The beauty icon: Beyoncé
Her signature look: Alter egos. Beyoncé Knowles-Carter seamlessly alternates between a sweet and natural look for press events, appearances and red carpets and pure over-the-top glamazon for onstage performances. Beyoncé’s double identity as Sasha Fierce is no secret and when she transitions into her showstopping counterpart, she oozes confidence and fearlessness. She effortlessly pulls off this girl-next-door-turned-superhero transformation with true authenticity in each role.
Her style legacy: Take it to the limit. The look of this singer/dancer/actress triple threat is ever-evolving but forever adventurous and daring. From the original ultra-flashy and infamously matchy-matchy style crafted by mother Tina Knowles in the Destiny’s Child days to the sophisticated and luxe designs from the world’s top fashion houses that currently outfit her, the only constant in Beyoncé’s wardrobe is change—even when that change is simply a black leotard and pumps reinterpreted countless ways ("Single Ladies," anyone?).
Her "it" moment: The release of Dangerously in Love. Fans call Beyoncé “Queen B,” so when Destiny’s Child went on hiatus in late 2001 it was only right she emerged as a solo artist to assume her throne. Jackie Gomez, one of Beyoncé’s makeup artists, recalls, “When she came out with the Dangerously in Love album—with that cover, with that glow—it really opened people’s eyes toward her. The whole world was like, wow, she’s amazing.” It's no surprise Beyoncé soon after became the face for brands like Pepsi and L’Oréal Paris.
Her now moment: #BEYONCEBOWL. Just days ago, Mrs. Shawn Carter ignited a social media frenzy. In a cutout leather and lace Rubin Singer leotard complemented by curled honey tresses and an intense smoky eye, Beyoncé became the unofficial Super Bowl 2013 champion with arguably one of the best half-time performances in history.
And in just over a month, 2013 has already proven to be a banner year for Beyoncé. She performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" at President Barack Obama's inauguration. She is releasing her new single, "Nuclear," with a reunited Destiny’s Child. She debuted the trailer for her intimate HBO documentary, Life Is But a Dream. She appeared scantily-clad (back in her pre-baby shape) as the February GQ cover model. And she announced her 2013 Mrs. Carter Show World Tour. Beyoncé indeed shows no signs of slowing down.
"She loves what she does," Gomez says. "She’s unstoppable.”
Her beauty booty:
To emulate Beyoncé's iconic beauty, Gomez gave us these step-by-step tips.
Complexion
- The first step is always MAC Prep + Prime Skin, which “sets the face and is oil-absorbing to prevent shine,” Gomez says.
- Next is concealer. Gomez uses a lighter and brighter shade for the center of the face. For the sweet and natural look, Gomez will pull out the Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer. But for the onstage makeover, she opts for the heftier Cover FX Cream Concealer.
- Foundation follows. For press events, appearances and red carpets, Gomez prefers Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation for its “light coverage and pretty finish.” For the Sasha Fierce transition, more matte coverage and staying power is needed. Gomez trusts Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet + Matifying Foundation.
- For blush, NARS Blush in Orgasm is “a staple Beyoncé loves and I love,” Gomez says.
- To highlight, Gomez simply dusts a Lorac eye shadow in light pink or gold over the tops of the cheekbones.
Eyes
- When it comes to eye shadow, Gomez keeps it “soft" and uses "mostly neutrals with a light bronze.” Favorite brands include L’Oréal Paris, Lorac and Illamasqua. Go-to shades are L’Oreal Paris Infallible 24 HR Eye Shadows in Bottomless Java for lids and Iced Latte to “to open her eyes at the inner corner.” To create a bit more drama and intensity, like the darker eye Beyoncé wore at the Superbowl, rim eyes in L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 HR Eye Shadow in Eternal Black.
- For liner, a long-wear and waterproof formula is needed. Gomez dashes Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero “just in between lashes to look the most natural.”
- After shadow and liner, Gomez curls lashes and then applies L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Million Lashes Waterproof Mascara in Blackest Black.
- For those occasions when false lashes are added as the final step, Gomez reveals “we do Ardell Fashion Lashes in Wispies or MAC 7 Lash for natural glam. For stage, we double up lashes.”
Lips
- “Beyoncé likes a nude lip,” says Gomez, so she softly outlines lips with Victoria’s Secret Makeup Lip Liner in Ginger Spice and then adds a neutral lipstick from NARS. “Gloss is only for the red carpet. We stick to lipstick for performances because it won’t get caught in her hair or move around,” she explains.
Finishing Touch
- Gomez finishes with Motives No More Shine Makeup Setting Spray to keep makeup in place.
Removal
- “Beyoncé is always on the go,” explains Gomez, so when it’s time to take it all off, Gomez quickly pulls out a L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Radiant Smoothing Wet Cleansing Towelettes. For added hydration, she mists AmorePacific Face Moisture Bound Skin Energy Hydration Delivery System.
Straight from her lips: "My mom always told me that beauty fades—outside beauty fades—but inner beauty is forever.”
Photo: Getty Images
