Elevate Your Virtual Date Nights: Hailey Baldwin’s MUA Robert Sesnek’s Expert Zoom Makeup Guide for a Flawless Look
In today’s interconnected world, video calls have become an indispensable part of our daily lives, transforming everything from professional meetings to casual catch-ups and, notably, romantic date nights. As we navigate this new digital landscape, looking and feeling our best on camera is more important than ever. Gone are the days when a quick swipe of lipstick was enough; virtual interactions demand a different approach to makeup, one that considers lighting, screen resolution, and the unique challenges of appearing radiant through a lens. If you’ve been looking for motivation to elevate your appearance for your next virtual rendezvous, you’ve arrived at the perfect destination.
For many, working from home means spending days in the comfort of pajamas or loungewear. However, when a romantic video date night pops up on the calendar, the desire to transform into a more polished, presentable version of yourself becomes undeniable. This is where expert guidance truly shines. We had the exclusive opportunity to speak with none other than Robert Sesnek, the renowned makeup artist behind the stunning looks of celebrities like Hailey Baldwin (23), who generously shared his invaluable tips for achieving an effortlessly glamorous look right from the comfort of your own home. Robert’s insights will equip you with the knowledge to not just look good, but to truly stand out on your screen, ensuring your date is captivated from the moment you log on.
“My first and most crucial recommendation for any at-home glam look, especially for video calls, is to start with exceptional lighting,” Robert emphasizes. “No matter how meticulously you’ve applied your makeup or how much time and effort you’ve invested, if your lighting is subpar, it can severely undermine your efforts. Poor or unflattering lighting can cast harsh shadows, wash out your complexion, or simply make your face appear dull. The goal is to be illuminated in a way that brightens your entire face evenly. I achieve this either by positioning myself directly in front of a window to utilize natural daylight, which is always ideal, or by using a soft lamp positioned strategically. This singular step truly makes an astonishing difference in how you appear on screen, creating an immediate and noticeable improvement.” He underscores the fact that even the most expensive cosmetics won’t perform their best without a solid lighting foundation, making this the non-negotiable first step in any virtual beauty routine.
Building on this fundamental lighting principle, Robert then meticulously broke down his exact 10-step process for achieving a flawless makeup application designed specifically for video conferencing. These steps, which we’ve detailed below, will guide you through creating a sophisticated and camera-ready face that ensures you look captivating and confident for your next virtual romantic encounter.
1. Prioritize Luminous Skin: “Skin is unequivocally my number one focus,” Robert reveals, highlighting its foundational importance. “A radiant, luminous complexion effortlessly ties the entire makeup look together, whether you’re aiming for a subtle, natural aesthetic or a more dramatic, impactful statement. Begin your routine by ensuring your skin is thoroughly hydrated; this creates a smooth canvas for subsequent product application. When it comes to foundation, I advocate for using as little as possible. My technique involves starting application in the very center of the face, where discoloration or redness most commonly occurs, and then gradually building up coverage only as needed. This targeted approach means there’s often no necessity to completely cover your entire face, preserving a more natural, skin-like finish unless, of course, you personally prefer a full-coverage look.” This method ensures that the skin still looks like skin, rather than a heavy mask, which is particularly flattering on camera.
2. Sheer Coverage with a Dewy Finish: “To achieve that coveted dewy and fresh skin appearance that translates beautifully on camera, I recommend a specific technique,” Robert explains. “I like to mist a high-quality fixing spray, such as Catrice Prime and Fine Multitalent Fixing Spray, directly onto a damp beauty sponge. This slightly dilutes the foundation, allowing for a more sheer application while still providing remarkable coverage to effectively even out skin tone. By blending Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation using this method, the formula becomes incredibly lightweight, imparting a gorgeous, luminous finish that avoids looking flat or heavy under various lighting conditions. This strategy ensures your skin appears dewy, vibrant, and perfectly balanced, creating a youthful glow that’s ideal for video calls.”
3. Strategic Concealing and Brightening: “Concealer is your secret weapon for brightening and perfecting,” says Robert. “I recommend using a high-coverage yet blendable formula, like Catrice Liquid Camouflage High Coverage Concealer, under the eyes to diminish darkness and in any other areas that require extra attention or minor correction. Beyond just covering imperfections, concealer can also be strategically used to lightly highlight and lift key features of the face. Apply a small amount to the chin, down the bridge of the nose, gently around the nostrils, and subtly between the eyebrows. This technique creates a beautiful lifting and brightening effect that defines your facial structure on camera without appearing overly made up. Always remember to blend these areas meticulously with your damp beauty sponge to ensure the product becomes completely seamless and undetectable, merging flawlessly with your foundation.”
4. Crafting a Date-Night Eye: “For a date night, I lean towards either a soft smokey eye or a beautifully blended neutral wash of color,” Robert advises. “The eyes are truly the area where you can inject a touch of fun and a hint of alluring sexiness, depending on your chosen colors and the desired effect. Begin with a softer, neutral wash of color, applying it close to the lash line and gently blending it upwards and outwards into the eye socket or crease. The key here is gradual blending, building up the intensity until you achieve your preferred depth and definition. I frequently reach for palettes like the Catrice Basic BAE eyeshadow palette, which offers an excellent range of neutral tones, from creamy ivories to deep charcoals, alongside a variety of textures from matte to captivating metallics. These versatile shades allow for endless possibilities. To complete the eye, I extend this soft smokey effect by lining and smoking out the lower lash line, ensuring a cohesive and sensual look.” This technique opens up the eyes and adds an enchanting allure for the camera.
