It’s not just her numerous awards (Oscar, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild, just to name a few) or her incredible talent that make Sandra Bullock one of the most celebrated actresses in Hollywood. It’s also her gorgeous complexion — at 54, the star continues to flaunt a glow that many 30-year-olds would envy. As it turns out, there are some intriguing — and sometimes, controversial — choices behind her beauty regimen.
It’s not particularly noteworthy news that celebrities get facials. But Bullock attributes her radiance to a controversial one: the “Penis Facial.” Bullock first proclaimed her love for the treatment during a May 2011 appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. “I call it the penis facial,” Bullock told the talk show host. “I think when you see how good it is for your face, you too will run to your local facialist and say, ‘Give me the penis,’” she joked.
While the name sounds alarming (to say the least!) the actual treatment is probably not what you think it is. Rather, it includes epidermal growth factor (EGF) derived from the stem cells discarded from newborns’ foreskin (hence the buzzy nickname). Officially, the facial’s true title is far less unsavory: the Hollywood EGF Facial. It’s a proprietary creation by celebrity facialist, Georgia Louise, who works on clients from the eponymous Georgia Louise Atelier®. Bullock visits Louise for the facial, which costs $650 a session.
The facial begins with cleansing and prepping the skin with a chemical peel. Then, Louise applies the EGF serum via a micro-needling tool. “EGF is a long amino acid chain, which means it is a protein made by the body in response to injury,” explains board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Norman Rowe. “The ‘penis facial’ uses microneedles to make thousand of small holes in the skin,” he continues, “[which allows] EGF to absorb into the micro-channels to create new skin.” The new skin is central to the treatment, Rowe explains, because it has a more youthful appearance.
[Editor’s note: As always, talk to your doctor before starting or stopping any new treatment.]
If you want youthful-looking skin without committing to a full-on EGF facial, rest assured that micro-needling is still an option. Additionally, double-check your skincare routine to ensure you’re using all of the anti-aging essentials. “Wrinkle prevention is key to any skincare regimen,” says Dr. Alexander Blinski of PlumpTM. “A daily routine should include an exfoliant, glycolic acid cleanser, retinol, and an advanced skincare product like the vitamin C serum from SkinCeuticals® ($166) or hyaluronic acid.”
[Editor’s note: Retinol shouldn’t be used by those who are pregnant, considering getting pregnant or nursing. Please consult with your doctor before use.]
In addition to following a glow-inducing skincare routine, Bullock also knows how to highlight her features with makeup. “Her beauty looks are always classic and elegant,” explains celebrity makeup artist Maddie North, who has worked on films such as Indiscretion and For Annabelle. “Bullock’s typical look is very fresh, featuring warm tones with a focus on the eyes. Her look is very minimal and all about balance.”
To achieve a naturally radiant makeup look like Bullock’s, North recommends swapping your foundation for a tinted moisturizer (her pick: BareMinerals® Complexion Rescue® SPF 30, $30). “If you’re looking to copy Sandra’s style, never apply too much product — especially foundation!” she asserts. “I like using tinted moisturizers because they just help to perfect what’s already there,” she explains. “[These formulas] allow the skin to shine through, instead of covering everything up with makeup,” North says. For blemishes and imperfections, North recommends spot-treating each area with a dab of concealer. “That way, you’re left with beautiful, youthful, glowing skin with minimal product.”
Continuing with the fresh-faced theme, Bullock typically uses blush to highlight her cheekbones and create a rosy glow. “Applying blush right on the apples of the cheeks – and even a little on the cheekbones – gives the overall look more warmth and youthfulness,” North says. She loves the cult classic NARS® Cosmetics Orgasm blush ($30), which flatters a wide range of skin tones thanks to its peachy-pink hue.
Bullock makes a case for wearing a smokey eye at any age. To get a similarly sultry look, North advises using a smudgy pencil like the MAC® Cosmetics Eye Kohl in Teddy ($18). “Don’t be afraid to get messy!” she says. “Applying a pencil around the lash line and smudging it out adds that little bit of drama without using too much product.” Pile on the mascara (discover some makeup artist-approved buys on Amazon here!) et voila.
The last — and perhaps most important — thing to remember is that Bullock, like most celebrities, has a team of professionals to get her glowing. And even then, her looks can take multiple hours to achieve. “Do you know how many hours of hair and makeup this took? Two and a half hours!” the star recently told ET at a press junket. “I’m gonna work this look all day and then I’m gonna go home and take a shower, and it’s gonna happen again at 8 o’clock [the next] morning.”
