Podcast Summary: "My Red Carpet Routine, Explained"
Anything Goes with Emma Chamberlain
Episode: My Red Carpet Routine, Explained
Release Date: May 4, 2025
Introduction
In the episode titled "My Red Carpet Routine, Explained," Emma Chamberlain delves deep into the intricate processes and personal habits that compose her preparation for red carpet events. This comprehensive overview offers listeners an unfiltered glimpse into the meticulous planning, collaboration, and self-care routines that Emma employs to ensure she looks and feels her best on some of the most high-profile occasions.
1. Preparation Process
a. Starting Months Ahead
Emma emphasizes that her red carpet preparations commence 1-2 months prior to the event. This extended timeline allows ample space for selecting the perfect outfit, coordinating with brands, and ensuring every detail aligns with her vision.
"The red carpet routine starts like one or two months before the carpet, because the outfit doesn't just take a few days to pick out."
(03:10)
b. Outfit Selection and Stylist Collaboration
Selecting the right outfit is described as the most time-consuming aspect of her routine. Emma collaborates closely with her best friend and stylist, Jared, to identify and secure designs from brands willing to loan out their creations or craft custom pieces.
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Brand Outreach: Jared reaches out to preferred brands to inquire about potential collaborations.
"If you were to Google red carpet routine and click on the very first Google result that came up, there's a really good chance that you would find a routine that is exactly like mine."
(00:00) -
Mood Boards and Vision: Together, Emma and Jared create mood boards to establish the desired aesthetic, whether it's edgy with leather and metal accents or ethereal and soft.
"We're like putting together mood boards with stuff that's a bit softer. We just start to get a generic vision going."
(03:10) -
Handling Rejections: While brands rarely outright reject, Emma humorously notes that in reality, rejections are handled professionally, keeping the process smooth and collaborative.
c. Sourcing and Customization
When standard options don't suffice, Emma explores vintage sources or custom designs to achieve a unique look. This phase involves:
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Vintage Warehouses: Jared often visits vintage warehouses to find exceptional gowns, ensuring Emma's attire is both unique and stunning.
"Jared goes into these vintage warehouses somewhere... and then he sends me photos and we go from there."
(03:10) -
Custom Creations: For highly personalized looks, brands may opt to craft custom gowns tailored to Emma's measurements, utilizing mannequins to streamline the process.
2. Travel Routine
a. Importance of Timing
Emma insists on arriving in the event city 72 hours before the red carpet. This buffer period is crucial to mitigate the negative effects of air travel, which include:
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Physical Appearance: Plane rides exacerbate Emma's dark circles, puffiness, and overall bloated appearance.
"If I'm 10 years younger, I would look 13."
(00:00) -
Recovery: The 72-hour window allows her body to recover, reducing the visible signs of travel fatigue.
"I am convinced that you can see in my face and body everywhere when I've been on a plane."
(03:10)
b. Minimal Airplane Routine
Contrary to some celebrities who maintain elaborate self-care routines on planes, Emma prefers simplicity:
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Sleep Focused: She aims to sleep as soon as possible to minimize anxiety and physical discomfort.
"My airplane routine is literally just get on, fall asleep as quickly as possible, and then hopefully wake up when I've arrived."
(03:10) -
Packing Light: Emma sticks to a carry-on only policy, streamlining packing to reduce stress and save time.
3. Fittings
a. Multiple Sessions
Fittings are a series of extensive sessions that can last anywhere from one to four hours each. These are critical for ensuring the gown fits perfectly and looks impeccable in photographs.
"These fittings can go from an hour on a really good day to, like, I don't know, sometimes even four hours."
(03:10)
b. Tailoring for Perfection
Emma highlights the dual focus during fittings:
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Fit and Comfort: Tailors adjust the garment to fit her body seamlessly.
"We're tailoring these pieces to fit me perfectly. We're taking iPhone photos of every single angle to make sure that every single angle looks perfect."
(03:10) -
Photographic Precision: Adjustments are made to ensure the gown looks flawless under flash photography, avoiding see-through fabric or unwanted shadows.
c. Physical Discomforts
Despite the creative excitement, Emma admits that fittings can be physically uncomfortable due to the extravagant nature of red carpet gowns.
"It's very sensory overload. A lot of times these garments are not comfortable."
(03:10)
4. Pre-Event Skincare and Health Rules
a. Sun Exposure Avoidance
Emma strictly avoids sun exposure in the days leading up to the event to prevent sunburns and ensure her skin remains in optimal condition.
"I can get burnt kind of easily, you know? And so the last thing I want to do is show up on a red carpet looking sunburnt."
(03:10)
b. Social and Dietary Restrictions
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Social Engagements: Emma limits social outings to protect her voice and overall well-being.
"I went out like two nights in a row before the Met Gala... I completely lost my voice."
(03:10) -
Dietary Choices: She consumes comforting, high-protein meals that agree with her digestive system to avoid discomfort in tight gowns.
