How Rosario Dawson’s Makeup Artist Finds Inspiration

One look at celebrity makeup artist Ermahn Ospina’s graphic azure look on Rosario Dawson will have you injecting color into every makeup look this spring. Here, the artist shares his inspiration and trusted tools.

Texture Talk

“My inspiration for this look came after the first fitting of Rosario’s dress,” says Ospina. “The graphics, color and texture inspired me to create a goddess-like, Cleopatra- inspired makeup look to complement it.”

Strong Roots

“Once I finished Rosario’s makeup look and saw her wearing this dress from Studio One Eighty Nine, an African-based company she cofounded that produces African and African-inspired clothing, the name ‘Black Goddess’ came to mind,” says Ospina. “The name also stemmed from the history I share with Rosario and who I know her to be: a woman with strong convictions, who loves and is loved by so many, just like a goddess.”

Color Show

To keep the eyes the focus, Ospina created a soft graphic liner look using a color palette that would complement the dress. In his tool kit: Viseart Natural Matte shadows for the base, INGLOT AMC Eyeliner Gel in 77 for the dramatic line and wing, and the bold MAC Cosmetics Chromaline liner in Hi-Def Cyan to create the bicolor cat eye.

A Perfect Match

To balance the dramatic eye look, Ospina opted for a classic nude lip that works both on and off the small screen: Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Sex Machine by NARS.

Stellar Skin

Like any great makeup artist, Ospina doesn’t gloss over the importance of prepping the skin before makeup. “It is essential; it is the step that makes a difference between a makeup look and a radiant makeup look,” he says. To prep Dawson’s skin, Ospina started by misting Evian Brumisateur all over the face, then followed with Shiseido Power Infusing Serum and a layer of Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream. “While I apply makeup on her eyes, I like to use Patchology FlashPatch Rejuvenating Eye Gels.”