Beauty Download: Jodie Turner-Smith

      Draped in vibrant Ferragamo fringe, delicate Chloé ruffles in soft peach, and layers from Miu Miu in cool tones, actress and model Jodie Turner-Smith graces our September cover. She is truly remarkable. (I mean it—I gasped.) Turner-Smith dazzles as the perfect muse for autumn, and her makeup artist Joey Choy alongside hairstylist Marcia Lee agreed that the glam had to match her stunning aesthetic. Turner-Smith’s artfully designed locs and glowing, ethereal skin provide a visual treat, prompting a request for an in-depth breakdown of the beauty details and product names. Below, discover all the behind-the-scenes revelations shared by Choy and Lee.

      Initially, the shoot aimed for a style featuring Turner-Smith's locs down, but Lee had an instinct to pivot after observing the garments chosen for the actress. "I realized Jodie's hair needed sculpting to align with the fashion—her loctitian, Yasmin Amira Davis, had freshly styled her locs the previous night, so nurturing was essential." After preparing Turner-Smith's hair with As I Am's Rosemary Hair Water ($10) and the Jamaican Black Castor Oil Water ($7), Lee utilized Geisha pins and sewing methods to craft Turner-Smith's stunning sculpted updos.

      "Each dazzling makeup application starts with a well-prepped base, and skincare is one of the most vital elements," emphasizes Choy. For optimal lift and shaping, she began with Ziip's highly regarded Halo Facial Toning Device ($400), employing targeted nanocurrent and microcurrent technology to refine and tighten key contours of the face like the cheekbones and jawline.

      Next, Choy gently performed a lymphatic drainage massage using one of her favorite moisturizers—Tatcha's Dewy Skin Cream ($72)—applying it with her fingers to ensure deep and enduring hydration for Turner-Smith's skin. To conclude, she layered on Laneige's Lip Sleeping Mask ($24) for a plush, juicy lip.

      Regarding the makeup, Choy drew inspiration from Turner-Smith's "striking" features for the day's looks. The aim was to achieve a romantic, effortless, powerful, and refined style with a contemporary twist. Everyone who has spent time near Jodie Turner-Smith agrees that she possesses a remarkable presence, which influenced Lee's hairstyling approach. "I took into consideration Alex de Mora's mood boards along with the outfits Jodie tried during fittings, and just her presence in the chair," Lee explains. This led her to create sculpted updos for the more assertive outfits, softer waves for the purple hat look, and a low braid to give the feathered hat the appearance of a cropped style. Lee ensures she is always prepared with essential hair products, including a good hair oil, serum, nourishing cream or oil, flexible-hold hairspray, pomade, gel, and wax.

      "Jodie's features are a dream for any makeup artist—each provides countless opportunities to explore," Choy comments. The secret, she states, is finding the proper balance, like emphasizing one or two features while keeping the overall appearance cohesive. "My signature technique involves layering, whether that means building up complexion products or applying graphic eyeliner over blush." According to Choy, it is the deliberate layering of various elements and textures that achieves a flawless look on camera.

      "This cover shoot was a highly collaborative effort," remarks Lee. Once Jodie's fitting was complete, the team came together to determine the vibe that suited each look, ensuring the hair, makeup, nails, and outfits were harmonized. "Our creative process felt very organic," Choy concurs. "Having collaborated with Jodie and the team numerous times, we've developed a natural rhythm for sharing and expanding each other's ideas to create a unified vision. With a fantastic team, the process resembles a dance—it’s as fulfilling as the final product."

      "Jodie's remarkable presence, willingness to explore, and creativity allow me to push the limits," Lee adds. "For me, this shoot was a chance to honor her locs as works of art—hair as a narrative, identity, and source of empowerment."