The Brilliant Makeup Trick Bella Hadid Uses to Make Her Lips Look Bigger

If you thought Bella Hadid looked beyond at last night’s Grammys, well, you’re not alone (we couldn’t stop buzzing about her smoky eyes, and let’s be real: her red-carpet date the Weeknd probably wasn’t complaining one bit). The makeup artist responsible for all that magic, Vincent Oquendo, is sharing notes on exactly how he created the glowing look, and one tidbit grabbed our attention.

Oquendo focused on Bella’s lips last, and before pulling out the liner and lip color, he reached for…eyeshadow. The Cupid’s bow got worked on first, and in lieu of highlighter (the product most commonly cited for glow anywhere and everywhere) Oquendo picked the pearly white “Thunderstruck” powder from Kat Von D’s line, dabbing a touch on the curve above her upper lip with a wet brush. For color, he used a nude liner and Sephora Collection Oil Infusion Color & Care in “Iced Coffee.” That order’s important to the overall effect too, with Oquendo revealing that the liner can cover any shadow mistakes and the final color step is perfect for blending it all together.

“I tend to use this makeup trick when I’m working with a nude lip color to really define the lips,” he said, explaining that the moist eyeshadow brush makes the powder easier to work with. “It allows for a more precise application.” Keep the shadow right near the lips (read: don’t dot it on the entire indent between mouth and nose).

As for the money question (why eyeshadow instead of a true-blue highlighter), Oquendo said it was all about longevity. And kissing.

“The powder turns to cream with the wet brush, allowing for a long-wear application. I knew Bella had a long night in front of her and would probably be kissing her boyfriend throughout, so I needed to ensure it would stay put and not move.”

Related: Watch Bella Hadid Get Romantic: