Image Source: NBC/Getty Images and Courtesy of Lilly Keys
If you've spent hours admiring singer Tate McRae's talent and beauty in her hit music videos like the one for "Sports Car," then you're familiar with makeup artist Lilly Keys's work. She's quickly become the mastermind behind some of your favorite celebrity looks. Her effortlessly cool beats can be found on Hollywood's next wave, from Emma Chamberlain to Charli XCX, Ariana Greenblatt, and Rachel Sennott.
"My work is about enhancing natural beauty with an edge," Keys says. She describes her signature style as blending "soft glam with editorial edge," and once you take a look, you'll understand why. "I usually love mixing dewy, fresh skin with dramatic eyes or sculpted features with undone lips. There's always a balance."
Though Keys's roster of celebrity clientele came later in life, she's a longtime beauty lover. "I was about 14 when I experimented with pointed eyeliner in the inner corners of my eyes and was mesmerized by the transformation," Keys says of her first memory of makeup. "I did makeup for friends at school and behind the scenes for school theater plays, but I didn't start my makeup career until I was 27."
Like many growing up, she never dreamed that becoming a makeup artist was even a viable career option until she found a place that helped her thrive. "I enrolled at the London School of Fashion at Central Saint Martins for six months, and after assisting some amazing makeup artists, I knew this was the path for me," she says.
To learn more from the talented celebrity makeup artist, from how she and McRae met to the beauty products she keeps in rotation, keep reading.
How the Journey Began
"I first did Tate's makeup filling in for her usual makeup artist in 2021 when she was a feature on another artist's music video," Keys says. "I thought she was incredible back then, but I didn't see her again for another two years after that." The duo reconnected two years later when McCrae signed with new management, and their chemistry was instant, Keys says, noting, "Tate knows what she wants and knows what works for her regarding makeup and beauty choices. I feel like we've really fine-tuned it."
Image Source: Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images
The Creative Process
The creative process starts the same way for all of Keys's incredible clients. "I want to know how they're feeling, what the vibe of the project is, and how they want to look," Keys says. "From there, I build a look that feels authentic to them but with a fresh twist that elevates the look. It's always a collaboration between the client, the hairstylist, and the stylist. You can't do this job on your own - you're always working as a team to create a moment."
Inspiration comes from different places for Keys. "I've always been inspired by backstage beauty during Fashion Week, especially in Paris," Keys says. "I love following legendary artists like Pat McGrath - she constantly pushes boundaries." Of course, Pinterest and Instagram are also places she likes to browse.
Creating Tate McRae's Signature Look
"Tate's signature makeup look is a modern homage to '90s supermodel glam, reminiscent of icons like Gisele Bündchen," Keys says. "We love a sun-kissed radiance with soft, sultry details, emphasizing bronze skin, faux freckles, pouty lips, and captivating, doe-like eyes."
Keys has worked on a few of McRae's newest music videos, like "Sports Car," "Revolving Door," and "2 Hands." "Each video is its own world. I always draw from the visual direction, her music, and the emotional tone," she says. "It's always a collaboration with the whole team. Once we find out the brief of the video, wardrobe vibe, and the set - glam references - we build from there. For music videos, we do love leaning into drama. We always love glowing skin, but with a touch of something unexpected that's a little different from our usual glam."
Products She Uses on Tate McRae
Keys's makeup kit is full of high- and low-priced products. She loves to use Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel ($16) for moisturizer to prep the skin, which makes sense as the singer was named a brand ambassador for the drugstore powerhouse in February.
"I love using the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter [$49] for that lit-from-within glow. I consistently use this product on the high points of the face before I apply foundation like Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Full Coverage Hydrating Foundation [$48]," Keys says. As for the eyes, she uses Pat McGrath Labs Mothership XII Eyeshadow Palette [$128] "because her shimmers are unmatched." She also loves Pat McGrath Labs PermaGel Ultra Glide Eye Pencil ($29) and Pat McGrath Labs FetishEyes Lengthening Mascara ($34).
Both Keys and Tate love using Charlotte Tilbury's Refillable Airbrush Matte Bronzer ($58), which is iconic, in Keys's words. She also swears by the BareMinerals Gen Nude Blonzer Blush + Bronzer in Kiss Of Pink ($29). "I use this a lot for Tate's sun-kissed glow across the bridge of her nose and cheeks, and I love bringing out Tate's natural freckles with Faux Freckle pen." To finish up her lips, Keys's favorite product to use on McRae is the Dior Rouge Dior Contour No-Transfer Lip Liner Pencil in Beige Tulle ($35).
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Nikita Charuza is a freelance writer who has been covering beauty, style, and wellness for over a decade. She loves to interview industry experts and test out the latest beauty and fashion trends. She's written for PS, Allure, Elle, InStyle, People, and more. Read More Details
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