Breaking Down Abby Sciuto's NCIS Makeup: The Untold Side (A Beginner-Friendly Guide)

Abby Sciuto, the beloved forensic scientist from NCIS, wasn't just known for her intelligence and love of caffeine. Her unique style, particularly her bold and edgy makeup, made her a memorable character. While Pauley Perrette, the actress, had a significant role in shaping Abby's look, the makeup team brought it to life. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to recreate Abby's signature makeup, focusing on the less-discussed aspects that contributed to her iconic style. We'll delve beyond the obvious dark eyeliner and explore the nuances of her complexion, brow shaping, and lip color choices.

Prerequisites:

  • Basic Makeup Knowledge: Familiarity with applying foundation, concealer, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, and lipstick is helpful.

  • Patience: Abby's look requires precision and a bit of practice. Don't expect perfection on your first try!

  • Understanding of Your Skin Tone: Knowing your skin's undertones (warm, cool, or neutral) will help you choose the right foundation and concealer shades.

  • Respect for Hygiene: Always use clean brushes and applicators.

    • Tools & Products:

  • Foundation: A matte or semi-matte foundation that matches your skin tone. Opt for medium coverage as Abby's skin always looked relatively natural.

  • Concealer: A concealer one shade lighter than your skin tone for highlighting under the eyes and around the nose.

  • Setting Powder: A translucent setting powder to set your foundation and concealer, preventing shine.

  • Eyeshadow Primer: Crucial for ensuring your eyeshadow stays put and the colors pop.

  • Eyeshadows:

    • * A matte neutral brown shade for the crease.
    * A shimmery silver or light grey shade for the lid.
    * A matte black eyeshadow for smudging along the lash line.
  • Eyeliner: A black gel or liquid eyeliner for creating a precise line.

  • Mascara: A volumizing and lengthening black mascara.

  • Eyebrow Pencil or Powder: A shade that matches your natural eyebrow color.

  • Lip Liner: A deep berry or plum-colored lip liner.

  • Lipstick: A deep berry or plum-colored lipstick (similar to the liner). Matte or satin finish is preferred.

  • Blush: A subtle rosy-nude blush.

  • Makeup Brushes: Foundation brush, concealer brush, eyeshadow brushes (blending, lid, and detail brushes), eyeliner brush, powder brush, blush brush, eyebrow brush.

  • Cotton Swabs: For cleaning up any mistakes.

  • Makeup Remover: For removing makeup at the end of the day.

  • Mirror: A well-lit mirror is essential.

    • Numbered Steps:

    1. Prep Your Skin: Start with a clean and moisturized face. Apply a primer to create a smooth canvas for your makeup.

    2. Foundation Application: Apply your foundation evenly to your face using a foundation brush or sponge. Build up coverage where needed, but aim for a natural-looking finish. Remember, Abby's makeup wasn't about heavy coverage.

    3. Conceal and Highlight: Apply concealer under your eyes in an inverted triangle shape to brighten the area. Also, apply concealer to any blemishes or areas of redness. Blend well using a damp sponge or concealer brush.

    4. Set Your Base: Use a translucent setting powder to set your foundation and concealer. Focus on areas that tend to get oily, such as the T-zone.

    5. Eyebrow Shaping: Abby had strong, defined brows. Use an eyebrow pencil or powder to fill in any sparse areas and shape your brows. Aim for a slightly arched shape, but keep it natural-looking. Don’t overdo it, the goal is defined, not drawn on. Brush through your brows with a spoolie to blend the color and soften the edges.

    6. Eyeshadow Application:
    * Apply eyeshadow primer to your eyelids.
    * Using a blending brush, apply the matte neutral brown shade to your crease. Blend well to create a subtle contour.
    * Apply the shimmery silver or light grey shade to your eyelids using a flat eyeshadow brush.
    * Using a small detail brush, apply the matte black eyeshadow along your upper and lower lash lines. Smudge the black eyeshadow with a cotton swab or a small brush to create a soft, smoky effect. This is crucial for achieving Abby's edgy look.

    7. Eyeliner Application: This is where the "untold side" comes in. While Abby is known for her dramatic eyeliner, it wasn't always a perfectly sharp wing. Instead, aim for a slightly thicker line on the upper lash line that subtly flicks upwards at the outer corner. The key is to make it look slightly imperfect, almost like it was applied in a hurry. Use a gel or liquid eyeliner for precision. Don't be afraid to smudge it slightly for a more rock 'n' roll vibe.

    8. Mascara Application: Apply several coats of volumizing and lengthening black mascara to your upper and lower lashes. Don't be afraid to clump your lashes a little bit; Abby's look was about embracing imperfection.

    9. Blush Application: Apply a subtle rosy-nude blush to the apples of your cheeks. Blend well for a natural flush.

    10. Lip Liner and Lipstick Application:
    * Line your lips with a deep berry or plum-colored lip liner. This is crucial for creating the shape and definition of Abby's signature lip.
    * Fill in your lips with the same lip liner.
    * Apply a deep berry or plum-colored lipstick on top of the lip liner. Blot your lips with a tissue to remove any excess lipstick. Reapply for a longer-lasting finish. Matte or satin finishes capture Abby's style best.

    Troubleshooting Tips:

  • Eyeliner Mistakes: Use a cotton swab dipped in makeup remover to clean up any mistakes.

  • Too Much Eyeshadow: Use a clean blending brush to blend out any harsh lines.

  • Lipstick Smudging: Use a lip brush to apply lipstick precisely and prevent smudging.

  • Uneven Brows: Use a spoolie to blend the eyebrow pencil or powder and create a more natural look.

  • Foundation Looks Cakey: Exfoliate your skin before applying foundation and use a hydrating moisturizer.

Short Summary:

Recreating Abby Sciuto's makeup involves more than just dark eyeliner. It's about embracing imperfection, using a subtle smoky eye, defining your brows, and opting for a deep berry or plum lip. This guide focuses on the less-talked-about aspects of her makeup, such as the slightly smudged eyeliner and the importance of lip liner, to help you achieve a truly authentic Abby-inspired look. Remember to adapt the colors and techniques to suit your own skin tone and features. The key is to have fun and express your individuality, just like Abby herself!