Rachel Brosnahan comes here often—to the Emmys, that is. The actor was nominated for the fourth time for outstanding actress in comedy for her role as ’50s era comedian Miriam “Midge” Maisel in Amazon Prime’s Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (She won the category in 2018). It’s currently filming the final episodes of the fifth season—the show’s last—but on Monday, the cast took a break from what has surely been emotional days on set for some more modern day dress-up. “We went to the virtual Emmys in 2020 and we were shooting the current season during the first one back so I’m excited to see everyone all dolled up again,” Brosnahan told Vanity Fair ahead of the night’s programming.
Her look this year was a violet Pamella Roland gown with a plunging neckline and all-over appliqués. On red carpet, she told E!’s Laverne Cox, “We had a bit of a last-minute switcheroo so she’s brand new and I’m loving her. I’ll show you later what’s under here. I’m taped within an inch of my life girl.”
Photo by Victoria Stevens. Courtesy of Clarins.
A late, great “switcheroo” goes to show how, when there are talented people in the room, a chic, cohesive look can come together nearly last minute. “I love the way the different elements of the look play off of each other,” Brosnahan told Vanity Fair. “We drew from the lavender colors in the beading for the nails, shoes and eye makeup and from the shape of the tulle details to build the shape of the hair.”
“The dress Rachel wore was too beautiful not to dictate the look,” added Lisa Aharon, Brosnahan’s makeup artist, who worked with Clarins. “We pulled the eye shades and skin effect from the gorgeous colors in the fabric and beading landing at purple hues (to compliment Rachel’s blue eyes), fluttery lashes, and glowing skin,” which she achieved with a Clarins Double Serum “patted and pressed into the skin as the first layer.” Ditto with Clarins Double Serum Eye around the eye area. Before all that, thought Aharon gave Brosnahan a lymphatic drainage massage, which she usually does with tools, but this time did with her fingertips.
“When applying skincare or makeup, I always like to work in thin layers, starting with the deepest. Skincare is just important as the makeup and when applied correctly will help the makeup achieve its full potential,” Aharon said, describing her approach to longwear makeup, the full run down of which she posted on Instagram. “But it’s also crucial to use a foundation and makeup products that work well with a clients natural skin texture and type.”
Photo by Victoria Stevens. Courtesy of Clarins.
Brosnahan’s own pre-red carpet makeup prep is delightfully old school: “I always stick my face in an ice bucket for as long as I can stand it and order a vat of fries to the room for our whole team.”
By the end of the extensive Emmys broadcast, the results of all that massage, pressing, patting, ice dunking, and Clarins spoke for themselves. The imitable Jean Smart, who won in their category for her role in HBO Hacks, gave her fellow nominee a shoutout: “[Brosnahan is] very classy, she sent me this box of these unbelievable designer cookies, they’re like five pounds each—and I thought that was so nice and classy until I realized that she was hoping that I wouldn’t be able to fit into a single dress in Hollywood. Thanks anyway.”
When the camera panned to catch her reaction, Brosnahan was still glowing.
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