Mean Girls returns to the big screen with a new cast, musical soundtrack and all-new makeup looks iconic looks. Twenty years have passed since the original film was released, and much has changed in the beauty world.
We spoke to the film’s makeup department to learn more about their inspiration, product recommendations, and behind-the-scenes fun.
Regina George: Transforming Reneé Rapp into North Shores Queen Bee
Designing Regina’s makeup was about “creating a timeless look that’s a little more refined than in the original film,” explained key makeup artist Shannon Renee.
Renee’s three base products used in Regina’s Rapp version were a Dior Lip Oil, a KVD Graphite Winged Eyeliner Pomade, and a Rare Beauty Positive Light Liquid Luminizer.
Queen Bee and director of plastics, Régina, is a pioneer who stands out among her peers. A notable moment is the “wet look,” in which Cady, Janis, and Damien attempt to ruin Regina’s makeup during a meeting, but instead, they create a new trend of wet skin and dripping mascara.
Renée’s vision behind this look was “a version of her [Regina’s] daily makeup but submerged in water. She wanted her skin to look radiant.” Bringing this look to life required using Evian Spray Water “while the mascara was still wet to create the blended look.”
Makeup artist Doria Tremaine helped recreate this look by “creating tears using eye drops and mascara in dropper bottles…allowing artists to apply the look quickly and easily over several days of filming.
For the updated version of the iconic Winter Talent Show scene, each plastic has shades of beautiful gold glitter in its eyes.
To recreate this look, Renee recommends applying “a glitter glue to the eyes first as a base/primer,” then using a “stiff spatula-style makeup brush to press the glitter into the glue, as this will hold the glitter in place”. “.for longer.” hours without any movement.
Janis ‘Imi’ike: Using Your Face As An Artistic Canvas
Makeup is essential in expressing Janis’ character in the 2024 version of Mean Girls. Actress Auli’i Cravalho collaborated with department head Jorge Nelson to bring her colourful and artistic makeup to life.
Nelson shares that “the inspiration for Janis came from young people today who express themselves with makeup.” Products from brands such as Pat McGrath, Danessa Myricks, Hip Dot and For Art’s Sake were staples when designing Cravalho’s character’s look.
“Auli’i’ was probably my favourite person to develop a character with, and together, we created new looks that suited Janis. We felt that Janis expressed herself with colours and makeup as if they were her art materials.
She and I. “We were making things frantically at the same time. I was sticking crystals on her while she was putting on her lip liner…we were having a lot of fun,” says Nelson.
Janis’s makeup is an extension of her personality, from the chrome blue eyeshadow and geometric eyeliner to the red thread meticulously placed along the curves of her face.
Nelson explained that Janis’ appearance at the art show was “a huge leap of faith” that incorporated her character’s vision of “threads as feelings” into her art to create something dramatic for her confrontation with Cady.
“We didn’t tell anyone about it… I was biting my nails waiting for the reaction,” Nelson revealed, relieved when the directors were “ecstatic and supportive of the vision.”
Cady Heron: From New Girl to It Girl
Cady is the fresh-faced new girl who transforms throughout the film as she becomes more involved with the Plastics. Department head Jorge Nelson also worked with actress Angourie Rice for the film and described the process of evolving Cady’s makeup.
The keys to creating Cady’s makeup were Dior Forever Glow Veil to add glow to her skin, Boi-ing Cakeless Concealer from Benefit Cosmetics, Ogee Lip Tint in Petunia for freshly bitten lips, and Spray Charlotte Tilbury fixative to keep the look in place while dancing. Numbers. And film outdoors.
“I wanted to start as clean and minimalist as possible. She wasn’t thinking about makeup in Africa, and I wanted to translate that for the screen.”
“When the Plastics started kissing her, we added a small amount of highlights to her eyes and a brighter shade of lipstick to show her confidence.
” Cady’s look peaks at her house party, where “she has a bold look and back when I did makeup the same way, she would have learned to wear plastic, including contouring and ‘pinker’, ‘shinier’ makeup.
Working As A Makeup Artist in Film
Nelson and Renee refer to each other as “wives for life.” It was essential to both of them that the makeup department be diverse and inclusive.
Renée shared that “even with almost three decades of working in this industry, I am still often one of the few makeup artists of colour in leadership positions in the department.” . or in critical positions.” makeup artist.
For those interested in pursuing a career in makeup for film and television, Renee encourages you to “take the opportunity and reach out to artists you admire. She’ll surprise you with how many top artists will take the time to respond to you.
Seeing her hard work translated to the big screen is very rewarding. “Having kids line up to copy my look for Janis is something she’s never experienced before, and it’s such a wonderful feeling… my first art teacher would be so proud!” Nelson said.