When all eyes are on you, it is hard not to carefully consider your beauty routine. But for a lot of stage performers, makeup is about more than just looking put-together; it is a part of their artistry. When a singer gets on stage, it is their time to express themselves, both visually and through their music. Some opt for an elevated version of their everyday look; others pack on the drama with glitter and color. Some view makeup as a ritual; others as a chance to play.
Whatever the method, it all ties into who they are as an artist, and inevitably informs their performance. I chatted with five female musicians who all use beauty as a means to express themselves and their music. Their makeup looks inform their artistry, and vice versa, which makes what they do that much more interesting. Read on to get the low-down on the inspiration behind these musicians’ stage looks, their pre-show routines, and what makes them feel the most beautiful.
Cyn
Cyn is a pop singer-songwriter originally from Detroit, Michigan. The musician’s airy vocals and vintage aesthetic bring an unprecedented charm to pop music. In 2017, Katy Perry took notice and signed Cyn to her record label, Unsub Records. Cyn’s debut EP Mood Swing is out now, and her new song, “Drinks,” is the lead single on the soundtrack for Promising Young Woman.
What is your go-to beauty/makeup look for performing?
My look for performing changes depending on how I feel that day and what the general vibe of the venue is. More often than not, when I go to get ready for a show, I hear my high school choir director telling me to put more makeup on. “Pretend it’s prom,” she always used to say. So I think I’ve been brought up to exaggerate my look on stage because, as they say, that is where one is meant to look larger than life.
Walk us through your pre-show skincare/makeup routine.
I start by washing my face with the Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser and applying Glossier Priming Moisturizer Rich as a primer. Next, I do my base routine, which is Chanel Ultra Le Teint in the shade “BD01” and Urban Decay Stay Naked Correcting Concealer in the shade “10NN.” I try to keep it “exaggerated, Parisian chic,” which to me, means a little more attention on the eyes. I add some eyeliner (Maybelline Line Stiletto Liquid Eyeliner in Black) and exaggerate lashes (Glossier Lash Slick), brightening the cheeks a bit more than what is natural (either Glossier Cloud Paint in “Storm” or “Dusk” or a Chanel blush [in] “Rouge Profound” or “Pink Explosion”), which I find to be very pigmented. Finally, I add a statement lip (Chanel Rouge Coco Flash in “Amour” or Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in “Abstrait”). When I’m offstage, I keep it more simple.
What is the inspiration behind your stage looks?
As I plan my stage looks for upcoming shows, I like to let the music influence me. My EP, “Mood Swing,” has a lot of imagery within the lyrics. I like to let those scenes and feelings direct the stage look. I often say, if it works in a rom-com, it works for me.
What makes you feel the most beautiful onstage?
I feel most beautiful on stage when I can feel myself and the audience sharing the moment.
What is your post-show routine like?
If I’m sleeping on a tour bus, I will always wash off my makeup with the Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser after a show. If I’m staying in a hotel, I let the night decide.
UPSAHL
UPSAHL is a Phoenix-born, LA-based pop singer-songwriter. She’s exploded onto the alt-pop scene with hits like “Drugs” and “Rough.” UPSAHL’s playfully biting lyrics and edgy aesthetic has amassed a dedicated following of loyal fans. Her latest single, “12345SEX” is out now.
What is your go-to beauty/makeup look for performing?
My makeup look depends on the night. Some days, I’ll have a bunch of free time at the venue to mess around with colors and glitter. I’m not a makeup guru status at all, so I always have my go-to you-go-on-in-10-minutes-and still-haven’t-gotten-ready look in the bag. This look consists of foundation, bronzer, a dark crease on the eye, some lashes (I use any faux mink lashes from the drugstore), lip liner and gloss.
Walk us through your pre-show skincare/makeup routine.
I wish I could say I have a 10-step skincare routine, but when I’m on the road, I pretty much live off of makeup wipes and moisturizers. When I’m touring, I don’t wear makeup unless I’m on stage or have the press, so I’m constantly just putting on moisturizer.
