Shakira Reveals Why She’s Always Done Her Own Makeup
Shakira may be a global superstar, but when it comes to glam, she’s always kept her hands in the game — literally. The 48-year-old singer recently shared that she’s usually her own makeup artist, and that hasn’t changed much over the years. “I’ve allowed a couple of makeup artists to touch my face over the years, but it doesn’t happen that often,” she admitted in a candid chat with Allure.
Looking back at her beauty evolution, Shakira reflected on her early 2000s glam days — smoky eyes, bubblegum blush, and ultra-glossy lips included. One throwback photo from the very first Latin Grammy Awards in 2000 sparked memories of how much makeup she used to wear and why. “Back then, when I was younger, I think I took even more time to get ready,” she said, adding, “I think the lack of experience, probably and the lack of confidence made me wear a lot more makeup, and be extra concerned.”
Fast-forward to now, and things have shifted. “I’m a little more confident,” she said. These days, Shakira embraces a more natural look, especially when she’s performing. She avoids wigs, skips sky-high heels, and prefers feeling “organic” on stage. “When it comes to beauty and when it comes to performing, I need to feel as natural as possible. I can’t perform with wigs. I can’t perform with super extra high heels. I need to be as organic as possible, because the way I move is like that,” she shared.
As for her favorite makeup product? She swears by L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Volume Building Mascara. “To me, it’s like the best one,” she said, revealing she’s been loyal to the mascara for nearly 20 years. It’s one of the few constants in her ever-evolving beauty routine.
Hair, however, has been more of a journey. While laughing at a photo of herself performing at Madison Square Garden in 2002, Shakira stuck out her tongue and admitted: “Too much bleach.” She now keeps things healthier with the “right” products, including her own. The singer recently launched a haircare line called Isima, with playful product names like “Curls Don’t Lie,” a nod to her hit song Hips Don’t Lie.
And if you’ve seen her on stage recently, you know Shakira’s still got it. She’s currently on her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran tour — her first in seven years — and she kicked things off in true Shakira style: bold outfits, confident energy, and, yes, her signature DIY glam. For the opener, she wore stunning designs from Indian fashion houses Gaurav Gupta Couture and Anamika Khanna. One was a sculpted blue gown with a metallic breastplate, and the other, a red two-piece set with hand-embroidered details that took over 120 hours to complete.
