EXCLUSIVE: Sara Ali Khan and the allure of semi-smokey eye look; Make-up artist Adrian Jacobs delves into the steps to achieve it

Sara Ali Khan attended the 69th Filmfare Awards 2024 in Gujarat.

By Sargun Chabbra -

February 1, 2024 - 11:04 AM IST

In the world of Bollywood, where glamour and beauty are paramount, one name sticks out as the magician responsible for many of the top actresses' appearances. The well-known makeup artist Adrian Jacobs has made a name for himself. Among the several celebrities he has worked with Sara Ali Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Kriti Sanon are just a handful that trusted him with their beauty transformations. The striking recent appearance Adrian created for Sara Ali Khan at the 69th Filmfare Awards was one of his most memorable moments. Sara, who is well-known for her vivacious attitude, looked amazing as she sauntered down the red carpet.

EXCLUSIVE: Sara Ali Khan and the allure of semi-smokey eye look; Make-up artist Adrian Jacobs delves into the steps to achieve it

Adrian Jacobs shared unique details about the makeup look that night that had everyone talking with Bollywood Hungama. The magic begins with Sara's eyes. Adrian delved into the specifics of the eye makeup, emphasizing the significance of selecting the right color palette.

Adrian Jacobs reveals that the inspiration behind Sara Ali Khan's Filmfare eye makeup was to strike a balance between the classic and the contemporary. He explains, "We have done kind of a golden eye that meets semi-smokey eye. semi-smokey eye means I tick smudged the eyeliner and got it out, so it’s not a very classic look; it's more like a semi-grunge look. Which is cool, modern, Indian and chic at the same time.”

Highlighting the collaborative effort behind the scenes, Adrian Jacobs sheds light on the discussion he had with Sara Ali Khan about the look. "While discussing the look with Sara, we met somewhere in between," he reveals. This midpoint led to the incorporation of pale shimmered eye-shadow to contour the corners of the eyes, widening them subtly.

The key to achieving the desired semi-grunge look lay in Jacobs' use of Faces Coal Pencil, a smudge pencil in black. "I smudged that on the liner area and smudged it completely out," says Jacobs. The untidy elegance of the look was maintained by using a soft brush typically reserved for powders, rather than a precise liner brush. The technique involved smudging the pencil through the eye socket, creating an effortlessly chic and slightly dishevelled finish.

Adrian Jacobs adds another layer of complexity to Sara's gaze by detailing the waterline. "For the waterline, we did the same formula – smudged it down with black and then used a soft brown on the same area," Jacobs reveals. This meticulous technique creates depth, definition, and a sultry allure that perfectly complements the overall aesthetic.

Moving from the eyes to the face, Jacobs unveils the secrets behind Sara's flawless complexion. "Face is dewy, so we used a lot of moisturizer and less foundation from Armani," he discloses. The artist's signature touch involves mixing a drop of foundation with two drops of moisturizer, creating a radiant and natural finish. The strategic contouring adds shading that enhances Sara's features, especially her cheekbones, creating a face that appears thinner and more sculpted in photographs.

Jacobs goes on to explain the importance of contouring, noting that its intensity depends on the hairstyle. "She had her hair tied fully up, so it also depends on the hairstyle. If the hair is fully up, make sure you contour; if it’s not, contour is not necessary," he advises. The artist skilfully executes a stunning amount of contouring, elaborating on cheekbones and shaping the face to perfection.

The final strokes of brilliance come with the lips. Jacobs reveals his choice of Bobbi Brown's true pink, paired with a lip plumper that not only enhances the volume but also provides a burst of vibrant visibility. The result is a lip that complements the overall look, adding a touch of sophistication and completing the masterpiece that is Sara Ali Khan at the Filmfare awards.