We’ll admit it: The immense ripple effect of Alicia Keys’ choice to skip makeup has surprised even us. The move has launched countless thought pieces on what makeup means to women in 2016, boosted a popular hashtag, and inspired a slew of other celebs to go without. (Even contour queen Kim Kardashian tried her hand at the look.)
Maybe less shocking is the newest revelation about Keys’ fresh-faced look: Going sans makeup for her doesn’t mean enjoying a simple wash-and-go regime. It takes a lot of effort, expertise — and, yes, money — to achieve her incredibly radiant complexion, reported W magazine.
Keys even still relies on her longtime makeup artist Dotti. Sure, she may have packed away her collection of red lipsticks and mascara, but she's still around to offer facial treatments and even highlight Keys' skin and lashes with a cocktail of different products.
The makeup artist generously divulged Keys' full treatment plan to W. The laundry list includes regular facials and acupuncture (neither of which runs cheap), eating super-clean, and working out. And, brace for impact, the lineup of products in her skin-care regimen rings in at £370. Click through to see every step — and get ready to take some serious notes.
Notice how Keys' skin always has a healthy flush — even where there’s no blush in sight? That comes courtesy of iced jade roller treatments. “I stick a jade roller in ice, so it’s basically freezing when I roll it over her skin. I really, really work into all those areas where I want blood and water and energy brought to the surface. It brings her skin to life," Dotti told W.
She follows up with a DIY cucumber treatment that's probably the most affordable tip in this story. “I’ll grate a full cucumber, then place the pulp no higher than her browbone and no lower than her undereye bone, not going near sensitive parts of the eye,” she told W. “If we’ve got time, I’ll put the pulp all over her face until it draws the heat out of the skin and brings the blood to the top.”
Ginger Chi Roller Anti-Aging Jade Therapy Roller, £28, available at Etsy.
Once her skin is rocking its own healthy flush, it’s time to take the glow a step further with a few facial oils. Dotti likes this organic, Australian-made tonic, which is packed with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant-rich botanical oils.
MV Organic Skincare 9 Oil Cleansing Tonic, £57, available at Cult Beauty.
Sometimes, using one oil blend to hydrate just isn’t enough. When needed, Dotti adds jojoba oil into the mix. “It’s so close to the natural sebum we produce in our skin,” she told the pub.
MV Organic Skincare Pure Jojoba Oil, £29, available at Cult Beauty.
Like lots of women with great skin, Keys relies on a bevy of masks to even out her complexion. In addition to using a custom-made rubber mask recommended by a facialist friend, The Voice judge turns to this probiotic-pumped option to help keep acne at bay.
Éminence Organics Clear Skin Probiotic Masque, £42, available at Skin Medix.
Dotti notes that this mask, loved by celebs like Chrissy Teigen, is also a favorite of Keys'. For many, its combination of vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and organic acids is a major skin-softener.
SK-II Facial Treatment Mask, £60, available at Harrods.
Okay. So technically, Keys does wear a weency bit of makeup when performing or filming. To call attention to the eyes, Dotti sometimes opts to add some individual lashes or enhances Keys' freckles with this brow pencil, W reported.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer Pencil, £16, available at Cult Beauty.
To help even Keys' complexion and give a bit of a glow, Dotti uses this self-tanning serum, spiked with anti-aging peptides. Swapping out tanner for base makeup is a trick that Kim Kardashian’s makeup artist also reportedly used when prepping the reality star to go makeup-free at Balenciaga this week.
Vita Liberata Self Tanning Anti-Age Serum, £29.95, available at Feel Unique.
The crowning jewel of Keys' clean-skin look? A light dusting of powder, which is used even if there’s no makeup underneath. Dotti uses this mattifying finishing powder that also blurs pores to keep Keys' skin from looking too shiny, she said. “She did a performance in London a few weeks back, and she came offstage with this huge smile,” Dotti told W. “She said, ‘It’s so amazing to not have makeup on and just sweat like a bomb!'"
Mally Beauty Evercolor Poreless Face Defender, £36.50, available at QVC.
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