The journey of personal style, particularly when it comes to beauty, is often a dynamic and deeply intimate one. Many individuals recount how their relationship with makeup and skincare evolves from a quest for conformity or disguise into a powerful form of self-expression. In a refreshing reveal, Ariana Grande recently invited Vogue into her world, sharing not just her current skincare and makeup routine, but also candid reflections on her personal beauty evolution.
Her video offers a fascinating glimpse into the products and techniques she uses to achieve her signature look, including a standout ’60s cat eye. More profoundly, Grande’s discussion transcends mere aesthetics, delving into the emotional landscape of celebrity, self-perception, and the pressures of public scrutiny. This raw honesty underscores that true beauty secrets often lie far deeper than a product list.
Ariana Grande’s Skincare Prep for a Flawless Canvas
Achieving a radiant complexion begins with a meticulous skincare routine, and Ariana Grande’s approach emphasizes hydration and protection. She credits her transformation to consistent use of the Sarah Ford Bio-Cell Oxygen Serum, highlighting its ability to refine skin texture and promote smoothness. Serums are concentrated formulas designed to deliver active ingredients deep into the skin, often targeting specific concerns like texture, hydration, or anti-aging benefits.
Following her serum, Grande applies La Mer moisturizer mixed with SPF, a crucial step she attributes to her Florida upbringing. Integrating SPF into daily moisturizer is paramount for preventing sun damage, which can lead to discoloration, premature aging, and increased skin cancer risk. Dermatologists universally recommend a broad-spectrum SPF of at least 30, even on cloudy days, as UV rays can penetrate clouds and windows, contributing to skin concerns.
The R.E.M. Beauty Under-Eye Cooling Balm is a standout product in her routine, praised for its plumping and cooling effects. Under-eye balms are excellent for addressing fine lines, puffiness, and dark circles by providing intense hydration and sometimes active ingredients like hyaluronic acid or caffeine. Grande also uses Shiseido eye patches, often leaving them on for several hours while meditating, which maximizes their hydrating and de-puffing benefits before a long day on set. This multi-layered approach ensures her skin is prepped to withstand the demands of heavy makeup application.
Building the Base: Foundation, Concealer, and Setting
A flawless makeup base is essential for any look, and Grande’s process ensures longevity and a smooth finish. She applies her new R.E.M. Beauty Sweetener Foundation, using about a pump and a half, followed by the Sweetener Concealer. Foundation creates an even skin tone, while concealer targets specific areas needing extra coverage, such as blemishes or under-eye circles, providing a refined, uniform appearance.
Setting the liquid products quickly with Anastasia Vanilla Setting Powder is crucial for preventing creasing and ensuring makeup stays put. Powder helps to absorb excess oil and creates a matte finish, which is particularly beneficial for those who wear heavy makeup or have oily skin. This technique is often employed by professional makeup artists to ‘lock in’ the base, extending wear time significantly.
Shaping the Audrey Hepburn-Inspired Brows
Grande’s bleached eyebrows, a result of her role as Glinda, necessitate careful filling to achieve her desired shape. She uses a MAC Eye Brows Styler in Fling, aiming for a straight, lifted, and short-ended brow, reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn’s iconic style. This specific brow shape, characterized by a straighter arch and slightly shorter tail, can create a more open and youthful appearance to the eyes, subtly enhancing facial features.
The choice to fill in and reshape bleached brows allows for greater versatility and control over her look, a common practice among those who lighten their natural brow color. Furthermore, the brow’s structure frames the face, making its styling a critical component of any comprehensive makeup application. It is a detail that significantly contributes to her overall aesthetic.
Contouring, Highlighting, and the Signature ’60s Cat Eye
Contouring and highlighting are strategic techniques used to define and sculpt the face, creating dimension and enhancing natural bone structure. Grande humorously addresses her “massive forehead” and “receding hairline” by using a borrowed contour product to subtly minimize and reshape. This method involves applying darker shades to areas you wish to recede or shadow and lighter, shimmery shades to areas you want to bring forward and illuminate.
She then applies her R.E.M. Beauty Miss Mercury highlight to her cheekbones and other high points of her face, giving a luminous glow. The strategic placement of highlighter can draw attention to the eyes and cheekbones, creating a more chiseled and radiant complexion. These techniques demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of light and shadow in makeup artistry.
