The 2021 BRIT Awards was an electric night that saw Dua Lipa open the show with an epic performance and go home victorious with two awards [1], Taylor Swift [2] graciously accept the Global Icon Award, and Billy Porter own the red carpet in a black lace gown, by designer Threeasfour. The evening was full of incredible hair and makeup looks [3] and an exciting energy that reflected the joy of a live event, as well as an audience full of well-deserved frontline workers who were celebrated throughout the night. Starting the memorable evening was the BRIT Awards 2021: Backstage event, where host Maya Jama [4] stunned in an Area two-piece blazer and skirt [5], Bulgari jewellery, and a soft but sultry '90s-inspired hair and makeup combo, the latter of which included beautifully-blended brown smoky eyes and glowing dewy skin. Sharing the details behind the glamorous look is Jama's makeup artist, Francesca Abrahamovitch [6].
"Skin prep is so important for beautiful makeup; it is definitely half the job, especially if you want an incredibly radiant complexion," Abrahamovitch told POPSUGAR. "I prepped Maya's skin with 111Skin's Celestial Black Diamond Lifting and Firming Mask [7] (£140). Allowing this to work into the skin a few hours before the BRITs, I could then follow this up seamlessly with the Sisley Eye Contour Mask [8] (£100), 111Skin Rose Gold Radiance Booster [9] (£85), and Sisley Lip Balm [10] (£56) – a personal favourite, as it's incredibly nourishing and hydrating."
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Jama's makeup look was one of understated glamour that showcased beautiful smoky eyes and a glossy nude lip. "Maya has the most incredible skin, so I didn't use any foundation on her. Taking MAC Cosmetic's Studio Finish Concealer [13] (£18) and Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer [14] (£24.50), I blended the two underneath the eyes and down the T-Zone before blending out with a beauty blender," Abrahamovitch said. To finish off the base, she "used Charlotte Tilbury's Contour Wand in Medium/Dark [15] (£29) to contour and the Beauty Light Wand in Pillow Talk [16] (£29) to highlight the cheekbones and bridge of the nose, before setting with Huda Beauty's Easy Bake Loose Powder in Banana Bread [17] (£29)".
To tie the makeup in with Area's statement outfit, Abrahamovitch opted for sexy smoky eyes that were created using Tom Ford's Eye Colour Quad in Leopard Sun [18] (£68), "blending the brown tone across the lid and winging it out before I enhanced the feline shape with Pat McGrath Labs' Perma Precision Liquid Liner [19] (£25) and Eylure [No.] 117 Lashes [20] (£5.50)", she explained. Abrahamovitch completed the look by lining Jama's lips with MAC Cosmetics' iconic Cork Lip Liner [21] (£15.50) before applying the By Terry Tinted Lip Balm in Toffee [22] (which is currently out of stock on the brand's website).
"The outfit Maya wore was such a statement and so beautiful that we just wanted to keep the hair and makeup fresh and sleek. I wanted it to look radiant and polished, all to enhance Maya's natural beauty and incredible features," Abrahamovitch said of the final look.
