Exclusive: A BTS Look at Sasheer Zamata’s ‘SNL50: The Anniversary Special’ Beauty Prep

It may not have had the Super Bowl, but this Sunday brought about as much must-watch viewing as you can get. Between SNL’s Anniversary Special and the return of The White Lotus, the weekend ended with no shortage of long-awaited shows.

Someone at the forefront: Sasheer Zamata. The actress and stand-up comedian was a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 2014 to 2017, returning for the NBC special. Not only was it the big 5-0 for the show, but it was also a milestone for Zamata and her makeup artist, Andrew Sotomayor, who are celebrating their 10th work anniversary. Sotomayor did Zamata’s makeup for her first SNL photo and then during her time at the show, including one in 2017 for which he won an Emmy. Since then, the duo has worked together hundreds of times for her two comedy specials, movie premieres, the MTV VMAs, NYFW and more. “Getting Sasheer ready for this special event was deeply sentimental and a full-circle moment,” shares Sotomayor, who gave us an inside look at what he used to prep the star.

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Sasheer Zamata’s Skin and Makeup Prep

“Sasheer was wearing under-eye patches when I arrived. I love them because they help ensure her concealer doesn’t slide around during application,” he says. “I always opt for Peter Thomas Roth 24K Gold Pure Luxury Lift & Firm Hydra-Gel Eye Patches ($75). The lightweight gel hydrates and plumps skin and never pills. I then sanitized my hands with my Oracle Jayne Station Hand Sanitizer and unpacked my makeup brushes from ICONIC London. They feel so luxurious, are vegan, cruelty-free and unlike natural hair bristles, they stay softer longer and are non-irritating on skin.”

To help Zamata’s makeup go on smoothly, last longer and have a glowing finish, Sotomayer applied the ICONIC London Underglow Blurring Primer ($30). “It feels like a moisturizer and adds some slip. But unlike 100-percent silicone primers that create a barrier between skin and makeup, the Underglow Primer melds the makeup with skin so that even I can’t tell you’re wearing foundation.”

For the lips, Sotomayer prepped with the ICONIC London Lustre Lip Oil in She’s A Peach ($25). “It is so hydrating and plumping,” he says.

Stressing that he “appreciates it when brands make foundations for every skin tone and undertone,” coverage came next. “I’m always nervous that new foundations won’t have enough coverage, will look ashy, or won’t blend well on dark skin. I love ICONIC London Super Smoother Blurring Skin Tints ($32) and used Warm Deep & Warm Rich, which have a warm undertone perfect for Sasheer. The coverage is buildable. I used a lighter shade in the center of the face and a deeper shade on the temples and under the cheekbones to ensure a perfect shade match on every part of the face. This reduces the need for excessive bronzer.”

For sculpting, Sotomayer used the brand-new ICONIC London Shape & Shade Sculpting Stick in Curve. He applied under Zamata’s cheekbones and at the temples to create the effect of “perfect lighting,” showing off her bone structure.

“My absolute favorite part of makeup is an exaggerated, glowing cheek,” Sotomayer says. “I used the ICONIC LONDON Illuminator in the warm copper shade Glow, which works great on golden or dark skin tones. Pat it on with fingertips across your cheekbones in an upward motion. Or, use a small to medium blush brush to blend. When light catches the skin, the face looks lifted and energized. ICONIC London’s new Get Cheeky Face Powder Palette ($39) was perfect for tonight. I swirled a large brush across all four shades and swept them right over Sasheer’s cheekbones. This creates an organic blend of light-catching pigments that are just beautiful.”

On eyes, it was the ICONIC London Smoky Eye Kajal ($25), which Sotomayer says is officially “his favorite.”

“The thin side is great for a tight line effect, right at the roots of her lashes. The chunky side is great for creating a smoky look, as we did tonight. I sketched the pencil across Sasheer’s eyelids, then buffed it out with a small and fluffy shadow brush. I used the same brush to pat a bit of bright plum shadow on her lids. It created a look that’s smoky but not heavy.”

For the lashes, Sotomayer used ICONIC London’s Triple Threat Mascara ($22) in Black on the upper lashes only. “For more definition, I’d use the tip of the wand to coat the lower lashes, too. I prefer soft silicone wands like this because they’re the most gentle on sensitive eyes. I then used Ardel Wispies lashes ($12). They are glamorous, comfortable and wear well. The new FauxMink style tapers off for an even more believable lash. The upward curl gives a beautiful, bright-eyed effect.”

Finishing the look, it was ICONIC London’s Matte Nude Lip Mousse ($25) in Cloud Kiss, which Sotomayer says wears like velvet. “I finished Sasheer’s look with a sweep of Black Opal Loose translucent powder, and she was ready to go!”