Ever wondered why your base never seems to look as perfect as your favourite celebs? You’re probably doing your makeup routine in the correct order— or rather, the incorrect order according to this celebrity makeup artist.
In recent days, TikTok’s beauty community has latched on to the unique makeup technique used by Mary Phillips, the makeup artist who regularly paints the faces of Hollywood’s elite like Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, and Jennifer Lopez.
Creator Tara Sigari was the first to share Phillips’ technique in a TikTok video, which now has over 5.5 million views at the time of writing.
After noticing that Kendall and Hailey often sport sculpted yet natural-looking skin at major events, Tara explained that she did some digging into their makeup artist’s technique and discovered that Phillips essentially applies base makeup in the reverse order.
How to do Mary Phillips’ viral base routine
Following skin prep, the first step of Phillips’ routine is contour. Go in with a contour stick rather than a powder, as this look is all about acheiving a seamless base that accentuates the glow of your natural skin.
Phillips then applies a small amount of concealer under the eyes, at the corner of the lips, at the base of the nose, and on the forehead just above the bridge of the nose.
The last step is foundation. Phillips takes a big fluffy brush, which Tara notes is typically used for bronzer or setting powder, and sweeps foundation across the skin in a circular motion from the middle of the face outwards.
Upon completing Phillips’ technique, Tara’s face looks naturally lifted with the absence of creasing and harsh lines.
“I’m blown away because it looks so seamless and it’s so sculpted, so glowy,” Tara says in her video.
Tara also notes that she did not need to bake her concealer as usual because Phillip’s technique essentially achieves a single thin layer of product across the face. This single layer allows for the “natural oils” of the skin to come through which gives a natural, all-around glow.
“My entire face is glowing,” Tara exclaims. “I will be doing her way all the time now.”
@tarasigari #greenscreen if you’re anything like me you love @kendalljenner and @haileybieber makeup looks! I’m such a big fan of @maryphillipsmakeup so I did some research to see how she creates these natural looking yet sculpted makeup looks on celebrities 😍 #kendalljennermakeup #haileybiebermakeup #makeup #makeuptutorial #basemakeup #skinmakeup #celebritymakeup #makeuphacks #dewyskin #contour#foundationhack
♬ original sound – TARA SIGARI MAKEUP FASHION
Though Phillips is not the only celebrity makeup artist to apply base products in this order— Scott Barnes also apparently uses this technique— her routine has been replicated by hundreds of makeup creators on the app since Tara’s video went viral.
Phillips herself has reshared several of these videos on her Instagram story, and even launched her own TikTok account today in response to all the love.
We’re ready for our flawless base era.