Exclusive: Regina King’s Genius Lipstick Hack for the 2020 Emmys

Regina King undoubtedly had a big night during the 2020 virtual Emmys. The actress who won “Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Television Movie” for her starring role in HBO’s “Watchmen” made sure to make a statement wearing a shirt with the late Breonna Taylor's image by Phenomenal Woman founder and Byrdie Changemaker, Meena Harris. We also couldn't stop staring at her makeup, flawlessly executed by Tym Buacharern, during her acceptance speech live from her living room.

"I was looking at more of a cross between the classic of Brigitte Bardot and the fun of Donna Summers during the '70s disco era by using bold colors," Tym tells Byrdie exclusively.

He described what it was like getting the star ready for the momentous occasion saying he had a blast with his muse. "We did take out [and] we listened to music while getting ready, and just enjoyed our time together. But since we are in a pandemic lots of precautions were made. I am wearing KN95 masks and a face shield for the application.”

Regina's wearing a full face of Shiseido products. There are three things we love about this look: the coverage, the pop of color on the eye, and the subtle liner of this nude lip.

Before

After

Here's what you need to recreate Regina's look yourself:

• Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation SPF 30 in 440 and 450 (*Contour with 530) ($47)
• Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Concealer in 304 ($31)
• Essentialist Eye Palette by Shiseido in Hanatsubaki Street Night #06 and Cat Street Pop #07 ($34)
• KAJAL Ink Artist Eye Pencil by Shiseido in Tea House #01 ($25)
• Shiseido ModernMatte Powder Lipstick in Thigh High 504 ($26)
• Shiseido Shimmer GelGloss Lip Gloss in Kurumi Beige ($25)

Tym notes to those looking for a smooth finish like Regina's to use a Hanatsubaki Hake face brush to apply the foundation. "It gives a seamless and flawless application. I apply it in a circular motion," he tells us of his technique.

And for that violet eye, he advises to start off light and then build up "until you achieved the desired intensity."

But it's the lip for us, especially after Tym revealed his secret to the subtle liner—an eye pencil. Tym used the KAJAL Ink Artist Eye Pencil to get the subtle liner of our dreams. The look is not heavy on the liner like the '90s inspired lined lips trending lately, and elevates it into this decade.

Tym couldn't agree more that this Emmy season was different. While he missed mingling with the other stars and their teams in hotel rooms while getting ready, he was happy to share this behind-the-scenes look into Regina King's living room and so are we. Raise your hand if you'll be swapping out dark lip liner for a softer eye pencil this Fall. *raises both hands*