01of 14The First Monday in MayGettyFashion’s biggest event was back on itsrightful night– andCiaralead the charge of celebrities who were on their fashion A-game for the theme (In America: An Anthology of Fashion) and dress code:gilded glamour.And Ciara took the instructions seriously, bringing all the glitz to the event. She let PEOPLE go inside her process with makeup artistYolonda Frederickandhairstylist Cesar DeLeön Ramîrezto see how the whole ensemble came together.“Whenever I get to be a part of the Met Gala, it’s always a special moment,” says Frederick. “It’s literally one of the highlights of the year for creatives. We get to really push the envelope with our creativity outside of what we normally do for events throughout the year. It’s super exciting!“Scroll through to see their process, a month in the making, come to life.
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The First Monday in May
Getty
Fashion’s biggest event was back on itsrightful night– andCiaralead the charge of celebrities who were on their fashion A-game for the theme (In America: An Anthology of Fashion) and dress code:gilded glamour.
And Ciara took the instructions seriously, bringing all the glitz to the event. She let PEOPLE go inside her process with makeup artistYolonda Frederickandhairstylist Cesar DeLeön Ramîrezto see how the whole ensemble came together.
“Whenever I get to be a part of the Met Gala, it’s always a special moment,” says Frederick. “It’s literally one of the highlights of the year for creatives. We get to really push the envelope with our creativity outside of what we normally do for events throughout the year. It’s super exciting!”
Scroll through to see their process, a month in the making, come to life.
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The Skin Care
Demi Logan & Tisha Brenee
With “Ciara’s exquisite sequined Michael Kors Collection gown customized to fit her like a glove,” Frederick says she “maximized the glow-up” with a few key products.
I also prepped the high points of the face withIconic London’s Illuminatorbefore the foundation to intensify the radiance. The skin needs to glow beyond imagination!
I then hydrated the lips with a super emollient lip balm to allow it to do its magic while I work.”
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The Makeup Inspiration
“The foundational inspiration is a custom sequined embellished Michael Kors Collection gown,” says Frederick. “For me, the creative direction begins from the designer’s point of view. Considering this, I decided to live in that realm but maximize the moment with both silver and graphic elements incorporated into the makeup.”
First up: the brows. “I first shaped and sculpted them into perfect position withIconic London’s Brow Silk and Brush Bundle. I then followed with a coat of theirLiquid Brow Silk Max Holdfor extra staying power.
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The Base
Frederick says she applied a rich creamy caramel foundation “boosted with a bit of peach-toned color booster. I also added a bit of peach-toned concealer to highlight her T-zone and contoured her perimeter with a rich mahogany concealer to enhance her beautiful features!
Next, I set everything with a sheer setting powder and then swept her cheeks withIconic London’s gorgeous Silk Glow Duo blush in Coral Glowto add a hint of natural color to the cheeks.
05of 14The Finishing TouchesDemi Logan & Tisha BreneeWith Ciara’s lips well-hydrated, Frederick says “I contoured them with a warm brown lip pencil and sealed it with a peachy nude lipstick topped off withIconic London’s Lip Oil in Sugar Mamafor more drama!“And since megawatt shine was the mandate of the night, she says, “I mistedIconic London’s Prep Set and Glowsetting spray to the perimeter of her face for that extra pop.“Frederick shares one of the best parts about their process was their alone time: “I got an hour’s head start before hair and the styling team. This one-on-one time was super instrumental in establishing a seamless flow throughout the day. This was a real treat for me!”
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The Finishing Touches
With Ciara’s lips well-hydrated, Frederick says “I contoured them with a warm brown lip pencil and sealed it with a peachy nude lipstick topped off withIconic London’s Lip Oil in Sugar Mamafor more drama!”
And since megawatt shine was the mandate of the night, she says, “I mistedIconic London’s Prep Set and Glowsetting spray to the perimeter of her face for that extra pop.”
Frederick shares one of the best parts about their process was their alone time: “I got an hour’s head start before hair and the styling team. This one-on-one time was super instrumental in establishing a seamless flow throughout the day. This was a real treat for me!”
06of 14The Hair CareDemi Logan & Tisha Brenee"The Met Gala is one of my favorite carpets of the year,” says DeLeön Ramîrez. “Even with all the planning it never fails that our look can change last minute, that’s why I love using Unite Hair Care. With such a wide range of products, I can pretty much create anything on any texture.”
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The Hair Care
“The Met Gala is one of my favorite carpets of the year,” says DeLeön Ramîrez. “Even with all the planning it never fails that our look can change last minute, that’s why I love using Unite Hair Care. With such a wide range of products, I can pretty much create anything on any texture.”
07of 14The InchesDemi Logan & Tisha Brenee"The Gilded Age was about opulence and luxury and pushing the boundaries of fashion,” says DeLeön Ramîrez. “For the Met Gala this year, I wanted to capture the feeling of that era in a modern day world. Ciara already embodies this feeling, she’s always fashion forward and pushes boundaries with her style.“To start with a strong foundation, he used UNITE’s Silky:SmoothActive WashandHydrating Complex. “Knowing I was going to use 40-in. extensions, this was crucial in detangling and softening, fighting frizz and repelling humidity, especially on this rainy day.”
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The Inches
“The Gilded Age was about opulence and luxury and pushing the boundaries of fashion,” says DeLeön Ramîrez. “For the Met Gala this year, I wanted to capture the feeling of that era in a modern day world. Ciara already embodies this feeling, she’s always fashion forward and pushes boundaries with her style.”
