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Red Carpet Essentials Awards 2025: The Best Fashion and Beauty Hacks from Hollywood Pros
We tapped celebrity stylists, aestheticians, makeup artists and hairstylists including Joanna Czech, Nikki DeRoest, Adir Abergel and more for their must-have products during awards season and beyond.
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February 25, 2025
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At this very moment, stars and their glam squads are prepping for Hollywood’s biggest night. In honor of the Oscars, we’re shining a spotlight on fashion and beauty insiders’ favorite pre-event must-haves in our second annual Red Carpet Essentials Awards.
From luxurious LED light therapy face masks that reduce redness to under-$10 items that avoid wardrobe malfunctions, our list features over 50 products handpicked by celebrity stylists, makeup artists, aestheticians, hairstylists, colorists and brow experts as well as The Hollywood Reporter‘s shopping editors.
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Hollywood fashion and beauty professionals have logged hundreds — if not thousands — of hours testing makeup, skincare, hair products and tools, and more on clients and themselves. That’s why we turned to them to share the products that have earned their professional personal seals of approval for use on clients on the red carpet, as well as every day.
THR‘s Red Carpet Essentials Awards 2025 Experts
- Stylists: Venetia Kidd
- Makeup artists: Nikki DeRoest, Molly Greenwald, Hinako, Lilly Keys, Renée Loiz, Fiona Stiles, Beau Nelson
- Hairstylists, colorists and extensionists: Adir Abergel, Dimitris Giannetos
- Brow and lash artists: Melanie Marris
- Aestheticians and facialists: Joanna Czech, Mimi Luzon, Lord Gavin McLeod-Valentine
In addition to the high-performance gadgets and potions she reveals below, A-list aesthetician Joanna Czech (who works with Kim Kardashian, Cara Delevingne, Hailey Bieber, Lily James and others) also relies on her hands “for deep tissue massage, such as in our newest Facemodeling treatment, a facial rejuvenation treatment that works deep within the tissues of the face, head, neck and décolleté to address the root causes of aging.”
Ciele Cosmetics co-founder Nikki DeRoest adds, “We often forget that our hands are incredible tools and so easy to use. I love doing a lymphatic massage with my hands.” (Like many of our experts on this list, the celebrity makeup artist is known to use her fingers to apply cosmetics directly onto the skin of clients like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Benito Skinner and Phoebe Dynevor.)
Can’t book an appointment with the starry hands themselves? Keep reading below for the best fashion and beauty hacks (and other event-ready essentials) straight from celebrity stylists, makeup artists, hairstylists and colorists, brow experts and facialists — then shop the experts’ picks at The Hollywood Reporter‘s Amazon storefront here.
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, The Hollywood Reporter may receive an affiliate commission.
Red Carpet Essentials Awards 2025: Best Fashion Hacks
Conair Turbo Extremesteam Handheld Steamer
$51.99 $69.99
Conair’s Turbo Extremesteam handheld steamer was a clear favorite for a second year in a row. Venetia Kidd says it’s an essential in her stylist kit. (Celebrity stylists Krista Roser, Priscilla Valles, Mickey Freeman, Rita Hazan and Amanda Lim are also fans of the portable wrinkle remover.)
Vapon Topstick
$9.75 $15.19
Adir Abergel (who works with Charlize Theron, Kristen Stewart, Jennifer Garner, Anne Hathaway and others) and makeup artist Katie Mellinger keep Topstick in their hair and makeup kits to remove dirt or keep hair pieces or wardrobes in place.
Hollywood Fashion Secrets Breast Lift Tape
$9.80 $10.32
“My go-to red carpet bust product is Hollywood Fashion Secret’s Breast Lift Tape. This product works wonders, I have a larger bust and it holds them perfectly in place all night,” says stylist Venetia Kidd.
Zout Fels-Naptha Laundry Soap Bar
“My go-to stain remover is the Fels-Naptha soap bar. You leave it on the stain for a few minutes and wash it, it comes right out,” explains Venetia Kidd.
Hollywood Fashion Secrets Liquid Fashion Tape Mini
When there’s no time to place strips of double-stick tape onto potential wardrobe malfunctions, Hollywood Fashion Secrets’ Liquid Fashion Tape rolls and dries quickly onto skin and fabric.
Skimpies Original Leggings Liner
A favorite among stylists and costume designers, Skimpies Original Leggings Liners keep shapewear and tight silhouettes looking VPL-free. (It was recently used in costumes in Avengers: Doomsday.)
