I first came across an unreleased snippet of SZA’s highly anticipated, juggernaut hit “Shirt” during a mid-pandemic TikTok scroll in 2020. Consisting of just 14 seconds total, the clip was long enough to enrapture millions of fans—more than two million to be exact—with its infectious beat, inspiring an entire dance challenge to match, helmed by then 17-year-old dancer, Brandon @bgottfanns. “Initially, I was just dropping songs because I was bored and in quarantine, losing my mind and doing a lot of self-comparison, and I just had to drop music,” she previously told BAZAAR.com.
In 2021, SZA continued to tease the release of “Shirt” after its unofficial Internet debut by adding an extended, minute-long clip to the end of her chart-topping “Good Days” music video, a musical layering strategy the star has since become well-known for. Now, a full two years later, the viral soundbite I listened to on repeat in 2020 is finally in its final form (and in my Apple Music library) ahead of the singer’s second album release, and backed by a Bonnie and Clyde–esque visual, costarring actor LaKeith Stanfield.
Apart from its creative visuals and A-list star power, the unique makeup looks SZA wears in “Shirt” jump off the screen and are as much a part of its storytelling as its dynamic plot and wardrobe—primarily the singer’s bloodstained white tank. For all the details on the artistic eye looks in “Shirt,” SZA’s makeup artist Naezrah shares her creative process and on-set product picks with us. Learn them all ahead.
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How did the idea come about to position bold eye looks as one of the main beauty focuses for this video?
It honestly didn’t click for me that the eyes would be such a focus—I’m very honored. I just wanted SZA to feel comfortable in each makeup look and help her feel most like herself without me trying to take over her vision—makeup is ultimately just that, an extension of self.
What was the inspiration behind some of the vibrant colors and graphic styles used on SZA’s eyes?
I wanted to give her options that illustrate that vibrant colors and graphics are things that we should play with more. I primarily used products from Pat McGrath Labs, Danessa Myricks, Bolive Beaute, Glisten Cosmetics, and Blend Bunny Cosmetics for each look. The execution process was very fast, as it’s a music video, and many looks have to get done. It took me about 10 to 30 minutes (depending on the makeup) to switch between looks or finish one for a particular scene.
How do SZA’s makeup looks in the video coincide with the theme/message behind “Shirt” and the star’s overall approach to beauty?
I feel that the makeup looks are a way to help SZA express more of herself creatively [to the world], while kind of being a rebirth—a new era.
What was your favorite look to create for this video, and why?
My favorites are the opening and closing beauty looks for “Shirt.” Their painterly, angular designs are some of my favorite shapes for eyes. I actually sketched multiple variations of it before showing SZA the final piece, because I was nervous she wouldn’t like it. She ended up loving it when I showed her and just wanted me to create freely. Those particular looks mean a lot.