Mariska Hargitay wore 12 different outfits and wigs during last night’s Emmy Awards, but her makeup remained unchanged: a seamless, skin-like finish. The makeup artist responsible, Kate Synnott, revealed the steps and products that maintained Hargitay’s luminous complexion under intense red-carpet conditions.
Synnott wanted Hargitay’s skin to feel “really hydrated and beautifully plumped” before any makeup touched her face. She started with Cetaphil Nourishing Oil to Foam Cleanser ($9), followed by Cetaphil Skin Activator Hydrating & Firming Lotion ($12) “from head to toe, paying special attention to the neck, shoulders, arms and décolletage.” She finished with Cetaphil Skin Activator Hydrating & Firming Cream ($17), which she described as an important part of her pre-glam routine. “It helps activate surface skin cells while providing 72-hour hydration and leaving the skin looking smoother and firmer,” she says. After giving each product a few minutes to absorb, her skin felt nourished, soft and perfectly prepared for makeup.
For base coverage, Synnott selected IT Cosmetics’ Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm ($34), a 4-in-1 formula containing collagen peptides and hyaluronic acid, specifically formulated for mature skin. She then applied Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream ($39) for targeted coverage before sculpting the face with Bye Bye Pores Bronzer ($36) and Blush ($29), both applied upward. Brows were defined with Brow Power ($26), while the eyes received depth from Superhero No-Tug Shadow Sticks ($25) in Copper Charisma and Fearless Umber, blended into a smoky wash.
When asked to identify her go-to product for mature skin, Synnott immediately named the Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm. “It’s actually 92 percent skin care with collagen peptide that addresses the needs of mature skin over time,” she says of the 4-in-1 skin care–makeup hybrid. “It’s super lightweight and blendable and gives a radiant finish.”
The final touches included Superhero Liner ($25) for a feline-inspired wing, Superhero Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara ($28), and a soft lip in Do It All Lip Transformer ($29) in Pretty in Rose. Synnott’s technique balanced boldness with subtlety, ensuring the makeup enhanced Hargitay’s features without overwhelming them.
