Fact: Rihanna's glow game is unmatched. My homegirl (in my head) radiates equal parts badass and role model. Her business venture Fenty Beauty is revolutionary in every sense of the word. The world's favorite bad gal, Rihanna created this powerhouse makeup company with diversity at its core, which shook up the beauty industry like no other. It all started when she created 40 foundation shades for all skin tones: a trend many makeup companies have followed suit on. Besides the shade-inclusive trophy Fenty Beauty has won, its glow-inducing products deserve a standing ovation. The mastermind behind Rihanna's ultimate glow is Fenty Beauty's global makeup artist, Priscilla Ono.
Rihanna's longtime makeup artist, Ono is responsible for many of the singer's most iconic looks, such as her 2017 Met Gala Glam and her Fenty Beauty New York Launch Party glow-up (thanks to my fave highlighter, Trophy Wife). You could say (I would) that Ono is the Picasso of makeup. Trust me—you'll be hypnotized by a quick scroll through her Instagram, which shows off a plethora of breathtaking beauty looks. We want this summer to be the ultimate glow-up for you, so we talked to Ono about all her summer beauty secrets. From dusting highlighter on your décolletage to sweeping bronzer on your lips, Ono shares all her makeup tricks below.
Tip #1: To Look Glowy and Not Sweaty, Create a Foundation Base That Mattifies Without Looking Dry
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__262940__rihanna-makeup-artist-priscilla-ono-interview-262940-1531479554004-main.700x0c-420394efd20641f38d2afc136b226c00.jpg)
"As the weather heats up, skin is more prone to sweat and oil, and the key to not looking sweaty is to create a base that mattifies without looking too dry," explains Ono. "Before foundation application, I use the Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch Primer to create the perfect base. It is hydrating and also has a slight mattifying effect, which will not only control oil but also keep foundation in place through the heat. After foundation, I also love the Invisimatte Blotting Powder to set makeup (so it won't budge even while you sweat!), and the Invisimatte Blotting Paper is perfect to keep in your purse to remove excess oil throughout the day. It's the perfect discreet on-the-go solution!"
Tip 2: For the Ultimate Glow, Use a Bronzer to Create a Full Look on Your Face, Eyes, Lips, and Body
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__262940__rihanna-makeup-artist-priscilla-ono-interview-262940-1531479586538-main.700x0c-9d1a349dbe784d66a6fa053904a6e1e1.jpg)
"The Match Stix Shimmer Skinsticks have been my ultimate go-to product for creating summery, glowy makeup looks," Ono says. "It can be used on the face, eyes, lips, and body, so one product is all you need to create a full look. Opt for a bronzy shade like Rum or Sinamon and apply to the top of cheekbones, eyes, and lips to warm up your complexion for a lit-from-within glow that's flattering on both light and deep complexions. A subtle lip, like Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer, is another one of my favorite products and is the perfect finishing touch for an effortless summer beauty look. Plus, it looks good on all skin tones and smells delicious!"
Tip 3: Repurpose Your Makeup Products to Unleash Its Secret Powers
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__262940__rihanna-makeup-artist-priscilla-ono-interview-262940-1531479632663-main.700x0c-7160063ba49d4d49b40932abe771bac7.jpg)
"We love using gloss bomb as a lip moisturizer and prep," Ono shares. "All the shea butter really hydrates the lips so well. We also love using Matchstix skin sticks as lip colors. We used Rum on her lips for the Fenty Beauty launch in Italy. and everyone was dying over it! The finish is so thin and wearable."
Tip 4: Don't Forget to Glow up Your Décolletage
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__262940__rihanna-makeup-artist-priscilla-ono-interview-262940-1531479667568-main.700x0c-dc6b1092efe848abadd23069a3608096.jpg)
"After you complete your beauty routine, I love using highlighter on shoulders and décolletage for super-sexy skin," says Ono. "The Killawatt Freestyle Highlighters are formulated for not only the face and eyes but also look great on the body as well. Depending on your sun exposure, you can really use a variety of shades and just dust it on for a sprinkle of shimmer."
