We Found All the Makeup Mariska Hargitay Wore at the Emmys—and It’s Shockingly Affordable
The Law & Order: SVU star’s makeup artist, Kate Synnott, broke down all of the products.
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Mariska Hargitay hosted the 2026 Emmys on September 14.
The Law & Order: SVU star’s makeup artist, Kate Synnott, revealed all the products she used for Mariska’s look.
Each product cost less than $50.
The 2026 Emmys may be over, but we can’t stop thinking about Mariska Hargitay’s looks throughout the evening.
As the host of TV’s biggest night, the Law & Order: SVU star wore several outfits throughout the broadcast, from a memorable red number on the red carpet to a silver gown for the finale. Her makeup, courtesy of makeup artist Kate Synnott, contributed to the wow factor.
“The finished look was all about luminous, perfected skin, subtle sculpting, a smoky feline eye and a soft neutral lip—classic red-carpet glamour with a modern edge,” she said in an email to Good Housekeeping.
Each product Kate used was under $50. Here’s the breakdown.
First things first: “I started with the Cetaphil Nourishing Oil to Foam Cleanser to gently cleanse without stripping the skin,” Kate said.
Kate then used Cetaphil’s Skin Activator Hydrating & Firming Lotion, focusing on the neck, shoulders, arms, and décolletage. “Areas that are often on display during a red-carpet moment,” she said.
Kate applied the Cetaphil Skin Activator Hydrating & Firming Cream to Mariska’s face. “It helped the skin look smoother and firmer, giving the skin the moisture and nourishment it needs before makeup,” she said.
Kate called the IT Cosmetics Do It All Hydrating Sheer Tinted Moisturizer Balm the “hero of the skin.” She said it gave Mariska “that beautiful skincare-first feel, but it also gives sheer coverage and a really natural, radiant finish.”
For areas where she wanted more coverage, Kate used IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream.
Kate also used the IT Cosmetics Do It All Radiant Concealer under the eyes and around the mouth. “To brighten and lift,” she said.
Kate sculpted Mariska’s face with the IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Bronzer, “keeping the finish silky and matte,” she said.
For a “natural flush and lifted effect,” Kate used the IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Blush in the shade Naturally Pretty.
To fill in any sparse areas in Mariska’s brows, Kate went in with the IT Cosmetics Brow Power Eyebrow Pencil.
Kate wanted to create a “diffused, smoky eye” for Mariska, so she used the Copper Charisma and Fearless Umber shades of the IT Cosmetics Superhero No-Tug Shadow Sticks.
Kate then made an elongated wing using the Superhero Liner.
Kate completed Mariska’s eyes with the IT Cosmetics Superhero Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara in Black.
Kate used the IT Cosmetics Do It All Lip Transformer in Pretty in Rose to “subtly define Mariska’s natural lip shape and give the lips a fuller, polished finish,” she said.
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