Whilst Glossier’s brand new release, Lidstar, may have adorned the eyelids of everyone from Ladybird director Greta Gerwig to Best Supporting Actress winner Allison Janney, it was another beauty must-have snatched the prize of best beauty moment of the night: Rihanna’s Fenty Foundation. 

Whilst the product isn’t a new one, the reveal of which Oscar nominee was wearing it has prompted appreciation across the internet, as it was Get Out star Daniel Kaluuya who plumped for the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation  –  which retails for only £26 – to ready his skin for the big night. 

Men wearing make up isn’t new. However, men – especially Hollywood stars who identify as heterosexual – admitting to wearing make-up is. And it’s Kaluuya’s willingness to reveal the secrets behind maintaining flawless skin under the harsh glare of the paparazzi that has sent Twitter into a gleeful tailspin. 

“So DANIEL KALUUYA USES FENTY BEAUTY AND HONESTLY IF THAT IN ITSELF ISN’T A GOOD ENOUGH REASON TO BUY, I CAN’T HELP YOU,” tweeted one user excitedly. 

“Damn I’m ready to go to Sephora and find my shade now,” said another. 

There was also renewed praise for Fenty’s shade range – the line has matches for 40 skin tones, in case you’d forgotten – and its ability to cater for individuals with darker skin. 

“Daniel Kaluuya used Fenty foundation for the Oscars[,] shout out to Rihanna for finally getting us all our shades,” read a typical tweet on the subject. 

People were also hugely impressed by the foundation’s staying power, particularly after the actor went into for a hug with director Jordan Peele after his Oscar win for Best Original Screenplay was announced – and left absolutely no residue on the Peele’s immaculate white suit.

Kaluuya’s make-up artist, Amber Amos, explained to Billboard how she achieved his award show glow in only 30 minutes. 

“Daniel is so low key [when it comes to red carpet makeup], that every time the goal is to perfect the skin and make him look less tired than he is, because he’s doing a lot,” said Amos, whose previous clients include Mariah Carey and the cast of Stranger Things.

“The most important part is skin prep and making sure his skin is very hydrated because realistically most guys aren’t prepping their skin and they don’t really have a routine.”

The beauty expert said she first used a Lip & Body Treatment Balm from Paula’s Choice, followed by cleansing the skin using Kiehl’s Oil-Free Toner. Next up was exfoliation, courtesy of Kate Somerville’s Clinic to Go Resurfacing Peel Pads. 

Amos then tightened Kaluuya’s under-eye area with Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Eye De-Puffer and applied a treatment in the form of Kate Somerville’s DermalQuench Liquid Lift to ensure his skin was plump. The final step before Fenty was Kiehl’s Men Oil Eliminator 24 Hour Anti-Shine Moisturizer. Then Amos mixed shades 480 and 490 of the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r foundation and blended them softly with Stila’s One Step Complexion brush #33. To finish, she spritzed Kaluuya with Kiehl’s Men’s Oil Eliminator Refreshing Shine Control Spray Toner and applied a quick sweep of Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel to his brows.

“We’ve done a great job of making sure he has glowing, beautiful skin,” said Amos, explaining the intentions behind the look. 

“It’s so easy for someone of his skin tone to show up ashy or grey on a red carpet because of flash or a flashback from a product. That’s the most important thing; I want him to go out there and be golden, I want him to glow. I think [this grooming look] is the perfect fit for the Oscars because he’s just going to look regal and effortless […] he won’t look like it’s his first time, he’s going to look like he belongs here.”

Images: Rex Features