When it comes to the red carpet, men’s grooming can be tough. It’s one of the few arenas in which men’s looks are scrutinized with the mind boggling double standards applied to women everywhere at all times. The deal? Look groomed but not too groomed. Everyone remembers early 2000s, Bennifer-era Ben Affleck.
Celebrity groomer Rachel Burney struck exactly the right balance for “The Pitt” star Noah Wyle, prepping him for the 2026 Emmys — where he went on to win two awards, by the way. Throughout the red carpet and ceremony Wyle looked like himself, but better.
Burney says, “The inspiration was a clean, effortless grooming look that felt polished while still maintaining his natural texture. I wanted the complexion to look fresh, hydrated and healthy while keeping the beard conditioned and the hair textured and touchable.” She adds, “The goal was to subtly enhance his natural features, creating definition and structure without anything feeling overly perfected or styled.” Clearly she gets it.
Keep reading for the exact products Burney used. If you’re a men’s groomer, you might want to restock your kit with her picks.
Get the Look:
- “To begin, I prepped the skin with STMNT After Shave Lotion, working it into the face to soothe and hydrate the skin and create a fresh base. I followed with MERIT Great Skin Instant Glow Serum, pressing and massaging it into the complexion for an added boost of hydration and a healthy, natural glow.
- I then worked MERIT Great Skin Priming Moisturizer into the skin to lock in hydration and create a smooth, comfortable base. Once the skincare was fully absorbed, I used MERIT The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick only where needed, focusing on areas of redness and discoloration and blending it seamlessly into the surrounding skin. I wanted the complexion to look even and polished while still allowing his natural skin texture to come through.
- For the beard, I applied STMNT Beard Oil, working it through the facial hair and into the skin underneath to condition and soften the beard while giving it a healthy, well-groomed finish.
- For the hair, I started with STMNT Wax Powder, working it through the roots to build texture, volume and grip. I used my fingers to create shape and encourage the hair’s natural movement.
- I then warmed a small amount of STMNT Matte Paste between my hands and worked it through the lengths and ends for additional definition, separation and control.
- To finish, I refined the hair with my hands to maintain natural movement and a touchable matte finish. The finished look was fresh and polished but intentionally effortless, with hydrated, natural-looking skin complemented by a conditioned beard and textured hair.”
If you use any of these tips and tricks, or purchase any of Burney’s go-to products for your kit, let us know about it. Tag @readthetease on Instagram and TikTok.