Ring Size Adjuster
$6.95 $9.99 30% off
“Another go-to item I love are ring huggies for rings that fit a little too big. The spiral style is my favorite because it fits to any style of ring,” says Venetia Kidd.
Foot Petals No-Slip Grips
Foot Petals’ No-Slip Grips help keep red carpet tumbles at bay. “Especially when it’s a fresh pair of shoes, a client once slipped on a hotel carpet and it made me always carry [shoe grips] in my kit since that moment,” notes Venetia Kidd.
Red Carpet Essentials Awards 2025: Best Smile Hacks
Crest 3D Whitening Strips Professional Effects Plus
Lilly Keys and Venetia Kidd are fans of Crest’s 3D Whitening Strips between professional appointments. “Nothing tops getting them professionally whitened but if I had to choose I’d say [these],” says Kidd.
Colgate Wisp Disposable Travel Toothbrushes
Molly Greenwald (whose clients include Tracee Ellis Ross, Chloe Sevigny, Ayo Edebiri and Alison Brie) uses Colgate’s disposable Wisp travel toothbrushes to keep her teeth clean while on the go.
Altoids Smalls Breath Mints, Pack of 9
Celebrity stylists including Venetia Kidd prefer to keep Altoids mints on hand to throw in clients’ bags before events.
Red Carpet Essentials 2025: Best Body Care
Eucerin Dry Skin Lotion
Eucerin’s Intensive Repair Lotion adds “the most incredible sheen on the skin,” says Lilly Keys who works with Kim Kardashian, Mikey Madison, Charli XCX, Tate McRae, Rachel Sennott, Melissa Barrera, Emma Chamberlain and others.
Necessaire The Body Lotion
Adir Abergel and Mimi Luzon love Necessaire’s body lotion. “It’s a lightweight body cream with a natural scent that absorbs quickly into the skin,” says Luzon, whose clients include models Irina Shayk and Ashley Graham.
Alleven Color Shield Hydrating Tinted Protection
Beau Nelson and Fiona Stiles keep Alleven’s Color Shield tinted body makeup in their kits. The brand’s airbrush-like color delivers “flawless and fast body skin that looks creamy, not cakey,” explains Nelson.
Augustinus Bader The Body Cream
Augustinus Bader’s Body Cream contains nourishing shea butter, hydrating bisabolol and the patented TFC8 complex — the brand’s hero ingredient that helps to “dramatically transform” the skin’s tone, texture, firmness, fine lines and wrinkles.
Vita Liberata Body Blur
Vita Liberata’s body makeup — available in other shades — leaves a radiant bronze finish and even-looking skin tone.
Red Carpet Essentials Awards 2025: Best Skin Care
Dieux Instant Angel Moisturizer
“I’ve been loving Dieux Instant Angel — I’ve been prepping everyone’s skin with this skin with this since I was introduced to it. It’s a really lovely formula with a nice bouncy, hydrating texture. Perfect for under makeup,” Molly Greenwald says.
SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2
$155 at Dermstore
SkinCeuticals’ nutrient-packed Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 facial treatment is a regular recommendation of Lilly Keys as well as Beverly Hills dermatologists.
111Skin Cryo De-Puffing Facial Mask
Star facialists Joanna Czech and Toska Husted (and actress Shay Mitchell) are just a handful who use 111Skin’s Cryo De-Puffing Facial Mask to rejuvenate the skin pre-event. “It can transform a puffy, dull complexion and energize the skin,” notes Czech.
Sisley Paris Express Flower Gel Hydrating and Toning Mask
$90.18 $136.00
“I believe the most important thing for flawless skin is prepping very it well before applying foundation. I always use Sisley Paris Express Flower Gel to massage my clients’ face as the first step of my skin prep — it’s very hydrating and makes skin so fresh and I can’t start makeup without this,” says Hinako.
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Cloud Hydra-Gel Eye Patches
Molly Greenwald favors all of Peter Thomas Roth’s under-eye patches, but the makeup artist calls out the Water Drench Cloud Hydra-Gel Eye Patches as her go-to.
Mimi Luzon Legendary Glow Glass Cream
Can’t book a glass facial with Mimi Luzon herself? Grab a jar of the celebrity aesthetician’s new Legendary Glow cream, which “acts like Botox thanks to the powerful effects of Argireline, helping to smooth and firm the skin” and other active ingredients such as lotus flower, kakadu plum, passionflower and green tea extracts for a dewy-looking visage.
