How To Get Taylor Swift’s Signature Makeup Look
Typically when artists and celebrities are interviewed by beauty outlets and magazines, they always divulge what their holy grail makeup and beauty products are… because they know the fans are dying to know!! This is not really the case however when it comes to mega star Taylor Swift. And with her current status of being named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year for 2023, having broken an all time record at the Grammy’s for winning Album of the Year 4X, grossing millions of dollars with her Eras Tour, and now her boyfriend is a big time player in the Super Bowl this Sunday - all eyes are on Taylor!
Her Time magazine look was created by the artist @Diane_Kendal
One thing about T Swift, you would have to agree on, is the woman has major TALENT. I have done some major digging and research online (more than usual!) to see if I can find out more about the makeup she or her longtime makeup artist, Lorrie Turk, uses on her for videos, tours, and even date nights with Travis Kelce.
They both keep their lips partially sealed - not giving recognition or favoritism to specific brands. I’m sure this is by design and since she’s such a public figure right now, gives her a tad bit of much needed mystery.
But, I had a little bit of luck and there are some MAJOR makeup tips and inspiration we can easily borrow to nail Taylor’s signature look that makes her so recognizable. And that’s what today's post is about!
TL;DR
Jennifer shares How To Get Taylor Swift’s Signature Makeup Look
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How To Get Taylor Swift’s Signature Makeup Look
Taylor Swift Inspiration
Before I get into sharing my personal Tay Tay makeup inspiration, I will address the following that I am acutely aware of our differences before showing you how to mimic her superstar look…
She is a 34 year old, blonde, blue eyed, mega star to the world! I am a 46 year old brunette with brown eyes who is a star to her children! She also can sing and play multiple instruments, and I cannot hold a tune whatsoever and makeup brushes are my only instrument.
But what we DO have in common…
- Both of us sport bangs
- Both of us feel confident wearing a red lip
- A winged eye is a staple look for us both
- We both understand the power makeup can have to build confidence
So let’s have a lot of fun here and discuss the main ingredients we can all apply, no matter our age, to recreate the signature T Swift look. Just in time for Super Bowl Sunday parties! (And please note the creativity of using the names of her album covers in each makeup tip 🙂 )
I decided to go for more of the “Sporty Red Lip” vibe since that goes with my love of Georgia football and Atlanta Falcons football. It also shows that a red lip DOES pair well with even a casual look - and elevates even the most simple outfit.
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A “REPUTATION” For A Porcelain Doll-Like Complexion
This gal always has the most beautiful peachy complexion. She’s not super pale, but never overly tan. To get the perfect balance of a healthy complexion without being sickly pale, I would use the following products to achieve it.
Mix a facial self tanner in with a plumping skin cream. Currently I love the combo of the St. Tropez Purity Vitamins Bronzing Face Serum, $35, mixed in with a moisturizer, then applied together on clean skin. If you’re longing for a bit more color on your face, without the aging effects of the sun, then this product is amazing and gives you control on how much or little you want your face to tan. And it has the added bonus of Vitamin C + D in it!! So it’s a skin treatment and self tanner in one!
It has been said that a tub of the mega popular Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream was seen on Taylor’s bedside table in the “Reputation” photos taken for her album cover, so maybe that’s one of her skin secrets.
*Hot tip for applying any self tanner for the face* Use a skincare brush like this Anisa Beauty one, $29. I will never apply self tanner to my face again without it. It keeps my hands from turning brown and by applying it circular and in hashtag motions, it keeps your skin from becoming streaky.
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Foundation wise, I’d go with the Pat McGrath Sublime Perfection foundation, $69, as mentioned in one of the few Instagram posts that tell exactly what she wore one time by the queen of all makeup artists, Pat McGrath. Taylor wears shade light/medium 11. Apparently this IS what she wore during the Eras Tour also that did not budge during her entire 3+hr concerts when she was splashed with water, dancing, singing, and running around the set!
A “FEARLESS” Cat Eye
I actually found an interview she did online almost 10 years back where she described how she does her own winged eye. But I’m going to give you a few extra tips on how to make it easier for mature eyes that probably have a few more wrinkles and less taut skin to deal with.
If you’re new to creating cat eyes/wings, I’d suggest starting with:
- black or dark brown eyeshadow
- an eyeliner brush
- a black waterproof liquid liner
- and a business card or something similar with a straight edge - even a post-it note works.
Line up the card to the outside of your eye bed resting along the curve of your lower lash line to give you the direction it should go.
Then swipe the shadow from the lash lash line, flicking upwards along the business card, going as far out as you’re comfortable. You can start with a short wing, or go for it with a longer one. Make sure the card is flush against your face so there’s no wiggle room.
*Hot Tip* Try to do this with your eyes at rest and open, so you can see where the wing is naturally going to land and you aren’t distorting your eye bed. I did an Instagram Reel recently showing exactly how I do a wing, minus the business card, you can watch it here.
Remove the card to see the line you’ve created. Then take that eyeliner brush and same shadow color and connect the wing to the rest of the lashline, as closely as possible. You can clean it up with a q-tip and makeup remover on the underside if you need to.