To start with a strong foundation, he used UNITE’s Silky:SmoothActive WashandHydrating Complex. “Knowing I was going to use 40-in. extensions, this was crucial in detangling and softening, fighting frizz and repelling humidity, especially on this rainy day.”
08of 14The ProcessDemi Logan & Tisha Brenee"I knew I wanted the hair to make a statement while still complementing the Michael Kors Collection design,” DeLeön Ramîrez explains.Once the hair was dry, DeLeön Ramîrez says, “I parted it down the center and twisted small sections of each side of the part while sprayingUNITE Lé:Play Hairspray,” a workable hairspray “which provides a natural satin finish.” Then the pro worked his magic to create a soft, wavy texture.
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The Process
“I knew I wanted the hair to make a statement while still complementing the Michael Kors Collection design,” DeLeön Ramîrez explains.
Once the hair was dry, DeLeön Ramîrez says, “I parted it down the center and twisted small sections of each side of the part while sprayingUNITE Lé:Play Hairspray,” a workable hairspray “which provides a natural satin finish.” Then the pro worked his magic to create a soft, wavy texture.
09of 14The DressDemi Logan & Tisha BreneeNot far off, her custom Michael Kors Collection dress hangs ready for its close up. The one-shoulder design took artisans 1,000 hours to hand embroider with close to 350,000 silver sequins.
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The Dress
Not far off, her custom Michael Kors Collection dress hangs ready for its close up. The one-shoulder design took artisans 1,000 hours to hand embroider with close to 350,000 silver sequins.
10of 14The AccessoriesDemi Logan & Tisha BreneeCiara’s Michael Kors Collection “Gansevoort” minaudière (which was also handcrafted) and Jimmy Choo “Max” open-toe platforms are a perfect match to her eye-catching dress.
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The Accessories
Ciara’s Michael Kors Collection “Gansevoort” minaudière (which was also handcrafted) and Jimmy Choo “Max” open-toe platforms are a perfect match to her eye-catching dress.
11of 14The BlingDemi Logan & Tisha BreneeA bevy of impressive jewels await. Ultimately, Ciara accessorized her look with a wrist-full of bracelets, and somemajorrings, too.
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The Bling
A bevy of impressive jewels await. Ultimately, Ciara accessorized her look with a wrist-full of bracelets, and somemajorrings, too.
12of 14The CountdownDemi Logan & Tisha BreneeDeLeön Ramîrez and Frederick perfected the look after Ciara got dressed.“I was immediately in love with the silver detailing and that became the inspiration for the creative elements I wanted to add to the hair,” DeLeon explains, revealing his technique to add the silver accents her hair part was simple: “I dabbed CONUNDRUM Paste in the part line to stick my silver leafing detail.““I love this look so much,” DeLeon says. “It’s romantic, sexy and edgy all in one, which is exactly what I wanted to bring to the carpet.“Team work makes the dream work, says Frederick: “My favorite thing about collaborating with the team is the camaraderie! We are like a well-oiled machine knowing what our roles are individually and collectively. I love working with this group of über-talented creatives! We extract the best from each other and we have fun doing it.”
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The Countdown
DeLeön Ramîrez and Frederick perfected the look after Ciara got dressed.
“I was immediately in love with the silver detailing and that became the inspiration for the creative elements I wanted to add to the hair,” DeLeon explains, revealing his technique to add the silver accents her hair part was simple: “I dabbed CONUNDRUM Paste in the part line to stick my silver leafing detail.”
“I love this look so much,” DeLeon says. “It’s romantic, sexy and edgy all in one, which is exactly what I wanted to bring to the carpet.”
Team work makes the dream work, says Frederick: “My favorite thing about collaborating with the team is the camaraderie! We are like a well-oiled machine knowing what our roles are individually and collectively. I love working with this group of über-talented creatives! We extract the best from each other and we have fun doing it.”
13of 14The ToastDemi Logan & Tisha BreneeAfter sending their star client off, DeLeön Ramîrez and Frederick raise a glass to another successful glam session.Ahead of Ciara hitting the carpet, Frederick told PEOPLE about her plans for the evening: “I will definitely decompress over dinner and a nice glass of cabernet sauvignon with my colleagues. We will discuss the highlights and funny moments of the day then anxiously await for the red carpet images to hit the press. Once we are all satisfied that Ciara stunned the carpet then we can exhale!”
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The Toast
After sending their star client off, DeLeön Ramîrez and Frederick raise a glass to another successful glam session.
Ahead of Ciara hitting the carpet, Frederick told PEOPLE about her plans for the evening: “I will definitely decompress over dinner and a nice glass of cabernet sauvignon with my colleagues. We will discuss the highlights and funny moments of the day then anxiously await for the red carpet images to hit the press. Once we are all satisfied that Ciara stunned the carpet then we can exhale!”
14of 14The Eyes Have ItCiara.GettyCiara strikes a pose on the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s iconic steps. At the top, she toldVoguelivestream host and friend La La Anthony, “I’m representing the modern women of the Gilded Age.”
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The Eyes Have It
Ciara.Getty
Ciara strikes a pose on the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s iconic steps. At the top, she toldVoguelivestream host and friend La La Anthony, “I’m representing the modern women of the Gilded Age.”
source: people.com
