J.Lo’s Makeup Artist, Mary Phillips, Talks Celebs and Summer Beauty
J.Lo during a photoshoot. (Photo: Instagram)
What do Jennifer Lopez, Khloe Kardashian, Chrissy Teigen, and Gwen Stefani have in common? Their impeccably made up faces are the handiwork of Mary Phillips. After a lifelong passion for makeovers, she became a Hollywood go-to makeup artist for red carpet, editorial, and even music videos. Here she shares her rise to fame, her secrets to a flawless face, and an exclusive step-by-step video on how to get the perfect sunkissed look for summer.
I have always loved beauty, makeup, clothes. From the time I was very young, I remember wanting to make everyone over. Some people weren’t even allowed to come over and play anymore—I’d send them home looking like someone else! During school, I was always training in some way, whether it was working in a dermatologist’s office or taking cosmetology classes. I got my start assisting as much as I could, and one person who was very influential in my career was Eugenia Weston, who started Senna Cosmetics.
The first famous person that I ever worked with was Jessica Simpson while filming Newlyweds for MTV. I became Jess’s first makeup artist, then I worked with her sister, and from there it just continued. With Jennifer Lopez, everything just came together — she was looking at the time, as was I, and it just worked out. It’s been about nine years now. She’s such a chameleon of a woman, yet she makes all of these looks her own. Her beauty allows me to play around a little bit more, because her face can pull off anything. She’s confident, and bold, and not afraid to try new looks. With social media today, we get feedback on her look instantaneously. For example, when she’s talking on American Idol, I’m looking at the feedback in real time on Instagram and Twitter to see what people think of her lipstick. We take that feedback into consideration.
Celebrity makeup artist Mary Phillips takes a selfie. (Photo: Twitter/Mary Phillips)
I also work with Chrissy Teigen, Salma Hayek, Gwen Stefani, Ciara, Christina Aguilera and the Kardashians — I’ve been working with Khloe a lot lately. The process is different with each of them, which is one of the things that makes my job exciting.
When people ask me makeup questions I always end up talking about skin tips and skincare, because, for me, that all comes first. The women that I’m lucky enough to work with all take impeccable care of themselves, and I don’t think that’s a Hollywood Secret. It is all about what happens before we show up for our call times. The right foods, beverages, not smoking, a fitness routine — all of that plays a massive role in flawless skin.
In warmer weather, you will be perspiring more, so I recommend sticking to liquid formulas instead of powders, and using a light hand with application. When it’s hot, you can’t have layers upon layers sitting on top of your face that are sliding off. Have blotting papers with you at all times! They’re amazing, and much better than reapplying powder.
The key to a sunkissed look is applying your makeup in natural lighting to the areas where the sun actually hits your face. Mother nature will tell you not only where you should be applying your bronzer, but also the color of your natural bronze. Stay away from the color orange as well as glitter or shimmer bronzer during the day. I’ve found Hakuhodo Brushes to be the best for contouring and highlighting —there’s no hard edges so they blend like a dream. For beginners interesting in contouring, using different colored foundations or powders would be a good start. Watch YouTube videos and read as much as you can. Contouring is meant to be subtle, so the response should just be, “Oh, you look great!” not, “Oh, great contour.” If you’re getting that response, then pump the contouring brakes!
Watch the video below from The Estée Edit for her step-by-step guide to a sunkissed makeup look using these Estee Lauder products:
Bronze Goddess Shimmering Nudes EyeShadow Palette ($55)
Pure Color All-Over Illuminator ($30)
Bronze Goddess Powder Bronzer ($37)
Pure Color Gloss Pen ($22)
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