Getting Live performance-Prepared With Empress Of

“I’m on the brink of go on tour to assist my fourth album, For Your Consideration. I believe it’s sonically one among my most enjoyable information. Heartbreak and relationships had been main inspirations for my final albums, however this one is so flirty and horny and makes me really feel good in my physique. It’s the right single-era album; I really feel scorching after I take heed to it. You’re going to need to put it on whenever you’re doing all of your make-up.

Preparing is admittedly meditative for me. I just like the stillness of it earlier than the chaos, particularly now that I’m going to extra occasions and crimson carpets as an artist. If I’ve the posh of taking my time, I’ve a playlist that’s six hours lengthy and crammed with music that pumps me up. It has a ton of bops from folks like Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, and Kate Bush.

I’ve positively gotten higher at doing my very own seems since I don’t at all times have a make-up artist on tour with me. I’ve realized a lot from TikTok and Instagram. It’s a artistic course of. I really like asking myself who I need to be that evening, however the purpose is at all times to really feel extra assured after I’m on stage.

SKINCARE
The most important factor I’ve realized from watching make-up artists—I really like working with Nick Lennon, Alexandra French, and Marla Vazquez—is that pores and skin prep is so vital. Once I’m preparing for the evening, I begin off with The Extraordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5. It feels good on my pores and skin, however I additionally prefer it due to the worth level; it’s slightly below $10. I actually just like the Osea Important Hydrating Oil as a result of it’s actually mild and really absorbs into the pores and skin. It smells very nice, type of candy and fruity. And the Osea Ocean Eye Serum is nice, too. The Augustinus Bader Cream is painfully costly however very definitely worth the funding. Once I run out, I attempt to persuade myself to make use of different moisturizers, however then they by no means dwell as much as it. It’s simply very hydrating and calming for my pores and skin. It sinks in properly—however I actually hate spending $300 on it.

MAKEUP
I’m simply so blissful to have nailed one make-up look that I preserve doing it over and over—slightly little bit of contour on my cheeks, brow, and nostril, and a snatched, chocolate-y eye look. I began utilizing City Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer as a result of it makes colours pop extra on stage, to not point out I’m continuously transferring and sweating. I really like City Decay’s Naked3 Palette, too. I really use the darkest coloration to line my eyes. The MAC In Excessive Dimension 3D Mascara is one other basic. I like a messy, 60s mascara look generally, and I can actually get that look with it as a result of the wand picks up loads of product.

If Armani ever reads this, please sponsor me. [Laughs] I really like their Luminous Silk Basis. It’s so good. I’ve heard from some make-up artists that basis is admittedly skin-dependent, and this one has actually labored for me for years. I exploit shade 9.

The Charlotte Tilbury Glow Cream Bronzer in 2 Medium is the most effective within the sport. I see it in each make-up artist’s package. It’s so refined and really fairly. I contour with the Fenty Magnificence Contour Match Stix in Mocha. It’s really easy to make traces with them, particularly across the nostril.

All of Uncommon Magnificence’s merchandise are sick, however I preserve shopping for the Melting Cream Blush in Almost Berry. It’s so pigmented and it’s a enjoyable measurement, so you possibly can carry it in your purse and simply use your finger to dab it in your cheeks whenever you want a re-up. Ilia’s DayLite Highlighting Powder in A long time is so nice for the sting of the nostril and cheekbones. It’s simply barely shimmery, so it’s under no circumstances overwhelming. And crimson lips make me really feel actually good. I really like combining NARS Lip Liner in African Queen and NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in 414 BLKR. I set every part with the Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder. It blurs every part in a extremely fairly and pure approach.

HAIR
I often put extensions in my hair after I play loads of reveals. They actually add to the drama—and it’s nice to have hair to whip round. Antoine Martinez does my hair generally, and I’m nowhere close to pretty much as good as he’s, however I put in my very own extensions now. I simply attempt to imitate what he does. Then I’m going in with my Sizzling Instruments ¾” 24K Gold Curling Iron. I like utilizing EcoStyler’s Olive Oil Styling Gel to tame the highest of my head as a result of I don’t like large, frizzy, curly hair. I used to be really actually stunned after I noticed that my stylist was utilizing it as a result of it’s like $4, however hey, if it really works, it really works.

FRAGRANCE
Once I’m preparing, I really like lighting Astier de Villate’s Palais de Tokyo Incense. That’s such a ‘me second,’ and it makes my place odor like a very nice resort foyer, which makes me really feel luxurious. I get so many compliments after I put on Debaser from D.S. & Durga. It has coconut milk, iris, and bergamot. The model describes it as ‘scorching, humid, and horny,’ type of like my album. [Laughs] I layer it with my Nuxe Dry Oil. I had seen it on so many individuals’s dressers, and I lastly purchased it after I performed a present in Paris. It’s a basic, and the older I get the extra that I need basic merchandise. I imply, I gained’t put on Chanel. No. 5, however I do like the thought of it.”

—As advised to Daise Bedolla

Photographed by Brittany Bravo in Los Angeles on March 15, 2024