"I eat something dense and filling in the morning so that I'm kind of good for the rest of the day."
(03:10)
c. Enhanced Skincare
Emma escalates her skincare routine before events, incorporating additional treatments like facials, microcurrent tools, and LED masks to ensure her skin appears hydrated and flawless.
"It just feels like a mental thing, and maybe it makes a tiny difference. Who knows?"
(03:10)
5. Day of the Event
a. Morning Routine
The day begins with a high-protein breakfast to sustain energy levels and prevent urgent needs during the event. Additionally, Emma may receive a lymphatic massage to reduce toxicity and swelling.
"The lymphatic massage feels so good. After the massage, I feel relaxed. I feel refreshed."
(03:10)
b. Everything Shower
Post-massage, Emma undergoes an "everything shower," which includes:
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Rigorous Hair Care: Utilizing purple shampoo for her platinum blonde hair to maintain its vibrancy.
"We're shaving everything... body makeup only goes so far, and so I'm very gentle with the exfoliating."
(03:10) -
Exfoliation and Moisturizing: Gentle exfoliation to add a natural glow, followed by generous application of body oils and moisturizers to ensure her skin is hydrated and camera-ready.
c. Glam Team Collaboration
Emma allocates approximately three and a half hours for hair, makeup, and nails, allowing her and her glam team to:
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Execute the Planned Look: With months of planning, the glam team can focus on perfecting the predefined aesthetic without making last-minute decisions.
"We're just executing. We already know there's no decisions to be made."
(03:10) -
Social Interaction: Being friends with her stylist and makeup team, Emma enjoys a relaxed atmosphere, often engaging in casual conversations and touch-ups.
d. Final Preparations and Dressing
After glam, Emma ensures she has adequate hydration while minimizing liquid intake to prevent bathroom visits during the event. She then spends up to 30 minutes dressing in her gown, which may involve intricate fastening depending on the design.
"Putting on the gown can take up to 30 minutes, depending on what kind of look it is."
(03:10)
e. Posing and Photography
Emma practices poses with Jared to showcase the gown's details effectively. Professional photographers or trusted individuals capture these moments to produce high-quality images.
"I practice my poses because I want to make sure that I am showcasing every detail in a pose."
(03:10)
f. Transportation to the Event
Due to the complexity and form-fitting nature of her gowns, Emma often stands in the vehicle to prevent creasing or damaging the attire.
"I have to rent some sort of van or large vehicle that I can stand in because I can't sit in my gown."
(03:10)
6. What Emma Doesn't Do
Emma candidly shares several aspects she avoids during her red carpet preparations to maintain authenticity and comfort:
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No Tanning Beds or Spray Tans: Prefers natural skin tones and avoids the risks associated with tanning.
"I fear a splotchy spray tan. It's just too much of a risk."
(03:10) -
No Teeth Whitening: Due to sensitive teeth and gums, Emma opts out of teeth whitening treatments.
"I don't whiten my teeth because I have sensitive teeth and receding gums."
(03:10) -
No Eyelash or Eyebrow Enhancements: Avoids semi-permanent procedures like lash lifts and extensions to maintain natural features.
"I don't get eyelash extensions. I'm all good."
(03:10) -
No Botox or Fillers: Stays clear of invasive treatments, relying instead on facials for a refreshed appearance.
"I don't do any filler, any Botox. No lip flip. None of it."
(03:10) -
No Extreme Diets or Workout Routines: Maintains her regular diet without drastic changes and avoids overly strenuous exercise regimens.
"I don't have any specific workout routine or diet routine."
(03:10)
7. Conclusion
Emma concludes the episode by reiterating that while her red carpet routine may not be groundbreaking, its uniqueness lies in its personalization. The blend of meticulous planning, dedicated collaboration, and personal well-being practices ensures that she is the best version of herself for each event.
"Nothing I'm gonna share with you today is going to shock you. I'm not going to tell you today that I get bird feces injected into my under eyes before the carpet because it makes me look 10 years younger."
(00:00)
Emma's transparency and candidness provide listeners with an authentic look into the lesser-seen aspects of celebrity life, demystifying the glamour associated with red carpet appearances.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
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"The red carpet routine starts like one or two months before the carpet, because the outfit doesn't just take a few days to pick out."
(03:10) -
"I am convinced that you can see in my face and body everywhere when I've been on a plane."
(03:10) -
"I don't do any filler, any Botox. No lip flip. None of it."
(03:10) -
"I fear a splotchy spray tan. It's just too much of a risk."
(03:10)
Final Thoughts
Emma Chamberlain's "My Red Carpet Routine, Explained" offers an in-depth exploration of the complexities and personal choices that underpin her public appearances. By sharing both the glamorous and the challenging aspects of her preparation, Emma provides a balanced perspective that resonates with listeners, offering inspiration and relatability.
For more insights and episodes, tune in to Anything Goes with Emma Chamberlain available on Spotify and YouTube every Thursday and Sunday.
