Mary J. Blige knows how to show gratitude for those who mean the most to her.
In September 2024, the music icon announced that she would embark on her For My Fans Tour in 2025 to support her 15th studio album, Gratitude, as well as to show her thanks to the family, friends and fans who have supported her over three decades of success.
Of course, the 40-date tour — which kicked off in January in North Carolina and wraps in April in Miami — would call for the best of the best crew, and that includes makeup artist Merrell Hollis.
The pro behind the makeup and grooming for some of the biggest names in entertainment, has worked with Blige for “around six or seven years” he tells PEOPLE between tour stops.
“I first started working with her on her hit series The Power Book II: Ghost. I did one season of that and then she asked me to go on vacation with her and since that, we have been working together ever since,” the pro explains. “It’s been a joyful and fulfilling ride. I couldn’t have asked for a better muse.”
In that time, Hollis created the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee’s makeup for her Good Morning Gorgeous Tour, and now they’re back on the road together for her fans.
For this tour, “I wanted to go for a glammed-up but natural look. I wanted to use less color and showcase her beauty,” Hollis explains.
The pro also wanted “to go back to her roots, where she started. These looks are very reminiscent of ’90s Mary. I loved her makeup back then, especially for the 411 album. And ’90s makeup, that’s my wheelhouse — the overlined lips with dark liner, the light smoky eye — I like to live in that era for this tour.”
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The consummate professional, Hollis meticulously and regularly takes inventory of his kit. “Organizing and restocking my sponges, makeup wipes, brushes, cleaners and alcohol to ensure we have a sanitized work space and tools is first and foremost,” he says.
“I also want my kit as organized and stocked as possible to make it easy so all I have to do is unload and unpack the things that I need.”
Changes to Blige’s look throughout the tour keep the pro on his toes. “Collaborating with the wardrobe stylist and the hairstylist and coming up with a concept for the next city is crucial to my prep.”
And, locations provide plenty of inspiration. “It is very exciting going to different cities because each one has its own aesthetic when it comes to makeup, and I love to play into that and show off Mary’s versatility. So if we’re in Miami, maybe it’s more sexy and dewy, and if we are in New York, maybe it is more structured and maybe there’s sharp liner, muted skin and a stronger lip.”
The forever fan says it’s “impossible” to pick a favorite among the Grammy-winning artist’s songs “because her entire catalog is so major. All of her albums are so iconic and have been the soundtrack to my life in many ways.”
But, there are three albums that stand out for special reasons. “The whole 411 album is so major, I really love that album.” The other two happen to be the albums he’s gone on tour for. “The Good Morning Gorgeous album is another one of my all-time favorites. And I’m loving this new Gratitude album. MJB is a staple on my gym playlists for sure.”
Of the pinch-me journey, Hollis says, “Both tours were such an incredible experience. Mary is a great person to travel the world with. The love and support she gets from her fans is inspiring.”
Up next, a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the legendary artist’s For My Fans Tour glam.
Meet Merrell Hollis
Courtesy of Merrell Hollis
“I love my job. I love being creative and I am able to express that side of me with makeup.
I’ve been doing this for 20+ years and each day I still get excited to do makeup, so every day I’m gonna have a smile on my face and I’m gonna bring good energy.
I love to be silly and joke around but when I step on set or in that glam room it is all business. I want to ensure my client has the best experience and feels great in their skin.”
A Glimpse at His Kit
Courtesy of Merrell Hollis
“This is pretty much my everyday setup. Sometimes I’ll add a few shimmers and metallics just for added drama on the eyes, but this is the basics of what I normally put on her. I know it looks like a lot, but it really isn’t. I use everything sparingly and very light. Everything on this table has a purpose.
I love to use color correctors so that way I don’t have to use such full coverage. As we know brushes are so important and I love to use the Mykitco x Danessa Myricks and ILIA Beauty ones. I love to use a medley of bronzer and blush. It really warms up the face and helps to get that luminosity.
It is so important for the face to be multidimensional on that big screen of course when you’re in those seats, you can see her but on those big LED walls that’s what I’m really looking at. I want the makeup to really speak without being so overpowering.”
In His Kit: Makeup by Mario Softsculpt Bronzer and Softsculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer, plus Patrick Ta Beauty Major Headlines Double-Take Crème and Powder Blush Duo
Good Morning, Gorgeous
Courtesy of Merrell Hollis
“I’m truly in love with Mary‘s face. She has so many amazing features, it is a makeup artist’s dream. Her eyes are one of my favorite features. I love to play them up.
I also love that she’s not afraid of makeup. From the beginning of time, she’s always been daring when it comes to being expressive through makeup, hair and clothes. She’s a trendsetter.
Lately, I love doing a soft cut crease on her eye, making her lid very light so it opens her eyes even more, and then doing a very smokey corner, sharp liner and defining decrease just a bit with kind of a soft brown just to create shape to the eye. Then, there is a sheer sparkle that I love from Fenty Beauty that I usually put on her lids that gives them that perfect pop so when she blinks, it looks very flirty on stage.”
In His Kit: Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Pallete: The Neutrals and Armani Beauty Eye Tint
About That Pout
Courtesy of Merrell Hollis
“This is me working on another one of my favorite features of hers — her lips. I over-line her lips to get more of a seductive, pouty look. We always use lipstick — there’s something about it that just gives a youthful look. I usually top it off with gloss. I love a glossy lip — that is a staple of my makeup aesthetic.”
In His Kit: Sephora Collection Colorful 8HR Longwear Transferproof Lip Liner and Glossed Hydrating Long Wear Lip Gloss
A-List Gaze
Courtesy of Merrell Hollis
“This is literally my favorite part of everything. I love when I finish her face and I give her the mirror just to check her look out when she sits in my chair. She gives me no direction. I have full range and that’s because of the trust that we developed with each other from working together for years.
Mary takes such great care of her skin so I have a great canvas to work with. Throughout our journey together I’ve opened Mary up to many different makeup ideas and we have collaborated on so many looks. I really love that part about our relationship.”
Ready for Her Closeup
Courtesy of Merrell Hollis
“I pay close attention to detail because there are huge monitors on each side of the stage that literally zoomed into her face. I have no room for error.”
Seconds to Showtime
Courtesy of Merrell Hollis
“Right before we walk to the stage I always do a double-take to make sure that everything is perfect.”
Camera-Ready
Courtesy of Merrell Hollis
“Even though I know the makeup doesn’t move — it’s not like hair where you know things get out of place — I’m always checking the screen just to see where any hotspots are if she’s sweating so I know exactly what to touch up when she comes back off stage.
You have to be proactive and ready to touch her up so next time she goes back out her face looks exactly the same. I’m literally watching that camera like a hawk. It is the perfectionist in me.”
Real Love
Courtesy of Merrell Hollis
“I think that my favorite part of this tour has been the community that we have with the background singers, the dancers, the drivers, the tour managers — the entire crew. We all have a great time together. I’m an only child, so I really love the camaraderie.
Also, having a fun night out and discovering new things in each city and visiting some of the landmarks and absorbing that city’s unique culture is such a blessing. I’m a foodie, so I am always looking for new restaurants.
Even with the tough schedule and travel, a lot of the time it doesn’t feel like work because of the people I am surrounded by.”
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