As far as my go-to makeup routine before a show, it’s pretty basic. Fenty foundation (shade 150) because Rihanna is queen, some Sei Bella powder, the Chocolate Soleil bronzer that smells like chocolate from Too Faced, a dark color on my eyelids, (usually “Fireside” from the Tarte Tartelette Toasted palette) a bright color on the inner corner (usually pink), and my favorite mascara called “Better Than Sex” from Too Faced. It’s not, but it’s pretty damn good. Then, I brush out my mess of eyebrows, put some lip liner on with Dior gloss, and then a ton of highlighter from the Anastasia Glow Kit on my Cupid’s bow. BOOM.
What makes you feel the most beautiful onstage?
There are certain moments during my set where the energy is just so next level with the band and the audience that I literally get chills because it’s so cool. That’s when I feel the most beautiful because that’s when I feel the most powerful.
What is your post-show routine like?
When I’m feeling bougie, I’ll do proper skincare stuff. Honestly, most nights, it’s a little makeup wipe and moisturizer action while I’m lying in bed and realize I forgot to take off my makeup. I’m working on it.
Sydney Sierota
Sydney Sierota is the lead singer of the alternative pop band Echosmith. Their 2013 song “Cool Kids” reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The band’s latest album, Lonely Generation, is out now. With a background in fashion and modeling, Sierota often experiments with playful eye makeup and bold colors both onstage and off, though a smoky eye has become her trademark.
What’s your go-to beauty/makeup look for performing?
It depends on my mood and how much time I have! My go-to look is a brown smoky eye with light pink lips. I’ve been doing smoky eyes on myself for years now and it’s actually the first thing I learned how to do! If I have a little more time or feel adventurous that day, I’ll do some sort of colored smoky eye or a winged liner to mix it up.
I started getting my hair and makeup done when I was 15 for all of [Echosmith’s] videos and photoshoots and I wasn’t afraid to ask a million questions! I would take physical notes on what they were doing and what products they were using. Asking questions and watching what my makeup artists were doing was super helpful for me to learn how to do it myself. Sometimes I’d order all the makeup that I liked online while still sitting in the makeup chair! Of course, experimentation is always a good way to get better at different kinds of looks!
Walk us through your pre-show skincare/makeup routine.
I wash my face with Cetaphil Daily Face Cleanser, do one spray of toner and then I use two different moisturizers: SheaMoisture Daily Hydration Face Lotion, then the Embryolisse Lait-Créme Concentré on top. I also like to rub a little IT Cosmetics eye cream around my dark circles and then lastly, I use the Hourglass Veil Primer. Then I’m ready to put some makeup on! What I start with first depends on what makeup look I’m going for. If it’s a really heavy and pigmented smoky eye, I’ll start with my eyes and then move on to my skin, so that I can use a makeup wipe to get rid of any eyeshadow that fell. But generally, I do like to start with my skin if I can since it’s really quick for me.
I don’t like my foundation to feel or look too heavy, so I’ll usually use two small pumps and rub it in with my fingers. Beautyblenders are so helpful, and I use those to blend pretty much everything on my skin. I lightly dust powder all over my face, then I lightly bronze my cheeks, put some blush on, and then I use a smaller brush to put more powder on areas that need it more (T-zone and such!). Oh, and can’t forget some highlighter! I love using either Tom Ford’s Soleil Contouring Compact Illuminateur in “the afternooner” or Laura Mercier’s Matte Radiance Baked Powder Compact in “Highlight-01 golden nude.” I lightly highlight my cheekbones and the bridge of my nose.
For my eyes, I like to layer cream shadows first to give it a nice base and then build the smoky eye on top with powdered shadows. The key to a good smoky eye is layers of good, pigmented colors and LOTS of blending! I’ll usually add some brown liner all the way across my eye and blend that in, and then I use black liner right on my lash line. All that’s left is curling my lashes, lots of mascara, and putting fake lashes on! My favorite lashes are Demi Wispies from Ardell. I love their shape, how they fan out and get longer at the outer edge of the eye. They feel elevated enough for both my concert looks and press looks, but also don’t feel too over the top. I can get away with wearing these lashes both during the day and at night!
