First of all, as evidenced by these photos, porn stars know a thing or two about transformation. Second, these ladies work under grueling conditions, at least as far as hair and makeup longevity go. Sweat, rubbing, and hot lights all conspire to make mascara run and hair tangle. While these women often use professional hair and makeup artists on set, they’ve definitely picked up a lot of different tricks and techniques along the way.
I chatted with five adult actresses — Tasha Reign, 25; Allie Haze, 26; Samantha Saint, 26; Raylene, 37 (recently retired); and Kelly Shibari, 41 — who were happy to share their secrets, from how to get a natural-looking faux tan to the secret to getting fake eyelashes to stay put.
Hiding back-ne and butt-ne: Since adult actresses’ asses are often front and center, having a visible blemish or bruise there isn’t ideal. Pretty sure this is something real women can relate to, too, even if you’re not filming your sexual encounters for the masses. Rather than cancel your date, opt for a heavy-duty, theater-caliber makeup, like Cinematic Secrets. Apply makeup of your same skin tone to the blemish, cover with powder, and always set with a finishing spray, recommends Reign.
Setting your makeup: If you’re engaging in an activity where your makeup is likely to run, always use a finishing fixative spray after you apply. Many brands make a version. Need something more heavy duty? “Drag queens that I know use strong hold hairspray on their face as a fixative,” Shibari says. “I tried using it once. It was weird, but my makeup stayed. It should be a light dusting. I don’t know how they figured that out!”
Getting false eyelashes to stick: Faux lashes are popular both on set and off. Want them to last longer? “As long as I don’t pack too much mascara on, I can usually get them to last about three days if I place them correctly,” says Haze. “If you accidentally glue one to your lash [instead of your lid] they start to bend.” Shibari recommends using lashes that wing out at the ends instead of lashes that are all the same length. Finally, the trickiest but most natural-looking are singles. “If I’m going out for the evening and doing something that’s not porn-related and I still want a full look, I use singles,” Raylene says. “If you practice applying them with tweezers, it’s easy.”
Solidifying your fake tan: To fake a bronze glow without the mess, streakiness, and commitment, Haze likes to mix a temporary bronzing cream with her moisturizer. “I use it because it’s great for camera and lighting, and it reflects things away from bruises or whatever,” she explains.
Using lip liner instead of lipstick: For obvious reasons, dark lipsticks don’t really work on a porn set. Plus, according to Reign, “Right now the natural look is 100 percent in. That’s what people like to shoot.” If you want a bit of color and shine without the mess, line and then fill in your lips with a lip liner a shade darker than your natural lip color. Finish with a coat of gloss on top to make them look “plump and full,” according to Saint. The liner stays put much better than, say, a nude lipstick will.
Getting a flawless bikini line: A lot of porn stars who shoot frequently can’t wax their bikini areas because you need to have a quarter inch of hair growth to get the best results from waxing, so many of them shave the day before they go on camera. “I’m Hispanic and I have thick hair, so it’s hard to shave on back-to-back days,” Haze says. “I put baby oil all over the area. No soap beforehand! The baby oil sticks and it gives you a nice, clean shave. After the shower I use a cocoa butter product.”
The hair care product porn stars love: You’d think it would be extra-hold hairspray, but you’d be wrong. Every porn star I spoke to swears by dry shampoo. Not only does it get rid of excess oiliness and allow you to go an extra day or two between washings, but if you’re blonde, it can even help hide roots, since many dry shampoos tend to leave a bit of white residue, according to Reign.
Keeping your eyes fresh: Raylene switched from black to brown mascara because as you get older black can look too harsh and age you. And while we’re discussing eyes, the skin around your eyes is super delicate and susceptible to fine lines before the rest of your face, so scrubbing around that area is not ideal. Shibari, who swears by waterproof eyeliner when she shoots, uses an oil-based makeup remover and cotton swabs to gently remove eye makeup, then washes the rest of her face. For a natural eye makeup remover option, Raylene swears by coconut oil. (Bonus tip: She also uses it as a lube during sex.)
