Adele, the British songstress who has stolen the hearts of millions with her powerhouse vocals and deeply personal lyrics, has crafted an image that transcends the typical pop star persona. With each song and every music video, Adele tells a story not just through her voice, but through a visual narrative that is as impactful as the melodies themselves. Her makeup looks—often classic, elegant, and timeless—play a pivotal role in the aesthetic of her videos, adding layers to her artistry and identity. But how exactly are these iconic looks created? What goes on behind the scenes to achieve the flawless, high-glam, yet deeply personal appearance that we’ve come to associate with Adele?

In this article, we’ll take you behind the curtains of Adele’s music video makeup process. From collaborating with top makeup artists to deciding on the perfect shades and techniques that reflect the mood of each song, we’ll reveal the artistry behind her stunning visuals. These makeup looks, as you’ll discover, are not just about beauty—they’re about storytelling.

The Creative Process: Collaboration is Key

The success of Adele’s music video makeup looks is the result of meticulous planning and collaboration between the singer and her trusted team of professionals. At the helm of this creative process is Michael Ashton, her long-time makeup artist. Ashton has been with Adele since the early stages of her career and has played a crucial role in developing her signature makeup style.

But the process isn’t just about applying products—there’s a dialogue that takes place, a blending of artistic vision and personal taste. According to Ashton, the starting point for creating any of Adele’s makeup looks is the song itself. Each look is carefully designed to reflect the emotion, narrative, and overall vibe of the music video. This approach ensures that her makeup not only enhances her features but also complements the story she’s telling through her music.

“Adele is very involved in every step of the process,” Ashton shared in a behind-the-scenes interview. “She knows exactly what she likes and what works for her face, but she’s also open to experimenting with new ideas. It’s a true collaboration where we balance the classic with the contemporary, always keeping her unique style in mind.”

Signature Elements: Defining Adele’s Timeless Makeup Look

When you think of Adele’s makeup, a few signature elements instantly come to mind: the flawless complexion, the bold eyeliner, and the perfectly sculpted lips. These elements, while consistent across many of her looks, are subtly adapted to suit the theme of each music video.

The Cat-Eye Liner: Perhaps the most recognizable part of Adele’s makeup is her dramatic cat-eye liner. This bold, sweeping line that frames her eyes has become synonymous with her style, giving her look a classic Hollywood glamour. However, it’s not just about aesthetics—it’s about confidence. In many of her videos, the liner adds intensity and draws focus to her expressive eyes, enhancing the emotional weight of the lyrics.

“The liner is a statement,” Ashton explains. “It’s powerful, yet feminine. It’s strong, yet soft enough to be romantic. It’s that balance that makes it such a key part of Adele’s look.”

In videos like “Hello” and “Someone Like You,” the cat-eye liner adds a touch of nostalgia, evoking the vintage glamour of the 1960s, while in “Rolling in the Deep,” it emphasizes the raw emotion of the song, creating a contrast between vulnerability and strength.

The Flawless Complexion: Adele’s skin always looks flawless, smooth, and glowing, whether she’s performing in black-and-white videos like “Hello” or under dramatic lighting in “Send My Love.” Achieving that level of perfection, however, requires more than just foundation and powder—it’s a combination of skincare, prep work, and the right products.

Ashton and his team begin every makeup session by prepping Adele’s skin with hydrating serums and moisturizers. They prioritize skincare as the foundation of any good makeup look. “Good skin is the canvas,” Ashton says. “We use lightweight, buildable foundations that enhance her natural complexion without masking it.”

For Adele, it’s all about looking like the best version of herself. The flawless finish is maintained through precision techniques such as contouring and highlighting, which subtly sculpt her face, enhancing her bone structure without making her look overly made-up.

Luscious Lips: Adele’s lips have become a focal point in her music video looks, adding a touch of glamour and sophistication. Often seen in neutral, rosy shades or bold reds, her lips are always perfectly defined, and like the rest of her makeup, they tell a story.

In “Hello,” for example, she opts for a nude lip that doesn’t compete with the intensity of the song’s narrative, allowing her emotions to take center stage. In contrast, in the more upbeat “Send My Love,” she pairs her floral gown with a vibrant, orange-red lip that symbolizes confidence and renewal.

