‘Dancing With the Stars’ Makeup Lineup Revealed—and the Secret Is a Brand From 1963

For Dancing with the Stars’ 20th birthday celebration, Julianne Hough’s glam had to strike the perfect balance between nostalgia and now. With flashbacks to her most iconic beauty moments expected throughout the episode, celebrity makeup artist Afton Williams set out to create something classic, radiant and undeniably Julianne.

“We knew there would be a lot of flashbacks to Jules’ looks over the years, both on the show and across socials,” Williams shares. “So instead of going trendy or overly stylized, we wanted to keep her look timeless and elevated—something that felt like her. Clean, sculpted skin, pinky cheeks and lips with a soft shine, and eyes that were subtly enhanced. We wanted Julianne to look youthful, fresh and for the audience to really see her, not just the glam.”

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To bring that vision to life, Williams reached for RCMA Makeup, a longtime DWTS backstage essential trusted by pros and contestants since the show’s earliest seasons. “Julianne had a lot of dancing to do,” she says. “Longevity was key, and RCMA’s products and colors always stand the test of time.” For the flawless complexion, Williams used RCMA’s 5-Part Series Favorite Foundation Palette in KO3 and KO4, the Highlight & Contour Palette in Light and the 5-Part Cream Blush Palette #1 in Special and Gena Pink for that signature radiant flush. A touch of Summer Lights Illuminating Balm in Sun-Kissed added that lit-from-within sheen, while Premiere Pressed Powder in Amethyst and No Color perfected the finish. The same Sun-Kissed balm brought a luminous glow to the eyes, and Diamond Shine Lip Gloss completed the look with the perfect glossy pink finish.

RCMA’s legacy runs deep in Hollywood beauty circles. Founded in 1963 by renowned makeup artist Vincent JR Kehoe, the brand—formally known as the Research Council of Makeup Artists—was created to elevate the standards of professional makeup for film, television and stage. Each product is vegan, cruelty-free and crafted in small batches with meticulous color consistency, making it a favorite among artists who demand both quality and performance.

This season, Dancing with the Stars is enjoying its highest ratings to date, with more than 12.5 million viewers tuning in—and Williams’ artistry is front and center. Beyond the ballroom, her roster of A-list clients includes Lainey Wilson, Melissa McCarthy, Ariana Madix and Sophia Bush, all known for their effortlessly glamorous beauty moments. And as Julianne shimmered under the stage lights, one thing was clear: luminous beauty, like great makeup, never goes out of style.