Emmy Beauty Secrets: What Zendaya and Hollywood's Best Are Really Doing

Dr. Anya Sharma · 2026-09-15

The Emmys aren't just about who takes home the gold. They're a masterclass in beauty—a live look at what actually works when the stakes are high. This year, Zendaya, Chase Infiniti, Rachel Sennott, and a handful of other stars gave us plenty to talk about. And honestly? Some of their choices might surprise you. ### The Zendaya Effect: Effortless, But Never Accidental Zendaya has a way of making everything look easy. At the Emmys, her beauty look was no exception—glowing skin, a soft smoky eye, and a lip that felt modern, not overdone. But here's the thing: effortless doesn't mean unplanned. Her team likely started prepping days in advance with hydration-focused facials and gentle exfoliation. The goal? Skin that looks lit from within, not covered up. If you're trying to recreate this at home, start with a good moisturizer and a luminous primer. Skip heavy foundation. Instead, use a tinted serum or skin tint to even things out. The finish should be dewy, not greasy. And for the eyes? A smudged brown liner beats a harsh black one every time. ### Chase Infiniti: Bold Color Without the Chaos Chase Infiniti brought a pop of color to the carpet—think vibrant eyes or a statement lip. The trick to pulling off bold shades is balance. If you go bright on the eyes, keep the lips neutral. If you choose a red lip, let the eyes stay simple with mascara and a touch of highlight. What made Chase's look work was placement. The color was intentional, not scattered. A pro tip: use a flat brush to pack on color, then blend the edges with a clean fluffy brush. That way, you get impact without looking like you fell into a paint set. ### Rachel Sennott: The Art of the Glow Rachel Sennott kept things fresh and glowy—like she just came back from a walk in 75-degree weather. That kind of radiance comes from layering. Start with a hydrating toner, follow with a serum containing hyaluronic acid, and seal it all in with a moisturizer. Then, and this is key, add a liquid highlighter to the high points of your face before foundation. It melts into the skin and looks natural. Avoid powder if you can. Powder can flatten the glow, especially in photos. If you must set something, use it only on the T-zone. Let the rest of your face breathe. ### What We Can Actually Learn from These Looks Celebrity beauty isn't about copying every step. It's about understanding the principles. Here's what stood out across the board: - **Prep is everything.** No amount of makeup fixes dry, tired skin. Hydrate, exfoliate gently, and massage your face to boost circulation. - **Less is more.** The best looks didn't try to do everything at once. Pick one feature to highlight and keep the rest simple. - **Blend like you mean it.** Whether it's eyeshadow or blush, blending is what separates a pro from an amateur. - **Set with intention.** Only powder where you need it. Let the rest of your skin show through. > "Beauty is about enhancing what you have, not hiding it." — a sentiment echoed by many makeup artists backstage. ### Bringing It Home You don't need a glam team to get red-carpet-ready skin. You need consistency and a few smart products. A good cleanser, a hydrating serum, a luminous primer, and a cream blush can take you further than a drawer full of powders. And remember, trends come and go. What matters is that you feel comfortable in your own skin. The Emmys gave us inspiration, not a rulebook. Take what works for you, leave the rest, and don't be afraid to experiment. After all, beauty should be fun. Not stressful.