I Tried the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show Makeup Look, and My Cheekbones Looked Otherworldly

Ah, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. From the dream locations and the $300 gold face masks to the crazy workout routines, it‘s easy to find it all a little hard to relate to. That’s why my favorite takeaway from the show is always the same each year: the makeup!

I don‘t know about you, but I can use a tip for a smoky eye or glowier cheekbones any day. This year lead makeup artist Tom Pecheux gave the models what sounds like an impossible combination: a mix of “glamour’ and “natural.’ Hmmm…what makes a look easygoing and done-up at the same time? For Pecheux, it’s pretty skin, winged liner, and nothing overdone.

Here’s my attempt at serving up serious Angel vibes.

Step 1: First, I cleansed and moisturized my face to prep it for makeup. I covered any red spots with concealer (I’m loving Maybelline FaceStudio Master Conceal at the moment), then put a few pumps of Clarins liquid foundation on my cheeks and forehead, and blended it all out with my Artis Palm Brush. For a semi-matte finish, I lightly dabbed translucent setting powder around my T-zone with a big, fluffy brush.

Step 2: Next, I warmed up my complexion with a golden bronzer from NARS, applying it right at the hollows of my cheeks, angling from my ear downward toward my mouth. The key to a natural contour, according to Pecheux, is to be light-handed, work slowly, and pick the right color: “You don’t want your contour to be too red, but you don’t want it to be too taupe at the same time.” Oh, and take advantage of different bronzer finishes as well: “I use matte bronzer to work on the contour, and shimmery bronzer all over the face.”

Step 3: For a pop of highlight, I applied Urban Decay Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter in Sin right on the high point of my cheekbones. I swear, every time I put on this highlighter someone stops me and asks what I’m wearing. It’s that kind of product. Highlighter’s an important step here (in addition to the contour), because it brings back dimension to the face that foundation takes away. “The problem with foundation is that it makes everything flat,” Pecheux told us backstage in Paris. “So you need to play with things to give your face some volume back.”

Step 4: Onto the eyes. Where skin was “natural,” the eyes were all “glamour.” I brushed on a neutral, taupe-brown powder shadow (Naked from the Urban Decay Naked Palette) all over my lids as a base. This added some depth, and set me up for the next step, which is…

Step 5: Eyeliner! For a very theme-appropriate look, Pecheux created liquid liner wings on the models’ eyes. (I mean they are Angels, right?) For a fresh take on this style, he opted for grey liner instead of a harsh black, which feels more sexy and nuanced and a little less retro. I grabbed the Almay Intense I-Color in Black Pearl, a rich charcoal grey, drew a thin line along my upper lash line to define my eye, flicking it up at the outer corners for an instant lift. For my most steady hand, I rest my pinky against my cheek.

Step 6: Next, Pecheux went over the liquid liner with a brown pencil. I found that this helped blend the liquid liner with the neutral shadow, creating a subtle gradient with less contrast. According to Pecheux, this makes the liner “not so sharp, and more smudgy.” I wanted to keep this brown line light, so I ended up using a brow pencil instead of a creamier kohl to get a softer finish. The tiny point of the pencil allowed for serious precision.

Step 7: To really get those bedroom eyes, I applied a ton of Max Factor False Lash Epic Mascara on my top and bottom lashes. This mascara gives me instant doll-like lashes: full, defined, and fluttery. I applied at least three coats, allowing some drying time in between each layer for optimal volume.

Step 8: Last but not least, the lips. I applied Victoria’s Secret Velvet Matte Lipstick in Adored, a rosy nude shade (available in stores). The matte lipstick glides on smoothly and ties the whole look together with its soft, muted shade. For extra shine, I went back over it with a clear gloss: “The trick to the look is keeping your lips very nude, but very glossy,” says Pecheux. It’s exactly what your middle school fantasies were made of, and I’m not mad about it.

The Verdict: I love, love, love this look. I was surprised at how wearable it is for everyday life, not just when you’re walking down a runway with a fan blowing your hair. The makeup accented my features without overwhelming them, and I’ll be saving that gray-over-brown eyeliner trick for the next time I want to get my bedroom eyes on. Wink.

For more Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show coverage, check out:
-The Body Bronzer the Victoria’s Secret Models Used at the VS Fashion Show Has Insane Reviews on Sephora
-Victoria’s Secret Is Expanding Its Definition of “Sexy” Hair—Finally
-All the Victoria’s Secret Models Look Like Angels Without Makeup, Because Obviously