Debra Messing's "Will and Grace' Makeup Routine

Best known for her role as Grace Adler on Will and Grace, Debra Messing is a true ‘90s beauty icon. Whether it be her luscious curls or boldly-defined brows, much like her character, Debra’s makeup look exudes a mixture of elegance and whimsy.

Her signature look – which is comprised of softly-defined eyes, fluttery lashes, sculpted brows, and nude lips – is, in our opinion, an underrated beauty mainstay. There’s a reason Debra stands out on the screen, stage and street!

During her tenure on the show, Elaine Offers, Debra’s makeup artist, shared the secrets to her standout look.

Whether it be her exact falsies, lip shade, or skin prep, here we delve into the key aspects of Debra Messing’s makeup routine…

Debra Messing’s makeup routine

Skin Prep: Joanna Vargas Daily Hydration Cream & Pixi Flawless Blurring Face Primer

Debra is a self-confessed skin nerd. Taking to Instagram, the star shared her ‘more is more’ approach.

“People ask me all the time what my skin care regimen is. The truth is, I try everything! Give me serums! Essences? Love them. Gua sha? Yessiree! Moisturising masks? Check. Red light therapy? Got one under my bed. Not to mention about seven different firming and toning devices. I’ll try anything without a knife or a thread!”

She’s just like us!!

As such, her makeup routine also starts with a clean canvas.

Joanna Vargas Daily Hydration Cream, $126.09 at REVOLVE

Pixi Flawless Blurring Face Primer, $48 at ASOS

Base: NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation & Radiant Creamy Concealer

Debra’s radiant complexion is achieved with a lightweight, luminous foundation. She prefers a natural finish that allows her skin’s texture to shine through. A concealer is used sparingly to cover any imperfections while still maintaining the overall fresh look.

NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation, $80 at MECCA

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, $51 at MECCA

Cheeks: Milk Makeup Lip & Cheek Blush

Milk Makeup Lip & Cheek Blush in ‘Werk’, $39 at Sephora

Brows: Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow & Tinted Brow Gel

Well-defined brows are a trademark of Debra’s makeup routine. Her makeup artist often uses a pomade to fill in any sparse areas and give her brows a polished look. The result is a defined arch that frames her face beautifully.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow in ‘Auburn, $35 at Sephora

Anastasia Beverly Hills Tinted Brow Gel in ‘Caramel’, $44 at Adore Beauty

Eyes: Dior Backstage Eye Palette & Ardell 172 Natural Lashes

Now, onto the fun part… Debra’s piercing green eyes are often accentuated even further with neutral earthy tones. And the crème de la crème? Her lashes! Falsies are a staple on the screen and red carpet, as they open up her eyes and add a touch of glam. She often skips heavy eyeliner, favouring a more natural lash line.

Dior Backstage Eye Palette in ‘Amber Neutrals’, $96 at Sephora

Ardell 172 Natural Lashes, $10.99 at Adore Beauty

Lips: Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat & Tom Ford Lip Colour

To top it all off, Debra keeps it natural on the lips. Letting her eyes do all the talking, she leans toward neutral lip colours that enhance her natural shape.