The Devil Wears Prada 2 beauty: Office makeup looks and essentials for a polished, powerhouse finish

It’s been nearly two decades since The Devil Wears Prada first hit our screens, offering a deliciously glamorous glimpse into the fictional world of Runway magazine—from elaborate fashion shoots and glittering industry events to the unforgettable dynamics of the office. Now firmly cemented in fashion and pop-culture history, the film continues to shape how we think about style at work, thanks in no small part to iconic characters like Miranda Priestly and Andy Sachs, played by Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway respectively.

And while fashion may take centre stage in the film, beauty plays just as important a role in pulling together a polished, office-ready look. Whether you’re heading into an important meeting or simply want to feel a little more put-together at your desk, the right makeup and beauty essentials can make all the difference. Ahead, our edit of Devil Wears Prada–inspired makeup looks and beauty essentials to help you look effortlessly polished at the office—because sometimes the smallest details can make a look feel truly groundbreaking. 

Maroon maven 

A bold smoky eye for the office can feel intimidating, but it’s possible to draw attention to your eyes—especially brown ones, like Andy Sachs’—with a rich, monochromatic palette. Swap your usual greys and blacks for red and berry tones, and blend in neutral shades like taupe, warm tan, brown, or muted peach to add dimension and keep the look office-appropriate. Complete the ensemble with a berry-toned blush and lipstick for a polished, head-turning finish.

Call the shots 

A scarlet pout is a classic Hollywood staple that translates effortlessly to the boardroom. For a modern twist, opt for a true-red lip in a high-shine, lacquered finish, paired with clean, polished eyes, expertly filled-in brows, and a soft wash of blush on the cheeks. Bold and statement-making, yet perfectly office-appropriate.

Soft power 

This look proves that a natural palette of light shadows and muted tones can be just as professional and classy. Keep your base matte and softly powdered, and top neutral eyeshadows on the lids with tightlined upper and lower lash lines for subtle definition. Complete the look with a “your lips but better” rosy pout for an effortlessly polished finish.

Hybrid mode

For hectic mornings before work, time-saving skincare heroes are a must—they help shave minutes off your routine and save space in your makeup pouch if you decide to take them to the office. Enter multi-tasking essentials like Shu Uemura Unlimited Block:Booster Protective Moisture Face Primer SPF50+ PA+++ ($82)—part sunscreen, part moisturiser, part primer, and part color corrector. This one-step base refreshes the complexion and can be worn alone or under foundation for a luminous finish.

For a compact, on-the-go option, Kosé Sekkisei Blue Dewy Fresh Day Serum ($65) boosts the skin’s natural antioxidant defences while combating fatigue from oxidative stress, all with SPF40/PA+++. And for air-conditioned offices where glass skin is challenged, Sulwhasoo Perfecting Tinted Cream SPF40 / PA++ ($88) delivers a K-beauty–inspired tint and sunscreen in one, smoothing, concealing, and hydrating thanks to antioxidants, collagen, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide.

Touch base

If your workday isn’t slowing down, neither should your makeup. Enter the art of the thoughtful midday touch-up: a quick ritual to whisk away shine and keep you powered from morning coffee to evening cocktails. Remember, sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours. Anessa Brush On SPF50+ PA++++ ($51) not only helps prevent midday shine but also delivers impressive, non-comedogenic sun protection when you step out for lunch—without disturbing your makeup. The brush is detachable for easy cleaning.

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Blur Concealer ($56) is infused with youth-boosting Phytoyouth Essence, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and moisture-locking squalane, making it effortless to disguise blemishes and signs of fatigue. For a quick selfie-ready fix, Huda Beauty Easy Bake Pressed Phone Grip in Pound Cake ($31) clips directly onto the back of your phone and even includes a mini powder puff for on-the-go touch-ups. Finally, Tom Ford Beauty Architecture Radiance Hydrating Cushion SPF50 / PA+++ ($118) brightens and conceals in all the right places with vitamin C–rich Kakadu plum, delivering luminosity and coverage wherever you need it most.

Complete package 

If you’re hard at work, you want your beauty products to do the heavy lifting for you. Enter one-and-done palettes like Anastasia Beverly Hills Haze Mini Eye Shadow Palette ($51)—a travel-friendly kit with eight neutral-toned shades and accent colours like navy. Don’t be fooled by its compact size: it includes six matte and three metallic shadows, giving you endless possibilities to create polished, versatile looks.

For a radiant flush that doubles as multitasking magic, Benefit Juice Stick Dewy Gel Blush ($58) can be applied to both cheeks and lips, adding a healthy, natural sheen without any OTT sparkle—even when you’re running on empty. Similarly, Estée Lauder Futurist Blushmaker Dewy Cheek Tint ($65) comes in a pen-sized format and is enriched with raspberry extract and glycerin to deliver a luminous, moisturising glow to your cheeks.

Meanwhile, Rare Beauty Find Comfort Lip Butter Balm ($31) is a vanilla-flavoured lippie that eliminates the need for lip liner. Use the rounded tip to define your cupid’s bow, then turn the oval bullet on its side to hug the curves of your lips for effortless, office-ready colour.

Credits:

Art Direction & Styling Adeline Eng

Makeup Lasalle Lee, using Charlotte Tilbury & Celine

Hair Grego Oh, using Revlon Professional Singapore

Model Daria Alikova/Mannequin