My lips are always done last and it’s super easy! I layer my favorite [lip balm] on (“Sugar” by Fresh), use a little bit of a light pink lip liner (“Edge to Edge” by MAC) and throw on a nice nude pink lipstick (MAC in “Pure Zen” or Gucci Audacious Lipstick in “Whisper”).
What’s the inspiration behind your stage looks?
I like my stage looks to be dramatic and feel elevated compared to my everyday looks. When we have a show, I feel like it’s the perfect excuse to try something fun and dramatic since there’s so much freedom to experiment! You could perform in almost any kind of makeup look; it all just depends on what makes you feel good. Sometimes I get inspired by what I’m wearing and if it’s something colorful, I love getting to match my eyeshadow to that.
What makes you feel the most beautiful onstage?
I think it’s really important for me to remember that makeup should be for fun and used as one of my creative outlets, instead of the only way that I feel beautiful. When I feel happy, confident and excited about what I’m doing (on or offstage), that’s when I feel the most beautiful. Having great makeup and fun looks to do is always so exciting and I won’t lie, that makes me feel beautiful too! But I’m constantly learning and relearning how to *feel* beautiful, regardless of what I look like that day. I believe beauty comes from how we feel and nothing is more beautiful than a genuine smile.
What’s your post-show routine like?
I need to be better about this!!! I’ve had many nights where I fall asleep with a makeup wipe in my hand before even using it! I try my best to take my makeup off as soon as possible, because I know if I put it off, I’ll almost always forget. My skin is super sensitive, so I love using the “Yes To Cucumbers” makeup wipes to get everything off, and then I’ll wash my face right away, use some toner, use a little bit of acne medication if I need it, and then I cake on the lotion. I have very dry skin so I like to do whatever I can to moisturize it while I’m sleeping.
Ehlie Luna
Ehlie Luna (formerly Moxiie) is a Brooklyn-born musician and professional makeup artist with the New York City Ballet. As a professional in makeup, Ehlie shares her masterful creations on Instagram, often entwining her visual artistry with her music. The music video for her song “Personal” is out now.
What is your go-to beauty/makeup look for performing?
It really depends on the mood. I know that I’ll be contouring a little more than usual, and the highlight must be borderline offensive. Other than that, I have to have lashes. The details beyond that change.
Walk us through your pre-show skincare/makeup routine.
First, a dry oil to break down whatever is on my face from running around earlier in the day. There’s always some last-minute show prep. Next, micellar water on cotton pads. Then I wash my face. I pat dry then go in with my hyaluronic acid serum. I’ll give that a minute, then I’ll apply my moisturizer, and pat a little dry oil on top. While that settles into my skin, I like to do my brows. On a normal day I’ll use Soap Brows, then usually just a dark cool brown Morphe eyeshadow with the MAC 263 angled brush.
On a longer day, I’ll start with Soap Brows, go in with the shadow and then maybe use a brow pen from MAC (in either “Spiked” or “Stud”). If I’m feeling extra, I’ll lightly define the bottom with Bobbi Brown gel liner on the same angled brush for that freshly groomed brow look, because most likely I haven’t tweezed in months. To finish them off, I’ll take a little hair gel on a spoolie and brush it through my brows.
Once I’m done with that, I dust the slightest bit of powder on. Learned that trick from Wayne Goss.
If I have a long-wear setting spray (MAC Fix+ or All Nighter from Urban Decay) on hand, I’ll spray my brush or sponge with it and use that sponge to apply my foundation. If not, water or hydrating mists will do. I’ll usually go in with a cream contour, then I conceal; of course, lifting the area under the eyes with a bit of brightness.
Then I do what I call an “under bake,” where I apply powder below the cheek contour. It sets and lifts that area, making the contour appear more pronounced. Then I do a light dusting of powder all over the rest of the face (all with a translucent powder — I like the Fenty Beauty translucent powder in “Honey”), then with much less product, I’ll do the slightest bake in a very localized way under my eyes. I like to reach for a powder contour/bronzer to further lock-in that sculpting work I did with the cream. The rest of the look depends on the night.
