To create the radiant base behind the look, makeup artist Sangwon Jeon prepped Cho's skin with OLAY Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream with Triple Collagen Peptide, a moisturizer designed to hydrate skin and improve elasticity.

We spoke with Jeon about the exact skin prep routine, the skincare ingredients he looks for before applying makeup, and how anyone can recreate a red-carpet glow at home.

What skincare did Arden Cho use before her Oscars red carpet makeup?

The look started with deeply hydrated skin to create a smooth, luminous base for makeup. I prepped her skin with OLAY Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream with Triple Collagen Peptide because it hydrates the skin and helps restore visible volume, which creates a smooth canvas for makeup.

For the makeup, I kept the complexion very light with just a touch of foundation, concealer, and pressed powder so her natural skin could still shine through. I focused on softly lifting and defining the eyes and added subtle sculpting to enhance her features. To complete the look, I used soft muted tones on the cheeks and lips to create a polished, softly snatched finish that still felt fresh and effortless.

How should you prep your skin before event or red carpet makeup?

If you're getting ready for a big event, the most important thing is making sure your skin is well-hydrated and properly prepped. When skin is healthy and hydrated, makeup naturally applies more smoothly and lasts longer.

I had Arden incorporate OLAY Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream with Triple Collagen Peptide into her routine because when it's used consistently for seven days, it helps skin look firmer, smoother, and more radiant, which creates the perfect base for makeup. It's one of the products I regularly recommend to clients who want visible results without doing anything drastic.

What Ingredients Help Makeup Apply Smoothly and Last Longer?

Ingredients like peptides, niacinamide, and Pro-Vitamin B5 (panthenol) help makeup apply more smoothly and last longer. They hydrate the skin, improve texture, and reduce dullness so foundation blends evenly and looks more natural. My approach has always been to make sure the skin itself already looks healthy and radiant before I even start with foundation. When the skin is properly hydrated and smooth, you usually need less makeup to achieve that polished, red carpet finish. That is something I always focus on with Arden so the final look feels effortless and natural on camera.

What's the biggest mistake people make before applying makeup?

One of the biggest mistakes people make before applying makeup is layering too many skincare products right before makeup. When products haven't fully absorbed or the formulas don't work well together, makeup can pill or separate instead of blending smoothly.

Skin can only absorb so much and when there are too many layers, it can actually push the makeup off instead of helping it adhere to the skin. Using a moisturizer that hydrates but absorbs well is key for creating the perfect base.

What's an easy red-carpet makeup trick that can make dull skin look healthy and glowing?

The easiest red-carpet trick is really focusing on hydration before you apply makeup, both inside and out. Staying hydrated and using a rich moisturizer can make a big difference in how the skin looks and how makeup wears throughout the day.

After the skin is properly hydrated, what I love to do is apply foundation with a dense foundation brush instead of relying only on a sponge. Brushes like the High Coverage Foundation Brush from Clé de Peau Beauté or the Powder & Liquid Foundation Brush from Hakuhodo allow me to press the foundation into the skin in thin, controlled layers. This helps create a very seamless, airbrushed finish while still keeping the skin looking natural and luminous on camera!