There’s something magnetic about Emilia Clarke, beyond her stunning performances on screen. Her beauty exudes an approachable, radiant glow, as if her skin catches and reflects the sunlight even on the cloudiest days. It’s not just about the makeup—it’s the essence of simplicity, an art form honed by her trusted makeup artist. They’ve spent countless hours together in the makeup chair, perfecting a look that’s both polished and utterly natural, the kind of beauty that feels effortlessly attainable. But like any good canvas, it all starts with preparation. Here’s an inside look at how Emilia achieves her day-to-day radiance, as shared by the artist who knows her face best.

Skin Prep: The Secret Behind the Glow

When it comes to Emilia Clarke’s beauty philosophy, the key to achieving that coveted glow isn’t just about the products applied after waking up. It’s about skincare and treating the skin as the true star of the show.

“Emilia’s skin is naturally beautiful, but even flawless skin needs attention,” says her makeup artist, who has worked with her across red carpets, photo shoots, and long filming days. The regimen starts with hydration, a crucial step for anyone striving for a healthy complexion. Her artist swears by lightweight moisturizers, the kind that sinks into the skin without clogging pores or leaving a greasy residue.

“Skincare for her is not about piling on rich creams—it’s about making sure her skin can breathe,” they explain. Hydration is key, and Emilia’s skincare prep often involves a combination of serums rich in hyaluronic acid, which draws moisture into the skin, and a hydrating mist that leaves the skin dewy before any makeup is applied. A lightweight primer is then applied to ensure the base remains smooth and radiant throughout the day. This primer isn’t the heavy, silicone-based kind that weighs the skin down but rather a nourishing one that helps maintain Emilia’s fresh-faced glow.

And here’s where the secret really lies: “We always prep the skin with a gentle facial massage,” the artist reveals. This simple step helps to increase circulation, reduce puffiness, and create that natural, glowing canvas. “It wakes the skin up.”

The Minimalist Approach to Foundation

When you see Emilia Clarke on screen or at a press event, it’s hard to believe that she’s wearing anything but a sheer veil of makeup. That’s because her approach to foundation is minimalist, aiming for a look that enhances rather than masks her natural beauty. “The biggest mistake people make is caking on foundation to cover imperfections,” her artist says. “Emilia prefers her skin to look like skin.”

Clarke opts for a sheer, buildable foundation with a dewy finish, a product that lets her freckles peek through while evening out her skin tone. “She hates the feeling of heavy foundation, so we use the bare minimum—just enough to create a uniform base but never so much that it feels like a mask.” A light application of concealer, just where needed, is enough to cover any blemishes or discoloration without losing the glow.

The trick, as Emilia’s artist reveals, is to use the foundation sparingly. “Start at the center of the face and blend outward. You only need the tiniest bit. It’s about creating an even complexion, not masking every inch of the skin.” A beauty sponge or brush works well to diffuse the product, giving it a seamless, natural finish.

The result is skin that looks radiant and untouched, as if it’s glowing from within. “We never want it to look like makeup is sitting on top of her skin,” the artist emphasizes. “It’s all about enhancing her natural complexion.”

Soft Contours and Warm Blush

While some stars go for strong contours and sharp lines, Emilia’s makeup artist takes a softer approach. “It’s not about sculpting her face into something it isn’t,” they say. “It’s about giving her a healthy, natural definition.” The contour is applied lightly, just enough to accentuate her bone structure without drawing too much attention to it. Emilia’s artist uses a cream contour, blending it seamlessly under her cheekbones and along her jawline for a subtle, sun-kissed look.

The blush is where things get playful. “Emilia loves a pop of color,” her artist says. “We always go for a warm, peachy blush to add a little life to her cheeks.” The color choice is crucial—it complements her warm undertones and gives her complexion a fresh, youthful glow. Blush is applied sparingly and blended well, avoiding the harsh streaks that can often come with over-application. The goal is to give her that natural flush, as if she’s just spent a few hours in the sun.

A tip from her artist: “Always apply blush a little higher than you think. It lifts the face and makes you look more awake.”

Neutral Eyes with a Subtle Pop

One of the hallmarks of Emilia’s makeup is the soft, neutral eyeshadow that she wears daily. “We always aim for something that enhances her natural beauty without overwhelming her face,” her artist explains. The key to Emilia’s eye makeup is subtlety—light browns, soft taupes, and neutral tones that make her blue eyes stand out without stealing the show.

Eyeshadow is kept simple, with the artist using just one or two shades for a barely-there effect. A light shimmer on the inner corner of her eyes helps to brighten and open up her gaze. “We don’t go heavy with eyeliner,” they note. “Just a little brown liner along the lash line, smudged out to give her eyes some definition without making it too obvious.”

Mascara is applied sparingly as well, with just a couple of coats to enhance her natural lashes. “Emilia loves her lashes to look defined but not clumpy,” the artist shares. “So we focus on length and separation rather than volume.”

Signature Nude Lips

If there’s one thing Emilia Clarke swears by, it’s a nude lip. Her artist reveals that Clarke’s go-to look always involves lip colors that enhance her natural lip tone rather than overpower it. “She loves a good nude—something hydrating, comfortable, and just a touch of color,” they say. Emilia’s lips are often prepped with a hydrating lip balm before any color is applied to ensure they stay smooth and plump throughout the day.

The lip color itself tends to be in the nude-pink family, with a soft, satin finish. “We avoid anything too matte because it can dry out her lips, especially if she’s going to be wearing it all day,” her artist explains. A hydrating formula is key, one that can be reapplied without worrying about it looking patchy or feeling heavy.

“She likes her lips to look natural and effortless, like she’s just put on a bit of lip balm,” the artist says. And that’s the trick—keeping it simple yet effective.

Finishing Touch: The Dewy Setting Spray

To ensure her makeup lasts all day while maintaining that coveted glow, the final step in Emilia’s routine is a dewy setting spray. “We don’t want her makeup to look flat or matte, so a hydrating mist is crucial,” her artist shares. The setting spray not only locks in the makeup but also helps keep her skin looking fresh and radiant, even after hours of wear.

“Emilia loves that natural, dewy look, so we always finish with a spray that enhances that,” her artist says. It’s the finishing touch that ensures her makeup stays in place without compromising on the glow.

Conclusion: Natural Beauty, Amplified

Emilia Clarke’s makeup routine is a testament to the power of simplicity. By focusing on skincare, using minimal products, and enhancing her natural features, her makeup artist helps her achieve a look that is effortlessly beautiful. It’s a routine that anyone can replicate, whether you’re heading to work, a casual outing, or even a red carpet event. The key takeaway? Less is more.

For Emilia, it’s about feeling comfortable in her own skin, and her makeup reflects that. “She doesn’t want to hide behind layers of product,” her artist says. “She just wants to look like the best version of herself.” And with these tips, we can all do the same.