I recently watched Saltburn, and I’m still reeling about three things: First, I never expected the ending and kept thinking about it for days afterward. Second, I’m still not over *that* scene (I won’t spoil it for anyone who hasn’t seen it yet, but Saltburn viewers know exactly which one I’m talking about). Third, I was struck by how perfect the cast looked in the close-up scenes. And I don’t mean it in an airbrushed sense; I mean perfect in that their skin looked natural, flushed, and slightly sweaty at times. In a word, their skin looked real, like I was standing right next to them on a hot summer’s day. According to the film’s hair and makeup designer, Siân Miller, that was on purpose. In an interview with New Beauty, she explained, “The makeup and hair team had to ensure the cast looked real, to contrive the uncontrived. This always takes some doing—if not more so than what’s blatantly obvious. Reality was essential in order to anchor these characters within the grandiose world of Saltburn.”. Part of creating that “reality” was ensuring the characters looked “hot, sweaty, and flushed” for their close-ups. It only makes sense, as they’re supposed to be relaxing (and plotting) at an English manor during the height of summer. Keep scrolling to see the exact $9 product Miller used to create this effect. Hint: it’s a cult classic, just like we’re predicting this movie will be.
Along with a few other products, including face mists (more on that in a minute) and something called MaqPro Liquid Perspiration, Miller used this exact skin balm to create that flushed look on the Saltburn cast. This iconic formula is multipurpose and fragrance-free, so it can be used pretty much anywhere you could use some soothing protection, including skin, lips, hair, and cuticles. While we’ve been using this for years, we never thought to use it as a highlighter, but we will now. We can see how it would make the perfect shimmer-free highlighter thanks to a thick and transparent formula. Do you summer at an English manor or is Dr. Pawpaw’s Original Balm? No one will ever know.
This cult-classic face mist was another product Miller used to create that “hot, sweaty, and flushed” look on the actors. It’s just natural mineral water, so it’s nonirritating, refreshing, and can be used as often as needed.
The second face mist Miller used was this iconic French pharmacy pick. Again, it’s pure and simple thermal spring water, so it can be used with abandon to refresh sensitive, stressed, or dehydrated skin.
Miller said she used this foundation on Barry Keoghan, starting with a paler shade at the start of the film and ending with a deeper shade at the end. She said she loves using this product on men’s skin, and we’re guessing that’s because it’s so natural-looking.
Another complexion product Miller used on the Saltburn cast, this iconic tinted moisturizer provides natural-looking coverage with hydration and SPF 30.
This was the exact bronzer Miller used on set. The silky-smooth pressed powder blends like a dream, so we’re not surprised it’s the formula she used to give them that “relaxing during a hot English summer” look.
Maybe the cast’s dewy skin also came courtesy of this expensive face mask. It’s a hydrogel one, which means it has a cooling gel-like texture, and thanks to active ingredients like glycopeptides and centella asiatica, it promises to tighten, lift, and sculpt the skin. Editor’s note: One box contains five individual masks.
Celebs like Margot Robbie and Victoria Beckham love these eye masks, so we’re not surprised the cast of Saltburn does too. A supercharged combination of retinol, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C do everything from soften lines and wrinkles to plump and brighten the skin. Editor’s note: One box contains eight individual eye masks.
As for hair, Miller shared that this texturizing spray was an on-set essential for that perfectly imperfect look.
Apparently, Aesop hand creams were available to all the actors in the film. And we can see why they love them—they’re hydrating, feel silky smooth on the skin, and smell incredible. This is one of our favorite ones.
