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File this on the list of the world's best collaborations of all time. Renowned makeup artist Pat McGrath lent her creative genius to Taylor Swift's latest music video for Bejeweled, and the results are dazzling, to say the least. On August 29, Swift sent waves through the internet when she announced that her latest studio album Midnights was on the horizon. On October 25, the singer-songwriter teased the release of the album's first music video just four days after the album dropped.
Of course, every project that comes out of Swift's creative mind is laced with nostalgic storytelling and dreamy visuals, but the music video for Bejeweled takes that up a level thanks to Pat McGrath's contribution to the glam (the makeup artist even made a cameo in the video). "It was pure joy designing the looks… and I am so excited for the world to see the results," McGrath says in a press release.
The video loosely follows the theme of the classic fairytale Cinderella with Swift playing the lead — though a much sassier version than the original. Shortly after Swift is banned from attending the ball (modernized into a talent show competition) by her wicked stepmother and sisters, she transforms into a glammed-up princess adorned with jewels both around her neck and perfectly placed in the corners of her eyes.
I spoke with McGrath over email, where she shared what exactly went into Swift's transformation for the project. "The moment I heard the title, I had visions of scintillating, shimmering, and sparkling," McGrath tells Allure. "Taylor's brief for the film was meticulous. It was a perfect inspiration. Once I'd absorbed her concept, I designed 30 looks, which I then executed with Team Pat McGrath with the same energy as if we were preparing for an Haute Couture show." 30 looks may sound ambitious, but given McGrath's expansive repertoire and arsenal of products, you shouldn't expect anything less.
It also makes perfect sense that the makeup artist approached the project like a haute couture show, as that is her domain. McGrath shares that she actually took inspiration from her own recent work in the Versace Fall/Winter 2014, Margiela Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2016, and Prada Fall/Winter 2018 shows.
Makeup lovers are probably excited to know exactly which Pat McGrath Labs products were used and will be thrilled to know that McGrath "secretly debuted" a new Mothership Mega: Celestial Nirvana eye shadow pallet that's been one of her "most powerful backstage secrets to creating the ultimate fabulous eyes backstage for SS23."
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As for the rest of the products used, the makeup artist and her team tapped into some of the brand's most popular products including the Divine Skin: Rose 001TM The Essence, Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation, Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Concealer, Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Loose Setting Powder for complexion.
For the bedazzled eye look below, which the artist titled "Dreamy Decadence," McGrath employed the Mothership X: Moonlit Seduction Palette using shades Blitz Venus, Skintense Glow, Astral Lilac Aura, Xtreme Nocturne, and Platinum Dusk. She also used the shade Sterling from the Mothership IV: Decadence Palette. The glamorous winged eyeliner was drawn using the PermaGel Ultra Glide Eye Pencil in Xtreme Black.
Certainly not to be overlooked, Swift's signature red lip came courtesy of the Permagel Ultra Lip Pencil in Blood Lust and Deep Dive, followed by the LiquiLUSTTM: Legendary Wear Matte Lipstick in Elson 4.
While this makeup look may seem daunting both to wear and apply, McGrath assured me that it's actually simpler than it appears. "A winged eye and a regal red lip can be for everyone," says the makeup artist. She shared some tips to create the eye look starting with drawing the shape of the liner with a glide eye pencil before filling it with a liquid liner. "Using an eye pencil before liquid eyeliner is something I often do when I'm creating a major eye look. I find that using a pointed cotton bud with some remover is useful as well to correct any mistakes." Once you've managed to create the shape you're happy with, you can bejewel the eye with a shimmering shade
from the new Mothership Mega: Celestial Nirvana palette.
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"I love using a damp brush or my Intensifeyes wand with the shimmer shades to create a legendary luminosity to the lid," she adds. "After adding shimmer, I add structure with a matte shadow to create the winged shape at the outer corner of the eye. Once you have mastered this, maybe add in a few crystals."
With the first music video of her new album being this sparkling, there's no telling how much more grandiose things could get for the Midnights visuals, but we're posted up and ready — and perfecting our bejeweled winged eye in the meantime.
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