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You could leave it here for a soft wing - OR - you could add your liquid liner on top of the shadow since that was your “template.” This will also sharpen the wing for a more dramatic look - a la Taylor!! Finish the look with a more neutral eye bed of light warm browns and let the wing take the stage! I added the universally flattering fake lash strips, Ardell Demi Wispies, for a bit more glam.
A “LOVER” Of Eye Shimmer
One thing you’ll always notice that Taylor is wearing in her makeup looks, is an inner corner light eye shimmer! You can easily do this with any type of eye look you want. Just add either a champagne or ivory colored shimmery eyeshadow - or even a cheek highlighter to the outer perimeter of your tear duct area. Use a skinny eyeliner brush for this as well.
I would only use a powder formula because a liquid highlighter would easily run into the eye and fade. My go-to is the Dior Glow Highlight Quad, $45, bc it gives me 4 shades to choose from that I can mix and match and they’re so brightening! If you want cheaper options, the singles from Makeup Revolution are great.
This is one of my favorite places to add shimmer on mature faces because we aren’t accentuating any fine lines because there aren’t usually any in this area of the face.
Barely There Blush Will For “EVERMORE” Be Her Look
After checking out so many pictures of Taylor’s makeup looks, I started to notice she does NOT go heavy at all with cheek color. Being a big fan of blush myself, this is a hard one for me!
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But I think because her winged eyes and red lips are always so dramatic, she doesn’t want her cheeks to compete with them. I get it. To get her low-key cheek vibe, I’d pick a blush that mimics a barely there rosy cheek with a bit of warmth. Charlotte Tilbury’s “Pillow Talk” Cheek to Chic blush, $42 would be a perfect choice because of it’s nude pink color, a tad of warmth, and barely there glowy finish due to the finely crushed pearls!
“RED” Red Lips
There have been so many speculations on what red lip color she always wears, but I keep coming back to two floating all over the internet that have the most legitimacy and are mentioned most often.
First is the classic blue-red MAC “Ruby Woo” which I chose to wear in this post. I haven’t worn it in awhile, but now that I’ve tried it again, I won't go so long without wearing it! Then there’s the Pat McGrath LiquiLust Legendary Matte Lipstick in Elson 4, that she did actually wear on the red carpet and on Era’s Tour (it’s been sold out everywhere - of course). However, Taylor has been rocking some more bright orange-red lips lately in my opinion, and for that, I’d go with MAC "Lady Danger."
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To get any red lip to look its best, do this…
- Make sure your lips are hydrated and exfoliated - lip color will NOT stay on flaky dry lips!
- Apply your matching red lip liner, NYX “On A Mission”, all over your lips and color them in, rub into your lips with finger like a stain
- Apply one coat of your red lipstick. Blot with a tissue, then apply a 2nd layer
- Don’t forget to WHITEN your teeth! Y’all already know I swear by the Snow Whitening Kit, $69.
Rest of my look details: Similar red cardigans here and here | My fave Amazon fitted stretch tank tops, in white here, but I own so many other colors, $18 | Gold rings here and here | Luv AJ small earrings are very Taylor-like, $85, and such good quality
Now I have to know - who are you rooting for the Super Bowl?? Or do you even care who wins? Ha ha!! That’s me this go around since the Falcons aren’t in it, but we do attend an annual huge party at a friend's house and all I really care about is the halftime show, the commercials, and the appetizers!
In Case You Missed It
Yesterday, Beth and Kelly shared their Super Bowl Weekend cocktail and appetizer. Click the title or image below to read the article.
Best Column ever! I’ve been fascinated with Taylor’s makeup ever since she appeared on scene with my beloved Chiefs. ( never knew much about her before)
Go Chiefs!
Wow Linda what a compliment!!! Thank you and I am so glad you enjoyed this one! Good luck to your team and I hope we all get some fun glimpses of Taylor during the game 🙂
I always love your posts Jennifer! You could say, I’m a make-up addict! As a “mature” woman…way older than you, I still do a full make-up most days, and I am always experimenting with different products, and love to read your suggestions. I am always searching for foundations that don’t sink into wrinkles/look cakey. I’m going to try “Taylor’s” foundation.
This was such a fun post featuring Taylor. She always looks flawless. Thanks for a little insight on how to get that look.
I am rooting for the Chiefs!
This is awesome Nancy and it sounds like you and I would be great friends with our extreme happiness when it comes to full face makeup experimentation! Good luck to your Chiefs today – I’m glad you enjoyed the T Swift inspo and if there’s ever any other celebrity you’d like me to do some makeup inspo post on please share 🙂
I really enjoy your content, Jennifer, and your creative topics! Thanks so much for your fun, informative, and helpful posts.
Angie I really really appreciate that you think my topics are creative! Honestly, it’s one of THE hardest things about blogging, is just coming up with a fresh new topic or theme!
I have recently become a fan of Taylor Swift, after watching her documentary. She is a strong, smart young woman who stands her ground and I love that. Her look is part me and part not. (I wear red lips all the time but have darker hair and complexion.). But I love the post. I’m cheering Taylor for the win!
Carole, I have become a bigger Taylor fan thanks to my teenage daughter and watching the documentary myself as well! She is quite the strong willed and determined female but also such a girls girl!! So glad you liked this post and I agree, Taylor for the win today since my Falcons aren’t in the super bowl – ha!