Beyoncé Did Her Own Makeup Before Performances to Get Into Character
Beyoncé is one of the most famous entertainers in the world, and she fully embodies her public persona with every appearance she makes. As the star prepares for the release of her much-anticipated visual album Black is King, she is once again thrust squarely in the spotlight.
Her ability to pull off this kind of public attention with poise and style has certainly attracted attention — and some imitators. Moving into an intentional public persona has long been a part of the singer’s strategy for managing the toll.
How does Beyoncé channel her inner “Sasha Fierce” and manage to show up ready to take on the world? Part of it is, surprisingly, by doing her own makeup.
Beyoncé has spent her life in the spotlight
Beyoncé’s rise to fame began very early in her life. The Houston native was part of a musical group called Girl’s Tyme when she was just nine years old.
The collection of talented girls made it all the way to Star Search in 1992, but what looked like an early path to fame fell apart when they lost on the show and their record deal collapsed. Not one to be deterred by setbacks, Beyoncé — under the guidance of her father — rallied and returned as Destiny’s Child.
Beyoncé became an early frontwoman for the group, taking on a lot of public attention and penning many of their hit songs. Her first solo album, Dangerously in Love, was released in 2003 and included the hit single “Crazy in Love,” a duet with her future husband Jay-Z. The singer would go on to accumulate awards and accolades at every turn, tackle several major acting roles, and basically take over the entertainment world. From innovative visual albums like Lemonade to an iconic Super Bowl performance, the star has made history again and again.
Body image issues have plagued Beyoncé
Widely regarded for her exceptional beauty, Beyoncé has surprised fans by opening up about her own past insecurities and self-esteem issues. While it seems that the star is nothing but confident on stage, she revealed that getting to that point took a lot of work.
Part of her confidence came with embracing her role as a mother: “Right now, after giving birth, I really understand the power of my body. I feel a lot more confident about it. Even being heavier, thinner, whatever. I feel a lot more like a woman. More feminine, more sensual. And no shame.”
She has also been very down-to-earth when it comes to sharing beauty tips. Many of her go-to products and processes are affordable and accessible to fans. By being straightforward and relatable when it comes to beauty topics, Beyoncé has made herself even more of a style icon.
Doing her own makeup helps empower Beyoncé
Beyoncé has long called upon an alter-ego to help her navigate the realities of fame. In 2008, she released an album titled I Am Sasha Fierce. Sasha Fierce is a bolder, more confident version of herself that helps the singer get prepared for public performances.
She once told Oprah: “Usually when I hear the chords, when I put on my stilettos. Like the moment right before when you’re nervous…then Sasha Fierce appears, and my posture and the way I speak and everything is different.”
Part of calling upon that inner self is captured in her makeup routine. She does her own makeup before a performance, and she explains that choice in terms of her alternate persona. “It’s a way of getting into the zone—it’s part of becoming Sasha Fierce. I’m able to sit down for an hour and play around with makeup, which I find really relaxing and fun. Before a tour, I have my makeup artist design a look for me—she draws it on paper to show me where to put everything,” Beyoncé told Elle.
