Anna Kendrick is our kindred spirit, so any opportunity to be just like her is one we just don't pass up. When we got the inside scoop on her Oscars look this year from her makeup artist, Vanessa Scali, we took notes.
"Anna's Thakoon Oscar gown is a breath of fresh air. The soft coral is amazing against her alabaster skin. With that in mind, I wanted to create a look that had presence but wasn't overpowering and wouldn't compete with the dress. The focus is definitely on the sultry eye, but paired with nude, juicy skin, and a matte bitten lip, she looks fresh and effortless," Scali explains of the inspiration behind the look, which she created using Elizabeth Arden products.
Of course, the first step to any glowing look is proper skincare. Scali prepped Kendrick's skin with Elizabeth Arden's Flawless Future Powered by Ceramide collection, leaving a bright visage that is the perfect base for everything else that's to come. Because Kendrick is attending, performing and presenting at the show this year, it's even more important than ever that her makeup stays in place throughout the night. To keep her skin fresh and luminous, Scali used a light layer of the Flawless Finish Perfectly Satin 24HR Makeup, evening out the skin tone, before highlighting all the right places with the Flawless Finish Correcting and Highlighting Perfector. The Ceramide Cream Blush gave Kendrick's cheeks a natural, dewy flush, and the Beautiful Color Moisturizing Lipstick Matte in Pink Pucker left her with a pretty pout.
As for the eyes? Scali walked us through the steps:
- Blend the Beautiful Color Eye Shadow in Smolder from the lash line to the crease, and under the lower lashes. Then, use the Beautiful Color Eye Shadow in Glisten on the brow bone and in the center of the eyelid.
- On the top of the lash line, the outer corners of the lower lashes and the water line, apply Beautiful Color Precision Glide Eyeliner in Black Violet. Gently smudge the Sunkissed Pearls Gel Eye Liner in Deep Sea Pearl into the lash line—it'll give the eyes a sultry, softer look.
- Apply several coats of the Beautiful Color Maximum Volume Mascara in Black on the upper lashes to open up the eyes, and one coat on the bottom lashes to give them some definition without making them look too heavy.
- Lastly, groom brows with the Beautiful Color Natural Eye Brow Pencil in Natural Beige.
What we love most about this look is that it's incredibly versatile and so easy to turn up or down to match any occasion—smudge on less eye color for more casual daytime activities, or add a few extra coats of mascara for a fancier evening event. Will you be trying this one out, collegiettes?