Face Off: Four Pros Share Their Go-To Makeup Routines

There are zillions of makeup goodies out there, and just as many ways to wear them. Rather than spending the rest of your life trying to find that perfect black eyeliner pen, take a cue from these pros, who have streamlined their prep routines to get the job done night after night.

Megan Levinson, Radio City Rockette

“I start by blending liquid foundation on my entire face, and then use concealer under my eyes. Next I apply eye shadow primer on my eyelids and let it dry as I fill in my eyebrows. I mix eye shadows, and always make sure to define the crease of my lid with a dark brown. Then I put on mascara and false lashes. Once my eyes are done, I set my face with powder foundation and apply blush. Finally, and most importantly, I finish off my makeup with the famous Radio City Rockette red lip!”

Megan’s Pro Tip

“The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes is 90 minutes of non-stop action with athletic choreography and quick changes, so we need our makeup to stay in place,” she says. “I always apply Sealed With a Kiss lip seal by Cosmetically Sealed over my lipstick to keep it looking perfect during the whole show. Also, eye shadow primer is life-changing!”

A Few of Megan’s Go-To Products

•Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion and Eyeshadow Palette in Naked

•MAC Russian Red lipstick

(“It’s the iconic Rockette color!”) and blush in Mocha

•Ardell false eyelashes

Lloyd Knight with his makeup spread (Brigid Pierce, courtesy MGDC)

Lloyd Knight, Martha Graham Dance Company principal

“I begin by moisturizing my face and applying foundation. Then I move on to eye makeup: first shadow, then liner and then mascara.

Depending on what I’m dancing, I like to change up the colors or the boldness of the lines. After my eyes are done, I contour my cheekbones and jawline, apply lipstick to seal the deal and hit the stage!”

Lloyd’s Pro Tip

“It’s always best to go out into the house to see how much makeup you think you might need,” he advises. “Determine how far away the audience will be sitting, and try to see what someone else’s stage makeup looks like from the house. You don’t want to overdo it, or wear too little.”

A Few of Lloyd’s Go-To Products

•Make Up For Ever foundation in 180=R530 Brown (“It matches my skin color perfectly!”) and black Graphic Liner Pen (“It makes for a really clean and sharp look.”)

•Sephora eye shadow in Colorful Sandcastle and Colorful Diamonds Are Forever, and Waterproof Contour Eye Pencils in White, Cocoa and Black

Jenny Driebe in her finished look (courtesy Jenny Driebe)

Jenny Driebe, Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson ONE dancer

“Each dancer in Michael Jackson ONE has a specific look created by the amazing makeup artists at Cirque du Soleil. I always begin with a primer base and then apply silver cream

by Make Up For Ever to my lids, brow arch and inner eye. I draw a pink line from the inner corner of my eyebrow down my nose, blend it out over my eye, and blend blue into the outer corner to create a smoky look. Then I apply foundation; contour and blend; set it with translucent powder; brush the excess powder away; and repeat everything with powder eye shadow, contour and blush. I line my eyelids and fill in my brows. Finally, I add glue and silver glitter to my eyelid, and the unique rhinestone appliqué

I wear goes on my cheek.”

Jenny’s Pro Tip

“This was taught to me by one of the awesome makeup artists from Cirque du Soleil: For a 3-D lip look, apply lip liner and lipstick as usual, using a brush to blend them together. With a thinner brush, apply a line of cream highlight around your lips. Use powder to set it, and voilà! Beautiful 3-D lips that really pop!”

A Few of Jenny’s Go-To Products

•Make Up For Ever Star Powder (“It highlights with shimmer.”)

•MAC Bone Beige Sculpting Powder (“to enhance bone structure”) and False Lashes mascara

Madison Keesler in full stage makeup (courtesy Madison Keesler)

Madison Keesler, San Francisco Ballet corps member

“I always start with face primer and then do my brows. I follow with foundation, concealer and contouring. Then I powder my face with setting powder and ‘bake’ my T-zone. Baking is when you leave excess powder on your face for a few extra minutes before gently

brushing away the excess—this step is key! Then I prime my eyelids, use different eye shadow colors to define the crease, and use liquid liner on the top and bottom lids. I finish with mascara and lipstick, and any extra blush, highlighting or contouring.”

Madison’s Pro Tip

“Choosing a lipstick color is very important because it can really change the overall look of your makeup. Also, to get the best brows, do them first! I do brows right after primer because it helps the brow product stick.”

A Few of Madison’s Go-To Products

•Tarte Clean Slate primer in Poreless

•Cover FX contour kit in P Light Medium

•Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder in Translucent