Michelle Obama Inauguration Day Beauty: Her Makeup and Hair

Posted Jan 20th 2009 at 12:05PM by Laura Kenney (Subscribe to Laura Kenney's posts)

Filed under: Cuts & Style, Beauty, Hair, News, Makeup

"Mrs. Obama's look is not not an avant-garde look. It's not a fashionista or Vogue -spread type of thing. 'It's a professional woman'."

"We want her to be read very natural and polished," said Ingrid Grimes-Myles, Michelle Obama's friend and makeup artist who created her Inauguration day look. And, judging from the first glimpses of Michelle at the inauguration festivities, today is no exception. Michelle paired her pale yellow Isabel Toledo dress with black liner, natural makeup and nude lips.

Though Michelle does not endorse any beauty brands, Grimes-Myles let it slip in a Chicago Tribune interview that Michelle's oft-admired lip color is a variety of M.A.C. lip pencils-one darker, one light-plus lipstick and gloss, which Grimes-Myles custom-mixes.

She goes easy on the blush for Obama and all women of color, preferring to contour and shade the face. "For women of color, they don't really blush," Grimes-Myles said. "You should [add] blush where you naturally blush." For the brows, she employs Tweezerman tweezers and a combination of brow powders and pencils.

And speaking of great skin, we got word from DeCleor that Michelle's a big fan of their skincare, particularly the Aromessence Excellence line.

Michelle's Obama's Beauty Team: The first lady is loyal and consistant. Her beauty team consists of Chicago natives she's been working with for years!

Makeup Artist: Ingrid Grimes-Myles
Hair Stylist: Rahni Flowers
Manicurist: Brendetta Kendricks

Here's a roundup of beauty-related Inauguration Coverage. We'll update as we get more, so check back for more on Michelle's gorgeous look.

etOnline: Video interview with Ingrid Grimes-Myleson how to get Michelle's look at CVS' Beauty 360.
Beauty Girl Musings: Interview with Ingrid Grimes-Myles on Michelle's look for tonight's ball.
Stylelist: Michelle Obama's brow scandal.
Daily Candy: Grime-Myles gives tips on Inauguration day beauty.
CBS Chicago: Tips on Michelle Obama's hair from Rahni Flowers, her hair stylist of 26 years!
Allure.com: EIC Linda Wells live blogs on Michelle's Inauguration Day hair and beauty.

Tags: beauty, Brendetta Kendricks, BrendettaKendricks, hair, inauguration, inauguration day, InaugurationDay, Ingrid Grimes-Myles, IngridGrimes-myles, makeup, michelle obama, MichelleObama, Rahni Flowers, RahniFlowers

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

reese 1-21-2009 @ 4:04PM

Would someone with style and grace please teach her how to walk like a lady ? She needs help with her choice of clothes.
Her inaugural dresses were an embarrassment to the country.

tamara 1-21-2009 @ 11:45PM

Wow Reese, I'd like to see you walk with "style and grace" while the whole world watches. you sound a bit envious, you should spend more time educating yourself as opposed to wasting time spewing negative words about our 1st lady. Have you ever been to charm school? I'll bet you dont even own a pair of 2 inch pumps, hmph

Jen 1-22-2009 @ 12:38AM

You're pretty close to being 100% accurate. See my comments; I expound a bit. As for Tamara, methinks the lady doth protest too much. When you put yourself in the public eye, you better be able to take the heat. Her role as first lady does not come with automatic style. And emotion doesn't count in objective analysis, something woefully lacking in Tamra's comments. Frankly, I'm oh so sick about hearing about the stylish first lady. As for the comparison to Jackie Kennedy, nothing could be more ludicrous. Jackie did not have to talk loud and make disparaging remarks to get her point across. Time will tell the taleon Michele.

helen 1-23-2009 @ 5:05PM

I think embarassment is too harsh a word, but I do agree that her inaugural ball gown was not right for her figure and not a good representation for a 1st lady. We reside in the richest, most powerful country, so I think Ms. Obama needs to step it up a notch and start wearing Dior, Chanel, Versace, etc. for the big events. She can wear the newbie designers for the daytime.

jen 1-22-2009 @ 12:39AM

Let's take an objective look at Michelle Obama. First of all, she is a big gal - tall, wide hips, not much of a waist. Yet she is constantly calling attnetion to her waist (or lack thereof) with betls wrapped around it or dresses that accentuate it. Sshe is what we used to call "gonky". I have seen only one photo of her that shows any class at all. In that photo, she had her hair pulled back,had on simple long earrings, and a simple strapless back dress. Simplicity should be the mandate for Michelle, regardless of the designer. Any prints and frou-frou are not going to do her any favors. In the end, what really determines class and graciousness are words and behavior. She could use some polishing.

Jackie 1-25-2009 @ 9:54PM

For those of you who insist on posting negative commnets about Michelle Obama. You should channel your energy to a more worthy cause. She is the 1st Lady of the United States of America. What are you? She is a highly educated woman. Who are you?. Get a life.

Jennifer 1-25-2009 @ 7:05PM

SHE IS YOUR FIRST LADY...............AND WE STILL HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH(I THINK) LMAO

Stacy 1-26-2009 @ 12:48PM

You know I just don't think she is very attractive. I think the lower half of her face is kind of jacked up! I think the better looking of the two is Barack. She looks king of like a bull dog! Sorry if anyone disagrees, but this is my opinion!

BJ 1-27-2009 @ 2:29AM

If anyone analyzes it objectively, you have to admit that the lady needs some help in her choices of dressing. The make up artist and hair stylist are doing a nice job, after all, she is not really beautiful as some want to portray her, no offense intended. Those prints she sometimes wears are not for her, the one I liked so far was the black and white she wore on The View. I am sure she will have many advisors around her that will suggest to her what looks best and polish her image all around. Has nothing to do with intelligence.

cathy 1-29-2009 @ 9:27AM

She ain't No Jackie Kennedy

edwilkes1215 2-02-2009 @ 9:42AM

I know a new scientifically reserch product that treats our skin like the biggest cell on our body visit www.edwilkes1215.usana.com to find more about this product and fyi Machelle Obama looks stunning . My jaw dropped when I seen her in her dress both at the swearing in and at the ball. our Presidaent is a lucky man Go Barrak!!!!