5. Defining the Waterline with a Twist: “I genuinely appreciate lining the waterline for this specific look, as I believe it imparts a truly sexy drama to the overall eye makeup and bestows the eyes with a gorgeous, defined shape,” Robert explains. “As with any makeup application, it’s always advisable to start with a minimal amount and gradually build up to your desired level of intensity and impact. A fantastic tip to keep in mind is that lining the waterline doesn’t exclusively have to be done with traditional black or dark brown pencils. Sometimes, I opt for lighter or more vibrant shades to create a unique balance and shape for the eye. For instance, using a copper or a soft dove gray pencil can introduce an unexpected yet harmonious pop, subtly enhancing and refining the eye’s appearance in a way that’s both sophisticated and intriguing, perfect for catching the light on a video call.”
6. The Power of Mascara: “Mascara is absolutely non-negotiable; it’s the finishing touch that truly completes the eye look,” Robert asserts. “I’m a firm believer in building multiple coats to achieve a luxurious, feathery, and unequivocally sexy lash appearance. My go-to is the Catrice Glam and Doll false lashes mascara. My application technique begins at the very root of the lashes, wiggling the wand to ensure maximum coverage and lift, and then I continue to build up the length and volume with several subsequent coats. For an added touch of drama that mimics the effect of false lashes, I concentrate extra product on the outer corners of the eyes. Furthermore, I always apply mascara to the lower lashes, especially when paired with a smokier or sexier eye look, as this step provides essential balance and enhances the overall shape of the eyes, framing them beautifully for the camera.”
7. Balancing with Blush: “Introducing a softer touch of blush is crucial, particularly because the eyes are a little more dramatic in this look, necessitating perfect balance across the face,” Robert advises. “I’m particularly fond of the Catrice Blush Box Blush, which offers a versatile range including Glistening Pink, Golden Coral, and Bronze, allowing you to select the ideal shade to complement your specific skin tone. The beauty of blush is that you can always add more if desired, but with a smokey eye, balance is paramount to avoid overpowering your features. Applying blush strategically to the apples of your cheeks and blending it upwards towards your temples adds a healthy, natural flush that brings life and dimension to your complexion, preventing it from appearing flat on screen and ensuring a harmonious overall aesthetic.”
8. Illuminating with Highlighter: “Highlighter is another absolute must-have in your makeup arsenal, as it possesses the unique ability to make the skin truly pop and glow even more intensely on camera,” Robert states with conviction. “I strategically apply highlighter to the high points of the face – think the tops of the cheekbones, the brow bone, and a touch down the bridge of the nose. Additionally, I add a subtle dab to the inner tear ducts; this small detail instantly brightens the eyes and makes them appear more awake and vibrant, especially crucial for screen presence. My personal favorite for this luminous effect is the Catrice 3D Glow highlighter, which delivers a multi-dimensional radiance that catches the light beautifully, enhancing your features and imparting a youthful, healthy sheen that is perfectly captured by your webcam.”
9. The Perfect Nude or Glossy Lip: “Finally, to achieve a harmonious balance with the more dramatic eye, I favor a nude or a glossy lip,” Robert explains. “Begin by meticulously lining the lips with a neutral-toned lip liner, which helps define the shape and prevents feathering, and then gently blend the liner inwards. For this step, I often prefer to apply lipstick directly from the bullet, as it tends to deliver a richer pigment and effectively stains the lips, ensuring long-lasting color. I’m a particular admirer of the Catrice Power Plumping Gel Lipstick, especially in shades like ‘My Lip Choice,’ ‘Speak Up,’ and ‘Confidence Code.’ These specific nude shades are expertly formulated to enhance your natural lip color without washing out your complexion, which I consider incredibly important for maintaining overall facial balance and ensuring you look vibrant and captivating on your virtual date.”
10. Adding Dimension with Lip Gloss: “To inject additional dimension and a luscious finish into your lip look, I recommend adding a touch of lip gloss, concentrating it primarily in the very center of the lips,” Robert concludes. “This simple trick creates an illusion of fuller, more voluminous lips that gleam attractively under the camera’s light. For a truly captivating shimmer and shine, I often reach for the Catrice Prisma lip glaze/gloss in enchanting shades such as ‘Enchanted Gold,’ ‘Princess Peach,’ and ‘Liquid Stardust.’ These shades not only add a beautiful, light-reflecting finish but also complement the overall balanced makeup look, ensuring your lips appear plump, inviting, and utterly kissable, even through a screen. This final step is the perfect culmination, bringing together all elements for a perfectly polished virtual presence.”
By following these expert tips from Hailey Baldwin’s makeup artist, Robert Sesnek, you can confidently transform your look for any virtual date night. These steps are designed to maximize your impact on camera, ensuring you not only look radiant and put-together but also feel empowered and ready to enjoy your romantic connections in this new digital era. Embrace the power of strategic makeup and excellent lighting to present your best self, making every virtual interaction a memorable one.