Priscilla Ono
Makeup Artist
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Dream Job
Beyoncé might say she woke up like this, but we all know she didn’t.
Neither did Rihanna, Megan Thee Stallion, Normani, or any of the other celebs on Priscilla Ono’s (she/her) roster. And if you don't know Priscilla, you definitely know her work as a pro makeup artist, because it’s likely all over your Twitter feed after every red-carpet event.
We talked to Priscilla about working with the baddest Bajan in the game, her fav beauty product, and the Secret she always has in her bag.
Would your 12-year-old self believe you do makeup for celebs?
She would be like, “What?!” Sometimes I stop myself and I’m like, “Wow, I am much further than I ever thought I could be.” But I have a lot to thank my upbringing for—especially my abuela. She raised me to be a hard worker and always do my best, and that’s helped me grow into the artist I am today.
As an artist, what’s it like to know your canvas is Rihanna’s face?
Before I was her makeup artist, I was just her friend. We met on her S&M music video. I was doing makeup for the extras, and she just started talking to me nonchalantly. I was dying inside. She was like, “Hey, do you want to be in this video? I feel like you would look so cool.” And I was like, “Okay!” Now when I’m doing her makeup, I see her as Ri. Then when I see pictures come out online, I’m like, “Wow, this is who I get to do makeup on.” It’s a different feeling.
How do you keep your personal style when creating looks for clients?
I always like to make them look like themselves, first and foremost. I never want to cover up any of their beautiful features that make them unique. For instance, Rihanna has beautiful skin, so I don’t cover it with too much foundation and powder. Normani has big, beautiful, bushy brows, so I don’t apply product on them. Megan the Stallion has these big eyes, so I line them and use lots of eyeshadow so you can see all the beautiful space she has. My stamp is them looking gorgeous and themselves, but looking edgy at the same time.
How do you get inspiration for new looks?
I almost feel like my job is a curse, because I’m always thinking about makeup. If I’m going through an airport and like the way they painted the chairs, I take a picture. For Rihanna’s Met Gala look with the pope hat a few years back, her makeup was actually inspired by a cathedral I saw in Madrid. I had taken pictures of the stained glass at the cathedral and was like, “Let’s recreate these tones on your face.” The Gala had a Catholic church theme, so it just fit.
Speaking of church, what are your holy grail products?
One would be Fenty Beauty’s Invisimatte. It’s an invisible powder that goes on all skin tones and takes away oil and shine. I use it to set makeup, too. That’s my #1 and I take it everywhere I go. I always carry Secret deodorant in my makeup kit, too, to get through sometimes 20-hour days.