What is the inspiration behind your stage looks?
My professional makeup experience started in theater as a makeup assistant at the New York City Ballet, so I have a deep appreciation and understanding of what I’m trying to accomplish with my looks; most importantly, what I’m hoping to communicate. That experience definitely informs me in everything I do.
All makeup principles go back to the theater and early film, even though the style changes.
It just comes to knowing when and where to turn it down or turn it way up. Of course, I also follow incredible makeup artists who keep me inspired too. There’s so much talent in the world. It keeps me thinking of things to try.
What makes you feel the most beautiful onstage?
Honestly, having my makeup done frees me up when I perform to be present and experience the beauty that comes from the people I get to connect with. I feel most beautiful onstage somewhere after the first song when my nerves have settled and the audience and I are vibing. That’s one of the most incredible feelings in the world.
What’s your post-show routine like?
After a show, I usually don’t wash my face right away, since it’s not every day that I get to give myself that level of glam. I usually just drive my fiancé a little crazy going over and over the details of what I loved about the night and what I want to improve for the future. I obsess a little about what went right and what didn’t. Once the adrenaline wears off, I’ll take off my makeup. Normally, I’ll do a three-step routine, where I use a plant-derived squalane oil to break up my makeup, then the Garnier micellar water on cotton rounds to remove the makeup. Next, I wash my face with the Irish Moor Mud Cleansing Gel from Peter Thomas Roth which has lactic acid, volcanic ash, Irish mood mud, willow bark and salicylic acid. Of course, that’s just the cleansing part. Next, I’ll mix a little mandelic acid with the hyaluronic moisturizer from The Ordinary or if my skin is doing really well, I’ll substitute for the squalane oil or Argan oil to mix with the moisturizer.
But after a show, I’ll do two quick steps because I’m exhausted. So it’ll be just a micellar water and cleanser moment. Then either my dry oil or moisturizer, whichever is closer. The next morning, I’ll do the full routine and try to atone with a mask.
Lydia Night
Lydia Night is the lead singer of punk rock band The Regrettes. Their album How Do You Love? is out now.
What is your go-to beauty/makeup look for performing?
My go-to makeup look is drawing hearts under my eyes every show. Sometimes I mix it up and change the color or the hearts, the amount, or size, which is super fun. I normally use a pretty cheap black liquid liner like e.l.f. or NYX because they are my faves and easy to apply. If I want some fun color, I’ll use Lime Crime liquid lipstick. I’m also a huge fan of glitter, which I incorporate based on mood and venue if I wanna spice it up. I normally use Lemonhead.LA glitter that has a gel-like consistency, so it’s really easy to apply.
Walk us through your pre-show skincare/makeup routine.
I always start with a pore-hiding cream and my fav[e] Tarte BB cream. Then I normally just go straight into applying a light powder (I use the Supergoop sunscreen one) and Glossier cloud paint. Afterward, I use my Tarte brow pen and MAC clear eyebrow gel, following that with my cocokind highlighter stick. Those are things I do every show. When I get to my eyes is when I like to play more and mix up my eyeshadow, eyeliner and glitter. I normally just wear lip balm (either Glossier Balm Dot Com or Kopari Coconut Lip Glossy) unless I’m really super fancy.
What’s the inspiration behind your stage looks?
I’m constantly inspired by artists I look up to with a great fashion sense, like Gwen Stefani, Charli XCX, Rihanna, old Courtney Love and Madonna. For me, it’s all about wearing something I feel super confident in and that’s comfortable enough to move in freely because that’s my key to putting on a great show.
What makes you feel the most beautiful onstage?
I feel beautiful just allowing myself to be so vulnerable and raw with people and having people accept and enjoy it. Jumping up and down while singing my heart out about very real [things] feels so empowering, and the more empowered I am, the more beautiful I feel. It really doesn’t come down to my makeup.
What’s your post-show routine like?
I always wash my face. No matter how exhausted I feel, I physically will not allow myself to get into bed until I’ve done so. It also feels relaxing for me once I start doing it. It just grosses me out thinking about makeup soaking into my skin and getting all over my pillow.
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