"A Tribute to Versatility": The Stunning Beauty Insights from Lupita Nyong'o's July Cover Shoot

      Surrounded by elegant drapery, layers of outdoor-printed scenes, and majestic solid backgrounds, our July cover star, Lupita Nyong'o, shines brightly. Whether she is adorned in head-to-toe Chanel or wearing a vibrant yellow-and-black outfit from Luar, the star of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey captures attention, with her collaborative and engaged spirit radiating. You can find the full cover feature with the Oscar winner here, but I’m spending time with Nyong'o's hairstylist Vernon François and makeup artist Nick Barose to delve into the behind-the-scenes beauty details, including expert hairstyling techniques and makeup application tips. Below, we explore all the glamour.

      "My inspiration for Lupita's hair was about celebrating versatility while ensuring each look felt authentic and not performative," François shares right away. "Lupita possesses a remarkable ability to embody distinctly different energies while remaining unmistakably herself, and I wanted the hairstyle to mirror that. Some styles felt sculptural and architectural, while others embraced softness, texture, and movement." Throughout all the looks, François observed a blend of confidence, elegance, and quiet strength. Rather than allowing the hair to dominate, he aimed for the actress's locks to serve as an additional layer of storytelling that harmonizes with every creative aspect.

      "Any look I create begins with understanding the intention behind the image," François explains when I inquire about his preparation and styling methods. "Before I touch the hair, I consider silhouette, proportion, movement, and how the hair will engage with light, wardrobe, and the narrative we're trying to convey." Preparation is paramount. Healthy, well-conditioned hair responds beautifully, so he consistently starts by ensuring the hair is adequately hydrated and protected. From there, he customizes his techniques to suit the specific look—be it sculpting, defining, stretching, or fostering softness and movement. "Throughout the shoot, each style evolved naturally while preserving the integrity of Lupita's hair and the kinky-straight Afro wig we used," he notes.

      For products, François turned to Olaplex's No.5L Moisturize & Mend Leave-In Conditioner ($34) to hydrate and shield the actress's hair, the No.10 Curl Defining Frizz Reducing Hair Gel ($32) for definition and hold as needed, and the No.7 Bonding Oil ($32) for a lightweight shine and polish. He mentions that he uses these three products on nearly all his celebrity clients and recommends them to everyone due to the solid foundation they provide for healthy, versatile styling across various hair textures.

      Styling tools were equally crucial, and François's toolkit included a rattail comb, a wide-tooth comb, sectioning clips, brushes, a diffuser, and a medium-sized Olivia Garden curling iron to shape and create movement. "My hands are my most vital tool," François remarks. "They enable me to intuitively respond to the hair and fine-tune each style in a way that feels effortless, not labored." According to François, it's critical that hair is not seen as an afterthought. "Hair has the power to convey identity, emotion, culture, and personality before anyone speaks a word," he adds.

      As for Nyong'o's makeup, Barose emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the actress's natural radiance shines through, even with dramatic looks. "The skin should never be overshadowed by heavy, opaque foundation or overly matte powder," he explains. "When the skin appears fresh and touchable, the rest of the makeup automatically looks superior."

      To prepare Nyong'o's skin for our cover shoot, Barose massaged Chanel's Sublimage Le Sérum ($560) into her face and neck. Once absorbed, he added a small quantity of the brand's Sublimage La Crème ($505) to her skin, along with eye cream, the Sublimage La Crème Yeux ($320), and lip oil, Sublimage L'Extrait Huile Lèvres ($365). He notes the importance of allowing all skincare products to sit and absorb for about five minutes before patting away any excess.

      "For dark skin like Lupita's, it’s vital to keep the T-zone matte while maintaining any glow on the cheekbones," Barose clarifies. "There's a Mehron Makeup product created for performance called TouchUp Anti-Shine Gel ($15) that I love. I applied a small amount of the Dark Tint on Lupita's forehead and T-zone, which helps me rely less on powder and manage any additional shine." For foundation, Barose used Chanel's Les Beiges Foundation in B140 ($69) and the Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Powder in B140 ($61). He prefers applying liquid foundation with a dense goat-hair brush like the premium handmade Japanese Hakuhodo model S5555 ($173), as it allows for greater control in effortlessly building up or sheering out the foundation.

      For a vibrant pop of color,