So subdued! Lupita Nyong’o donned a perfectly matte makeup look at the launch of John Legend’s Belvedere (RED) campaign in New York City on Saturday, August 27. The Star Wars: The Force Awakens actress, 33, enlisted celebrity makeup artist Nick Barose for retro glam (white eyeliner and a pale pink lip!) to complement her bold blue-and-white-stripe minidress by Delpozo.
“The look was inspired by the fun, experimental, graphic and quirky looks of the ‘60s, when color that might seem too light or chalky was on trend. Think Mary Quant era,” Barose tells Us Weekly. “The idea of using matte white liner is very simple, but the contrast is so dramatic against her dark skin. Statement makeup doesn’t always have to mean bright, loud color. Sometimes colors that might seem too light can do the trick.”
Want to do some experimenting of your own? Barose revealed how to achieve his glam using products from Lancôme.
From left: Lancôme Drama Liqui-Pencil Longwear Eyeliner in French Lace ($23, sephora.com), Lancôme Le Stylo Waterproof in Noir ($27.50, lancome-usa.com), Lancôme Color Design 5 Pan Eyeshadow Palette in 602 Gris Fumee ($50, lancome-usa.com)
After prepping the Oscar winner’s already flawless skin, Barose etched Nyong’o’s upper lash lines with the Drama Liqui-Pencil Longwear Eyeliner in French Lace ($23, sephora.com). “Make it a bit thick and wing out a bit more since the eyes are bare, so extra drama is good,” he advises.
For her lower lash line, he used Le Stylo Waterproof in Noir ($27.50, lancome-usa.com) to achieve more drama. A bit of gray shadow from the Color Design 5 Pan Eyeshadow Palette in 602 Gris Fumee ($50, lancome-usa.com) added depth and definition on Nyong’o’s big brown eyes.
He went light on the mascara to keep the focus on her liner. “The eyes are about graphic lines,” he noted. “Too much mascara would take away the drama, so just one coat of black mascara on the outer corners is enough.” His pick? Hypnôse Mascara in Deep Black ($27.50, lancome-usa.com).
Lancôme Glow Subtil Silky Creme Highlighter ($30, sephora.com)
Barose highlighted the 12 Years a Slave star’s cheeks with Glow Subtil in 03 Rosegold Lights ($30, sephora.com). “Since the whole color palette is about white and pale colors to keep it monochromatic, avoid colorful blush,” he advises. “Instead, just dress the cheeks with highlighter.”
From left: Lancôme Le Stylo Waterproof in Gris Rivoli ($27.50, lancome-usa.com), Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge in 328 Delicate Lace ($30.50, lancome-usa.com)
To perfect Nyong’o’s pout, Barose applied L’Absolu Rouge in 328 Delicate Lace ($30.50, lancome-usa.com), a base, and dabbed Le Stylo Waterproof in Gris Rivoli ($27.50, lancome-usa.com) on top. “Keep lips pale, and for extra drama, add a gray tint to it so it looks like a grayish nude,” he instructs. “Even though it’s not a loud lip color, the gray hint makes it dramatic because of its odd undertone. It’s statement-making but still neutral and not loud.”
