It’s about the journey–not the destination. We’ve all heard that one (plenty of times) before. While it applies to many things, it’s especially true for a night out. Often the “me time” that goes into primping and prepping can be just as fun as the event itself. And the music you play sets the scene for the entire night. Everyone knows the joy of singing along with your favorite artist as you add shimmer, gloss, and blush.

“It goes without saying the best part of going out is getting ready,” says Lisa Eldridge, a celebrity makeup artist, and founder and CEO of Lisa Eldridge Beauty. “There’s something primal about it—painting our faces for protection is primeval—you can trace it back for thousands of years. It’s a ritual to psychologically prepare ourselves, and if you lean into it, applying it has a meditative quality. Sometimes, when I start my makeup (even when filming a tutorial for my YouTube channel), I’m not entirely sure what look I’m going for. I’ll let the mood lead my music selections, influencing my beauty choices. How the look ultimately ends up is all part of the unpredictable and creative fun.”

The color of your lipstick or how you’ll wear your hair are not the only crucial decisions when doing your beauty routine at home. A getting ready playlist is key for setting the mood in the moment, and for what’s to come once your glam session is over. After all, you probably wouldn’t queue up Sabrina Carpenter and Phoebe Bridgers for the same pre-event mix. Professional hair and makeup artists are no strangers to the importance of music, which is why it is a staple on set. Just think about it—total silence can be a mood killer. 

Music isn’t just background noise—it’s a tool that brings personality and warmth to the beauty experience. The right song can elevate the entire session and leave everyone feeling inspired,  says Irinel De Leon, celebrity hairstylist and The Hair Shop ambassador.

Similarly, celebrity makeup artist Vincent Oquendo, celebrity makeup artist and Lumify brand ambassador, is a big believer that the soundtrack can directly impact the finished product. “If we are creating a bold makeup look we might play Beyoncé or Cardi B,” he says. “Or if it’s a soft glam we might tune into Fleetwood Mac.” 

You don’t have to be walking the red carpet or getting ready for a photoshoot to tap into the power of a good playlist. Below, we asked celebrity hairstylists and makeup artists to share their go-to songs for getting ready to help inspire your personal getting ready soundtrack.