We've waxed poetic about the perfect products for deep complexions and shared the best finds for fair skin, but this story is devoted to those with medium complexions. We called in the big guns — that is, some of the most in-demand makeup artists working today. Each of these women is a master at making up any complexion under the sun — these are the go-to makeup artists to stars like Eva Mendes and Gina Rodriguez.Ahead, these top red carpet experts share the products they actually use when working with their clients who have medium skin tones, including the lipsticks that always look good, the shadows that are truly flattering, and the foundation ranges that make matching easy.
Artist: Carissa Ferreri
Clients: Gina Rodriguez, Bailee Madison
For a nude lip look that works with medium skin tones, Ferreri prefers Nyx's formula in Nude Beige. She notes that you can wear the liner alone (just fill in your lips completely) for a matte look; top with balm for a velvety finish; or, if you want something glossy, add a swipe of Kevyn Aucoin's The Lip Gloss in Vesuvian, like she does on her clients.
Nyx Slim Lip Pencil in Nude Beige, $3.50, available at Nyx.
Artist: Pati Dubroff
Clients: Eva Mendes, Dakota Johnson, Miley Cyrus
Dubroff plays favorites with blush. “This cream blush is a perfect warm, reddish color,” she tells us. “I love the healthy flush it imparts.”
Laura Mercier Creme Cheek Color in Blaze, $26, available at Nordstrom.
Artist: Carola Gonzalez
Clients: Kerry Washington, Natalie Martinez, Gugu Mbatha-Raw
Gonzalez swears by Tarte’s foundation for her clients with medium complexions and herself, noting Medium Sand and Tan Sand as her go-to shades. “I truly love the satin, powdery finish and the hint of glow this foundation delivers,” she says. "It has the perfect combination of everything in one."
Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation SPF 15, $39, available at Sephora.
Artist: Carola Gonzalez
Clients: Kerry Washington, Natalie Martinez, Gugu Mbatha-Raw
“Bronzers are hard to find, but this one gets five stars!” Gonzalez tells us. “Plus, you get the bonus of an amazing highlighter that gives an impeccable glow.”
Charlotte Tilbury Film Star Bronze Glow in Light to Medium, $68, available at Net-A-Porter.
Artist: Carola Gonzalez
Clients: Kerry Washington, Natalie Martinez, Gugu Mbatha-Raw
“Neutrogena just came out with a new range of shades with more pigment, and this one, in particular, is one of my favorites because it really complements a wide range of skin tones,” Gonzalez says. “If you are looking for a subtle, soft lip, this is the one to go with.”
Neutrogena Moisture Color Stick in Pink Nude, $8.99, available at Ulta.
Artist: Pati Dubroff
Clients: Eva Mendes, Dakota Johnson, Miley Cyrus
Looking for a foundation that's super-light and hydrating? “Laura Mercier’s Cashew Beige is my pick for an easy tinted moisturizer in a perfect warm, medium tone,” Dubroff tells us.
Laura Mercier Silk Crème Moisturizing Photo Edition Foundation in Cashew Beige, $48, available at Sephora.
Artist: Carola Gonzalez
Clients: Kerry Washington, Natalie Martinez, Gugu Mbatha-Raw
Gonzalez calls this blush a great neutral for medium skin tones, noting that it’s the perfect everyday product. “It also looks beautiful when layered with a bronzer and a bit of highlighter,” she adds. “This shade should be an addition to your makeup kit for an all-around natural look.”
Lorac Color Source Buildable Blush in Cinematic, $22, available at Ulta.
Artist: Carissa Ferreri
Clients: Gina Rodriguez, Bailee Madison
“I tend to use a lot of Tom Ford foundations because they have a great range for those medium skin tones. For instance, for Gina [Rodriguez] I use between 6 and 7, mostly 7, which is called Tawny,” Ferreri says. The color range aside, she also loves the finish, which she says is perfectly dewy and glowy.
Tom Ford Traceless Foundation in Tawny, $80, available at Nordstrom.
Artist: Carissa Ferreri
Clients: Gina Rodriguez, Bailee Madison
For a deep, dark lip that is flattering across medium complexions, Ferreri opts for Kevyn Aucoin's lip pencil in Bloodroses, which gives long-lasting results and is incredibly precise. Simply fill in the entire lips and top with balm for shine, or your favorite deep lip color for even more impact.
