Colman Domingo arrived at the 2026 Emmy Awards looking polished from head to toe, but the actor's red-carpet appearance was the result of much more than a sharp suit and a confident pose.
Behind his Emmys night look was longtime groomer Jamie Richmond, who shared details of the preparation that went into creating Domingo's fresh, luminous appearance. Among the products used was a surprisingly accessible beauty item: Valentino Beauty's Very Valentino Concealer, priced at $39 (around £29).
The product was used as part of a carefully planned grooming routine designed to keep Domingo's skin looking healthy and natural under the intense lighting and high-definition cameras of awards night.
Colman Domingo's Emmys Grooming Routine
Domingo, 56, went into the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards with nominations for his performances in Netflix's The Four Seasons and HBO's Euphoria. He was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for The Four Seasons, while also receiving an Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series nomination for Euphoria.
For an event where every close-up can become part of the night's coverage, Richmond's approach was focused on enhancing rather than dramatically changing the actor's appearance.
According to the grooming details shared with the Daily Mail, Richmond's aim was healthy, hydrated skin, well-maintained facial hair and a glow that could last throughout the evening. The routine involved several skincare and complexion products before the finishing touches were applied.
The preparation began with Mimi Luzon Recharge Serum, followed by the Therabody TheraFace Depuffing Wand and Mimi Luzon Hyaluronic Super Cream. The skincare-focused preparation was intended to create a smooth, hydrated base before makeup was applied.
The $39 Concealer Behind the Finished Look
The standout budget-friendly detail was the Very Valentino Concealer.
Richmond used the concealer selectively rather than applying a heavy layer across Domingo's entire face. The product was used to brighten and perfect areas where additional coverage was needed while keeping the overall complexion looking natural.
The $39 price tag makes the concealer notably less expensive than several of the other products involved in Domingo's Emmy preparation. The routine also included a Mimi Luzon serum priced at $299 (£222) and a moisturiser costing $190 (£141), showing that the affordable concealer was only one part of a much more extensive professional grooming process.
The Very Valentino Concealer has previously been used by Richmond for Domingo's major red-carpet appearances. In an earlier breakdown of his 2025 Met Gala grooming, Richmond described it as a medium-coverage, buildable formula containing caffeine and vitamin E.
@daniellemarcan hydrating, creamy and long wearing :) @Valentino.Beauty Very Valentino Concealer #AD #makeup #valentinobeauty
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Keeping the Complexion Natural
Rather than aiming for a visibly made-up appearance, Richmond's technique centres on strategic application.
That meant using foundation in several shades to work with Domingo's complexion instead of relying on one uniform colour. For the Emmys routine, Richmond used Very Valentino 24-Hour Wear Liquid Foundation in Deep Ambra 3, Deep Neutra 2 and Deep Rosa 3.
The concealer was then used where needed, helping even out the complexion without completely masking its natural texture.
That approach is consistent with Richmond's previous comments about working with Domingo. During his 2025 Met Gala preparation, she said her aim when working with men was to create a healthy glow rather than rely on heavy coverage.
The Routine Behind His Effortless Look
The finished result may have appeared effortless on the Emmy red carpet, but Domingo's grooming preparation shows how much detail can go into an awards-show appearance.
From skincare and facial depuffing to beard grooming, foundation and carefully placed concealer, each stage had a specific purpose. The goal was not to make Domingo look unrecognisable, but to ensure he looked rested, polished and camera-ready.
Richmond has worked with Domingo for years, including on some of his most high-profile appearances. Their previous collaborations include the 2025 Met Gala, where she also used Valentino Beauty products to create his glowing complexion.
Why the $39 Detail Stands Out
Celebrity red-carpet routines can quickly become expensive, particularly when they involve luxury skincare and professional makeup products. Domingo's Emmy preparation was no exception, with several products costing well over $100.
That makes the $39 Very Valentino Concealer an interesting part of the routine. It was not presented as a miracle product responsible on its own for Domingo's appearance, but as one carefully chosen element within a much larger professional grooming process.
The bigger takeaway is the technique: use complexion products selectively, preserve natural skin texture and focus coverage where it is actually needed.
For Domingo, that strategy helped complete an Emmys night look that was polished without appearing overly made-up, proving that even on one of television's biggest red carpets, sometimes the smallest grooming details can make a noticeable difference.