Red Carpet Essentials Awards 2025: Best Makeup Bases and Concealers
Merit Great Skin Priming Moisturizer
Molly Greenwald says she’s “been using the Merit Priming Moisturizer quite a bit. It’s very lightweight but keeps the skin hydrated long term.”
Lisa Eldridge Beauty Pinpoint Concealer Micro Correcting Pencil
“Lisa Eldridge’s Beauty Pinpoint Concealer Micro Correcting Pencil for precision coverage of imperfections on both the face and the body,” explains Molly Greenwald.
Ciele Cosmetics Tint & Protect SPF 50 Tinted Serum
Ciele Cosmetics’ Tint & Protect SPF 50 Tinted Serum is our new pre-makeup essential for adding a layer of sun protection either before or without foundation. The hydrating mineral formula keeps skin looking dewy without clogging pores.
Stila Cosmetics All About the Blur Blurring Smoothing Primer
Lilly Keys calls Stila Cosmetics’ Blurring Primer “amazing” for its ability to prep and prime the skin.
Bobbi Brown Face Base Moisturizer and Primer
Hinako, Nikki DeRoest and Melanie Marris swear by Bobbi Brown’s Face Base Moisturizer and Primer. “It deserves all the hype,” says Marris. Adds Hinako, “It preps the skin perfectly for foundation.”
Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder
Renee Loiz regularly uses Danessa Myricks Blurring Balm Powder after moisturizer and before foundation “to blur imperfections and control shine, but it can also just be used on its own since there are 22 tinted shades plus a universal shade. The balm doesn’t clog your pores and also doesn’t pill after applying foundation and it lays evenly on the skin which helps the foundation go on smoothly.”
Red Carpet Essentials Awards 2025: Best Makeup Finishers
MAC Cosmetics Blot Powder
“MAC Blot Powder is the perfect powder for touch-ups — it knocks back shine and doesn’t deposit much product,” says Fiona Stiles, who works with Lily Collins, Kaitlyn Dever, Nina Dobrev, Elizabeth Banks, Gabrielle Union and Julia Louis Dreyfus, among other stars.
One/Size On ‘Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray
One/Size’s On ‘Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray is a favorite of Beau Nelson and Renee Loiz. “It’s is a staple in my pro kit and is a big favorite amongst makeup artists,” says Loiz (who has worked with Cynthia Erivo, Quinta Brunson, Sherry Cola, Uzo Aduba, Danai Gurira, Skye P. Marshall and more). “I like to use it as the last step after finishing the makeup to really seal everything in. The spray is a fine mist that isn’t sticky or tacky feeling.”
Morphe Continuous Setting Mist
“I love Morphe setting spray, the nozzle releases a fine mist that doesn’t leave droplets on the face and stays all day,” says Lilly Keys.
Red Carpet Essentials 2025: Best Eye and Lash Products
Lumify Eye Drops
$11.93 $12.99
“Nothing gets eyes whiter than Lumify eye drops,” says Molly Greenwald.
Lashify Lash Extensions Kit
Beau Nelson and Nikki DeRoest are among the Hollywood makeup artists who recommend Lashify’s DIY lash extensions system. “I love Lashify — A, B 8-12 are my go-to’s,” says DeRoest.
The Control Kit includes your preferred lash style and size (from natural to dramatic in 10mm and 12mm lengths), a patented Fuse Control Wand for application, a dual-sized Whisper Light bond, Water Poof sealer and a storage kit that holds up to 12 cartridges.
Brow Code Alias Brow Lamination Gel
“I love Brow Code for brows — I love their clear laminate gel,” says Lilly Keys.
Lilly Lashes
“I love Lilly Lashes for strip lashes,” says Lilly Keys. The brand offers sheer band, 3D mink and self-adhesive options for a range of lengths and flutter styles.
Sweed No Lash-Lash Lashes
For individual eyelashes, Lilly Keys and Nikki DeRoest both opt for Sweed‘s vegan and cruelty-free false lash clusters for quick application.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze Gel
$26 at Anastasia Beverly Hills
“I love most things that Anastasia makes, but specifically the Brow Freeze Gel,” says Molly Greenwald. The wax-gel hybrid delivers a strong hold and features a handy dual-sided comb for perfect sculpting.
Patrick Ta Beauty Major Brow Defining Pencil
“I’ve recently fallen in love with the Patrick Ta Beauty Major Brow Defining Pencil — it has a very unique shape on the tip,” says Molly Greenwald.
Ardell Demi Wispies
“Ardell Demi Wispies are my absolute go-to for all my clients and work on every eye shape,” says Renee Loiz. “They’re super lightweight, natural looking, and have the perfect balance of volume and length without looking overdone.”