Tip 5: Use the Right Application to Wear Your Makeup as Bold or Low-Key as You Please
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__262940__rihanna-makeup-artist-priscilla-ono-interview-262940-1531479764675-main.700x0c-062ff1b1bac341e085577f6ba2932396.jpg)
"I love the new Killawatt Foil Freestyle Highlighter Duos because they are packed with super-fine shimmer and incredibly bold pigment," explains Ono. "The shades may look really intimidating in the pan since they are so pigmented, but many people don't know that if you apply light layers using your makeup brush, you can create an everyday makeup look that's completely wearable and subtle. Not only can they be used as traditional highlighter, but I like to use Sangria Sunset as blush and even use them on the eyes as liner or on the inner corners of the eye to make them pop. If you want to create a more daring look, like Rihanna's 2017 Met Gala look, you can layer on the pigment by applying the product with a wet makeup brush for a more intense color payoff. Whatever your style is, they're incredibly versatile and allow you to create so many different looks—we call them the Freestyle Highlighters because you're supposed to feel free to have fun with them!"
Tip 6: To Find the Right Foundation Shade, Determine Your Skin's Undertone and Reaction to Sun Exposure
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__262940__rihanna-makeup-artist-priscilla-ono-interview-262940-1531479789074-main.700x0c-773d7ca6840f4cacbf40b491b5725319.jpg)
"Even though Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation comes in 40 shades, the shades are broken down into 100s (light), 200s (medium), 300s (tan), and 400s (deep) to make it even easier to find your perfect match," explains Ono. "After you've determined which shade range you are in, then determine your skin's undertone to narrow down the results since each shade is created for a cool, neutral, or warm undertone.
"If you're unsure of your skin's undertone, ask yourself how your skin reacts to sun exposure. If you burn easily, you're most likely a cool undertone. If you tan easily, then you're most likely a warm undertone. If you burn and then tan, you're most likely a neutral undertone. Once you answer those questions, you'll be able to narrow down your potential matches to a few shades. You can test out the results from there to find your perfect match. Building upon the same idea, it's also important to know your skin's undertone when finding the perfect nude lipstick. Pink hues typically work best on cool undertones while warm undertones should opt for mocha or caramel hues."
Tip 7: Remember That Beauty Is All About What Makes You Feel Confident
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__262940__rihanna-makeup-artist-priscilla-ono-interview-262940-1531479877718-main.700x0c-c304d301d6724daf87e4a9e07ba3a661.jpg)
"I love working with Fenty Beauty because it's all about 'Beauty for All,'" says Ono. "Beauty is all about what makes you feel confident. Rihanna thinks that makeup should be fun and loves experimenting with different colors and switching up her look, and Fenty Beauty really allows you to do that. Just be fearless and confident when it comes to makeup, and you can pull off anything."
The One Makeup Product She Can't Live Without
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__262940__rihanna-makeup-artist-priscilla-ono-interview-262940-1531480033364-main.700x0c-ec0c20087f054ab682f4bdd9006959d1.jpg)
"The Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation is the one product I can't live without," shares Ono. "It provides enough coverage to hide any imperfections while still allowing your skin to still look like skin. You can also layer it for full coverage if you want to go full glam."
The Most Iconic Makeup Look She's Created for Rihanna
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__262940__rihanna-makeup-artist-priscilla-ono-interview-262940-1531479812823-main.700x0c-032a0222eccf4589899caecbf780e308.jpg)
"I would have to say it's the Fenty Beauty New York launch party look where she wore all yellow and we bathed her in Trophy Wife," says Ono. "It's already such an iconic look, and it's the first time we announced my new role with Fenty Beauty, so it's so sentimental and special to me as well. It showed how unexpected and wearable Fenty Beauty's colors can be."
Now that you have all of Ono and Rihanna's makeup secrets, feel free to live your best, glowed-up life.