Hilary Duff’s Stage-Perfect Skincare Routine for the ‘Lucky Me’ Tour

Lizzie McGuire was a fresh-faced fictional 13-year-old who had likely never stepped foot inside a Sephora, nor had “BeautyTok” in her lexicon. At her most daring, she wore tinted lip gloss and mascara.

Fast-forward to the present, and the actress behind Lizzie—Hilary Duff—has undergone several personal and professional evolutions. Yet her Y2K-inspired beauty ethos remains largely unchanged.

The 38-year-old is currently on the road for her latest album, Luck… or Something (the Lucky Me tour), and even while performing for thousands, Duff lets her radiant skin do the talking.

I had the opportunity to speak with Duff’s makeup artist, Taylor Healey, ahead of her July 8–9 Los Angeles shows at the Kia Forum. Healey broke down how she preps Duff’s skin, the vision behind the tour’s makeup looks, and the products she considers essential.

Luck… or Something is a raw album that closely examines married life and existential dread. As a fellow millennial navigating motherhood and the next stage of a long-term relationship, the record resonates deeply—tracks like “Roommates” feel strikingly real. To capture that vulnerability alongside Duff’s personal growth, Healey incorporated a playful, sparkling eye that nods to Y2K nostalgia while keeping the skin fresh, modern, and radiant. “The show blends Hilary’s early hits with her new album, which offers a much more vulnerable look at where she is today,” Healey explains. “We’re able to reflect that evolution through her makeup as well.”

Stage makeup can appear intense up close, as creating a bold look for a massive venue without sacrificing skin-like texture is a challenge. Duff and Healey wanted her glow to stand out. “It’s all about finding the right balance,” Healey says. “I want the skin to look healthy, fresh, and like real skin—not overly matte or overly dewy—but it also has to hold up under stage lights and through an entire performance.”

“I prep based on the environment of whatever city we’re in that night and how the skin is behaving that day. I focus on hydration where it’s needed while keeping excess shine under control. I also let each skincare product absorb fully before moving on to makeup. When the skin is properly prepped, you don’t have to rely on heavy makeup to achieve a flawless finish.”

The tricks Healey swears by for Duff’s lit-from-within look? “One thing I always prioritize with Hilary is keeping her skin looking like skin. She has such a naturally beautiful complexion, so my goal is to enhance it rather than cover it up,” Healey says. “I focus on strategic hydration, thin layers of complexion products, and building coverage only where it’s needed. For stage, I also think it’s important to add dimension back into the skin with cream and powder formulas so it still looks fresh and luminous under the lights.” So, it’s not exactly less is more—it’s strategically more.

Naturally, I wanted to know which products delivered that “strategic hydration,” allowing Duff to wear a full face of makeup that still looked like skin.

“Non-negotiable skin prep steps are moisturizer and eye cream—specifically Dermalogica’s new Smart Eye Density and Pro-Collagen Banking Water Cream,” Healey reveals. “We both can’t stand a cakey under-eye, so hydrating that delicate area is key before applying concealer on long performance days.”

The Full Skincare Breakdown

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator

“I started with Daily Microfoliant to gently refine the skin and create the smoothest possible canvas,” Healey says. “I love using this before makeup because it gently buffs away dull surface cells and dry buildup without stripping the skin. It leaves everything feeling incredibly soft so foundation applies evenly instead of catching on texture, and the overall finish looks brighter and more radiant.” For what it’s worth, this editor also uses this exfoliator two to three times a week—it’s gentle yet leaves skin glowing and makes makeup application seamless. (It’s an Oprah favorite, too.)

Dermalogica Phyto Nature Regenerating Exosome Leave-On Treatment

“This has such a beautiful lightweight texture that layers effortlessly under makeup. Powered by next-generation plant-based exosomes and pumpkin enzyme, it helps accelerate the skin’s natural renewal process while gently resurfacing to reveal a smoother, brighter complexion. I love that it adds luminosity without feeling heavy, creating the perfect canvas so foundation applies more evenly and looks naturally radiant.”

Dermalogica Pro-Collagen Water Cream

“This is the step that gives skin that healthy, bouncy glow before any complexion products go on. It delivers deep, long-lasting hydration while helping preserve collagen and elastin and strengthen the skin barrier, so the skin stays comfortable and balanced through hours under stage lights. Foundation glides on beautifully over it, creating a plump, cushiony canvas that helps makeup continue to look fresh and radiant throughout the night.”

Healey also uses the brand’s yet-to-be-released Smart Eye Density Serum on Duff’s under-eye area to infuse hydration and prevent creasing. “The skin around the eyes needs hydration and support before concealer, especially for long performance days,” Healey explains. “It helps visibly improve the look of thinning skin and loss of density while hydrating and smoothing the delicate undereye area. It also visibly smooths and plumps, helping improve the appearance of fine lines. It creates a refreshed look and gives concealer the perfect surface to blend evenly without settling or creasing.”

“The most surprising thing about Hilary’s skin prep routine is that it’s not overly complicated,” Healey says. “You don’t need a million steps; you just need quality, effective products.”

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