If you didn’t get a chance to meet Diane Johnson on Black-ish, you’re sleeping on the talent that’s Marsai Martin. The award-winning star, who recently just turned 18, is one of Hollywood’s most influential young Black women.
She’s consistently working on projects celebrating diversity, creating shows (Little) that earn her a Guinness World Book of Records spot as the youngest executive producer in a Hollywood film, and launching a beauty brand (Mari by Marsai) that proves this queen is nothing but unstoppable.
And let’s not forget her impeccable fashion and makeup looks – the Fantasy Football star blesses us with world-stopping looks at every red carpet event. And her favorite go-to look? Natural-looking skin with a sultry, glowy finish – which is why she swears by this natural finish foundation for a perfect ‘no-makeup’ makeup look.
Keep scrolling for more on Marsai Martin’s go-to foundation and every other beauty product she can’t live without.
Revlon PhotoReady Candid Natural Finish Foundation, $9
If you’re looking for a foundation that lasts all day (or night), Revlon’s got you covered. “…it gives a natural tone to your skin. It’s not cakey or super-drying.” Marsai Martin said about the formula in a makeup routine video with Popsugar.
The oil-free, long-lasting foundation also contains salicylic acid to help regulate oil production and a lightweight medium-to-full buildable coverage that gives you a smooth, natural matte finish.
And at under $10, you can bet you’re getting a real winner!
OSEA Red Algae Clarifying Mask, $48
During her time on Black-ish, Marsai Martin learned a lot about caring for her skin. It’s actually where she discovered this gem from OSEA. The seaweed-infused mask works so perfectly, you’ll feel it, quite literally.
It also contains natural bentonite clay that draws out impurities and rich properties of red algae to cleanse, clarify and decongest your pores. It’s the perfect problem-solver for anyone struggling with blemished or acne-riddled skin.
Tatcha The Essence Skin Boosting Treatment, $ 105
Marsai Martin swears by this skin-boosting treatment from Tatcha. Its 100% Hadasei-3™ proprietary complex (algae, green tea, and Japanese rice extract) softens, resurfaces, and hydrates your skin for a primed, plump, petal-soft effect. It’s just one of those products you need to add to your skincare routine ASAP!
Black Girl Sunscreen, $19
This Marsai Martin-approved SPF 30 sunscreen proves there’s no excuse for brands formulating products that leave a white cast. And the reviews don’t lie, people. With over 3,000 genuine five-star reviews, you can bet your skin will be amply protected without leaving a whisper of residue.
Also, the texture features avocado and jojoba extracts that hydrate, refine and soothe.
Ole Hendrickson Banana Bright Face Primer, $40
Inspired by the MUA must-have – banana powder – this moisturizing vegan primer contains illuminating pigments that bring radiance to your complexion. Whether mixed in with foundation, rocked under makeup, or worn alone, the Banana Bright Face Primer creates a smooth, soft-focus effect that’s just so picture-perfect.
Makeup For Ever Ultra HD Concealer, $30
This ultra-blendable formula is so weightless it melts into the skin like a freakin’ dream. Its silky texture is loaded with vitamin E to help condition the skin, hydrating squalene to soothe and nourish, and beeswax extract to blur away blemishes and imperfections without creasing or caking.
No wonder Marsai Martin loooves it!
Fenty Beauty Lift & Curl Mascara In Cuz I’m Black, $24
Word of warning, once you go the Fenty Beauty Lift & Curl Mascara way, it’s hard to go back to any other product. Clumps? Not on Lift & Curl’s watch. Smudges? Not part of Robyn Fenty’s vocabulary.
And did we mention it lengthens, plumps, and volumizes, exposing each lash to an out-of-this-world, eye-opening definition? Yap. It just ticks all the boxes.
Rare Beauty Blush In Grateful, $20
Ms. Selena Gomez knew exactly what she was doing with this blush. Its gel-to-cream formula blends seamlessly into normal-to-dry skin for a pretty, ‘just-pinched’ flush of color. Oh, and it comes in matte and dewy finishes, so you can pull off any makeup look you want.
Mac Lip Pencil In Chestnut, $21
If you’re a dark-skinned queen, this lip pencil needs to be in your beauty stash, stat. And with a Marsai Martin seal of approval, you know you’re in for a head-turning, ‘I made it in life’ look.
It perfectly outlines your lips for a luscious nude look, and for our light-skinned babes, it gives them that coveted nineties lip vibes. We challenge you to find something better.
Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer, $20
Aaah, the Fenty Beauty Lip Luminizer. Yap, those glosses of the aughts that felt icky and burnt the hell out of your lips have officially been kicked to the curb and replaced by stop-everything, give-it-to-me formulas that feel as amazing as they look.
This Marsai-approved Gloss Bomb, for instance, delivers incredible shine in seven universal shades by the queen of beauty herself – Riri. The addictive peach-vanilla scent is just an added bonus.
And the best way to wear it? Over a nude lip – it just screams, ‘I’m ready to take over the world.’
