Lupita Nyong’oarrived at the 94th Academy Awards red carpet on Sunday looking as radiant as an Oscars statue in a light-reflecting custom Prada gown embellished with gold sequins and amethyst and topaz crystals, as well as rare fancy color diamond earrings and rings from De Beers.
The breathtaking dress served as inspiration for makeup artistNick Barose. “It made me think of Gustav Klimt’s gold paintings, like The Kiss,” says the beauty guru, who partnered withLancômeto create the look for the Ambassadress. “I texted Lupita a photo and we agreed to pay homage to the artist,” he says. Read on for more insider info on the presenter’s gilded glow.
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Barose—who has been collaborating with Nyong’o since before she won the Oscar for12 Years a Slave—knew he wanted to incorporate real gold leaf into the makeup look. “I wanted it to be a fun, small detail—and it would still keep the look classic forthe Oscars,” the pro explains, adding that he loves the uniqueness of the gold leaf: “The beauty of it is that it cracks a bit and it’s not perfect.”
Before he applied the gold leaf (“the edible kind like for cakes,” he clarifies) onto the center of each eyelid –using a bit of eye cream to make it stick–he prepped the lid withLancôme Prime It Boost It($26)—“it’s a long night and you don’t want to have to worry about creasing,” he says. Then lined the upper lash line withIdôle Liner($22), winging it out a bit.
courtesy of Nick Barose
Next, with a damp eye shadow brush, he blended the plum eye shadow fromHypnôse 5-Color Eyeshadow Palette in Reflet D’Amethyste($50) across the lids and swiped on two coats ofLash Idôle Mascara($27). “The contrast between the dark purple and the gold leaf creates the drama,” Barose says. “And Lupita speaks a lot with her eyes so it’s one of my favorite features to play up.”
He also sculpted the brows with clear gel and an eyebrow pencil. “For something as grand as this look, I wanted them to be somewhat sculpted in a classic shape that would look regal with the outfit,” he says.
To create Nyong’o’s lit-from-within complexion, Barose started with a mini facial massage. “I spend a good ten minutes massagingAbsolue Revitalizing & Brightening Soft Cream($246) allover, letting it absorb, and then gently wiping the skin with a warm, damp wash cloth to get rid of any excess product or dead skin,” he says.
Then he appliedPrep & Matte Primer($37) to the T-zone “because when this area is shiny it can look sweaty, not glow-y,” he explains, and followed it withTeint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation in 550($47). On cheeks, Nyong’o woreArmani Beauty NeoNudeColor Melting Balm in Cool Plum($38, giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com) and on cheekbones, a copper liquid highlighter.
On her lips, Lupita wore her namesake lipstick,L’Absolu Rouge in Mademoiselle Lupita($32, lancome-usa.com). “I swiped it on directly from the tube to get the full intensity,” Barose said. “Then I topped it with a dot ofJuicy Tubes in Hallucination($20) for a golden sheen.”
Happily, Barose was able to join as her date for main event. “Normally, I send her off and then text her with reminders to not forget to touch-up, but this time I could be there,” he says. Still, he packed her little gold clutch with the essentials:Dual Finish Powder Foundation in 550($45) cotton swabs “to wipe away any smudges”, blotting sheets, and—what else?—her Mademoiselle Lupita lipstick.
source: people.com
