Alicia Keys' affordable secrets for a 'no-makeup makeup' look

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Alicia Keys let her skin take center stage at the 2020 Grammy Awards. (Photo: Getty)
Alicia Keys let her skin take center stage at the 2020 Grammy Awards. (Photo: Getty)

After Alicia Keys revealed in a 2016 Lenny Letter that she’ll be embarking on a journey to go makeup-free, the star has been holding true to her promise and hardly wearing a stitch of makeup on red carpets and out-and-about. While that doesn’t mean she has completely abandoned cosmetics altogether, she has been much more selective about what she wears and when—and that starts with focusing on the skin.

While last night’s Grammy Awards called for a more dramatic — though not heavily made up — look, Dotti, Keys’ makeup artist, stresses that so much of her client’s radiant glow doesn’t just come from an army of great products; rather, it stems from within.

“She knows you have to invest internally for your skin to look great externally,” Dotti shared with W Magazine. “It’s also about how you process your energy. She comes from a very strong place and she comes from a very kind place. That in itself is super important. But it’s about the choices she’s making and the products she’s using. It’s the work of a good team.”

As for when the singer does choose to wear makeup — usually when she’s judging on The Voice or performing, Dotti does apply small touches to accentuate the star’s radiant beauty. For example, she’ll apply individual lashes to Keys’ brows to fill in any sparse spots, or accentuate her freckles with the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer

Using a brow pencil to accentuate the star's freckles? A stroke of genius. (Photo: Ulta)
Using a brow pencil to accentuate the star's freckles? A stroke of genius. (Photo: Ulta)

Shop it: $23, ulta.com

To amp up the Keys’ already-radiant skin, Dotti applies the Vita Liberata Self-Tanning Anti-Age Serum to give even more glow.

Vita Liberata Self-Tanning Anti-Age Serum

If this helps us glow like Keys, we're buying this in bulk. (Photo: Amazon)
If this helps us glow like Keys, we're buying this in bulk. (Photo: Amazon)

Shop it: $45, amazon.com

To keep her skin matte during sweaty performances, Dotti applies Mally Ever Colour Poreless Face Definer Mattifier.

Mally Ever Colour Poreless Face Definer Mattifier

Battle shine with this adorable compact. (Photo: Amazon)
Battle shine with this adorable compact. (Photo: Amazon)

Shop it: $37 (was $40), amazon.com

“She did a performance in London a few weeks back, and she came offstage with this huge smile,” Dotti shares. “She said, ‘It’s so amazing to not have makeup on and just sweat like a bomb! And her skin still looked so amazing.”

As for last night’s look for the Grammys, Keys opted for a bit more drama. Makeup artist Romy Soleimani, who was responsible for Keys’ radiant and fresh face at the awards show, relied on Whal Myung Skin Elixir ($58, amazon.com) to keep the performer’s skin clear and hydrated throughout the evening.

For added shine on the lips, Soleimani applied Bobbi Brown Crushed Oil-Infused Gloss ($27, sephora.com) for a naturally stunning look. For extra drama, Soleimani accentuated the award show host’s eyes with a feline flick, and added two gemstones in the inner corners.

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