Benefit Cosmetics 24-HR Brow Setter Clear Brow Gel with Lamination Effect
$25.99 $28.00
“Benefit’s 24-HR Brow Setter Clear Brow Gel with Lamination Effect holds without flaking. I only use clear brow gel and get color when I fill in my brows with a pencil,” explains Nikki DeRoest.
Red Carpet Essentials Awards 2025: Best Hair Tools
T3 Aire360 Multi-Styler
Our new favorite multi-styler, T3’s Aire360 features ceramic curling and brush attachments that leave hair frizz-free and smooth.
GHD Helios 1875W Advanced Professional Hair Dryer
$247.00 $329.00
“The speed and heat are perfect for me to smooth down the cuticle without over stretching it,” says Adir Abergel of GHD’s Helios pro hair dryer.
Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer
$399.99 $499.99
$500 at Ulta
Dyson’s new Supersonic Nural — equipped with a smart sensor that automatically adjusts temperature air flow — delivers safe, quick drying and styling for all hair types while protecting your scalp’s health.
Pattern Hair Dryer
Molly Greenwald uses Tracee Ellis Ross-founded hair care brand Pattern’s blow dryer that includes four attachments to cater to curly, coily and tight hair textures.
T3 Switch Kit Classic Trio
“They get so perfectly hot to create my signature waves,” Adir Abergel explains of T3’s hair curlers.
Red Carpet Essentials Awards 2025: Best Hair Care
IGK Good Behavior 4-in-1 Prep Spray
IGK’s multi-tasking Good Behavior spray is infused with coconut oil and spirulina protein to detangle, hydrate and add shine while providing 450-degree protection and 24-hour frizz control.
Style Edit Root Touch Up Stick
$33.99 $39.00
A favorite of actress Marisa Tomei and THR‘s shopping editors, Style Edit’s travel-friendly Root Cover-Up quickly hides greys on the scalp and hairline.
Virtue Correct Un-Frizz Cream
I love Virtue Un-Frizz Cream mixed with the Hydrating Healing Oil to tame flyaways. The best is that in the long run using this product will heal the hair and reduce the amount of flyaways,” explains Adir Abergel.
Moroccanoil Intense Smoothing Serum
“This hair serum is perfect for unruly, frizz-prone hair. It’s super lightweight and tames flyaways, adds long-lasting smoothness, and provides humidity resistance without making hair feel greasy or heavy. It’s the ultimate red carpet staple,” recommends Dimitris Giannetos, who tends to the tresses of everyone from Amal and George Clooney to Brad Pitt, Kim Kardashian, Justin Bieber, Lindsay Lohan, Camila Cabello, Gigi Hadid, Shay Mitchell and many, many others.
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Ibiza Hair Brush
“I love a good boar bristle brush from Ibiza for styling. It’s also the best on any hair type to keep it healthy,” explains Adir Abergel.
Denman Curly Hair Brush
“The Denman brush is my absolute favorite especially for my natural curls, it’s the best at detangling and leaving my curls hydrated,” says Venetia Kidd. “I comb out my conditioner with it, then rinse and apply the Vegamour leave-in and brush it out again for my ideal wash-and-go.”
Red Carpet Essentials Awards 2025: Best Makeup Brushes and Tools
Tweezerman Ultra Precision Slant Tweezer
“I can’t use anything else other than this — it delivers very precise control,” says Hinako of Tweezerman’s Ultra Precision Slant Tweezer. (Her clients include St. Vincent, Linda Cardellini, Brandi Carlile, Nora Jones and more.)
Beautyblender
Molly Greenwald, Fiona Stiles, Venetia Kidd and Hinako sang praises for the bestselling Beautyblender. “I use them pretty exclusively for everything; I love the weight of the sponge,” says Greenwald, while Kidd notes that “it makes putting on liquid foundation seamless and not look as caked on as a brush does, in my opinion.”
AOA Studio Collection Paw Paw Wonder Blenders
Renee Loiz uses AOA Studio’s latex-free Paw Paw Wonder Blenders wet or dry to apply and blend in skin care, foundation and blush. “I use them dry when applying foundation as that allows for more full coverage but a smooth and seamless finish,” she notes.
Spectrum x Katie Jane Hughes Makeup Brush Set
Lilly Keys calls Spectrum’s Katie Jane Hughes makeup brush collaboration among her “favorite brushes at the moment — so soft, they blend seamlessly and don’t irritate my clients’ skin.”
