Confessions of An NFL WAGS Make-up Artist

Ahead of Taylor Swift become the NFL WAGS poster kid — signature crimson lip, customized bomber jacket, and all — there have, after all, been different sports activities better halves and companions. At the back of lots of them at the Kansas Town Chiefs (plus 14 different NFL groups) is make-up artist Allison Kaye.

Upon getting her get started within the good looks business a decade in the past, Kaye’s access to the WAGS international got here by the use of the 2021 NFL Draft. In April of that yr, she was once offered with the chance to do the glam for Sophie Scott, who’s Mac Jones (the now quarterback of the New England Patriots)’s female friend. From that night time on, phrase of mouth did its magic. Different WAGS began following her on Instagram, and shortly thereafter, the bookings for sport day got here pouring in.

“I believed doing make-up for the NFL draft was once a as soon as in a life-time alternative, nevertheless it changed into one thing a lot larger,” she tells POPSUGAR. “My favourite phase is that now groups will fly me out to do their make-up for Sunday sport days.”

Here is precisely what an afternoon within the lifetime of a WAGS make-up artist is like.

Getting In a position For Recreation Day

First, it is value noting that Kaye is employed by means of the WAGS themselves — no longer the NFL. As a result of that, “my agenda is random.”

Kaye splits her time between Cleveland and Miami, so all through soccer season she’ll steadily glam up the WAGS of the Browns and Dolphins groups in every respective town. That suggests she additionally has to fly out to anyplace some other workforce is enjoying, which is paid for by means of her WAGS shoppers. “This yr I used to be flown out by means of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Commanders, Philadelphia Eagles, and the Jacksonville Jaguars to do glam on location for a house sport this season,” she says.

As for the day-of run of display, she’ll generally head to both their space or lodge two to 3 hours prior to kickoff, operating with anyplace from two to 8 WAGS in keeping with sport, relying. “The ladies love to get to the stadium early as a result of they may be able to cross at the box and say hello to their husbands and get footage prior to the sport,” she says, including that she’ll ship every shopper off with their very own “make-up touchup equipment” to reapply as wanted.

Whilst she has achieved some light-touch make-up for the athletes themselves — most commonly just a little basis, concealer, and eyebrow grooming — for photoshoots, sport day make-up is most commonly for the WAGS.

Her Recreation Day Make-up Choices

Whilst the make-up appears to be like range relying at the WAGS’ choice, her shoppers generally tend to go for a “impartial comfortable glam,” she says, which typically includes a medium to full-coverage basis, blush, bronzer, impartial or red lip colour, and impartial eyeshadow. Extra importantly, alternatively, is that the make-up keep put all day.

To assist, she leans at the ($52) “as a result of it’s water-resistant and sweat-proof.” Then, she reaches for impartial shadows just like the 12 sun shades within the Make-up by means of Mario Grasp Mattes Eyeshadow Palette ($50) and Dibs Good looks Duo blushes, each the powder ($34) and the cream ($36). For lips, Kaye swears by means of Charlotte Tilbury’s lip merchandise “as a result of they’re lengthy put on and mix effectively at the face.” (We individually suggest the logo’s Lip Cheat Lip Liner ($25) for a similar reason why.)

In case you are after a Swift-approved lip pick out, we suggest her tried-and-true Pat McGrath Labs LiquiLust Mythical Put on Matte Lipstick ($34) within the coloration Elson 4. “A large number of groups don’t seem to be in a position to put on a vintage crimson lip because of the groups colours however I know among the Chiefs women like to put on crimson lipstick as a result of for them, it suits,” she says.

Her Tremendous Bowl Good looks Prep

Like closing yr, by which she glammed six better halves of Kansas Town Chiefs avid gamers, Kaye was once busy together with her make-up brush forward of the 2024 Tremendous Bowl — no, no longer on Swift (who has her personal glam workforce, as you can believe a globally famend pop superstar would possibly) — however for WAGS from each the Chiefs and 49ers groups. She labored with everybody from Lyndsay Bell and Emily Winchester, of Chiefs WAGS popularity, to Margaret Schmidt at the 49ers aspect or even Allie Heyward, of whom’s husband Cam was once known on the sport with the Walter Payton Guy of the 12 months award for his season with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“When curating sport day appears to be like I at all times ask for [inspiration] footage and for them to inform me what they’re dressed in,” she says. “A majority of the shoppers that rent me inform me that they consider me and to glam them with what could be my signature glam, a impartial comfortable glam.”

Whether or not you are a primary soccer fan and watched for the sport itself otherwise you simply tuned in for concern of lacking out, you have got gotta admit: it was once an evening to bear in mind.