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The ultimate guide to every single makeup product used in Friends
Robin Siegel, department head of makeup on nine seasons spilled all...
If, like us, you're currently surviving lockdown by watching back-to-back Friends episodes, you might have also developed an unhealthy obsession with Rachel Green, Monica Geller and Phoebe Buffay's makeup.
Yes, our ultimate comfort TV show is exactly what we we need right now, and you know what else we need? The exact brown toned lipstick that Jennifer Aniston is wearing in all ten seasons, because that will make everything temporarily better.
In case you haven't noticed from all the scrunchies, cycling shorts and hair clips, the '90s is well and truly back and we are now ready to adjust our makeup bags accordingly.
Who better to teach us than Robin Siegel, department head of makeup on nine series of Friends. Yep, she's basically the 7th cast member and arguably the most important.
As a celebrity makeup artist, Robin not only knows the best and most effective products out there, but she also knows exactly what products were used on set all those years ago.
Thankfully, unlike us, Robin doesn't have a memory like Dory and can still remember the products she used on Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox and Lisa Kudrow every single day.
So if you want to know the foundation she swore by (and still does), the concealer that stopped Phoebe looking like she'd been up all night song writing and the exact lip liner and lipstick that gave Rachel her classic brown pout, keep reading.
In-between watching back-to-back episodes on your sofa, obviously...
Rachel Green
It's rude to have favourites we know, but c'mon, everyone wanted (and still wants) Jennifer Aniston's brown-toned makeup look. Now, you can actually achieve it...
Controversial maybe, but Robin always starts her makeup by doing the eyes first. "I like to use an under eye pad like Tarte or Skyn Iceland to treat the area and catch any eyeshadow fall out for easier cleanup," she explains.
MAC Prep + Prime 24-Hour Eye Base
Before applying eyeshadow, Robin always prepped the lids with primer to prevent creasing and help ensure the makeup lasting throughout filming.
Charlotte Tilbury The Sophisticate Eyeshadow Palette
In classic '90s style, Robin used mostly matte eyeshadows in beige and brown colours. If you want to recreate the Rachel Green look today, Robin recommends Charlotte Tilbury's 'The Sophisticate' palette.
To add natural definition to the eyes, Robin followed up her eyeshadow with a cream eyeliner pressed into the upper lash line with a thin, angled brush - "Not to look like eyeliner, just to define the lash line".
Robin finished the eyes with a coating of black mascara on the top and bottom lashes.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz
"They were thin in the '90s!" That's Robin talking about eyebrows... If you do want to be truly authentic to the era, use a thin pencil like ABH's Brow Wiz to accentuate the arch and fill in where needed.
Robin clearly has good taste because her concealer of choice for Friends is not only a cult classic, but it's also loved by celebrities including Kim Kardashian. Before foundation, Robin applied Clé de Peau's Concealer in the shade 'Ochre' underneath Jennifer's eyes. These days however, she mixes the colours 'Honey' and 'Almond' together.
For foundation, Robin stuck with Clé de Peau and used shade 'B30' in their Radiant Cream Foundation to get Jen's perfect match. Today Robin would mix shades '040' and '050'.
Chanel Powder Blush in Rose Pétale
Chanel.com, £35
In typical makeup artist style, Robin liked to layer a powder blush over a cream to give Jen a healthy flush. Sadly Robin's cream colour of choice (La Prairie Radiant Cream Blush in shades 'Berry' or 'Plum') has been discontinued. However, as a replacement Robin suggests Kosas or Ilia cream formulas. Thankfully you can still get your hands on her powder of choice: Chanel's Rose Pétale.
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
To set Jen's base, Robin used Laura Mercier's Translucent Loose Setting Powder.
Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Luminous Colour in Medium Deep/Deep
Both Rachel and Jennifer love a tan, which is something Robin always incorporates into her makeup. "I love to pop some rosy or berry into the apples of Jen's cheeks and then finish with bronzer to look very sun-kissed." This bronzer by Chanel wasn't actually around in the '90s but Robin suggests this or Charlotte Tilbury's Filmstar Bronze & Glow as a good alternative.
Thankfully, all the lip colours that Robin used on Jennifer are still available now. Start your classic brown lip by lining with MAC's Spice Liner.
One of Robin's favourite lipsticks was MAC's 'Touch'. If you don't have that she recommends choosing a lipstick that is similar to the colour of the inside of your lower lip - "Remember, it's not meant to be too light, or too dark".
Robin's other favourite lipstick of choice was MAC's Paramount.
Phoebe Buffay/Lisa Kudrow
Like Rachel's look, Robin prepped Lisa' base in the same way. Using Clé de Peau's Concealer (this time in the shade 'beige') and their Radiant Cream Foundation, setting with the Laura Mercier Translucent Powder.
Once your base is sorted, read on for Robin's go-to products for your next rendition of 'Smelly Cat'.
"I used the same basic prep and eyeshadow colours for Lisa but applied according to her eye shape," explains Robin. Rather than pressing her liner into her lash line like Jen, Robin created a "small, thin kitten flick" using a wet brush and Laura Mercier's Cake Eyeliner.
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil in Smog
She also softly defined the lower lash line with a waterproof liner like Urban Decay's 'Smog'.
If you can't give up shimmer, Phoebe's look might be for you as Robin finished her look with "a pop of beige sparkle in the centre of her lid".
Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara
Finish the eye look with Kevyn Aucoin's The Volume Mascara on the top and bottom lashes.
Laura is a former writer for Cosmopolitan UK, covering everything beauty and fashion related and specialises in makeup, plus-size fashion and the world of YouTube. Her favourite pastime is reminding everyone of that one time she met Charlie Hunnam and Jason Momoa. Please don't ask to see the pictures...
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