Lupita Nyong'o's makeup artist shares a behind-the-scenes look at The Odyssey's performances in London, Paris, and New York City...

Lupita Nyong'o's makeup artist shares a behind-the-scenes look at The Odyssey's performances in London, Paris, and New York City...

      The Odyssey represents the thematic aesthetic of the 2026 press tour. Envision Grecian-inspired dresses, sunlit jewelry, and radiant skin. (We’re still captivated by Zendaya's Athena-like inner-corner highlight.) Lupita Nyong'o fits right in. Portraying Helen of Troy, a pivotal figure in the ancient epic, she has been making bold statements on the red carpet. The Oscar-winning actress graced the premieres in London, Paris, and New York with striking hair and makeup, thanks to her longtime hairstylist Vernon François and makeup artist Nick Barose. Below, we’ve detailed all three of her timeless premiere looks with insights from Barose. Join us for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look and expert tips from the press tour.

      **Skin Preparation**

      “This press tour for such a massive blockbuster can be quite a challenge, especially with international travel and time zone changes,” Barose notes, highlighting the importance of skin preparation. He uses several key products to ready Nyong'o's complexion before makeup application. “I always begin by misting her face with the [Skwálwen Botanicals] Kalkáy (Wild Rose) Refreshing Toner ($65), which I discovered through Lily Gladstone during her Oscars season. It has become a staple for me and my clients. Its soothing wild rose scent is incredibly refreshing and a perfect way to awaken the senses before starting makeup.”

      Next, he uses the Ziip Halo Microcurrent Device ($400). “I love this, especially before major red carpet events, like The Odyssey premieres in London, Paris, and NYC. You can see immediate results, making it ideal for prepping the skin to achieve a natural glow. The four-minute facial feature delivers impressive results quickly, so the hairdresser, manicurist, and stylist don't get frustrated with me for taking up their time,” he explains. For exfoliation, he employs Lisa Eldridge's Luxuriously Gentle Cleansing and Exfoliating Cloth ($16). “I typically soak it in warm water, wring it out, and gently scrub her face, neck, and lips in circular motions to polish and remove any dry patches before applying makeup,” he clarifies. Finally, he prepares Nyong'o's skin with Chanel's Sublimage Le Sérum ($560), La Crème ($505), La Crème Yeux ($320), and Lip Oil ($365). Then it's on to the makeup.

      **Shop the Skin Prep**

      - Skwálwen Botanicals Kalkáy Wild Rose Refreshing Toner

      - ZIIP Halo Microcurrent Device

      - Lisa Eldridge Cleansing and Exfoliating Cloths

      - Chanel Sublimage Le Sérum

      - Chanel Sublimage La Crème

      - Chanel Sublimage La Crème Yeux

      Barose remarks, “The silver Christian Cowan dress is very vampy and fierce. I drew inspiration from Hollywood's first vamp screen persona, Theda Bara in 1917, and later images of Marilyn Monroe styled as Theda Bara by Richard Avedon in 1958.” He created “sultry, dark, vampy” eyes and lips paired with sharply contoured cheekbones. He maintained a muted color palette with defined eyes and lips set against fresh, glowing skin.

      The standout products included those from Lisa Eldridge Beauty, starting with Elevated Glow Balm in High Key Light ($38). “I applied this golden-tone highlighter to the top of her cheeks, brow bones, and shoulders, providing a candlelit glow,” he notes. Next, he used the black cherry Velatura Balm in Hellebore Heaven ($36). “This balm adds a touch of color and shine to her cheeks and lips,” he explains. He then applied the Rouge Experience Refillable Lipstick in 190 Bohemian Cherry ($59) “for a seductive, vampy pout.” Lastly, he finished the look with Liquid Lurex Eyeshadow in Liza ($30), a chic metallic pewter.

      **Shop the London Premiere Look**

      - Lisa Eldridge Elevated Glow Balm Concentrate in High-Key Light

      - Lisa Eldridge Velatura Balm Dewy Lip and Cheek Stick in Hellebore Heaven

      - Lisa Eldridge Rouge Experience Refillable Lipstick in 190 Bohemian Cherry

      **Paris**

      ( Image credit: Getty Images) “Fun fact: Eartha Kitt played Helen of Troy on stage in Paris for the legendary director Orson Welles in 1950. Nyong'o's flaming-red Chanel see-through dress evokes vibes of Eartha Kitt, so I wanted the makeup to reflect Kitt's famous Catwoman feline eyes,” Barose states. He paired the eye makeup with deep-red lipstick and golden sparkles for “added drama and theatrics.”

      He began with Chanel's Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint ($72) in Deep Plus and Sublimage L'Essence de Teint Longwear Foundation ($180)

Lupita Nyong'o's makeup artist shares a behind-the-scenes look at The Odyssey's performances in London, Paris, and New York City... Lupita Nyong'o's makeup artist shares a behind-the-scenes look at The Odyssey's performances in London, Paris, and New York City... Lupita Nyong'o's makeup artist shares a behind-the-scenes look at The Odyssey's performances in London, Paris, and New York City... Lupita Nyong'o's makeup artist shares a behind-the-scenes look at The Odyssey's performances in London, Paris, and New York City... Lupita Nyong'o's makeup artist shares a behind-the-scenes look at The Odyssey's performances in London, Paris, and New York City... Lupita Nyong'o's makeup artist shares a behind-the-scenes look at The Odyssey's performances in London, Paris, and New York City... Lupita Nyong'o's makeup artist shares a behind-the-scenes look at The Odyssey's performances in London, Paris, and New York City... Lupita Nyong'o's makeup artist shares a behind-the-scenes look at The Odyssey's performances in London, Paris, and New York City... Lupita Nyong'o's makeup artist shares a behind-the-scenes look at The Odyssey's performances in London, Paris, and New York City... Lupita Nyong'o's makeup artist shares a behind-the-scenes look at The Odyssey's performances in London, Paris, and New York City... Lupita Nyong'o's makeup artist shares a behind-the-scenes look at The Odyssey's performances in London, Paris, and New York City... Lupita Nyong'o's makeup artist shares a behind-the-scenes look at The Odyssey's performances in London, Paris, and New York City... Lupita Nyong'o's makeup artist shares a behind-the-scenes look at The Odyssey's performances in London, Paris, and New York City... Lupita Nyong'o's makeup artist shares a behind-the-scenes look at The Odyssey's performances in London, Paris, and New York City... Lupita Nyong'o's makeup artist shares a behind-the-scenes look at The Odyssey's performances in London, Paris, and New York City... Lupita Nyong'o's makeup artist shares a behind-the-scenes look at The Odyssey's performances in London, Paris, and New York City... Lupita Nyong'o's makeup artist shares a behind-the-scenes look at The Odyssey's performances in London, Paris, and New York City... Lupita Nyong'o's makeup artist shares a behind-the-scenes look at The Odyssey's performances in London, Paris, and New York City... Lupita Nyong'o's makeup artist shares a behind-the-scenes look at The Odyssey's performances in London, Paris, and New York City... Lupita Nyong'o's makeup artist shares a behind-the-scenes look at The Odyssey's performances in London, Paris, and New York City... Lupita Nyong'o's makeup artist shares a behind-the-scenes look at The Odyssey's performances in London, Paris, and New York City... Lupita Nyong'o's makeup artist shares a behind-the-scenes look at The Odyssey's performances in London, Paris, and New York City...

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Lupita Nyong'o's makeup artist shares a behind-the-scenes look at The Odyssey's performances in London, Paris, and New York City...

Celebrity makeup artist Nick Barose offers an exclusive glimpse behind the scenes.