Morphe x Ariel Signature Look 12-Piece Face & Eye Brush Set
Molly Greenwald says she regularly reaches for Ariel Tejada‘s Morphe collection with 11 face and eye brushes and a sculpting sponge.
BK Beauty Professional Makeup Brush Set
$130.00 $152.00
BK Beauty’s vegan, cruelty-free and super-soft makeup brushes are also staples among Hollywood pros.
Red Carpet Essentials Awards 2025: Best Non-Electric Skin-Care Tools
Nurse Jamie Super Cryo Massaging Orb Mini
“I use two of Nurse Jamie’s Super-Cryo Massaging Orb Minis at a time to depuff the face. The shape and size make it really easy to use on my clients, it’s hard with some rollers to get right under the eye or along the sides of the nose,” says Fiona Stiles.
Chantecaille Advanced Bio Lifting Tool
“Chantecaille Bio Lifting Tool stays cold and grips your face in the most incredible way for lymphatic drainage,” notes Lilly Keys. It’s equipped with a solar panel that converts sunlight into a low-level microcurrent.
Doré Le Glaçon Facial Ice Roller
“I like to use cooling tools and frozen wands like the Doré Le Glaçon Facial Ice Roller,” says Molly Greenwald.
Joanna Czech Facial Massager
“One of my faves! It’s easy to grip and use,” says Nikki DeRoest.
Angela Caglia Gold Cryo Facial Wand Set
Lord Gavin Mcleod-Valentine says he uses Angela Caglia’s teardrop-shaped gold cryo wands — made of 18-karat gold-plated stainless steel — to help reduce redness and puffiness on clients’ skin.
ReFa Face Roller
Another essential in Molly Greenwald’s skin-care kit is Japanese beauty brand ReFa’s platinum face roller for tightening, contouring and refreshing the skin around the eyes and mouth.
Red Carpet Essentials Awards 2025: Best Electric Beauty Devices
Therabody TheraFace Depuffing Wand
“This tool is magic for calming and depuffing eyes quickly,” explains Fiona Stiles.
Dermaflash Luxe+ Sonic Dermaplaning Tool
Adir Abergel recommends using Dermaflash’s electric dermaplaning tool “once a week to get dead skin cells off and any peach fuzz you may have, leaving your skin smooth.”
Lyma Laser
“I love the LYMA laser for at-home use,” says Joanna Czech. “It uses low-level laser therapy to improve the appearance of skin and can help with skin elasticity, skin tone and texture and breakouts.”
ZIIP Halo Facial Toning Device
Molly Greenwald and Lilly Keys are just a handful of Hollywood beauty pros who swear by the ZIIP Halo. “I really love at-home microcurrent products like ZIIP for immediate lift and fill,” says Greenwald.
Jillian Dempsey Gold Sculpting Bar
“Jillian Dempsey’s Gold Sculpting Bar is great to prep the skin especially for puffiness and tiredness,” explains Hinako. Made in Japan, the 24-karat gold-plated device vibrates at 6,000 rotations per minute to help boost blood flow, depuff and and promote lymphatic drainage.
Shani Darden Facial Sculpting Wand
Molly Greenwald, Lilly Keys and Nikki DeRoest are self-professed fans of celebrity aesthetician Shani Darden’s Sculpting Wand which uses soundwave technology to decrease the appearance of nasolabial lines, crow’s feet and more. “It feels amazing and helps with lymphatic drainage,” notes DeRoest.
Omnilux Contour Neck and Décolleté
Omnilux’s Contour Neck and Décolleté is part of Lord Gavin McLeod-Valentine’s red carpet prep that also includes Augustinus Bader’s full suite of skin-care and cryo stick treatments for increased lymphatic drainage.
Currentbody LED Red Light Mask
Molly Greenwald loves the latest version of Currentbody’s LED Light Therapy Face Mask, which features a new flexible silicone design and requires just 10 minutes daily (over at least eight weeks) to to “boost collagen production, reduce wrinkles by 30 percent and improve plumpness by 57 percent,” per the brand.
NuFace Trinity+ Microcurrent Facial Device Kit
NuFace’s microcurrent device is among “kit staples of mine,” reveals Lilly Keys.
Monastery The Deep Red LED Mask
To boost collagen production and reduce redness, Lord Gavin McLeod-Valentine incorporates Monastery’s Deep Red LED Mask into his clients’ pre-event skin-care regimen. The company says its FDA-registered device has 470 LED lights, “more bulbs per square inch than most devices.”
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