When Hannah Waddingham stepped onto the red carpet for the Ted Lasso Season 4 premiere in Los Angeles, all eyes were on her – and with good reason.
Dressed in a breathtaking Monique Lhuillier strapless cream-and-gold gown adorned with metallic floral embroidery, the actor looked every inch the Hollywood star. But while the dress delivered plenty of drama, Hannah’s beauty look took the opposite approach: fresh, luminous and effortlessly polished.
According to celebrity makeup artist Stephen Sollitto, that was exactly the intention.
“Since the dress was so special, we wanted Hannah to shine, not the make-up,” he explains. “So we did a simple, clean look on Hannah. For me, the girl, the dress and the event are always the inspiration.”
The secret to recreating that kind of red carpet radiance? It starts long before foundation touches the skin.
The Prep Behind Hannah Waddingham’s Glow
While the final look appeared beautifully effortless, the real work happened during skincare prep.
“Hannah has gorgeous skin. She takes great care of it,” says Sollitto. “Exfoliation and hydration are the best keys to make-up prep.”
Working alongside hairstylist Dicky Collins and stylist James Yardley, Sollitto created Hannah’s glowing complexion using a four-step skincare routine featuring Paula’s Choice products – proving that the secret to celebrity-level makeup often comes down to the canvas underneath.
How to Recreate Hannah Waddingham’s Red Carpet Beauty Look
Step 1: Smooth and Refine with Exfoliation
The first step was the Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant ($37), a cult-favourite formula designed to unclog pores and help refine the appearance of skin.
For a camera-ready complexion, exfoliation helps create the smooth, even base that allows makeup to sit beautifully – giving skin that fresh, lit-from-within finish rather than a flat, overly matte look.
Step 2: Layer on Hydration for a Plump Base
Next came the Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Moisturizer ($49), which helped flood the skin with hydration before foundation.
The lightweight moisturiser creates the perfect prep step for makeup, helping the complexion look smoother, fresher and more radiant without feeling heavy underneath makeup.
Step 3: Brighten and Prep the Eye Area
For the delicate eye area, Sollitto used the Paula’s Choice Peptide Eye Serum ($39) before concealer.
Often the first place makeup can crease or lose its freshness under bright lights and cameras, the eye area needs extra attention – and a hydrating serum can help create a smoother base for makeup application.
Step 4: Finish with a Glossy, Nourished Lip
The standout product in Hannah’s beauty prep was the Paula’s Choice Peptide Gloss Balm ($24), a lip treatment with a subtle vanilla scent and sheer pink tint.
Sollitto describes the balm as “a slice of heaven in a tube”, adding that he has reached for it “100 times in a few days.”
The glossy formula helps plump, smooth and nourish lips instantly while delivering that soft, healthy-looking finish that perfectly complemented Hannah’s glowing red carpet aesthetic.
The Celebrity Beauty Lesson: Less Is More
Hannah Waddingham’s premiere look is proof that sometimes the most memorable beauty moments are the ones that don’t compete for attention.
With radiant skin, softly enhanced features and a focus on preparation rather than heavy makeup, the final result was elegant, timeless and completely in keeping with the star’s show-stopping gown.
The takeaway? For a true celebrity glow, skincare is the first step – and the best makeup looks always start with beautiful skin.
