ESSENCE IS BRINGING THE EXCLUSIVE BREAKDOWN OF THE ACTRESSES RED CARPET BEAUTY FROM THE 2019 MET GALA.

Some folks show up to red carpet events ready to slay, but Gabrielle Union shows up to annihilate. It’s a rare thing to ever see this beauty at an awards show, fundraiser, gala, or otherwise, without those dimples peeking through flawless skin, with tresses laid fresh, and body snatched and ready to wurk.

Celebrity makeup artist Fiona Stiles, who perfected Gabby’s face for the camp-themed event, gave ESSENCE the exclusive inside scoop on how she achieved the Being Mary Jane star’s dark angel fresh face for the Met Gala.

For skin: Fiona first cleansed away any dirt, oil, and build-up from the day with AVYA Gentle Cleanser.

“All their products are made with peony, which smells amazing, and turmeric and neem [leaf] that help control melanin and provides an even tone and texture,” she said.

She applied the AVYA Eye Bright Cream under and around Gabrielle’s eyes before she started setting up so the ingredients had time to sink into the skin and work their magic. Then she put AVYA Anti-Aging Power Serum on her face and neck so the Vitamin C in it could give her complexion a boost of brightness. Then came the AVYA Day Moisturizer, which Fiona says she loves because it “works really well for melanated skin tones and targets melanin to look and feel its best.”

For face: She used the Fenty Pro Filt’r Foundation in 420 & 430. Under the eye, she dabbed on a bit of the Fenty Pro Filt’r Concealer in 360 and then set the face with Fenty Loose Setting Powder in Hazelnut and Coffee to create depth and dimension. For contour, she used the Tom Ford Shade & Illuminate in Intensity 3 and then used the Clinique Cheek Pop in Cola Pop to give her a vibrant Studio 54 throwback style blush.

For eyes: Fiona added some volume to her brows with the Lancome Sourcil Gel in Noir. She then used the radiant mousse shadow in “chocolate diamond” and “24k gold” from Dome Beauty on the lids, and also lined the eyes with Dome Beauty’s Black Gel Eyeliner in Blackout. She also glued a rhinestone on the outer corner of Gabrielle’s eyes for added sparkle. And finally, she finished off the eyes with false lashes and lashings of Dome Beauty Black Magic Magnetic Mascara in Black Magic.

For lips: Lips were kept classic and subtle with Tom Ford Lip Color in Bare.