Taraji P. Henson’s was one of my favorite looks of the night from her swingy, center-parted bob to her deeply smoked-out lids to her dramatic two-tone talons. Here, the details on her makeup and nail looks.

MAKEUP

Ashunta Sheriff for L’Oréal Paris did the makeup honors.  “Alexander Wang created an edgy princess gown for an edgy rock star actress. The dress called for smoky eyes with lots of liner and sexy lashes.”

STEP 1: Ashunta started with L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Eye Renewal Eye Cream ($24.99) to ensure makeup didn’t cake around the eyes. She prepped the face with L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Deep-Acting Moisturizer($24.99), a rich emollient moisturizer to combat dry skin.

STEP 2:  To prime skin, Ashunta applied L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Miracle Blur Oil-Free ($24.99) to Taraji’s face so complexion appeared smoother and virtually flawless.

STEP 4: Next, she used L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Makeup in C7 ($10.95), which blended seamlessly to match Taraji’s tone, providing a flawless canvas. She then corrected minor imperfections with L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Concealer ($8.99).

STEP 5: To create a perfect, illuminated glow, Ashunta applied L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator ($12.99) with a makeup sponge patting into the high points of the face like cheekbones, bridge of the nose, brow bones and bow of lips.

STEP 6: Ashunta created the smoldering eye look by using L’Oréal Paris Silkissime Eyeliner by Infallible in Black($8.99) on lids and lashlines. She blended out the pencil on the lid, which acted as a base and locked in subsequent eyeshadow application.

STEP 7: Using her finger tips, Ashunta blended L’Oréal Paris Infallible Eye Shadow in Smoldering Plum ($8.95) liberally all over the lids, and layered in darker mahogany and cocoa colors from L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche La Palette Nude ($19.99) up to the crease and accented along lower lashline.

STEP 8: Ashunta then primed and coated upper and lower lashes with NEW L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Superstar Mascara ($10.99).

STEP 9: Ashunta finished Taraji’s eyes by tracing L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Superstar Liner ($9.99) into a thin, but bold, cat-wing that gave the look a slightly mod feel.

STEP 10: For cheeks, Ashunta used L’Oréal Paris Visible Lift Colour Lift Blush in Pink Lift ($12.95).

STEP 11: L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lipcolour in Brazil Nut and Golden Splendor ($8.95) created the perfect nude lip for Taraji’s darker skin tone. 

STEP 12: To finish and set the look for the long, hot evening, Ashunta spritzed L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Spray & Set Makeup Extender Setting Spray ($16.99) all over the face.

NAILS

Michelle Saunders used essie shades ladylike and licorice. “Taraji immediately knew she wanted a nude, blush nail with lace details – something her character “Cookie” would wear. We started with essie’s ‘ladylike,’ an elegant mauve. essie’s ‘licorice’ was then used for the details at the base. To emulate the look of black lace, we hand painted a fainted floral design on the nail, using a tiny brush,” said Michelle.