Kevyn Aucoin The Flesh Tone Lip Pencil in Bloodroses, $25, available at Nordstrom.
Artist: Carissa Ferreri
Clients: Gina Rodriguez, Bailee Madison
"Sisley makes this amazing crayon stick; it's this beautiful Champagne-gold color," Ferreri tells us about this shade, Topaze. She uses the product in two ways: for a shimmery wash of color she'll apply it alone, dabbed on the lid or in the inner corners of the eyes; or as a base for shadow, which gives your powder hues a dose of lit-from-within luminosity and more staying power.
Sisley Paris Phyto-Eye Twist in 1 Topaze, $50, available at Net-A-Porter.
Artist: Carola Gonzalez
Clients: Kerry Washington, Natalie Martinez, Gugu Mbatha-Raw
“Shade 5.75 is the color I use most on my Latina clients because it has a yellow undertone that suits most medium skin tones,” Gonzalez tells us. “A shade like this one is hard to find, but it has...all the perfect elements.”
Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 5.75, $62, available at Sephora.
Artist: Pati Dubroff
Clients: Eva Mendes, Dakota Johnson, Miley Cyrus
Looking for a good go-to lipstick? “This lip color is sheer and warm, so it adds just the right amount of tone to even out lips,” Dubroff tells us.
Laura Mercier Creamy Colourbalm Rive Droite in $25, available at Neiman Marcus.
Artist: Carola Gonzalez
Clients: Kerry Washington, Natalie Martinez, Gugu Mbatha-Raw
“This eyeshadow has been around for a while, but it's still one of my favorite NARS shades,” Gonzalez says. “It's great to use on its own [or] with a brown eyeliner.”
NARS Shimmer Eyeshadow in Lola Lola, $25, available at NARS.
Artist: Pati Dubroff
Clients: Eva Mendes, Dakota Johnson, Miley Cyrus
For ease of use, Dubroff recommends this new launch from fellow makeup artist Fiona Stiles. “The Radiant Aqua Eye Veil in Hudson is a gorgeous cream shadow, perfect for an easy smoldering eye,” she says.
Fiona Stiles Radiant Aqua Eye Veil in Hudson, $22, available at Ulta.
Artist: Pati Dubroff
Clients: Eva Mendes, Dakota Johnson, Miley Cyrus
Just like with foundation or concealer, it’s paramount to select the right shade of contour for a natural-looking result. Dubroff swears by this contour kit by Anastasia Beverly Hills for medium complexions. “I use this contour palette to sculpt eyes and gently give shape to cheekbones,” she explains.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit in Medium/Tan, $40, available at Sephora.
Artist: Carissa Ferreri
Clients: Gina Rodriguez, Bailee Madison
Ferreri swears by this ultra-flattering formula by Charlotte Tilbury in Velvet Underground, a rich rose hue that is equal parts bright and deep.
Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Lipstick in Velvet Underground, $32, available at Charlotte Tilbury.
Artist: Carola Gonzalez
Clients: Kerry Washington, Natalie Martinez, Gugu Mbatha-Raw
“This concealer has great coverage, and the shade complements most light-medium to medium skin tones,” Gonzalez says. "It's buildable and hydrating at the same time.”
Hourglass Hidden Corrective Concealer in Hidden Warm, $32, available at Hourglass.
Artist: Pati Dubroff
Clients: Eva Mendes, Dakota Johnson, Miley Cyrus
“Tom Ford’s lip color in Warm Sable is a full-body lipstick with a lot of warmth,” Dubroff says. This makes it ideal for medium complexions. She notes that it gives lips a dose of color but still feels neutral. Translation: Pair it with a heavy eye or a no-makeup makeup look.
Tom Ford Lip Color in Warm Sable, $52, available at Nordstrom.
Artist: Pati Dubroff
Clients: Eva Mendes, Dakota Johnson, Miley Cyrus
Dubroff reaches for this palette from Tom Ford to create smoky eyes on medium complexions. “It’s the ultimate eyeshadow palette for warm-skinned girls,” she says.
Tom Ford Eye Quad in Cognac Sable, $80, available at Tom Ford.
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