Drumroll, please! After polling some of Hollywood’s top fashion and beauty insiders, The Hollywood Reporter presents the Red Carpet Essentials Awards.
When it comes to looking photo-ready, stars turn to their trusted makeup artists to ensure every blemish, dark spot and under-eye circle is hidden from the cameras. For our inaugural Red Carpet Essentials awards series, we polled top film, TV and celebrity beauty pros to share the best concealers and color correctors that trust to get the job done.
Our panelists included makeup artists such as Jennifer “JD” Daranyi (Lopez & Lopez), Jamie Greenberg (whose clients include Rashida Jones, Kaley Cuoco, Chelsea Handler), Hinako (Stephanie Hsu, Brandi Carlisle, Linda Cardellini), Renee Loiz (Quinta Brunson, Uzo Aduba, Sherry Cola, Danai Gurira), Julia Jovone (One Life to Live, Law & Order SVU, Shonda Rhimes, Jeffrey Wright), Katie Mellinger (Haim, Emma Watson, Sofia Coppola and more) and Robert Sesnek (Hailey Bieber, Lucy Hale and Madelyn Cline).
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How We Chose the Winners of THR’s Red Carpet Essentials Awards
Hollywood fashion and beauty professionals have logged thousands of hours testing makeup, skincare, hair products and tools, and more on clients and themselves. That’s why we turned to them to share the products that have earned their professional personal seals of approval for use on clients on the red carpet, as well as every day.
THR‘s Red Carpet Essentials Awards Experts
- Stylists Krista Roser, Mickey Freeman, Amanda Lim
- Makeup artists Jennifer “JD” Daranyi, Jamie Greenberg (Jamie Makeup founder), Hinako, Julia Jovone, Renée Loiz (Color May Vary founder), Katie Mellinger, Robert Sesnek, Tisha Thompson (LYS Beauty co-founder/CEO)
- Hairstylists, colorists and extensionists Rita Hazan, Araxi Lindsey, Mara Roszak (Mare Salon co-founder, Rōz haircare founder), Priscilla Valles, MJ Snyder
- Brow and lash artists Melanie Marris (Brow Code founder/CEO)
- Aestheticians and facialists Sarah Akram, Ian Michael Crumm (BeautyCurious podcast co-host)
Read More: THR’s Red Carpet Essentials Award Winners
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Red Carpet Essentials Awards: The Best Concealers Loved by Celebrity Makeup Artists
Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer
Hinako, Robert Sesnek, Renee Loiz and Katie Mellinger are both fans of NARS’ Radiant Creamy Concealer, which the former says has “amazing texture, buildable coverage, a wde range of colors and lasts long. It’s really great for anything from dark circle to acne.”
Adds Mellinger, “it’s not too heavy and not too matte. I’m not a fan of overly matte concealers under the eye, and this one has just the right amount of coverage without getting cakey.”
Loiz says she’s a fan of the product’s many shade options that work with every skin tone. I particularly like the deeper shades and use them regularly on my clients who need to correct their blue and purple-toned imperfections. The texture is also very creamy and lightweight.”
YSL Beauty Touche Éclat All-Over Brightening Concealer Pen
“This is a thinner concealer, perfect for under the eyes where creasing is too common. Love the peach undertone for fair skin trying to concealer undereye purple hues.” — Ian Michael Crumm
Kosas Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer
Now available in 38 shades, Jennifer Daranyi’s favorite Kosas Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer is formulated with skincare ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, caffeine, pink algae, peptides and arnica to brighten, hydrate, smooth and calm the skin.
Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating Concealer
Robert Sesnek keeps Lady Gaga-founded Haus Labs’ Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating Concealer in his makeup kit. Buildable, lightweight and long-wearing, the concealer contains more than 20 skincare ingredients that help to depuff and hydrate with regular use.
Rituel de FilleRituel de Fille Ethereal Veil Conceal and Cover Concealer
“This is one of my favorite concealers due to the glow that it gives my skin. It is extremely lightweight while also providing a solid amount of coverage and it also comes from all natural ingredients.” — Rita Hazan
Clé de Peau BeautéClé de Peau Beauté Concealer SPF 27
“There’s a reason why this concealer has been a fave among MUAs for a long time: it works. It’s creamy, but not too slippery. It sticks, but not too sticky. It’s matte, but not too matte. Honestly, it’s the perfect formula.” — Katie Mellinger
Milk MakeupMilk Makeup Future Fluid Concealer
Loved by Priscilla Valles, Milk’s Future Fluid Concealer features a hydrating formula and medium coverage to leave a natural-looking and crease-proof finish.
Make Up For EverMake Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Stick Foundation
“Confession time: I have a little secret when it comes to concealers. While I adore them in all their forms, my go-to choice for achieving that flawless finish is actually the Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Stick Foundation used as a concealer. The coverage it provides is simply incredible, effortlessly hiding any imperfections or blemishes that need a little extra attention. Whether I’m going for a natural everyday look or a more dramatic and bold creation, this foundation-turned-concealer always delivers exactly what I need. And let’s not forget about the texture — it’s absolutely amazing. Smooth and creamy, it glides onto the skin like a dream, blending seamlessly and leaving behind a flawless finish that lasts all day. It’s my little secret weapon for achieving the perfect base, and I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement every time I reach for it.” — Julia Jovone
IT CosmeticsIT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Full Coverage Anti-Aging Waterproof Concealer
“A little of this goes a long way, and it does not budge. I love it for both mature and younger skin. You can also use it as a foundation by sheering it out with a damp sponge.” — Katie Mellinger
The Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer
“The Hourglass Vanish Concealer is the best concealer I have tried, it has great coverage while still leaving a skin-like finish, stunning under the eye, it doesn’t crease at all.” — Melanie Marris
Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer
Available in 30 shades, “a small dab of this concealer on the most inflamed acne will dry down and camouflage redness quick.” — Ian Michael Crumm
NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer
“This concealer layers so beautifully and has added skincare benefits. Again, more of a soft-matte finish. Great for covering acne.” — Katie Mellinger
Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Face & Under-Eye Concealer
A favorite of Jennifer Daranyi, Armani Beauty’s Luminous Silk Concealer comes in 22 shades and contains ingredients like caffeine, amino acid-coated pigments and pearls, vitamin E and glycerin. The result: a formula that helps to nourish, brighten, hydrate and de-puff the skin while offering buildable, lightweight coverage over under eye circles, dark spots and blemishes.
Tower 28 Swipe Concealer
“I love Tower 28 for those with more sensitive skin. It’s silicone free which can often aggravate those who are more sensitive, so I make sure to have this one in my kit now.” — Katie Mellinger
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