There’s a reason Sofia Vergara has spent nearly two decades as one of Hollywood’s most magnetic beauty icons. It’s not just the fashion (though she always delivers), and it’s not just the megawatt smile – it’s the skin underneath it all. Sofia has built a reputation for a kind of glow that photographs beautifully in every light, from red carpet flashbulbs to the unforgiving glare of an awards-show stage. This year’s Emmy Awards were no exception. Ahead of the ceremony, Sofía once again proved why she’s a fixture on best-dressed and best-beauty lists alike, stepping out with skin so luminous it practically became its own accessory.
But glow like that doesn’t happen by accident. Behind every flawless red carpet moment is a carefully considered skin care routine, and this year, celebrity makeup artist Sabrina Bedrani pulled back the curtain on exactly how she prepped Sofia’s skin before the cameras started rolling – using a lineup of Image Skincare favourites to create the fresh, hydrated, luminous canvas that made her makeup look even more flawless.
The Beauty Philosophy: Skin First, Makeup Second
Ask any top makeup artist, and they’ll tell you the same thing: the best makeup application is only as good as the skin beneath it. That’s exactly the approach Sabrina Bedrani took with Sofia ahead of the Emmys, treating skinc are not as a pre-step but as the foundation of the entire look. The result was a complexion that looked hydrated, plump and lit-from-within – the kind of base that lets makeup sit beautifully rather than sink in or crease under studio lighting.
Here’s exactly what went into creating Sofia’s Emmy-ready glow.
1. The Hydration Hero: Image Skincare Vital C Hydrating Intense Moisturiser ($149.95)
Every luminous look starts with hydration, and this was the star player in Sofia’s pre-Emmy routine. According to Bedrani, the moisturiser was used to help moisturise and plump the skin, and beyond its everyday benefits, it doubled as the perfect base for makeup application. Think of it as the primer before the primer — the step that ensures foundation glides on smoothly and skin looks dewy rather than dry or cakey under bright lights.
2. The Lip Prep Secret: Image Skincare Ormedic Balancing Lip Complex ($54.95)
If you’ve ever wondered how celebrities keep their lipstick looking fresh through hours of interviews, photos and after-parties, this is part of the answer. Bedrani used the lip complex to smooth, soften and plump Sofia’s lips – a crucial step, she noted, when you want your lipstick to last all night. A hydrated lip base doesn’t just look better in close-up shots; it also helps colour apply more evenly and wear longer, which is exactly what you want when the cameras never stop clicking.
3. The Under-Eye Multitasker: Image Skincare MD Restoring Eye Masks ($112.95 for 22 pairs)
Perhaps the most clever trick in Bedrani’s kit was her use of the MD Restoring Eye Masks. Designed to smooth and refresh the skin under the eyes, the masks did double duty on Emmy night. As Bedrani explained, she leaves them on while applying eyeshadow, so they can also be used as a shield to prevent any fall-out. It’s a pro-level hack that keeps under-eye skin looking fresh and de-puffed while also protecting against stray eyeshadow fallout – solving two red carpet headaches with one product.
The Takeaway: Great Makeup Starts With Great Skin
Sofia Vergara’s Emmy look is a masterclass in a beauty principle that never goes out of style: prep is everything. Long before contour and lipstick entered the picture, it was hydration, plumping and thoughtful skin prep that laid the groundwork for a look that read as effortless, luminous and unmistakably her. It’s proof that the most enviable red carpet glows aren’t just makeup wins – they’re skin care wins first.