singer, which has influenced both her style and work as an artist. ‘Raye has always been a big fan of Hollywood and the classic beauty of the 1940s. Growing up with her music, her style and love of jazz and The Blues, the big eyes and fluttery lashes are always something that she felt compliments her,’ Nguyen-Grealis, explains. ‘She's a lady of The Blues so her beauty looks really take you through the journey of time in that era with her,’ As for her beauty muses: Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor and Marlyn Monroe have all influenced her make-up and style today.
Nguyen-Grealis has been behind all of Raye's make-up looks since she rose to fame in 2016. ‘When I first started working with Raye at the beginning we began with a smaller winged eyeliner and pops of colour before moving the shape and playing with various placements under the eye and in the socket line,’ she says. ‘Now it’s all about giving a seductive Cleopatra, sexy, winged cat eye which makes a fun statement and can be very experimental.’
As for creating a winged eyeliner look, Nguyen-Grealis recommends mapping it out with a pencil or a shadow beforehand. ‘It sounds easy but using a flat brush that can mimic a clean line, start from the outer corner to work on the desired angle (usually a 45-degree or higher for a dynamic lift) and join in from outside in to meet the lashes in a straight line. Always look straight into the mirror to ensure it’s balanced and then apply your liner.’
Eyeliner aside, Raye calls upon a handful of go-to makeup products which include the Charlotte Tilbury Foxy Brown lip pencil, Dior's iconic lip oils and Laura Mercier's much-loved Translucent Powder for her distinctive Hollywood make-up look.
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