Typically, each season’s American Horror Story Campaign blends beauty elements along with something shocking to look at, but Season Nine’s “1984” themed campaign was strictly beauty this time. This gave makeup artist Kerry Herta and her team an opportunity to explore new cosmetics and skin care products. 
 
“My approach with every makeup is always the same no matter if it’s beauty or special effects. I always start with a thorough skin prep, especially since this look is all about the skin,” said Herta.
 
For skin prep, Herta started by cleansing the skin with TwinMedix Pro:Essentials 02 Oxygen Skin Transformer, “Transform.” This cleanser gets skin clean without stripping or leaving any residue behind. Following cleansing, Herta used TwinMedix Pro:Essentials Smart Exfoliator, “Resurface.” Gentle exfoliation before makeup helps eliminate unwanted texture. Lastly, she applied TwinMedix Pro:Essentials E5 “Defend.”
 
Next to the importance of skin prep, the foundation choice is equally important to achieve flawless skin. Koh Gen Do Moisture Fit Concealer and their Aqua Foundations are staples in Herta’s kit. First, Herta buffed Aqua Foundation all over the entire face until completely blended. Then, she applied Koh Gen Do’s Moisture Fit Concealer to the cheekbones and bridge of the nose to create extra brightness and add dimension to the skin. No powder at all was used on this makeup, instead Herta wanted to keep it fresh and dewy.
 
To achieve the sun kissed summer glow, Herta applied Gleam by Melanie Mills, Body Radiance in Bronze Gold to all the highpoints of the face, shoulders, chest and body. This creates a beautiful bronze sheen when light hits the skin. Herta also used a touch of Chantecaille’s Liquid Cheek Illuminator in Luster for blush.
 
For the eyes, Chantecaille’s Mermaid Eye Color in Copper was applied all over the entire lid, and Koh Gen Do’s Maifanshi Liquid Eyeliner in Black was applied finely at the lash line. This was followed by Koh Gen Do’s Long Lush Treatment Mascara in Urushi Black. 
 
Finally, Herta popped on a bold lip color to tie in the red bikini. She used “Written in Blood” by Rituel de Fille, which has been another campaign staple of hers.
 
Herta is an instructor at Colour Box Makeup Studios. She is a 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Award winner and Emmy nominee.
 
You can also read about how Herta created last season’s look here in the story, An American Horror Story Makeup Artist, On Products & Packaging