How Alicia Keys Got Ready for the Broadway Debut of Hell's Kitchen

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“I own my power.” That’s the affirmation Alicia Keys chose for her Broadway debut. No—the 15-time Grammy winner will not be on stage, but the play is inspired by her life growing up in NYC, set to her popular music (and new songs, too). “I like to choose an affirmation that speaks to my vibe and what I want to manifest. This is an affirmation I created that is actually etched onto the bottle of my Keys Soulcare It’s Like Skin Concealer + Tint. Tonight is such a powerful moment—we worked for years to bring this moment: finally opening Hell’s Kitchen on Broadway,” she exclusively tells ELLE.com.

The play stars a young woman, Ali, played by Maleah Joi Moon, and is centered around her life in Hell’s Kitchen—a neighborhood just steps away from Broadway. While there are themes of coming to age and everyday NYC life, it’s also a love story between the mother and the daughter. “My mother was and is a big part of my personal story. She’ll be joining me tonight on the blue carpet and I’m so glad to be sharing this milestone with her,” says Keys.

Promise Serum

“I’ve been feeling a natural glow. I love all things radiance and letting my skin shine,” says Keys.

It's Like Skin 2-In-1 Concealer + Tint

Keys says, “I really love it because it feels like my skin. Never heavy or obvious. And the finish is so radiant.”

Let Me Glow Illuminating Serum

“It instantly brightens the skin and you look like you’re just glowing from within. It’s a great primer for the rest of your makeup,” says Keys.

Skin Transformation Cream

Keys says: “One of my go-to Keys Soulcare offerings!”

Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara in 04 Electric Blue

“We added a beautiful blue mascara to tonight’s look as well. I thought it was such a fun touch,” says Keys.

Hell’s Kitchen takes place in New York City during the ’90s, so Keys leaned into that for her hair. “This is the ’90s ‘wet look’! The perfect style to match my makeup and my head-to-to denim for the blue carpet,” she says. While ‘no makeup, makeup’ is now the choice for many of the “it girls” and has led to an explosion of skin tints on the market, Keys was an early adopter of this look. Her pared down look causing headlines. “I love embracing my skin, my choice, my power, and how I get to present,” states Keys. She expresses how her vibe has changed over the years. “When I first started out in the industry, I leaned into the smokey eye and a ’90s brown lip. I experimented with color. At one point in my journey, I felt like I didn’t have control over how I looked, and that’s the biggest change I’ve noticed compared to now,” she says.

Before Keys hit the carpet for the debut of Hell’s Kitchen, she let ELLE.com have an exclusive glimpse inside her prep process. Keep reading to see the products she used for her glowing skin and an accessory that screams “New York City.”

A moment of quiet. Taking it all in.

These Keysoulcare offerings completed my opening night getting ready ritual!

My hair plan for the evening is something I’ve been wanting to do for a minute!!! The wet look!

Big love to Jean Paul Gaultier, this look!!! Timeless New York style!

Some of my go-to Keys Soulcare offerings! They help give me that natural glow all evening.

The CUSTOM freshhhhh Timbs!!!! When you grow up in Hell’s Kitchen it’s all about the Timbs! The details had me so excited to celebrate the evening ahead.

Last minute dash!! I was running a little late so we were putting on all my jewelry to head to the carpet.

Walking down to the red, I mean blue, carpet.

I ran into Maleah Joi Moon, who plays Ali, on my way to the carpet! This is both of our Broadway debuts! So, it was super special to share an intimate moment of gratitude with her before the busy carpet.

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