Bold stories. Stunning sets. Flawless costumes, hair and makeup. Despite a tough year, the Oscars are back to celebrate the best in film. The 93rd Academy Awards honor not only great actors but also the artists and technicians behind the scenes. Makeup, hair and fashion get close attention as viewers watch for the latest beauty and style trends.
Right now the big skin-care trend is a glowing, healthy-looking complexion. That’s why Eminence Organic Skin Care was excited to provide products for the set of Hillbilly Elegy, which was nominated for Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling for 2021. Directed by Ron Howard, the film features Oscar-nominated Glenn Close and Amy Adams, and Freida Pinto—who was already a big Eminence fan. If you want to know which cleansers, toners and other products the actresses used on set, read on.
Hillbilly Elegy: Makeup & Hairstyling
While filming in May 2019, makeup artist Jamie Hess, who worked under makeup department head Eryn Krueger Mekash, emailed Eminence Organics. She wrote that “between the glue, prosthetic removers and the weather, keeping everyone’s skin in tip top shape [was] of utmost importance,” and that she’d “recently discovered Eminence Organics and was absolutely in love with it!” After sharing each star’s skin type and needs, the Eminence team put together custom routines to send to the set.
“Proper skin prep is invaluable for a good makeup application,” Jamie told the brand. “Since discovering Eminence Organics skincare, I have seen the benefits of these products both personally and professionally and how they can transform the skin. They will remain a staple in my personal and professional make up kit.”
Based on the best-selling memoir, Hillbilly Elegy follows J.D. Vance (Gabriel Basso) as he grows up in a poor Ohio town. Amy Adams plays his mother, who falls into addiction, and Glenn Close plays his grandmother, Mamaw. Freida Pinto plays the Yale Law student who dates Vance.
Thanks to Jamie, Eryn, hair department head Patricia Dehaney and prosthetic designer Matthew Mungle, Glenn Close is nearly unrecognizable as Mamaw. Her look used a prosthetic stomach, low-rise jeans, boxy Reebok sneakers, oversized glasses and frizzy dark hair. Amy also went through a full transformation with the help of hair, wardrobe and makeup teams.
As Eryn described on the Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild blog: “I orchestrated a very precise application and timing with Jamie so that our actors wouldn’t be waiting long for the others to be ready. Glenn’s application started in wig prep with Patti, then she came to us. Jamie applied the right ear and I applied the left. While Jamie painted Glenn’s hands, I started to apply the nose. As soon as I got the nose glued down, Amy would come in for wig prep with Patti.”
On set, artists added a silicone nose and gelatin ears to Glenn, plus age spots, blotchiness, freckles and veins. Even with those heavy transformations, the cast’s skin was kept healthy using Eminence Organics products. Needless to say, we’ll be tuning in to see the Oscar winners’ results on Sunday, April 25!
Products Used by the Stars
Jamie told Eminence Organics: “I am so proud to have been part of the makeup team on Hillbilly Elegy and I loved having the Eminence Organics products to use on my talent!” Below are some fan-favorite products loved by celebrities and customers.
Cleansers
– Stone Crop Cleansing Oil — Good for all skin types. Contains nourishing sunflower and jojoba oils to gently dissolve dirt, oil and makeup for a radiant look.
– Monoi Age Corrective Exfoliating Cleanser — A multi-action exfoliating wash with fragrant Tahitian monoi oil that helps hydrate and firm the skin while removing surface debris.
Toners
– Stone Crop Hydrating Mist — A refreshing, healing toner for uneven skin. It boosts hydration and leaves skin smooth and moisturized. Cruelty-free and made without parabens, SLS, animal by-products, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals, phthalates, GMOs or triclosan.
– Neroli Age Corrective Hydrating Mist — A collagen-boosting toner with a Natural Retinol Alternative and Swiss Green Apple. Especially good for mature skin, it helps skin feel smoother and appear firmer, with a lift from fragrant neroli oil.
Exfoliants
– Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant — Brightens skin. Rice flour helps absorb oil while lactic and salicylic acids remove dead skin cells. Strawberries and rhubarb add antioxidants.
– Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Concentrate — A leave-on concentrate that refines pores and promotes radiance. Mangosteen brightens while a lactic acid complex removes buildup.
Serums & Oils
– Facial Recovery Oil — Freida Pinto has praised this oil for keeping her skin balanced and hydrated through frequent makeup changes and removals. She called it “amazing” for rebalancing skin and keeping it clear.
– Bamboo Firming Fluid — For firmer-looking skin. Bamboo and coconut help strengthen and hydrate while a Natural Retinol Alternative and Swiss Green Apple support skin tone.
Eye Care
– Bearberry Eye Cream — Rich in antioxidants, this cream hydrates the delicate eye area. Meadow eyebright, hops and bearberry help reduce visible signs of aging. Made with Biodynamic® ingredients from Demeter Certified farms.
– Marine Flower Peptide Eye Cream — A rich, hydrating cream that helps minimize fine lines and keeps the area moisturized. Red algae adds vitamins, minerals and amino acids, and Botanical Hyaluronic Acid from beetroot smooths and hydrates. Use day and night to help with puffiness and dark circles.
– Herbal Eye Make-Up Remover — pH-balanced and gentle, this remover uses cucumber, lavender, calendula and chamomile to soothe sensitive eyes while balancing the skin.
Body Care
– Coconut Age Corrective Moisturizer — Helps skin look tighter and lifted. Coconut, shea butter and grape seed oil combine with green apple technology for ongoing age correction.
– Monoi Age Corrective Night Body Cream — An ultra-rich night cream that leaves skin looking firmer and smoother. Argan oil, evening primrose oil and shea butter soften and revitalize skin.
Product Picks
– Monoi Age Corrective Night Body Cream — Rich body moisturizer — $43.00 (41)
– Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Concentrate — Refine pores to refresh skin — $69.00 (54)
Oscar-Winning Fans of Eminence Organics
More recommendations come from Oscar winners who use Eminence products. Laura Dern, who won an Academy Award for Marriage Story, calls the Coconut Firming Body Lotion one of her “beloved staples,” according to the New York Times. She also told Vogue she loves the Clear Skin Probiotic Masque: “I love this masque by Eminence … it is this probiotic masque and it leaves the skin feeling so good … literally it feels like it’s cleaning my skin …”
Jennifer Lawrence has named favorites like Bamboo Firming Fluid, Rosehip Triple C+E Firming Oil and Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Serum.
When Marcia Gay Harden (Best Supporting Actress for Pollock) visited Eminence’s Vancouver office while filming Fifty Shades Darker, company president and esthetician Boldijarre Koronczay gave her a custom facial using Bamboo Firming Fluid, Facial Recovery Oil, Firm Skin Acai Cleanser and Monoi Age Corrective Night Cream for Face & Neck. Marcia joked that Boldijarre should marry her, and said, “… my skin is fabulous! … I have such admiration for all that you’re doing.” She quipped, “Boldijarre, you give new meaning to the phrase ‘skin in the game!’”
Who’s your favorite Oscar-winning Eminence Organics fan? Let us know in the comments or on social media.
Product Picks
– Bamboo Firming Fluid — Skin plumping concentrate — $69.00 (189)
– Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Serum — Vitamin C serum for all skin types — $118.00 (131)