Mastering the ’60s Cat Eye with a Modern Twist
One of the most anticipated elements of Grande’s routine is her method for achieving a ’60s cat eye, a timeless and dramatic look. She opts for her multi-use eye stick in Intergalactic, favoring a shadowy, diffused version over a stark liquid line. This softer approach can be more forgiving than traditional liquid liner, allowing for a more blended and less precise application while still achieving the iconic winged shape.
The ’60s cat eye is characterized by its sharp, elongated wing, often paired with a defined crease line. Historically, this look was popularized by icons like Sophia Loren and Twiggy, symbolizing a bold and glamorous era in beauty. Grande’s preference for a shadowy interpretation adds a modern, slightly less intense feel, making the classic style more accessible for everyday wear while still delivering a striking impact. This demonstrates how historical trends can be adapted for contemporary beauty standards.
Lips and the Transformative Power of Fragrance
Ariana Grande’s lip routine features a mix of beloved products, including Hailey Bieber’s watermelon lip mask and Lancôme Juicy Tubes in Pink Raiser. Lip masks provide intensive hydration, often overnight, helping to keep lips soft and plump, an essential step before applying color. The combination of a hydrating base and a glossy finish creates a full and luscious pout, enhancing the overall makeup look.
She also mentions her Mod Vanilla fragrance, emphasizing the profound importance of scent in her personal expression. Fragrance is a powerful sensory tool, often deeply intertwined with memory and identity. Studies show that scent can significantly impact mood and perception, making it an integral part of a complete beauty ritual that extends beyond visual aesthetics.
Beauty Beyond the Surface: Self-Expression and Authenticity
Beyond the product recommendations and application techniques, Grande’s video offers a profound reflection on the evolving relationship with beauty. She openly shares how makeup initially served as a “disguise” or “something to hide behind,” particularly during her formative years in the public eye. This sentiment resonates with many individuals who navigate societal pressures and often use makeup as a shield or a means to conform.
Her transformation involves shifting her intention behind makeup from hiding to self-expression and accentuating natural features. This philosophical shift highlights a growing trend towards authenticity in the beauty industry, where empowerment comes from embracing one’s unique characteristics. A 2022 survey by Mintel found that over 60% of consumers now prioritize mental wellness and authenticity in their beauty choices, moving away from purely aesthetic goals.
Navigating Cosmetic Procedures and Embracing Aging
In a moment of striking candor, Grande reveals her past use of lip fillers and Botox, explaining her decision to stop in 2018 because she “felt so too much.” Her experience underscores the often-complex relationship individuals have with cosmetic enhancements. While supporting personal choice, she articulated her desire to “see my well-earned cry lines and smile lines,” celebrating the natural process of aging.
This perspective aligns with a broader movement toward age positivity and self-acceptance, challenging conventional beauty standards that often prioritize youth. Studies indicate that while the cosmetic procedure market continues to grow, there’s also a rising demand for subtle, ‘natural-looking’ enhancements rather than dramatic alterations. Grande’s transparency fosters an important dialogue about the emotional and psychological aspects of beauty decisions, advocating for a personal journey that prioritizes inner peace and self-love. Her embrace of future aging, even considering a facelift in a decade, further normalizes these discussions, inviting a more open and honest conversation about beauty secrets.
Flawless Skin & Feline Flick: Your Beauty Q&A
What is this article about?
This article shares Ariana Grande’s personal skincare and makeup routine, including how she creates her signature ’60s cat eye. It also discusses her candid thoughts on beauty, aging, and self-expression.
What are the first steps in Ariana Grande’s skincare routine?
Ariana Grande begins her routine with hydration and protection, applying a serum to refine skin texture and then a moisturizer mixed with SPF to prevent sun damage.
What is a ’60s cat eye makeup look?
A ’60s cat eye is a classic, dramatic winged eyeliner style characterized by a sharp, elongated wing. Ariana Grande achieves a softer, shadowy version of this iconic look.
Does Ariana Grande use her own R.E.M. Beauty products in her routine?
Yes, Ariana Grande incorporates several of her R.E.M. Beauty products, such as the Under-Eye Cooling Balm, Sweetener Foundation, Sweetener Concealer, and Miss Mercury highlight.
What is Ariana Grande’s philosophy on beauty?
Ariana Grande believes beauty should be about self-expression and authenticity, moving from using makeup to hide to celebrating natural features and embracing the aging process.
