Already have an account?
Get back to the

How Taraji P. Henson Kept Her Makeup From Melting at the BET Awards 2016

Taraji P. Henson
Taraji P. Henson attends the 2016 BET Awards.Johnny Nunez/Getty Images

Keeping it cool! At Hollywood’s BET Awards 2016, Taraji P. Henson was nearly too hot to handle in her black bodysuit and sheer, embellished skirt by Steven Khalil. But the Empire star, who took home the Best Actress trophy, didn’t want her makeup to melt off in the 93 degree weather. That’s why she enlisted celebrity makeup artist Ashunta Sheriff on Sunday, June 26, to make sure that her face stayed put for the whole night.

“I wanted to go for an understated, soft and clean look on Taraji,” Sheriff tells Us Weekly. “It was a hot day and the look was effortless and easy to create.”

Want to get Henson’s gorgeous glow and dramatic eyes? Read on and see how Sheriff achieved it using Black Opal beauty products.

Black Opal Beauty
Black Opal Beauty Face products

Black Opal True Color Perfecting Primer (top left, $14.95, blackopalbeauty.com); Black Opal True Color Stick Foundation SPF15 in Rich Caramel (top right, $9.95, blackopalbeauty.com); Black Opal Flawless Perfecting Concealer (bottom left, $5.25, blackopalbeauty.com); Black Opal Invisible Oil Blocking Pressed Powder (bottom right, $9.25, blackopalbeauty.com)

Taraji P. Henson
Taraji P. Henson onstage during the 2016 BET Awards. Kevin Winter/Getty Images

To prep Henson’s skin, Sheriff dabbed on the True Color Perfecting Primer with a wedge sponge. This created a canvas that helped her face stay in place throughout the three-hour ceremony. The artist also applied True Color Stick Foundation in Rich Caramel to the areas that needed coverage along with a little bit of Flawless Perfecting Concealer underneath Cookie Lyons’ eyes and brow bone. Sheriff, who counts Pat McGrath as a mentor, set her face with Invisible Oil Blocking Pressed Powder to control shine and create a matte finish. To contour and sculpt Henson’s high cheekbones, Color Splurge Eye Satin Matte in Bordeaux Bliss did the trick.

Black Opal Beauty
Black Opal Beauty Eyes products

From left: Black Opal Color Splurge Eye Stain Matte in Bordeaux Bliss ($6.95, blackopalbeauty.com); Black Opal Precision Eye Definer in Coffee Bean ($5.50, blackopalbeauty.com)

Sheriff used the Color Splurge duo on Henson’s eyes as well. The lighter shade went on her lids, while the darker shade created a sexy smolder. After, she created a winged cat eye with the Luxe Creme Liner in Onyx and shaped the brows with the Precision Eye Definer in Coffee Bean. A few swipes of mauve lipstick completed Henson’s look.

In this article

Got a Tip form close button
Got a tip for US?
We're All Ears for Celebrity Buzz!