Ashton shares that the choice of lip color is always intentional: “It’s about finding the balance between the makeup and the emotion of the scene. Sometimes the lips are soft and muted to let the eyes do the talking, and other times, we use a bold lip to make a statement.”

Adapting to Different Eras and Styles

While Adele’s makeup always maintains a sense of timelessness, there’s a subtle evolution in her look that mirrors the changing themes and eras of her music. One of the best examples of this is her transformation in the video for “Send My Love (To Your New Lover).” In this video, we see a departure from her signature retro-glam style, as she embraces a more contemporary, high-fashion aesthetic.

Here, Ashton played with a fresher, more vibrant color palette, giving her a modern glow that perfectly suited the upbeat, celebratory nature of the song. Her makeup in this video featured a brighter, more radiant complexion, minimal eye makeup with a soft smudge of liner, and a pop of color on her lips—a look that felt young, confident, and liberated.

This ability to adapt her makeup to fit the theme of each song and video is a testament to the artistry behind Adele’s beauty looks. Her makeup is never static—it evolves, yet always stays true to her core aesthetic.

The Challenges of On-Camera Makeup

Creating makeup looks for music videos presents a unique set of challenges compared to everyday makeup or even red-carpet glam. Lighting, camera angles, and the overall tone of the video play significant roles in determining how makeup will appear on screen.

For Adele’s team, this means constantly adjusting the makeup to ensure it looks perfect under the harsh lighting of the set, while also staying true to her natural beauty. This requires a combination of high-definition products that are designed to withstand hours of shooting while still looking fresh and natural.

“Adele’s makeup has to last through long shooting days, intense lighting, and close-up shots,” Ashton explains. “We rely on long-wear products and make sure every detail is perfect, from her eyeliner to her lipstick.”

A significant challenge also comes with balancing Adele’s love for a bold liner while ensuring that it doesn’t overpower the natural contours of her face on camera. Ashton uses a variety of techniques to keep the makeup balanced, including blending and layering products to create depth without making it look too heavy on screen.

Behind the Looks: A Balance Between Glamour and Realness

Part of what makes Adele so beloved is her authenticity. Even when she’s decked out in full glam, there’s always a sense of realness to her. Her makeup, while polished, never feels overly done. There’s an underlying simplicity to her looks that makes her appear approachable, even when she’s radiating full-on diva glamour.

Ashton and his team work hard to maintain this balance, ensuring that Adele’s makeup enhances her features without transforming her into someone unrecognizable. The goal is always to reflect her true self, while still playing up the glamour needed for a music video.

“The beauty of Adele’s makeup is that it’s always her, but just a little more polished, a little more elevated,” Ashton says. “It’s about enhancing what’s already there and making sure her personality shines through.”

The Lasting Impact: Adele’s Influence on Beauty Trends

It’s no secret that Adele’s makeup looks have had a lasting influence on beauty trends. Her signature cat-eye liner has become a go-to look for women around the world, while her flawless complexion and bold lips have inspired countless tutorials and makeup collections.

What sets Adele apart is her ability to transcend trends—her looks are timeless, elegant, and always relevant. Whether she’s sporting a dramatic red lip or a soft nude, her makeup exudes confidence and sophistication, making her a beauty icon for the ages.

In a world where pop stars often chase the latest trends, Adele’s commitment to her signature look is refreshing. She’s proof that you don’t need to follow every beauty fad to look stunning—you just need to know what works for you and stick to it.

Conclusion: The Art of Adele’s Makeup

Adele’s makeup is more than just a finishing touch to her music videos—it’s a form of storytelling. Through her bold liner, flawless complexion, and perfectly sculpted lips, she creates a visual narrative that complements the emotion and depth of her songs. Each look is carefully crafted, not just to enhance her beauty but to reflect the mood and message of her music.

For fans and makeup enthusiasts alike, Adele’s iconic looks serve as both inspiration and a lesson in the power of collaboration, creativity, and confidence. As her music evolves, so too does her makeup, but one thing remains constant: Adele knows how to make a statement, and her makeup is a key part of that expression.