Jason Merritt/Getty Images for VarietyWe love that Jennifer Hudson is in on the secret… She knows there's no need for novelty makeup that will probably be out of style by next season or a hairstyle that she'll cringe at when she sees pictures of herself years from now.
We assure you… there will be no cringing at these photos of Ms. Hudson at Variety's Power of Women luncheon. Her softened, winged eye shadow is subtle yet sophisticated (perfect for a black tie event) and her matte wine lipstick is on-trend for fall yet timeless.
We also love that she didn't attempt magic tricks with her face makeup (like so many starlets do these days). There was no harsh contouring that may look good on camera but could look ‘80s drag queen in person. The songstress kept her skin flawless with just a spot of peachy blush on the apples of her cheeks.
Get the Look: After moisturizing and priming face, apply a buildable sheer foundation or tinted moisturizer that will give your skin a "soft focus" look like Becca Luminous Skin Colour Ultra Sheer Foundation SPF 25+.
To copy Ms. Hudson's eye makeup, first prime eye area with eye primer or concealer to ensure your eye makeup stays in place and doesn't absorb into your lids. Next, cover entire upper eye area with a neutral eye shadow that matches your skin tone.
Then, apply a shimmery white eye shadow like CoverGirl Eye Enhancers 1-Kit Shadow in Snow Blossom to your lids with a flat eye shadow brush. Now, use a black liquid eyeliner with a very thin felt tip like NYX Cosmetics Super Skinny Eye Marker to make a line along you upper lash line. Tip: If your line comes out too thick, use a Q-tip soaked with makeup remover to thin out your line.
Once your eyeliner dries completely, dip an angled eyeliner brush in a matte black eye shadow like MAKE UP FOR EVER Eyeshadow in Matte Black and create a line from the outer corner of your upper lash line towards the outer corner of your eyebrow. Then, connect the top of your line with the middle of your upper lash line (this should give you the outline of the wing shape). Next, fill in the shape with the matte black eye shadow.
The key to this eye makeup look is the blending. Take a small domed eye brush and blend out the wing shape (small back and forth strokes) to give it a diffused look. Extend the brush to the contours of your creases to give this look even more definition.
Next, dip the eyeliner brush in the matte black eye shadow and line your lower lash line. Dip the brush again and apply a second layer on the lower outer corner of your lash line, connecting the line with your wing. Blend to soften. Complete the eye makeup with 2-3 coats of volume-building mascara.
To get Jennifer's naturally flushed-looking cheeks, apply a warm peach blush like TARTE Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Blissful just to the apples of your cheeks. Apply blush in circular motions, blending upwards towards the temples.
Complete Jennifer's look by applying a long-lasting, hydrating matte red wine lipstick like Laura Mercier Rouge Nouveau Weightless Lip Colour in Muse to exfoliated lips.
What we love most about this look is that it's not just for Ms. Hudson. The black diffused eye makeup and matte wine lip looks good on almost all skin tones. Try practicing the eyes at home before a big event and then we assure you you'll be tempted to wear this look all season long. In fact, we expect to see you show up to the football game in jeans, a jersey, and this perfect winged eye. Too much?? No such thing.
If you're a beauty addict, Janna will be your enabler. Just an occasional user? She'll be your bad influence. Visit her blog at mybeautybinge.com and indulge!