Chantal Ciaffardini: "When I create a make-up, I imagine it for a long time, I daydream about it"

Our journey behind the scenes of the recently concluded Sanremo Festival 2025 continues. After stylist Rebecca Baglini, who curated the looks of Mattia Stanga, Alessandro Cattelan, Shablo, Gué, Tormento, Joshua, Neffa, and Pilar Fogliati, it's now the turn of Chantal Ciaffardini, a veteran make-up artist at the festival, who this year crafted the look for Sarah Toscano.

Interview with Chantal Ciaffardini, Sarah Toscano’s Make-Up Artist at Sanremo 2025

What does it mean for a make-up artist to prepare for an event like the Sanremo Festival?

In one word: anxiety. Even though this is my fourth Sanremo (including when Måneskin returned as winners), I still feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. I prepare my minimal kit—I'm not a fan of traveling heavy—and I make sure to bring only “safe” products because there’s always little time and little space to do the artist's makeup. I constantly think about the looks I’ll create, imagine them, and can’t wait to get started.

Where did you start when creating Sarah Toscano’s looks for Sanremo 2025?

From her, as I always do in my work. I take inspiration from her style, her passions, and then offer my interpretation of her most glamorous version. Specifically, with Sarah, I wanted to showcase four different versions of the it girl.

How important is the right make-up for an artist? Does it also help communicate their music better?

It’s extremely important, I’d even say essential, especially on a major stage like Sanremo. An artist's image communicates instantly, directly, and in a way, it reaches the audience before the music does. This makes my role feel even more responsible.

Your job is highly creative—where do you start when creating a make-up look? How does YSL Beauty help you?

When I create a make-up look, I envision it for a long time before actually getting to work—I daydream about it. YSL Beauty helps bring this vision to life with its versatile, bold, and ultra-glamorous products. I feel very at home in the YSL Beauty world because its aesthetic is very close to my ideal.

How important is the connection between a make-up artist and an artist?

It’s crucial, especially during high-pressure events like Sanremo, when artists feel the stress and exhaustion and just want to trust the process. Plus, there’s never time for do-overs, so that connection helps create not just iconic looks but also ensures that we get it right on the first try!

How did your passion for the world of make-up begin?

I’ve always been fascinated by transformation and by make-up’s power to reveal a new, mysterious side of a person’s face. But I never actually dreamed of becoming a make-up artist—it was a talent I discovered in myself and felt compelled to embrace.